February 13th, 2017

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www.morungexpress.com

MonDAY • FebruArY 13 • 2017

DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 41 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

o F

T R u T H

Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time — Chinese Proverb North Korea tests ballistic missile PAGE 09

Child rag picker who was run over by train recovers after amputation at CIHSR Hospital

India beat Pak to lift 2nd successive Blind World Cup

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daily bandhs to begin today Appeal for smooth conduct of exams

Morung Express News Dimapur | February 12

The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) have resolved to call for daily state-wide bandh from February 13 onwards. A press note from the NTAC media cell stated that the bandh “shall be peaceful and non-violent.” It further informed that all educational institutions, including NBSE and SCERT will come under the purview of the bandh. The NTAC also informed that it had a joint meeting with Kohimabased tribe Hoho leaders and deliberated on the continuous presence of the legislators in Kohima “who seemingly appear to have been coerced to give moral and physical support to the beleaguered Chief Minister of Nagaland.” It advised the legislators to “realise their duties and responsibilities in their respective constituencies rather than remain in Kohima for the past few days when all the government machineries are par-

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Ah- picking up from where the government left off -huh-Well-i dont have money-you can have my boom boom 301 phone.

CM to address state today

DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 12 (MExN): Nagaland State Chief Minister is set to deliver an address at 7:30pm on February 14, on All India Radio Kohima. This was informed in a press note from the Chief Minister’s Office.

Twitter struggling to handle Trump

C M Y K

NEw YoRk, FEBRUARY 12 (IANS): US President Donald Trump’s tweets generate such a massive public engagement and responses that Twitter cannot handle them, putting a tremendous pressure on Twitter’s system. According to a report in Mashable India, many users’ replies to Trump’s tweets appeared as ‘disconnected’ from the original tweet, as the massive responses it garners caused a breakdown to Twitter’s technical infrastructure. Some people have called the issue as a matter of censorship but Twitter’s Vice President of engineering Ed Ho has clarified that the ‘disconnection’ between original Trump tweet and replies was caused by a “long standing technical issue”. According to Ho, the issue crops up when tweets generate a large number of replies.

Bandhs from feBruary 13 onwards KoHima : 6:00am to 6:00pm Exemptions: Press Media and Newspaper Hawkers, Para Military, Administration on duty, Medical, North/South Police Station under SP Office, Kohima, and students appearing exams and teachers on exam duty. Dimapur : 8:00am to 5:00pm Exemptions: Police and district administration, Medical personnel, postal service, Fire & Emergency Services, para-military, weddings, funerals, Press media, ambulance service, including the Red Cross and movement of patients in private vehicles, inbound/outbound travelers with valid tickets, students appearing CBSE exams, Power department field workers responding to emergencies or consumer complaints. moKoKCHung: 6:00am to 6:00pm Exemptions: Students appearing exam, teachers/invigilators on examination duty, magistrate on duty, police and para Military, press and media personnel, medical services. Enpo arEaS: 8:00am to 5:00pm Exemptions: paramilitary forces, invitees to wedding on production of invitation card, funerals, press, medical (ambulance and private vehicles carrying patients), postal service, fire & emergency services would be exempted from the purview of the bandh.

ing HSSLC/HSLC examinations will not be exempt from the purview of the bandh. Reiterating that the bandh will cover all educational establishments, including the Nagaland Board School Education HSSLC/HSLC examinations scheduled to begin on JCC says HSSLC/HSLC exams will not be exempt February 14, the JCC stated Meanwhile, the JCC at a “the NBSE will likely issue media briefing in Dimapur a notification on February informed that the impend- 13” with regard to deferalysed.” The NTAC said the legislators should “realise the pain and suffering of the people and respond to it appropriately instead of being holed up not being given the liberty of sagacity.”

ment of the examinations. It however added that the ongoing CBSE examination has been exempted from the purview of the bandh as the annual CBSE final examination is already on. Power department field workers responding to emergencies or consumer complaints will be exempt. However, offices of the Power department will not be allowed to

function. Stating that the bandh should be “public friendly,” the JCC urged bandh volunteers to maintain discipline and display courtesy. It discouraged the use of alcohol by volunteers and to refrain from vandalism. The JCC also cautioned against individuals or political parties taking undue advantage of the situation. While calling for cooperation from all quarters of the society, the JCC appealed government employees to bear with the present situation, which has resulted in the withholding of monthly salaries. With regard to the NPF statement defending the state government’s action, the JCC stated, “Wrong cannot be made right even with the passage of time.” Stating that the “U turn of the state government” with regard to the January 30 agreement cannot be justified, the JCC appealed the NPF not to confuse itself and more so the people. “The JCC and NTAC are not political institutions. Our intention is very clear, that is, to safeguard the interest of the Naga people.”

DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 12 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has appealed for the smooth functioning of the educational institutions and facilitate for hassle free passage to students who are set to appear their exams from February 14. A press note from the NSF also asked all students “not to get distracted by the present social unrest but rather concentrate on their studies.” The NSF cautioned that any irregularity in the functioning of schools and colleges because of the present unrest “would amount to irreparable damage to the career of the younger generations.”

punished as per the law of the land, while also conveying its condolences to the bereaved families. The government, it further advised should “mature in handling the situation whereby justice is delivered as per the law of the land,” while adding that the “lukewarm attitude of the government should be held sole responsible for putting a hold on the entire state mechanism.” Meanwhile, it urged the Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC) to “strive in restoring peace and harmony.” “We look upon the restoration of situation through NBCC intervention in the spirit of forgiveness,” it stated, while appealing to ENSF directs units to Naga leaders and citizens to “refrain from protect student’s interest The ENSF appealed that the upcom- taking justice into our own hand.” ing HSLC and HSSLC examination should be held without any disturbances. It urged CEDOK urges for against violence and bandh “which dis- peaceful atmosphere The Commission for Education of the tract and divert the students mind.” “We cannot expect the students to perform Diocese of Kohima (CEDOK) on behalf well in their exams in the midst of such so- of all catholic schools of Nagaland has appealed for creation of peaceful atmocial unrest,” it added. The ENSF directed all federating units to sphere for the thousands of students who “cautiously strive in protecting the welfare are set to appear their HSLC and HSSLC of the student’s community within its influ- examinations from February 14. A press note from the CEDOK stated that ence.” Pointing out that students from Eastern Nagaland had faced “untold misery and the students “have been burning their night suffering on account of various turmoil in lamps to prepare themselves for board exthe past,” the federation asserted that it can- ams which are very crucial to their career. Any disruption, and inconvenience in apnot see “such repetition of wrong again.” The ENSF also asked the ENPO, ENLU, pearing exams will lay waste the hard work ENGOA, ENWO, ENCSU, ENEUU, includ- they have been putting in and adversely afing subordinate units to extend its support fect the entire student community.” While praying for an honorable and through action and prayer. It meanwhile condemned the action peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis, the of security personnel in which three peo- CEDOK asked all organizations and asple were killed and several injured, and sociations to allow smooth movement of slammed the state government’s attitude all students and persons on examination duty and all establishments connected to “for shying away from the truth.” A press note from the ENSF said all examination to function peaceful for the erring personals and in charge should be better future of the children.

8 killed in Kashmir gunfight, NPF says agitators holding civilians ‘ransom’ protestors clash with security

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 12 (AGENcIES): A man was killed in firing by security forces after hundreds of people descended on the streets of Kulgam in south Kashmir and its adjoining areas following the killing of four alleged militants in an encounter on Sunday. The opposition National Conference has called for a probe into the firing while the separatists have called for a strike on Monday to protest crackdown by the security forces. Health officials said at least 21 youngsters were injured by bullets, pellets and tear gas shells fired by security forces who were trying to scuttle protests near Frisal in Kulgam, where four militants, two soldiers and a civilian had been killed in an encounter earlier in the day. By the end of the day, the death toll was eight. The protester killed in the firing was identified as 24-year-old Mushtaq Ibrahim from Sirgufwara. The youth probably died of bullet wounds, said deputy

inspector general of south Kashmir SP Pani, adding that the other injured protesters are stable. “We have referred at least 21 wounded youth to district hospital Anantnag,” said chief medical officer of Kulgam, Dr Shafi. “Most of them have been operated and are out of danger,” he said. Dr Shafi said that the total number of injured can’t be ascertained as many of them have not provided their details in the hospitals and left for their homes fearing police action. Many of the injured referred to Anantnag have been hit by bullets and pellets in their limbs while some have been hit in vital body parts. Some of the injured people, who were hit in vital areas of their body, have been referred to medical institutions in Srinagar. Security forces had cordoned off a house where the alleged militants were holed up at Kulgam’s Frisal village on Saturday night before the gunfight began

Sunday morning. Police said they were yet to identify how the civilian – who was allegedly taken hostage by the militants – had died. Pani said all the militants were local residents. “We are ascertaining their identities,” he added. Kashmir witnessed months of unrest after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani in July last year. Over 90 persons lost their lives in the protests that followed. Jammu and Kashmir’s opposition National Conference condemned the killing of two civilians in Frisal village of Kulgam and demanded an impartial and time-bound probe. In a statement issued from party headquarters, district president Kulgam and MLA Homshalibugh Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi lashed out at the forces for resorting to “indiscriminate and brute force”, resulting in death of two civilians and injuries to “scores out of which two have been grievously injured.”

DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 12 (MExN): The Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) today expressed concern that agitators are “holding the innocent civilians to ransom for political mileage of a few vested interests.” A press note from the NPF press and media bureau said that the “contentious issues of ULB elections and 33% reservations have already been addressed with the nullification of the elections by the Government as

desired by the protesting organisations. But it is disheartening to see that some of the leaders still refuse to see reason and continue to hijack the movement to meet their preplanned, personal political agenda.” It stated that the party government is “restraining itself to avoid unwanted collateral damages, however the agitators are hell-bent to cripple normal life and to paralyze the government machineries with the sole aim of pro-

jecting to the Centre that President’s Rule would be the only answer.” The NPF expressed hope that sanity and reason would prevail amongst the leaders. It meanwhile urged that the student’s careers should not be hampered. “The career and future of the thousands of our students appearing crucial examinations should not be compromised in any manner,” it added.

Chief Minister refutes JCC allegation

DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 12 (MExN): The Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today refuted allegations that he had asked a delegation of the NBCC to convey to the NTAC and the JCC to let him stay in power till March, the end of the financial year. A press note from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) termed these allegations as “absolutely false, delusive and concocted with the malicious intention of doing mischief to the image and integrity of the Chief Minister.” “That a leader of the

JCC could stoop so low to make such a fanciful allegation and that too, dragging in the name of the revered NBCC in his flight of fancy, is deplorable,” the CMO added. It further mentioned that the Nagaland CM holds the NBCC “in the highest of esteem and greatly appreciates the efforts it has been making to find an amicable solution to the present imbroglio. And he urges everyone not to use the good name of the NBCC in vain.” The CM, it informed had a series of meetings with the NBCC in the past two weeks “but at no point

of time had he ever made such a disgraceful request, or had such a thought ever entered his mind.” The CM, meanwhile, viewed that “responsible leaders should make responsible statements.”

NBCC denies receiving such request from govt The Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC) today stated that it has not received any request from the Nagaland Chief Minister “to be in office till the end of the financial year.” A press note from the NBCC stated that these reports came as a “shock” to the council, and informed

that it “has not received such request from the government during the course of our discussions nor have we conveyed that message to any party involved.” “If such a statement has been made by any member of the NBCC team we want to make it clear that it does not represent the official communication of the NBCC mediating team,” it added. This clarification, the NBCC said, “is made to clear the air that no such idea or request has ever surfaced in the course of our conversation or been tabled by the government to NBCC.”

Rethink & re-discuss issues: NE intellectuals Church leaders issue appeal for

GUwAhAtI, FEBRUARY 12 (MExN): A group of 24 intellectuals, consisting of activists, journalists, writers, academics and organizations from the North East region of the Indian Union, have stated that Naga society must “rethink and re-discuss” the issues involved keeping in mind the interests of both men and women and the progress of the communities within the nation. “While respecting the Naga right in determining their own course of action, they must not lose sight of the larger democratic principles of equality and non discrimination in today’s world,” noted a press statement from the group released today.

Arguing that Nagaland must consider the “admiration that it has received in the past for Naga women’s contribution to society, not only from their own communities or clans, but from the larger world,” the statement maintained, “It must be ensured that there is no derogation on international standards, that may take place, in the context of customary laws.” The group of North East intellectuals remained concerned that Naga women’s interests and their representation should not be “bartered away in the interest of political expediency” and the State must pursue “fair dialogue” initiated by different groups to “bring about a solution rather than abdicate its responsi-

bilities.” Collective strength “Collective strength of tribal societies has always been acknowledged and appreciated. Men in Naga community are known to share the workloads of women, especially in agriculture and non-farm work,” observed the individuals and organisations. However, “women’s workload is immense and needs to be recognized,” they maintained. Women have contributed in a large way to informal governance of Naga society and there are exemplary instances that can be cited, especially in times of conflict. “The display of machismo and insensitivity, as demonstrated during the

recent times is not acceptable because it is traditionally non Naga.” Violence has been manifested by the threat of denying the rights of women, “socially ostracizing and mentally traumatizing them,” the statement affirmed. While the issue of Article 371 A of the Constitution has drawn varied opinions, efforts of women in formal political decisionmaking and governance processes have to be asserted. “Reservation for women in ULBs is just one way the Naga society and the Government can uphold women’s formal space, without having any suspicion that men’s spaces will be jeopardized,” the statement reiterated.

wisdom & conscience to prevail

DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 12 (MExN): 20 Church leaders from Nagaland today issued an appeal for wisdom and conscience to prevail over all short-term considerations and selfinterests. The church leaders in a joint statement stated that the ongoing crisis has “revealed the truth about how we can limit and destroy ourselves. What needs to be done to match this perilous moment by the people, and our leaders in particular, has become clear.” It asked the government and the NTAC/JCC not to act against the “dictates of your God-given conscience.” The statement asked all

sides to “tone down their rhetorical positions and justifications so that the current tensions may deescalate and allow space for creative interventions and dialogue.” It urged the Chief Minister to demonstrate “ableleadership by exercising your moral judgement and acting on your conscience to do what is right and needed at this juncture to avert violence, and pave the way for genuine dialogue.” To the leaders of organizations “who are leading the resistance against the faulty process and imposition of policies made without the Naga peoples’ informed consent,” the

statement asked them to “resist from any form of violent confrontation, because violence will only yield more violence.” And to Nagas, it asked: “Let us seize this moment of extreme crisis as an opportunity to exercise Naga values to respect and uphold women rights. This is an opportunity to re-examine old models and practices, and together, through a people’s dialogue and consultation begin the tedious democratic process of creating inclusive and empowering models in which Naga women, men and youth can respectfully participate and decide the course of our common future.” Full text on Page 5


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February 13th, 2017 by The Morung Express - Issuu