February 14th, 2017

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

TuesDAY • FebruArY 14 • 2017

DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 42 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

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T R u T H

Love is the bridge between you and everything — Rumi Myanmar to investigate police over allegations of crimes against Rohingya PAGE 09

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

PAGE 02

GPRN/NSCN condemn detention of two officials by NSCN (IM) Dimapur, February 13 (mexN): The GPRN/ NSCN has called for the release of two of their officers who were “arrested” and detained allegedly by the NSCN (IM). The GPRN/ NSCN stated today in a press release from its MIP that Merentoshi Ao, their Regional Administrative Officer of Ao Region, and Maj. Tongpang Ao, their Region Guard Commander, were arrested and detained by the NSCN (IM) on February 10 allegedly to “divert the attention of the people.” They demanded the release of the officials “as well as their arms at the earliest.” “It is extremely unfortunate that the NSCN (IM) has chosen to adopt a too often failed policy of indulging in anti-peace maneuvers and actions,” stated the MIP of the GPRN/ NSCN. “The civil unrest in Nagaland state is a clear indication that the tribes of Nagaland have understood their history, customs, tradition and political right. In the same way, the NSCN (IM) through the United Naga Council (UNC) have understood their situation and are rightly pursuing what political status would be best for Nagas in Manipur. Where was the need to for NSCN (IM) to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in Ao Region?” asked the MIP. Drawing a conjecture from the present situation, the GPRN/NSCN took the opportunity to “opine” that the Framework Agreement of 2015 between GOI and NSCN (IM) “should not be mixed up with the tribes of Nagaland and their land.” “The difference in political and social pursuit of the Tribes of Nagaland and Naga Tribes in Manipur is best exemplified by current events being spearheaded NTAC/JCC/CNTC in Nagaland and UNC in Manipur. When political agenda and practical reality has taken clear different routes, it would be wise for NSCN (IM) not to meddle in the affair of others or attempt to force others into confrontational situation,” it stated.

Rio meets NSA Ajit Doval

C M Y K

Dimapur, February 13 (mexN): Nagaland State MP to the Lok Sabha Neiphiu Rio, who left for New Delhi today, had a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and “discussed at length” the current situation relating to the Urban Local Body elections. According to a source privy to the meeting, they discussed “how it began and what it has escalated to.” Rio impressed upon the centre to handle the “present crisis with utmost care and not antagonise the Naga public,” as the already fragile Indo-Naga peace talks could be affected and also asked the centre to bring an early solution to the Naga political problem, it said. The Member of Parliament has been asked to stay back in Delhi for further discussions, it added.

PAGe 12

Bandh brings nagaland to a standstill Bandh volunteers harass press persons again

Bandhs to continue on February 14

Thank God I am not a government officer and I don’t have to worry about my car.

Ashwin, Jadeja spin India to win over Bangladesh

In sickness and in health, Love remains

Dimapur 8am to 5pm Kohima 8am to 3pm pheK 6am to 3:30pm Zunheboto 9am to 4pm moKoKchung 6am to 6pm Dimapur/Kohima , February 13(mexN/ iaNS): What was left of ‘normal life’ came to a standstill in Nagaland today as it entered a phase of daily shutdowns by organizations calling for the resignation of Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang to resign. However, students will get to appear for their NBSE/CBSE exams from February 14.

“We will continue with our shutdown till the Chief Ministerresigns,”NTACConvenor K.T. Vielie told IANS. The state secretariat, state and central government offices, banks, educational institutions, shops, businesses remained closed, and there was no movement of public and private transport.

The National Highway-2 connecting Dimapur, the main commercial town of Nagaland with poll-bound state of Manipur, was also affected.

Volunteers were seen picketing the road to prevent traffic movement and the governmentemployeesfrom attendingtheirofficialduties.

“There has been no untoward incident during the shutdown hours as people refrained themselves from venturing into the streets,” Nagaland Police chief L.L. Doungel told IANS. “Security forces were deployed along the Nation-

Women volunteers in traditional mekhela (wraparound) at Sovima village junction during the protest bandh on Monday. The indefinite bandh has been called by the JCC and NTAC demanding TR Zeliang to resign from the position of Chief Minster. (Morung Photo)

al Highway-2 to ensure that there is a smooth movement of vehicles to Manipur. However, there were no movements of vehicles,” the police official said.

Doungel said the police were taking all precautions to ensure that there is no further breakdown of law and order.

Mobile data services remained cut off since January 30.

Dimapur The bandh enforced by JCC volunteers along the NH-29 stretch from Purana Bazar to Chumukedima passed off peacefully with no untoward incident till the time of filing this report.

Hundreds of volunteers manned every major intersection along the highway to enforce the bandh. The volunteers put up barricades and road blocks including hume pipes, stones, upturned tables and bamboo.

At Diphupar Village junction and Sovima Village junction, many women vol-

gami Youth Organization (AYO) mobilized for the total bandh, that passed off without any untoward incident, with around 1500 volunteers spread over various locations of Kohima.

Business establishments downed shutter, offices and schools were closed. Streets wore a deserted look as pedestrian and vehicular movements were restricted during the bandh from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Naga Peace Task Force, in collaboration with Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland Branch, was seen with first aid materials in two locations in Kohima.

Imposition of Section 144 CrPC in Old Ministers’ Hill area, Jail Colony and Raj Bhavan area is still in force.

Bandh in Kohima on February 14 will be from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

In view of the NBSE examination, AYO today informed that students are exempted under the preKohima In Kohima, the An- view of the ongoing Bandh. unteers in traditional attires were also present. At 6th Mile, volunteers displayed a signboard with messages, some of which read ‘Chief minister of Nagaland listen to the voice of the people’, ‘Preserve Article 371 (A) for which our forefathers fought’ and ‘MLAs of Nagaland where are your moral responsibilities?’

A sizeable number of police personnel, some in riot gear, were present between 3rd Mile and 2 ½ Mile, where the private residence of the chief minister is located.

Police and IRB personnel were also seen patrolling the streets at regular intervals.

Within Dimapur city, volunteers were concentrated at Hotel Senti and Hotel Targopan junction, Khermahal junction, Nagarjan junction and Clock Tower junction.

Bandh in Dimapur on February 14 will be from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Dimapur, February 13 (mexN): Even as the JCC offered a hand scribbled unsigned ‘apology’ and an ensuing ‘never again’ promise to the press during its previous bandh, press persons have continued to be harassed by bandh volunteers in Dimapur on February 13.

“In three to four places, we were verbally abused by bandh volunteers in Dimapur town,” said a journalist who was covering the events of the day along with a colleague and their driver in their press car. And once again, “some of them were drunk,” alleged the journalist. This was affirmed by a passenger who attempted to reach the airport with a child, woman and old person on board their car but faced mob harassment at several junctions despite information that travelers will be exempted.

“Despite assurance given by the orAs such, the under mentioned factors are completely exempted: Public transportation, bus, taxi, sumo and private vehicles are allowed to ply to meet the needs of the students undergoing exams. Shops have been requested to open after 3:00 PM to cater the needs of the public.

Water carriers are exempted before 9:00 AM and after 3:00 PM. Any department related to holding of exams are exempted. However, they are not allowed to use government vehicles, stated AYO media cell.

Meanwhile, the Kohima Village Youth Organisation (KVYO) today reaffirmed its support towards the APO, AYO and NTAC. Briefing media persons on February 13, KVYO President Medozhatuo Rutsa said, “Under Kohima Village Council (KVC)’s guidance we have been working with and supporting the AYO and APO, and we will continue to give our support to the AYO,

ganizer of the ongoing state-wide bandh not to harass and hinder the movement of the media persons, some volunteers, who were enforcing the bandh, harassed and intimidated media persons,” confirmed the Nagaland Press Association in a press release today.

While condemning the “misbehavior,” the NPA urged the organizers and volunteers to “recognize the nature and need of the works of journalists.”

“Instead of recognizing and appreciate the service rendering for the benefit of the society even in matter of spot news reporting by the journalists during bandh, it is painful and very disappointing that the people, who are benefiting out of journalists works and their contributions, continuously harass, humiliate and hinder their movements thoughtlessly time and again,” maintained the NPA.

APO and NTAC.” The KVYO has reiterated its stance on nonviolence during the bandh, and maintained that it will abide

by AYO’s directives on the nonviolent bandh. However, it will oppose any violent act. pheK The Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) today imposed total bandh in Phek district.

CYF president Welete Kapfo said the bandh was observed peacefully at Phek, Pfutsero, Chozuba, Chetheba, Chizami and Sekruzu town. No untoward incident has been reported.

Kapfo said the bandh will continue on February 14 from 6:00 am to 3:30 pm.

Zunheboto The Sumi Hoho informed today that the bandh enforced in Zunheboto on Monday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm was peaceful with no untoward incident. Sumi Hoho, General Secretary, Vihuto Asumi informed that the

enforcement of bandh which has been entrusted to Zunheboto Town Youth Organization would not hamper the movement of students appearing for exams whether NBSE or central board. The timing of the bandh would remain the same on Tuesday. moKoKchung The bandh in Mokokchung passed off without any untoward incident.

The bandh timings and exemptions will remain the same on February 14. meluri In compliance with the call made by the NTAC and JCC, the Pochury Hoho, Pochury Youth Association (PYA) and Müluo Shefüri Kügharü organized a total bandh on February 13 in all Pochury ‘jurisdiction’ from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm that was observed “successfully” without any untoward incident. This was informed in a press release from General Secretary of the PYA.

cM takes to the radio: stresses on NBSE exams to go ahead as scheduled ‘negotiation, dialogue, settlement’ Morung Express News

Kohima, February 13 (mexN): On World Radio Day, February 13, the Chief Minister of Nagaland decided to go the Prime Minister of India way to address a simmering Nagaland State.

“Let us put our heads together to build the Nagaland of our dreams instead of mindless confrontation and more violence,” he stated while speaking on All India Radio (AIR) today. His speech was aired at 7:30 pm.

Chief Minister TR Zeliang appealed to “all agitating groups” today

to “rise above the immediate present and consider the future”—that of ours and the younger generation. He stressed on solutions through democratic processes of negotiation, dialogue and settlement.

The CM maintained that “Tribal organisations should come forward for interactions and sharing of views and opinions without any bias or hesitation.” “We cannot, we should not, we must not sacrifice the future of the Naga society by confronting each other. After all, the larger benefit for the whole society

must be given more importance than the benefit of any individual or a few,” he said in his address.

The CM fervently appealed for the bandh to be lifted to enable students to appear for their exams as well as “let the tens of thousands of Government employees whose family members rely on their salaries for livelihood attend offices to work and draw their salaries, and at the same time, to allow the business community to carry out their normal trade to sustain themselves.”

Full text on page 5

our demand is not negotiable: Jcc Morung Express News Dimapur | February 13

The annual HSSLC/HSLC examinations will go ahead as scheduled.

The JCC at a media briefing on February 13 announced that the examinations scheduled to begin on February 14 will be exempt from the purview of the bandh.

The decision to exempt was taken after considering the opinion of the NBSE and also taking into consideration the interest of the students, stated the JCC. In this regard, the JCC asked bandh volunteers in Dimapur to allow the free movement of students and invigilators to the exam centres. Bandh volunteers were also requested to be disciplined.

Asked on the state government appealing for dialogue and negotiation, the JCC stated, “Our demand is not negotiable,” adding that the government must step down.

Referring to the statement of four NPF legislators calling for re-

Guidelines for student, invigilators, guardians and travellers in Dimapur While stating that any vehicle carrying students and invigilators to the exam centres be allowed to pass, the JCC further requested parents, guardians or drivers transporting students to wait at the exam centres to pick up the students after the duration of the 3-hour exams.

People or vehicles picking up or dropping travellers should be at the airport or the train station by 8:00 am, it stated. On the plight of inbound travellers, it asked the travellers to wait till 5:00 pm to head to their respective destinations unless it is an emergency. voking the suspension of Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio and MLA Imkong L. Imchen from the NPF, which as per the statement will pave the way for reconciliation and “salvage the situation,” the JCC stated that the current agitation should not be mixed up with any political agenda.

“We make it clear that this is not a political movement.”

The JCC condemned what it termed as “uncalled for” the NPF and the Chief Minster’s Office “pinpointing and blaming” individual

JCC members for statements made in the media with regard to stand of the JCC. As per the JCC, any statement made is on behalf of the JCC as a body and not any member’s individual opinion.

It further alleged the CM of confining MLAs at his residence and at a hotel in Kohima. While calling for the MLAs to withdraw their support to CM, the JCC said, “They (MLAs) are leaders. They should be in the public domain to speak their minds.”

Dimapur | February 13

In a relief to over 55,000 students and their parents, the deck has been opened for the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) exams for Classes X, XI and XII to go ahead as scheduled.

The High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC), Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) and Class XI examinations scheduled to start from February 14 were put in jeopardy due to the statewide indefinite bandh called by different organisations.

At its Governing Body meeting held today in Kohima, the NBSE decided to conduct the examinations as “per time scheduled” and appealed “all authorities concerned” to enable a conducive atmosphere for the exams.

“The Governing Body appeal to all authorities concerned to give a conducive atmosphere for the peaceful conduct of the said examinations by way of free movement of students, centre superintendents, school staff, invigilators and Board officials and ensuring safe delivery/deposit of question papers and answer scripts from the Banks/Post Offices/Centre of Examination and to the NBSE Office,” stated a press note from NBSE Chairman Asano Sekhose.

NTAC exempt examinees Meanwhile, the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) today said that while the ongoing indefinite bandh is “total on Tuesday February 14,” measures to enable stu-

dents appearing the HSLC & HSSLC Examinations were taken on “persistent requests and appeals” made by student communities and different organisations.

The decision of exemption, NTAC Media Cell informed, have been exclusively made for “Public transport, bus, taxi, sumo and private vehicles catering to the need of the students as well as officials involved in the above mentioned examination process.”

Career most important, say students orgs Earlier, several organisations and students’ bodies led by Naga Students Federation (NSF) appealed for smooth functioning of educational institutions and hassle free exams.

Calling for peaceful conduct of exams, the NSF said that the “Federation shall not compromise with the career of the students at any cost.”

Consequently, the Federation asked all its federating units and sub-ordinate bodies to monitor and help ensure smooth conduct of examinations in their respective jurisdictions.

The Angami Students’ Union (ASU) while reaffirming fullest support to NTAC & JCC on the “ongoing impasse with the government,” also impressed upon the Hohos/ Organisations to create conducive and peaceful atmosphere for exams.

As guardian and custodian of the students’ community, the Union will pertinently monitor and facilitate undisturbed appearance of students in exams, an ASU

press note informed.

“We are also of the strong view that the Government of the day needs to open its mind to resolve the present imbroglio so as to mitigate the situation in the State,” it added.

The Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU), meanwhile, conveyed its endorsement to the appeal made by the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) against violence and bandh during exams.

The Union strongly supports the ENSF’s declaration of “No bandh No violence during Examination,” stated a press note from ENCSU. Maintaining that the present imbroglio has created lots of physiological disturbance among the students, the Union said time has come to “acknowledge the importance of education and do needful at the earliest.”

ENCSU further pointed out that due to present crisis, many parents are finding it difficult to send money to their children studying outside owing to non-payment of salaries.

It also urged the state government to lift the ban on internet as it was causing a lot of inconveniences particularly for students who are filling up forms online for different exams as well as their access to study material.

“Taking all these grievances under kind consideration, the Union once again appeals the Government, Tribal Hohos and the civil organization to solve the present crises in an amicable and acceptable solution in the interest of the Student’s community.”

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tuesDAY 14•02•2017

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Students debate on ‘Should the Church play a role in politics?’

In sickness and in health, Love remains

Student participants with guest and others during the annual Inter-College Fest of the Department of Political Science, Tetso College conducted on February 11.

Tetso College Inter-College Fest highlights talk on33% women reservation, ongoing crisis in Nagaland, Illegal Immigration, Nagaland and its economy, and the traditional Naga political system versus the modern political system Dimapur, February 13 (mexN): The Department of Political Science, Tetso College, organized its annual InterCollege Fest on February 11 with a participation of 11 colleges from Dimapur and Kohima - SM College, C-Edge College, Patkai Christian College, Unity College, Mount Mary College, SD Jain College, Salesian College, Immanuel College, ICFAI University, Tetso College, and Don Bosco College, Kohima.

The sponsors for the event were Vodafone, US Pizza, OM Books and Hetika Café.

The competitions consisted of ‘DoT Talks Paper Presentation’ by students, debate and quiz.

The debate touched on the contentious issue of- ‘Should the Church play a role in politics?’ in which the winners were both from For the Motion team - Best Debater Award went to Shenman Konyak from S.M. College, and 2nd was won by Lituna L. Jimo from Tetso College. The debate was moderated by Dominic Khango, HoD Political Science, Salesian College.

The judges were: Aonuktsung Imchen, Chaplain CIHSR; Father Dr. Suresh Padmanabhan Innocent, Principal, Don Bosco College, Kohima; and Alokali, Asst. Professor, Department of Political Science, SD Jain College.

The DoT Talks Paper Presentation was

a new initiative introduced by the College to give students the opportunity to present and engage in critical thinking and intellectual discussions, and to encourage quality research as well as the importance of using correct information to take informed decisions as future leaders in our society.

The papers of the DoT Talks proceedings will also be published in an e-book to be released very soon by the Department.

The session had a very encouraging response of 30 abstract submissions in total from which 14 were selected to represent their College. The papers dealt with topics such as 33% women reservation, the ongoing crisis in Nagaland, Illegal Immigration, Nagaland and its economy, and the traditional Naga political system versus the modern political system.

The judges for this session were Dr. Hewasa Lorin, Vice Principal, Tetso College; Dr. Samuel Wati, Professor, NIT Chumukedima. The winners of the DoT Talks Paper Presentation were: 1st - Seyiesi-U Cicilia Mere, Don Bosco College, Kohima; 2nd - Ahyulo Khing, Tetso College; 3rd Ato Tzudir, Immanuel College.

In the quiz competition, out of the 6 finalists, the winners were: 1st - Patkai Christian College; 2nd - ICFAI University; 3rd - Unity College. The quiz masters were: Pakinzinlui Chawang, Asst. Professor, Department of English, Tetso College; and Veduvolu Khusoh, Department of English, Tetso College.

A press release issued by the host College informed that the fest concluded with the closing ceremony in which trophies, certificates, books and food vouchers were awarded to all of the winners by the Principal, Dr. P.S. Lorin.

(LEFT) Aneile and Oken Jeet Sandham during the World Muaythai Championship 2006 at Bangkok. (RIGHT) Oken Jeet Sandham stands by his wife Aneile Kenye as she lies in her hospital bed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Naga Hospital Kohima.

Vishu Rita Krocha Kohima | February 13

Aneile Kenye lies in her hospital bed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Naga Hospital Kohima, quite oblivious of the world outside but never without somebody by her side, caring, loving and watching over her. It’s been almost 8 years since she was diagnosed with brain tumor (meningioma) on June 20, 2009- a day, her husband, Oken Jeet Sandham would recall as “devastating” but not without hope.

When the couple fell in love at first sight and later married in October 1986, little did they realize that the diagnosis would change their entire course of life. They were married for 23 blissful years, doing things that they both love - especially martial arts - which was quite unmistakably a common passion they shared and excelled in, until the day she collapsed and everything changed.

Aneile Kenye under-

went surgery at GNRC Guwahati on July 4, 2009 that lasted for about 11 hours, followed by a re-surgery the very next day. Then, on her road to recovery, they were obviously happy to be back in Kohima after a few weeks although it meant the left side of her body was paralyzed. Once at home, she would sit by her husband’s side in a wheel chair and watch him work.

During one such moment, she told him, “I will not be alright for a very long time and will not be in a position to help you raise our two children or do other things. I know you are very busy but if possible, please finish the book.”

This very book titled, “Naga Paddy Man to the World” written by her husband, Oken Jeet Sandham, Editor of North East Press Service (NEPS) and Secretary General of the International Muaythai Alliance Federation Inc (IMAFI) was launched in November 2011, fulfilling a long cherished dream of his wife and is about a “giant

paddy variety” discovered by his father-in-law, Pastor Melhite Kenye.

Those were also the last words she had spoken before she slipped into a coma in the later part of August 2009 and has ever since remained in the ICU at Naga Hospital Kohima.

Having literally grown up in that environment, their two children have also found a second home in the hospital, the only place where their family comes full circle. The son, Reagain has matured when the mother was diagnosed but Oken Jeet Sandham feels it’s painful for the daughter-Elizabeth, even as he related that she was only about eleven years old during that time and is now pursuing her B.A 2nd Semester. “How happy my mother would be to see me all grown up now!” were her sentiments.

Through all these years of caring and loving, the greatest challenge for Oken Jeet Sandham is “not losing your hope.” “I have truly come to know what

love is and I tell my children- ‘if we are not able to show people what love is after living here in the hospital for so long, it will be a disaster’”, he expresses.

They continue to share and celebrate so many beautiful family moments in the hospital one of which is her birthday that falls on December 12.

“What a journey it has been!” he looks back on while putting across thoughts that have often crossed his mind- “Can I live in the hospital forever?

Should I have a prototype hospital and have a permanent staff in my house?

But if there is anything that has been constant through it all, then it is unmistakably love, even as they have gone on to draw valuable lessons from the experience. “My children and I, we are all in the same boat- we have grown stronger together in every way.

God is very wonderfulthere is always somebody by her side and I hope she will be alright”, he expresses with optimism.

“So far, nobody has stayed in this hospital for this long- and to stay several years, she has made a record,” Dr. K. Angami remarks while also sharing that “the family has also suffered a lot psychologically, financially, emotionally… along with her, the family has also endured through hard times but overall they have been very supportive for the past 8 years.”

“Medically speaking, she is more or less stable especially vitals recovery but neurological paralysis will last a lifetime. Her memory and thoughts are affected most of the time but there is no immediate threat to her life,” the doctor enlightens.

Senior Grade Specialist, Dr. Sentimeren Aonok also observes that the neurological outcome has not been very encouraging but says that it has been very satisfactory in other forms and goes on to add, “We are hoping that one daywe believe in miracle of miracles- that some sense of recognition will come.”

SUMI HOHO OKING: ZUNHEBOTO, NAGALAND Felicitation to Shri H.S. Rotokha

Volunteers stay vigil at Dhobinalla junction, Dimapur dur- Lotha women folk from Town Area Dimapur holding prayer A section of volunteers taking a break for lunch during the ing the state wide bandh called by JCC/ NTAC on Monday. service with volunteers at Clock Tower junction Dimapur dur(Morung Photo) ing bandh hours on Monday. (Morung Photo) state wide bandh in Dimapur on Monday. (Morung Photo)

Government administrative centers like secretariat and Nagaland Legislative Assembly remain closed. (Morung Photo)

The Sumi Hoho heartily felicitates its Advisor and former President, H. Sukhato Rotokha on being conferred the Degree of Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) by the Council of Serampore College on February 4, 2017 in recognition of his immense contributions to the society and Churches. He is an ardent leader in the field of societal works and an active initiator of peace in the society. Shri H.S Rotokha becomes the fourth Naga to be conferred the Degree by the Serampore College which has handed out 133 such honour since 1929.

The Sumi Hoho wishes him the best in all his future endeavours.

Toniho Yepthomi President Sumi Hoho

Vihuto Asumi General Secretary Sumi Hoho

Road obstruction materials being set in place at New Flyover junction, Delux Point, Dimapur on Monday. (Morung Photo)

Volunteers keep vigil at various junctions and points in Kohima town during the bandh on February 13. (Morung Photo)

Naga Peace Task Force in collaboration with Indian Red Bandh volunteers at 6th Mile set up roadblock with hume pipes and Bandh volunteers pose for the media at 2 ½ Mile junction. Cross Society Nagaland Branch with first aid materials during bandh in Kohima. (Morung Photo) holding a huge signboard pasted with messages. (Morung Photo) (Morung Photo)

TUESDAY 14•02•2017

NORTH-EAST 3

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Students rally in Aizawl, threaten indefinite agitation Newmai News Network Aizawl | February 13

Hundreds of college students drawn from different colleges in Aizawl staged a demonstration here on Monday, protesting the government for sending 32 students to a Kolkata based 'fake' institution and demanding to compensate the desperate students whose career have been allegedly jeopardized. The students also threatened to launch indefinite agitation unless the government meet their demands and give compensation to the students for their loss.

The protest rally spearheaded by Aizawl City College Joint Students’ Union (ACCJSU) was held in two directions- from Chanmari and from Sikupuikawn and ended at Vanapa Hall where the protesters gathered together and dispersed after passing 5 point resolutions.

During the protest rally that lasted for about 4 hours, the students shouted slogans demanding their rights and asked the government to apologize for hurting the sentiment of students. They slammed

the state government for sending 32 students to a Kolkata based Nalanda Institute of Advance Studies (NIAS) without prior inspection and allegedly ignoring and mocking at the students even as they faced inconvenience.

Addressing the rally, ACCJSU president Zodinsanga expressed disappointment over the manner in which 32 students

were sent to a 'fake' institution by Mizoram Youth Commission (MYC) and Labour, Employment & Industrial Training Department with the help of Welfare Board fund. He also lamented for the inconvenience faced by the students due to many irregularities in the MoU signed between the government of Mizoram and NIAS and the manner in which students

were sent to the institution.

“Some government officials accused the students of misbehaving when they were supposed to help and comfort students. Such attitude of the officials was a sort of showing impudent contempt on the students,” Zodinsanga said.

While accusing the government of jeopardizing the career of students, Zodinsanga also asked the

government to safeguard the rights of the students.

C. Laltlanmawia, one of the returnee students from NIAS, while addressing the rally said their intention was not to harm or embarrass the government but to fight for their rights. He said that they raised their voice on several occasions over their plight before the government officials, LE&IT Minister and even before the Chief Minister but to no avail, that ultimately forced them to seek the help of ACCJSU. The five point resolutions adopted include: demanding the government to apologize for mocking and hurting the sentiment of students; not to send students outside the state before prior inspection of the institution; to monitor the students who are sent outside the state for different courses; to give compensation to the students sent to NIAS and to take measures to help aspiring students to appear in examinations or in case the students could not appear examinations or received fake certificates, the government should look into

their problems.

ACCJSU also warned the government that it would launch indefinite agitation unless compensation is given to the students.

At least 32 Mizo students were sent to NIAS in 2014 to pursue a bachelor degree in hotel management with the initiative of MYC and Mizoram Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (MBOCWWB). But out of frustration majority of the students returned home before completing their course as the institution was reportedly declared 'fake' by the West Bengal government.

Meanwhile, main opposition the Mizo National Front (MNF) has demanded the resignation of LE&IT Minister Lalrinmawia Ralte and Chairman of Mizoram Youth Commission while holding him responsible for the plight of 32 students by sending them to a 'fake' institution. It also held the two leaders responsible for misusing Rs. 128 lakh of the fund provided by of the fund provided by the MBOCWWB.

Delhi court extends custody of Manipur militants NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 13 (IANS): A court here on Monday extended the judicial custody of suspected Kangleipak Communist Party (Poirei Meitei) militant Khoirom Ranjit and two others till February 27.

Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh extended the judicial custody of Ranjit, allegedly the Commanderin-Chief of the militant outfit, a female cadre Inugbamsanatombi Devi, and associate Pukhrihongbamibomcha Prem Kumar.

The accused were arrested last month from Mayur Vihar in east Delhi and were allegedly involved in terror activities and running an extortion network.

Assam to consider including tribal areas under Sixth Schedule GUWAHATI, FEBRUARY 13 (PTI): The Assam government on Monday said it will consider the inclusion of various tribal dominated areas under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

“We will discuss the issue with all stakeholders. We will consider it positively,” State Parliamentary Affairs minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said in the Assam Assembly.

Patowary was responding to a query by BJP MLA Dipak Kumar Rabha regarding inclusion of areas under the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council under the Sixth Schedule.

“However, we cannot directly declare a tribal area under the Sixth Schedule. We have to hold consultation with various groups and the public at large. We will also have to convince the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry, Home Ministry and others for it,” Patowary said.

The minister said under the presidency of former minister Bhumidhar Barman, a six member cabinet subcommittee had approved inclusion of Rabha areas under the Sixth Schedule.

Protests held in Tamenglong against Gaikhangam's visit Newmai News Network Imphal | February 13

Protesters in Tamenglong district headquarters burnt effigy of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam to highlight the “backwardness of the district and government neglect for a long time.”

All shops remained closed in Tamenglong district headquarters as a mark of protest against the visit by Gaikhangam to the district where he filed his nomination paper for the ensuing Manipur assembly polls.

He will contest the ensuing two-phase Manipur assembly polls from Nungba constituency which he won in the last assembly election. A large number of people gathered at the district headquarters mar-

ket where his effigy was burnt in protest.

Deputy CM Gaikhangam filed his nomination in the Deputy Commissioner office. The police took up strong measures to avoid any untoward incident during the visit of Gaikhangam.

BJP strongman and former state unit president Thounaojam Chaoba Singh filed nomination to contest the election from Nambol constituency.

INC candidate and Social Welfare minister AK Mirabai Devi also filed her nomination to join the fray from Patsoi constituency.

Several other candidates such as INC candidate Laishom Ibomcha Singh, BJP candidate Dr Sapamm Ranjan Singh and Rural Development minister Moirangthem OK-

endro Singh also filed nomination papers.

“The Congress will secure all 10 seats in Thoubal district in this election. The party will get absolute majority in the coming polls,” Okendro told mediapersons after filing the nomination.

Javadekar confident of BJP winning Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar today expressed confidence that BJP would form the next ministry in Manipur after the assembly polls in the state.

He was addressing a political party meeting at the residence of BJP candidate Thounaojam Chaoba Singh at Utlou of Bishnupur district.

Javadekar said the Congress government headed by

Joint meeting on Bru repatriation inconclusive as MBDPF sticks to demand AIZAWL, FEBRUARY 13 (PTI): The meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) to discuss the repatriation of Bru refugees from the six relief camps in Tripura to Mizoram was “inconclusive” as Bru representatives refused to budge from their demands, official sources said here today.

The meeting was “inconclusive” as Mizoram Bru Displace People’s Forum (MBDPF), the apex body of the Bru refugees in the six relief camps in Tripura demanded that all their demands be fulfilled by the Centre and Mizoram, Additional Secretary in Mizoram Government’s Home department Lalbiakzama told PTI today.

The meeting chaired

by Special Secretary (Internal Secretary) in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs M K Singla in Guwahati yesterday was attended by

officials of Mizoram and Tripura government, representatives of MBDPF, Bru Coordination Committee (BCC) and central committee of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), he informed.

Lalbazkzama said the leaders of the MBDPF stuck to their demands even after they were informed that some of their demands were impractical and could not be implemented.

The demands of the MBDPF are allotment of at least five hectare land to each repatriated Bru family, enhancement of rehabilitation package, provision of free ration for two years, Rs 5,000 per month be given to each family and the Brus he given the same status as given to Kashmiri Pandits.

The MBDPF was represented in the Guwahati meeting by its president A Sawibunga and general secretary Bruno Msha.

Officials said that it would be impossible to begin physical repatriation of the Brus from mid-February as proposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs due to a number of reasons.

Meanwhile, the MBDPF has filed a petition in the Supreme Court making several demands while the Bru Displaced Welfare Organisation (BDWO) sent a letter recently to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh saying that no Bru would return to Mizoram until and unless all their demands were conceded by the Centre and the Mizoram government.

The repatriation process had begun after Mizoram government officials visited the six relief camps in Tripura and identified over 32,800 Brus belonging to 5,413 families as bona fide residents of Mizoram and to be repatriated.

Assam aims to become self-sustainable GUWAHATI, FEBRUARY 13 (PTI): Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said the state was aiming to become economically selfsustainable, especially in giving salaries to its employees by 2021.

"By 2021, we want to reach a stage where the state government is able to at least pay salaries of 10 months, if not all 12 months, by its own revenue as against five months now.

Replying to the General Discussion on the Budget for 2017-18 in Assam Assembly, he said that creating economic buoyancy is a major strategy of the government and the idea

is to reach a stage of nonreliance on central assistance by 2021.

He further said between 2001 and 2005, the state was moving towards an era of development but the track changed after 2005 and now the BJP-led government is trying to bring back the growth story.

With regard to criticism about the eviction drive at various places across Assam, he said the 'Hindu Dharma' talks not only about humans but also about all creatures and species.

"If we have to carry out eviction drives to save the rhino, we will do it again and again.

Now the Congress party is opposing the evictions.

This proves that for last 15 years, somebody was giving protection to the encroachers," he added.

The Finance Minister also informed the House that demonetisation has led to an increase in tax compliance and the tax collection has gone up by 17 per cent year-on-year in January.

He also said the government is confident of recording the highest-ever growth in tax collection by the end of the current fiscal in March, besides devolution of central taxes to the state witnessing a Rs 1,000 crore increase this year.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh was “neck deep in corruption” and assured that all corrupt leaders including Ibobi Singh will be sent to prison.

The Union Minister was confident of BJP forming the next ministry on March 12.

Manipur goes to poll for the 60 seats in two phases on March 4 and 8. The election results will be out on March 11.

“The Congress rules under divisive policies while the BJP government gives thrust on development and unity,” Javadekar claimed.

Thounaojam Chaoba, who is the convenor of state BJP election management committee, said his long time desire and promise were to completely oust Congress in the state polls.

Wild elephants chase back Indian villagers who were trying to chase them away from their Misamari village on the outskirts of Gauhati, Assam state, India, on February 9, 2017. Wildlife activists say human encroachment in the forests of northeast India have forced elephants out of their natural habitats, triggering conflicts with locals. Conservationists have urged the government to remove encroachments and free elephant corridors that are used by the beasts to move across forests in search of food. (AP Photo)

Tripura CM asks officials to meet people, resolve problems AGARTALA, FEBRUARY 13 (IANS): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar asked civil service officials to meet people more often to resolve and sort out their problems, if possible on the spot.

"Occasionally abstaining from routine official works, you must meet more frequently with the people to resolve their problems. If possible, settle the issue of the people on the spot," Sarkar told the Tripura Civil Service (TCS) officials on Sunday night.

Addressing the 24th biennial two-day conference of the TCS officials, he said: "If the Chief Minister can

meet the people directly tthrice a week, why can the officials not meet at least one day in a week."

In Tripura, around 325 TCS officers in different important positions are the most significant backbone of the administration of the Leftruled northeastern state.

Sarkar, Chief Minister of Tripura for the past 19 years, said that if the officials commit a mistake or fault unintentionally, the government will try to exonerate them, but if the officials do blunder or error deliberately, then severe action will be taken against them.

"Don't do your work like a mechanised doll,

carry out the assigned task like a leader, not mere a government servant. Officials must perform their job, irrespective of religion, caste and creed," the Chief Minister told the officials.

He asked the officials to utilise the natural and human resources properly for the benefit of the people and development of the state.

"The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) government at the Centre has created a difficult situation in the country. After the abolition of the Planning Commission, there is no scope of discussion with the Centre about the financial difficulties of the

Railway trackmen receive award for averting accident MALIGAON, FEBRUARY 13 (MExN): Two trackmen of Lumding Division namely Sibnath Yadav and Tamal Das whose alertness and prompt action helped avert a major accident, were awarded by General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway Chahatey Ram with a citation along with a cash award at Lumding yesterday.

Yadav and Shri Das, both Track Maintainer under Lumding Division were on night track patrolling duty on February 3, 2017 between km 208/2 to km 213/2 in between Nailalung and Longcholiet stations. On reaching km 208/4-6 at about 11.52 PM they heard sound of opening of clips for fastening rails to sleepers. They also saw about four-five mis-

creants with torch lights in the area.

On accosting them, they were asked to leave the site and also threatened with dire consequence. They went back towards Nailalung from where they communicated with the Senior Section Engineer, P.Way, Diphu and narrated the incident. On receiving information the Senior Section Engineer immediately informed the Divisional control room.

Train no. 15604 Ledo – Kamakhya Intercity Express which reached Diphu by that time was immediately controlled at Diphu.

The Senior Section Engineer alongwith RPF security staff and nine other trackmen started from Diphu for the site in the light engine detached from

the said train. On reaching the site they found about 15 nos Pandrol clips were missing inside of outer rails of curve no 143. Moreover 20 nos Pandrol clips were found open and scattered in the same location. The track was repaired immediately and declared fit at 0235 AM of February 3, 2017.

The passage of any train on the track with missing track fittings would have resulted in major derailment. Thus the timely action of Sibnath Yadav and Tamal Das has helped avoid derailment of 15604 Ledo – Kamakhya Intercity Express, preventing the loss of precious life and property.

This was stated in a press release issued by Chief Public Relations Officer Pranav Jyoti Sharma.

state," said the 68-yearold Left leader.

He said: "After the elimination of Planning Commission, Tripura has been getting Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,700 crore less

amount from the Centre annually. Despite financial crunch, taking loan from the market, we are maintaining the developmental works in the state."

APOLOGY

Dated February 13, 2017

I am given to understand that the NPF Central Women Wing’s Press Release which was released in my name appealing to the JCC to call off the Bandh and requesting them to start having dialogue with the tribal bodies, and which appeared in the local newspapers on February 11, 2017, had hurt the emotions, sentiments and feelings of the family members of the unfortunate deceased persons, their villagers and community.

For this inadvertent error on my part, I extend this unconditional PUBLIC APOLOGY. Khriezobeinuo Sanchu Working President, NPF Central Women Wing

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TuesDAY 14•02•2017

Business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Reliance Jio mobile numbers to soon start with digit ‘6’ Reliance Jio or sometimes called RelJio is the last entrant in the telecom industry and because of the huge rise in number of subscribers, numbers staring with 9, 8 and 7 may be exhausted soon New Delhi, February 13 (hiNDustaN times): If you are looking to apply for a new Reliance Jio SIM card for connection, then you might get a mobile number starting with the numeral 6.

Reportedly, the department of telecom (DoT) has allowed Reliance Jio to start offering new phone numbers with 6 as the first digit as it has received huge number of requests for new connections. However, ReThe report also saud liance Jio will only launch that the DoT has issued the new numbers in some 6-series codes in Assam, circles for now.

Rajasthan, and Tamil

Nadu. Reliance Jio reportedly got 60010-60019 MSC codes in Rajasthan, 6002060029 MSC codes in Assam

and 60030-60039 in Tamil Nadu. In Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, it received 7-series MSC codes, and in

Kolkata and Maharashtra, it received 8-series MSC codes.

“In consideration to the request of service providers, the undersigned is directed to convey approval of competent authority Sr DDG (AS) for allotment of MSC Codes,” the department said.

Till now the DoT had alloted numbers starting with 9,8 and 7 series. Reliance Jio’s free data and voice over took the market by storm resulting in huge demand for new connections. According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s recent data, Indian subscriber base grew by 21.02 million to cross 1.12 billion in November 2016.

Most of the credit for this goes to Reliance Jio. Currently, Reliance Jio reached 72.4 million subscribers as of December 31 since its commencement of operations on September 5. Jio had crossed the 50-million subscriber mark in just 83 days since launch back - adding an average of 600,000 subscribers a day.

iPhone 8 to feature Peugeot may relaunch Ambassador wireless charging in a new avatar at Rs 5-9 lakh New york, February 13 (iaNs): Apple’s upcoming iPhone is set to come with wireless charging which will enavle users to charge the phone without having to plug it in. “Apple will sell separate wireless chargers made by Luxshare, the Chinese company behind the inductive charging in the Apple Watch,” Forbes.com reported on Sunday.

Apple is also planning to introduce a new connector type for accessories for the iPhone, iPad and other devices through its official Made-for-iPhone (MFi) licensing programme. Called ‘Ultra Accessory Connector’ (UAC), the eight-pin connector is slightly less thick than USB-C and near half as wide as both USB-C and Lightning.

Apple will allow accessory manufacturers to make Lightning to UAC, USB-A to UAC, and 3.5mm headset jacks to UAC cables which will allow headphones with an UAC port to connect to various Apple devices. Apple’s next generation iPhone 8 is rumoured to sport a bold new design and would feature an OLED display without a bezel.

“The iPhone 8 won’t be able to buck a trend that’s seeing customers increasingly choose older devices, like the iPhone 6s, instead of newer handsets, like the iPhone 7,” Fortune quoted Barclays analyst Mark Moskowitz as saying earlier this year.

kolkata, February 13 (ageNcies): The iconic Ambassador is likely to be relaunched from the Peugeot SA (PSA) stable in a new avataar and at a new price point. Peugeot wanted to acquire the Ambassador brand and launch it as a state-ofthe-car targeted at the midmarket segment, said Rajeev Shah, managing director and chief executive officer, RBSA Advisors.

RBSA advised Hindustan Motors on the sale of the Ambassador brand to Peugeot for Rs 80 crore. The price point could be Rs 5.5-6 lakh and go up to Rs 9 lakh. The BS IV-compliant Ambassador Encore, launched in 2013, was priced at around Rs 4.98 lakh. In the Rs 6-9 lakh category, there are a whole gamut of cars in the Indian market, namely the Hyundai Xcent,

leisure

CROSSWORD # 3857

SUDOKU

Honda Amaze, Honda City, Volkswagen Vento, Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire.

According to the contours of the arrangement, Peugeot hadacquirednotjustthemother brand Ambassador but all its variants as well, said Shah.

However, the sale doesn’t include the Uttarpara plant in West Bengal, where the Ambassador used to be manufactured. “This is purely a brand sale. It includes the Ambassador with its variants. Peugeot is likely to relaunch the brand with multiple variants.”

But Peugeot forged a broader deal with the C K Birla Group last month. That includes two joint venture agreements. In the first, PSA would hold a majority stake in a joint venture with Hindustan Motors Finance Corporation (HMFC) for assembling and distributing PSA passen-

Answer Number # 3851

sanjeev sinha

stand the nature of the investments proposed. In particular the risks associated Financial Express with the investment should be clearly unSoon after the unearthing of the Rs derstood.

3700-crore Noida Ponzi scam, which is claimed to have duped around six lakh Doubtful business moDel: Acpeople, another multi-hundred crore cording to the International Monetary Ponzi scam is said to have surfaced in Fund, common forms of financial fraud Noida. Although this is still being investi- include pyramid schemes — typically gated, but the fact is the lure of big money referred to by scheme organizers as mulnot only attracts people to the stock mar- tilevel marketing schemes — and Ponzi ket, but also to the Ponzi and other such schemes. The basic operation of a Ponzi fraudulent schemes. West Bengal’s Sarad- scheme is commonly described as “robha Chit Fund scam is a case in point. bing Peter to pay Paul.” Early investors in Interestingly, there are hundreds of the scheme are paid with the money insuch schemes flourishing in various parts vested by later investors, while in a typical of the country, putting the financial lives pyramid scheme, each member is promof crores of gullible investors at risk. There- ised a reward for recruiting more memfore, while scamsters across the world are bers. cashing in on the ignorance of unsuspectSuch schemes, however, usually coling investors and other preople, it makes lapse when defaults occur and promotsense to take a look at some signs and pre- ers abscond with invested money. More cautions which can help you spot any pyr- because both pyramids and Ponzis typiamid, Ponzi or other such schemes. cally have no true business activity or investments to generate the promised high Here are some signs to spot whether returns, although some business, product, you are about to step into a Ponzi scam: or service may be used as a front.

However, “once you’re into a Ponzi HigHer returns: Operators of Ponzi scheme, you may find recovering your capand other such schemes usually lure in- ital to be difficult. You may receive good revestors by offering returns that are either turns at first which may lead you to invest abnormally high or unusually consis- even more into the scheme, which would tent. “A typical Ponzi scheme often leads eventually lead to losses,” says Shetty. gullible investors to believe that they are getting high, above-average returns on unregistereD sCHemes: Illegal investments and that there are no risks schemes are not registered with investinvolved. The returns look too good to be ment regulatory authorities. Therefore, true, so unsuspecting investors get lured investors are at great risk. The scheme in,” says Adhil Shetty, CEO, BankBazaar. runners may not have the requisite busicom. ness licenses. Therefore, “always check if For example, B K Jewellers’ promise the person advising you is registered with of a return of Rs 26 lakh after a period of 5 SEBI as an advisor, broker, mutual fund years on an investment of Rs 13,000 should distributor, portfolio manager or in some have raised the suspicion of investors in other way. Accreditation and credentials the first place. But that didn’t happen. of the person are extremely important.

Similarly, investors didn’t see anything Also, take references from the advisor and wrong in the Stock Guru promise of 20% check whether he has been serving them assured returns per month. So, ultimately in a proper way and whether his recommendations deliver as promised or not?” they got duped.

However, “if you do not want to says Kapur.

Also, if you are planning to invest in an lose your hard-earned money in such schemes, then you must avoid any scheme NBFC, then you should well be aware of which promises returns substantially that every NBFC is required to be regishigher than the risk-free returns avail- tered with the RBI. able at any time. Currently the risk-free returns available from banks are around Doubtful traCk reCorD: Always 7% on the fixed or time deposits. Provident check the track record of promoters and Funds are giving returns around 8.5% with the management team, besides geta 15-year lock in. So any scheme which ting financial information before makpromises substantially higher than these ing any investment decision. If the track returns should be avoided unless you have record is doubtful, then stay away from the knowledge to understand the risks in- such schemes. Also, the risks, expected volved,” says Ashish Kapur, CEO, Invest returns and other features like liquidity, exit load and tax treatment associated Shoppe India Pvt Ltd. with the proposed investment should be Complex strategies: The invest- taken in writing from your advisor before ment strategies of such schemes are usu- you make your commitment. This written ally complex and may also be hard for in- statement should be on the letter head of vestors to understand. “That is because the advisor. You should also try and cross one of the objectives of such schemes may check online and with people experienced in investing about the features of be to misdirect investors,” says Shetty.

Therefore, always take time to under- the proposed investment. std code: 03862

DiMaPUR ACROSS 1. Accumulate 6. Wanes 10. Coffee dispensers 14. Ringworm cassia 15. Flippant 16. Person, place or thing 17. Floral leaf 18. Bright thought 19. Carpenter’s groove 20. Daughter of a step-parent 22. Therefore 23. Against 24. Girdle 26. Chick’s sound 30. Flee 31. In what way 32. Cap 33. Former lovers 35. Choice 39. Red wine 41. Business executive 43. Body 44. A period of discounted prices 46. Small city 47. Best seller 49. Calypso offshoot 50. If not 51. Domestic breed of rabbit 54. Certain ball-and-socket joints 56. Storage cylinder 57. A type of semiconductor 63. Chair 64. An indefinite period 65. Nigerian monetary unit 66. Behold, in old Rome 67. 1 1 1 1 68. To untwist 69. Clairvoyant 70. Probabilities 71. Trades DOWN 1. Vipers 2. Encounter 3. Stake 4. Break

Simple Rules - Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

Game Number # 3852

ger cars in India. Was there a possibility that the Ambassador would be manufactured at the HMFC plant in Chennai? Shah says it could be explored. The Chennai plant, which was hived off from Hindustan Motors, assembles Mitsubishi cars and Isuzu commercial vehicles. PSA will also set up an equal joint venture with AVTEC, also formerly part of Hindustan Motors, for manufacturing and supplying power-trains. The initial outlay between the C K Birla group and PSA is pegged at Rs 700 crore.

Shah said the deal made sense for Peugeot because building a brand in India, which is already cluttered, would cost many times over the deal size for the Ambassador. For Peugeot, the Ambassador brand will give it a toehold in the Indian market.

5 signs to spot you are about to step into a Ponzi or pyramid scam

std code: 03871

(formerly senapati)

Police station Fire Brigade

222246 222491

5. Chip dip 6. Nosebleed 7. Time to go to sleep 8. Broth (Scottish) 9. Polysaccharide 10. Protect by insurance 11. Lion sounds 12. Prod 13. Snob 21. Arm of the sea 25. Klutz’s cry 26. Agreement 27. Reflected sound 28. Arab chieftain 29. A toy that fires pellets 34. Sleekness 36. False god 37. Kittens’ cries 38. Sea eagle 40. French for “Black” 42. Some tides 45. Disgraced 48. Skin pattern 51. Donkeys 52. Daughter of a sibling 53. Candied 55. Nasal passage 58. Peel 59. Rational 60. Cultivate 61. By mouth 62. Beams

Civil Hospital emer

232224

MH Hospital

227930 231081

Fire Brigade

2222952

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naga Hospital

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shamrock Hospital

228254

oking Hospital

2243339

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231864 224117 227337

Bethel nursing Home

2224202

northeast shuttles

08974997923

Police Control room

228400

KoHIMA Ps/oCs Contact numbers

Police Traffic Control

232106

north Ps

railway

131/228404

Answer to Crossword 3856

Airport Indian Airlines

229366 242441 225212

229529 229474

KOHiMa

O

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east Police station

227607

west Police station

232181

south Ps

CIHsr (referral Hospital)

242555 242533

Zubza Ps

dimapur Hospital

224041 248011

PAstA Pester reCent sCHooL sCore soon steed strIPe tHInG tHrILL tIred toAst trAInInG trAMP weePInG wItHdrAwn

eden Medical Centre

248288

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Officer-in-Charge 8575045516 tseminyu Ps

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A

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Officer-in-Charge 8575045518

nikos Hospital and research Centre

S

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Apollo Hospital Info Centre 230695/ 9402435652

D

std code: 0370

Officer-in-Charge 8575045510

Chumukedima Fire Brigade 282777

W ALone AnGrY BLed BoUnd BrUIse CLoCK Coos dAMseL dIsMAntLe dreAM FLAMes FoCUs HArAssMent InstrUCtIon LUre MAster MAUdLIn

TaHaMZaM

8575045549

Officer-in-Charge 8575045538

H

women Cell

8575045509

Officer-in-Charge 8575045519 Control room

8575045500 (Emergency No. – 100)

FiRE STaTiONS

KoHIMA soUtH: 0370-2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC) KoHIMA nortH: 7085924114 (O) dIMAPUr: 03862-232201/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC) CHUMUKedIMA: 7085982102 (O) 8732810051 (OC) woKHA: 03860-242215/101 (O) 8974322879 (OC) MoKoKCHUnG: 0369-2226225/ 101 (O) 8415830232 (OC) PHeK: 8414853765 (O) 8413822476(OC) ZUnHeBoto: 03867-280304/ 101 (O) 9436422730 (OC) tUensAnG: 8414853766 (O) 9856163601 (OC) Mon: 03869-251222/ 101 (O) 9862130954 (OC) Kiphire: 8414853767 (O) 9436261577 (OC) Peren: 7085189932 (O) 9856311205 (OC) LonGLenG: 7085924113 (O) 9862414264 (OC) we4 woMen HeLPLIne 08822911011 WOMEN HeLPLIne 181 CHiLD weLFAre CoMMIttee Toll free No. 1098 childline

MOKOKCHUNG

std code: 0369

Police station 1 Police station 2 Police station Kobulong Police station tuli Police station Changtongya Police station Mangkolemba Civil Hospital

9485232688 9485232689 9485232690 9485232693 9485232694 9485232695 2226216

woodland nursing Home

2226263

Hotel Metsüpen (tourist Lodge) 2226373/ 2229343

CURRENCY NOTES BUY (rs) seLL (rs)

Us dollars sterling Pound Hong Kong dollar Australian dollar singapore dollar Canadian dollar Japanese Yen euro thai Baht Korean won UAe dirham (Aed) Chinese Yuan

65.46 81.65 8.16 50.1 45.89 49.86 57.15 69.41 1.8 0.055 17.24 9.21

68.41 85.59 9.09 52.57 48.13 52.30 60.35 72.77 2.01 0.0613 19.21 10.26

tuesday 14•02•2017

NAGALAND

cat is out of the bag; intent to topple govt: NPF central KohiMa, February 13 (Mexn): The cat is out of the bag. Or so said the Naga People’s Front (NPF) in a press release today after receiving a request from four MLAs to revoke the Party’s suspension of Neiphiu Rio and Imkong L Imchen.

It “speaks volumes” about the intent to “destabilize and topple the present Government,” noted the Media & Press Bureau of the NPF Central. The letter from the four MLAs implied, according to the NPF Central, that “it was none other than” the former CM and former HM “who created the present situation in the State.”

Accusing the two lead-

ers of orchestrating the “whole sequence of events that have taken place during the past 10 days,” the NPF wondered about the timing of the letter to the NPF President at this juncture.

“They are assuring the citizens of Nagaland that the present crisis will be normalized once suspension order of Rio is revoked and re-instated as Chief Minister of Nagaland,” reiterated the NPF Central, taking this as a “clear indication” of their “patronizing the agitators” for “selfish political interest.”

Further, “Since these four MLAs have openly come out in support of Rio and Imkong, they should also be held responsible for

this present situation,” the “It is a matter of sheer, unadulterated comedy that NPF Central stated. we now have NGOs and Committees asking where ‘Mischief on their mind’ In a separate press re- the Legislators should be at lease, the NPF Central ques- what time; questioning why tioned the Convenor of the the Chief Minister should or NTAC, Kohima, stating that should not go to Delhi, and it is in their interest that that too, when the Chief MLAs stay in their constitu- Minister was called to meet encies (instead of Kohima) the Union Home Minister!” “where adequate security remarked the press release cover cannot be extended from the Media & Press Buto each and every one of reau of the NPF Central.

With NGOs taking on them thereby making them easy prey for those elements such “cumbersome rewhich have more than mis- sponsibilities,” the NPF Central thought it of no chief on their minds.”

In a roundabout man- surprise that “they have ner, the NPF Central said the delusion to think that that the MLAs are in Ko- they have the authority to hima to show their solidar- call for any Chief Minister ity with and support for the to resign on moral or impresent leadership. Further, moral grounds.”

NPF holding elected legislators by ransom: NTAC KohiMa, February 13 (Mexn): The NTAC, Kohima today stated it is the NPF that is “holding the elected legislators by ransom in Kohima depriving them of any conscience and from taking independent decision.” A release from NTAC, Kohima was reacting to the NPF Press and Media Bureau Cell which, according to them, appears to have “no genuine concern for the people and only trying to mislead the people by listening to their master’s voice.”

Maintaining that JCC and NTAC are only upholding the “supreme value of life and working towards our right to life,” they reiterated that their only demand is for the Chief Minister to step down “on moral ground accepting full responsibility for the loss of lives.”

Meanwhile, the NTAC, Kohima, also clarified on the “false propaganda and rumours” about their activities. In a separate press release, the Committee stated that they have no

Three AYO units reject NPF Kohima statement DiMapur, February 13 (Mexn): The three range units of the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) in Kohima district – Northern Angami Youth Organisation, Southern Angami Youth Organisation and Western Angami Youth Organisation – today strongly repudiated the claim of NPF Kohima division that the division would “no longer participate in any activities of the APO and AYO.” In a joint statement, the three AYO range units categorically stated, “The NPF Kohima division has neither been part of our activities at any point of time nor is it welcome to any of our activities.”

While acknowledging the cooperation of intending candidates – both independents as well as those with tickets of political parties – for abstaining from filing their nomination to the ULB elections, it said that the candidates undertook decision on their own individual’s wisdom.

“We would like to remind the NPF Kohima division that this was made possible because of the wisdom of the individual intending candidates and not the NPF.” The NPF, it stated, “does not even seem to remember that it was the NPF led government that even extended the dates for filing of nominations.”

The range units further reminded the executive members of NPF Kohima division that the tribe is above all political parties.

“Irrespective of our political inclinations we stand united as a tribe and no person in any political party should attempt to malign the honour of the tribe by making politically motivated statements just to please their political masters.”

Meanwhile, NAYO, SAYO and WAYO maintained they were “disgusted” by the attempts of some “politically motivated puppets” in the NPF Kohima Division to please their “despotic masters” in any manners.

In this connection, the three organisations asked the President and executive members of the NPF Kohima division to meet AYO and its range officials anytime at AYO Office and “substantiate their claim” that APO or AYO have been “politically motivated or stop issuing baseless statements.”

The joint statement was issued by NAYO President Neizolie Rüpreo, SAYO President Neisizo Kuotsu and WAYO President Neidilhoutuo Sechü.

Municipal Affairs dept condoles KohiMa, February 13 (Mexn): The Department of Municipal Affairs, Nagaland has deeply mourned the sudden demise of Imkongsashi, Joint Director, Municipal Affairs, Kohima. Imkongsashi passed away on February 13. Parliamentary Secretary for Municipal Affairs, Economics & Statistics R. Tohanba in a condolence message remembered the deceased as a sincere officer. “We all pray to Almighty God to give solace to bereaved family,” the department stated.

YTC asks not to issue news/articles

Protestors at the Diphupar Village Gate burned tyre and enforced a near total shutdown along the national highway. Interestingly, it was the women who enforced the blockade, clanging on bells every time a vehicle approached – even turning back a few vehicles where occupants dressed in traditional fineries tried to pass off as volunteers. The women also indulged in a fair bit of ribbing telling the men – who watched on seemingly entertained by the spectacle – to go cook and take care of the children while they enforce the blockade.

Mon, February 13 (Mexn): The NPF Mon division today “earnestly” requested the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) to call off the statewide bandh in the interest of general masses, government employees who mostly depend on salaries for livelihood, and students’ community.

A press release from NPF Mon division President L. Yanlong Konyak and General Secretary (Admn) Wango Konyak further criticized the “desperate handful of power hungry leaders taking the names of some matured tribals hohos for political motive by misleading the masses and calling it as the peoples' movement especially by convincing ignorant youth to come out in the street intimidating with false accusation towards the peoples' man-

Exodus 18:13-27

B

Keyake, Kohima

ill O’Brien, CEO of Hanover Insurance Company, realized that if he wanted to succeed, members of his leadership team had to be empowered to make increasingly complex decisions. He said that “the fullest development of people who share authority…will ensure financial success.” Giving up some of his power meant that the company would ultimately benefit.

Exodus 18:19-21 Jethro said to Moses, "listen now to me and I will give you some advice and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. But select capable men from all the people-men who fear God, trustworthy, men who hate dishonest gain-and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Verse 23.."

If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied." Sharing power is what God wants and what God expects. It is truly a holy act. Are we willing to allow the kind of leaders

DiMapur, February 13 (Mexn): Executive Council of Yimchungru Tribal Council (YTC) has informed all its members, unions, organisations, village councils, political parties to refrain from issuing any news/articles with regard to the ongoing crisis in Nagaland to “prevent misunderstanding among its general

DiMapur, February 13 (Mexn): Lt. Col. Nitoi Sumi of S Singnya led NNC/FGN passed away at NEIGHRIMS, Shillong after a brief illness on February 10. He was the Dimapur Town Commander, Naga Army since 2015 until his death. A condolence message from Ministry of Rali Wali Affairs (MIP), NNC/FGN stated that the death of Nitoi Sumi has brought an “enormous loss” to the NNC/FGN and the Naga people in general.

“During his long years of service and sacrifice for the rights of the Naga people from Indian dominion, he (Nitoi) served the government with utmost sincerity, discipline and loyalty... His dedication and service towards the Naga people was exemplary to all,” the condolence message read.

The FGN extended national salute and heartfelt condolences to the departed soul and also shared the grief with the bereaved family.

populace in the greater interest of Yimchungru tribe.” YTC Executive Chairman Shelimthong and Executive Secretary Laji in a press release requested all to adhere to this guideline till further notice and also sought cooperation from all YTC stakeholders.

Tsg NPF extends ‘unflinching support’ Tuensang, February 13 (Mexn): The Tuensang division of NPF has “unanimously” declared its “unflinching support” to the Chief Minister TR Zeliang and Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu, President, NPF. The division held an emergency meeting with all the seven Assembly Constituencies on February 10 in Tuensang, where a decision was made to this effect, according to a release from NPF Tuensang division General Secretary, Bendang Sangtam. The meeting discussed the prevailing situation in Nagaland and the need to support and stand by the leadership of the government as well as the party, the release added.

NPF Mon requests to call off statewide bandh AR apprehend two

choosing the Right leaders Dr. Tseibu Rutsa

concern for any political party nor are they encouraged to “notice any rift between themselves as power mongers.”

They reiterated the Resolution No.2 of the Coordination Meeting of February 7, 2017 between the JCC, NTAC, Kohima and the tribal apex hohos from all over the state that decided “Not to politicise this historic movement under any circumstances.”

The NTAC said its current demand is for TR Zeliang to step down as Chief Minister on moral ground for "betrayal and the loss of lives."

Stating that it has “no concern for any political party,” it clarified the role and responsibility of JCC and NTAC is to “bring healing to our wounded society in the interest of the Nagas.”

Further, while appreciating “freedom of speech,” the body found unfortunate that “we are being needlessly dragged into issues deviating from the actual issues and demand.”

Singnya led NNC/ FGN mourns

we have chosen to actually lead us? We must follow their leadership until and unless they prove they’re no longer capable to lead.

Responsibility is nothing without accountability. Exodus 18:24 says that Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice.

He submitted himself to the accountability that was offered. He was willing to be confronted with the cold, hard facts, and he demonstrated the humility to receive the “constructive criticism” Jethro had to offer.

We should choose leaders who are willing to be accountable. Genuine accountability is transformative. Moses followed Jethro’s advice, and his life and the lives of his people were transformed. Everything rises or falls on leadership. If we choose leaders who are God fearing and demonstrate humility and capability, granting them responsibility and expecting accountability, then we will have leaders that will serve us and protect our rights. At the moment we see wickedness, selfishness and ungodly leaders displaying their true natures . My dear fellow Nagas, let us all pray fervently that the truth will prevail, and let our almighty God bring justice to us soon.

God bless NAGALAND

date DAN government.”

The NPF division also expressed surprise at the civil organizations’ rejection of the Judicial Inquiry Committee set up for the January 31 incident.

The release lamented that the “mastermind ringleaders” responsible for creating the “hand-made situation” in some towns of Nagaland taking the names of “matured tribals hohos” over the ULB elections has affected the daily routine of the general masses, government employees, and students.

It further maintained that the “fallacious” leaders took advantage of NPF led-DAN government’s leniency based on the party motto "Fide Non Armies". “The power hunger leaders acted deliberately be-

side true certainty,” it added.

Flaying the demand of “handful few leaders and agitators” for resignation of Chief Minister TR Zeliang on moral ground and refusal to attend the consultative meeting called by the CM on February 8, the release stated, “the so-called moral ground reason is best known only to them.”

The NPF Mon further alleged that the various church organizations in Nagaland misunderstood the “peace making process” by NBCC on January 30. “It was, no doubt, neither an MOU nor an agreement and not a final and binding but only a statement clearly written as, ‘subject to cabinet and state election commission decision’, which means election to ULB to be decided by the cabinet and

state election commission,” the release said. Some church organizations, it lamented, “adamantly” sought apology from the government.

The NPF Mon division maintained that the State government conducted the ULB elections “which is a best way to protect its special provision 371-A granted to the Nagaland state.” Various tribal organizations, it claimed, endorsed the 33% reservation for women with 65% public opinion that Naga customary practices will not be affected by the said reservation.

“Now, where are the good Naga leaders who once analysed on 33% reservation and endorsed it in the print media?

And now double speak about this issue. Isn't it politicizing?” the NPF Mon division posed.

DiMapur, February 13 (Mexn): Troops of 32 Assam Rifles under the aegis of IGAR (North) apprehended two persons during an operation launched along with police representative at Burma Camp Bridge, Dimapur on February 11. A press release from Assam Rifles said that three live rounds, one misfired case of 303 Rifle, one USA made knife and one cash receipt of NSCN (K) (bearing Ser No 0541) were recovered from the two. The apprehended individuals were identified as Boka (35) and Khekugha (38).

“On interrogation, it was revealed that both were working as OGWs of NSCN (K),” the release stated. The two individuals along with the recovered arms and ammunition were handed over to East Police Station, Dimapur for further investigation.

Public SPace Nagaland CM radio address to people of Nagaland Address of Chief Minister TR Zeliang, which was aired on All India Radio on February 13 at 7:30 pm.

The address was recorded in the residential office of the Chief Minister in Kohima at 2:00 pm My dear fellow citizens of Nagaland,

T

he Government of India has recognized that our expression for self determination cannot be resolved through military or violent solutions and have embarked on the process for solutions through a democratic process of negotiation, dialogue and settlement.

My Government has had a series of discussions with various tribal organisations regarding the obligations of the Government to uphold the provisions of the Constitution so long as we are within the Union of India. And holding of elections to the Urban Local Bodies with 33% reservation of seats for women was one of them. In 2016 alone, the Government had 14 consultative meetings with civil organisations on the issue of elections to the ULBs as amended by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in 2006. The Government also met the recently-formed Joint Coordination Committee on January 25 at my office in Kohima and on January 30 at Chumukedima in the presence of the NBCC.

To begin with, I must state at the very outset that the fate and content of Article 371 A was on the verge of being decided by the Supreme Court after the JACWR filed a Special Leave Petition stating that Article 243 T had superseded Article 371 A. And to pre-empt such an eventuality where the Court’s verdict might go against the special provisions we enjoy through the provisions of Article 371 A, the Cabinet decided that holding of elections to the ULBs with reservation for women was the best option and decided accordingly.

When tribal organisations suggested on 16th November, 2016 at the Consultative meet at the Capital Convention Hall, Kohima, that certain provisions in the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001, such as tax on land and buildings, removal of the Scheduled Caste etc should be amended the Government did the needful promptly. Accordingly, as it stands today, the Government will not impose any tax on the land, commercial or otherwise, or on buildings in municipal and town areas. Unfortunately, false propaganda had been spread by few individuals saying that once elections to the ULBs are held, the local bodies would start imposing taxes even on domestic animals, vegetables and agricultural produce!

Not wishing to confront with the protesting organisations, my Government has given in to their demands, namely, postponement of polls to the ULBs and declaration of those elections held on February 1st as null and void. And since from the very beginning, organisations such as the Joint

Co-ordination Committee (JCC) had been asking for time so that they can have dialogues and consultations with various tribal organisations to ensure a well-informed election which will promote development and common good of all the Nagas, it is not fair that organisations and individuals are not allowed to come to the consultative meetings convened by the Government.

I can only appeal to all sections of the society to nurture and preserve the good image of our esteemed tribal organisations. As for the Government it has always been open for dialogue and more consultations. The tribal organisations should come forward for interactions and sharing of views and opinions without any bias or hesitation.

Friends, in this current century, mankind is realizing that violence only begets violence and force only begets more force and violence. It is being increasingly recognized that violence is no solution and has no place in determining the future of mankind. In fact, nobody wants to talk or discuss war and all the enormous consequences.

What has happened is a great shock to not only the Nagas but also to people all over the world. We cannot allow such a situation to prevail. It is only leading to chaos. We should resolve the present situation through mature appreciation and dialogue. Let us put our heads together to build the Nagaland of our dreams instead of mindless confrontation and more violence.

Keeping this in mind, I wish to appeal to all agitating groups to rise above

the immediate present and consider the future – our future and the future of the younger generation. We cannot, we should not, we must not sacrifice the future of the Naga society by confronting each other. After all, the larger benefit for the whole society must be given more importance than the benefit of any individual or a few.

And considering the facts that several thousands of our sons and daughters are scheduled to appear their examinations, I fervently appeal to the agitating groups to lift the Bandh, enable the students to appear their crucial examinations and to let the tens of thousands of Government employees whose family members rely on their salaries for livelihood attend offices to work and draw their salaries, and at the same time, to allow the business community to carry out their normal trade to sustain themselves.

I also wish to place on record my deepest sorrow at the loss of two precious lives in the unfortunate incidents at Dimapur on January 31 last, and convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. May the departed souls rest in eternal peace.

Thank you, and God Bless Nagaland.

Corrigendum: In a news item published on February 13 (page 1) regarding the Chief Minister’s address, it was inadvertently mentioned that the CM’s address will be aired on AIR Kohima on February 14. The correct date was February 13. We express regret for the unintentional error.

The Morung Express “Public Space” is to provide space for diverse opinions to be expressed and heard. The opinions in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper nor the editor.

6

IN FOCUS The Power of Truth

The Morung Express VOLUME XII ISSUE 42

Truth as a light force

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agaland state’s present crisis reveals a quagmire of issues coupled with the historical tensions between conflicting structures, varying systems and competing processes.

Many hold the opinion that this crisis is not confined to the issue of women’s reservation alone. Rather, they are of the view that the escalation is related to the breach of agreement by the government, imposition of policies without due informed dialogue with people and perceived infringement on special provisions in Article 371A. And now the pent up anger against state violence, state apathy, systemic corruption and the resentment against the many issues that have accumulated and remain unresolved over the last few years have reached critical mass.

To use an illustration, the crisis is like an onion with many layers, each with its own complexities. Each layer needs to be engaged with as part of the whole through a comprehensive approach. This also means locating the onion within a very particular historical, political and cultural context.

Naga experience reveals that attempts to address the crisis only through the rule of law invariably presents the need to draw the distinction between legality and legitimacy. For instance, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (1958) is legally recognized by the Indian State, but its legitimacy is being contested by the people themselves who feel that the law violates their basic fundamental rights, and therefore does not preserve the rule of law. From an unrepresented peoples’ perspective while legality comes through law, legitimacy only comes through people’s acceptance and consent.

Clearly Nagas are struggling with the dilemmas of legitimacy and legality. And, because of the situation’s transitionary nature and the protracted character of the Naga political question, most people are caught between legitimacy and legality.

Consequently, the tensions between legitimacy and legality invariably create new dilemmas for the notions of truth, both philosophically and practically. The results are creating parallel realties that distort and hide the truth.

The Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani says there are two kinds of truth: “truth that brings unresolved tensions to light; and truth that obscures, hides veils, masks the unpleasant facet of reality.” Furthermore, human experience informs us that structures based on power-over the people promotes and constructs a truth that obscures and suppresses its real nature.

It is in the chasm of legality and legitimacy that Nagas too are faced with the two kinds of truth that Mamdani talks about. Nagas need to choose either the truth that brings the unspoken and unresolved tensions to light, or the truth that obscures the unpleasant facets of reality. Tragically, the tendency has been to uphold the truth that obscures, rather than the one that gives light.

This has compounded the problems and has limited the role and capacity of truth as an ethical and political force for transformation.

Today Nagas need to rediscover truth as a light force that constructively and critically questions their reality, because truth is the key to transformation, and truth is what gives legitimacy.

“An Appeal to the Conscience” made by Christian representatives in Nagaland as a response to the present crisis presents a perspective to explore new ways of engaging with the different layers of the onion.

Indeed, this crisis has revealed the truth about “how we can limit and destroy ourselves,” while simultaneously clarifying “what needs to be done to match this perilous moment.”

More importantly this recent Appeal made by the 20 signatories provides critical insight for Nagas about ‘what is’ and ‘what is required.’ The Nagas themselves need to define the different issues without masking the truth in order to find a resolution that is workable, sustainable and just.

This crisis has presented the present Nagas 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.”

While it is crucial for Nagas to express their profound discontentment against policies that are imposed without informed consultation, it is equally critical for Nagas to also identity and address aspects of internal cultural violence.

After all cultures are constantly in flux as they do grow, evolve and change.

Now is an opportune time for Nagas to set truth free by going deep and peeling the layers of the onion!

LEFT WING |

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

C O M M E N T A R Y

boom in demand for meat in Asia threatens to fuel the spread of disease from animals to humans, as boosting production often takes priority over food safety, a United Nations agency warned.

Outbreaks of infectious diseases like the deadly SARS virus and bird flu will become more common unless governments step up regulation, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said.

"We will see more diseases and we will see more epidemics, starting tomorrow," said FAO's Chief Veterinary Officer Juan Lubroth.

In East Asia, economic growth and higher incomes have boosted appetites for meat. Consumption of meat products per person has ballooned five-fold over the last half century, to 50 kg per person in 2015, the FAO says.

Livestock markets and farms, particularly of pigs and chickens, have sprawled, making it hard for authorities to keep up with vaccinations and inspections, Lubroth said.

Global population growth, which is set to further increase demand, and selective breeding practices have heightened the problem, creating the conditions for a "disease perfect storm".

"All these (livestock) animals are genetically very similar... so if one is susceptible (to a disease) all of them are," Lubroth told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Three-quarters of emerging infectious diseases in recent years have spread to humans from animals or animal products, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In an increasingly interconnected world it is easier for them to cross borders, Lubroth said.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which emerged in southern China in late 2002, spread rapidly from south China to other cities and countries in 2003. Over 8,000 people were infected and 775 died.

Since last year, authorities in Asia and Europe have been dealing with different strains of bird flu, leading to mass cull-

Helen Kerwin openDemocracy

Imagining justice for communities in Colombia Reparations for conflict-related harms as set out in the peace accords are only a fraction of many pending debts owed to Colombia’s ethnic communities

I

n the implementation of the recent peace accords in Colombia, a key question will be how to make collective reparations to indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities that have been disproportionately affected by the conflict. Yet a future ethnic reparations program need not reinvent the wheel; recent precedent from Colombia in the form of land restitution to ethnic communities since 2011 offers important lessons for the present moment.

Collective reparation for conflictrelated harms is not the only pending debt the Colombian government has to ethnic communities, however: ethnic communities are also disproportionately likely to be deprived of basic social rights (whether owing to discrimination or to lack of state services in their territories) and constitutionally-guaranteed ethnic rights. These groups still have not received reparations for violence, exploitation, genocide, and slavery they have historically suffered. The “Ethnic Chapter” of the revised peace accords with the FARC, published on November 14, 2016 explicitly acknowledges this historical violence as a context and justification for taking a differential approach to reparation for ethnic communities. Failure to recognize and remedy historical discrimination and violence against minority groups as part of transitional justice efforts prevents the transformation of material conditions that characterized the previous unjust political context. Such an omission calls into question to what extent such processes can be said to mark a true transition. In other words, repairing ethnic and racial injustice must be a critical focus of transitional justice efforts in the coming years, if they are to be truly “transitional” for minority communities in more than just name.

The Colombian experience to date has demonstrated that in practice, conflict reparations, historical reparations, indigenous rights, and social rights must be coordinated through policy and addressed simultaneously to ensure the survival and empowerment of ethnic communities. Colombia has already made some limited collective reparation to ethnic communities in the form of land restitution under Decrees 4633 and 4635, which supplement the “Law on Victims and Land Restitution” (Law 1448 of 2011) with special provisions for the reparation of indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. To date, five such court decisions have been handed down to restore the territorial rights of four indigenous communities and one Afro-descendant Consejo Comunitario (“Community Council”).

These cases demonstrate the promise of holistic programs that address material and symbolic measures together, but also highlight problems that can be caused by failures of institutional coordination and political will, and failures by judges and functionaries to account for cultural differences (such as linguistic differences and forms of traditional authority and social organization) in writing and im-

Umberto Bacchi Thomson Reuters Foundation

Asia's hunger for meat could stoke diseases if unregulated

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TUESDAY 14•02•2017

plementing the decisions.

These land restitution decisions are striking because in many ways they resemble structural social rights litigation, reflecting an understanding that restoring territorial rights to ethnic communities requires resolving serious structural injustices. These injustices commonly include the continuing presence of armed groups; illegal mining; lack of infrastructure, adequate health services, housing, and education; and severe food insecurity, all of which prevent these communities from living securely in their territories.

The decisions order national and departmental institutions to coordinate to remedy these problems, generally with close court oversight.

Consider the case of the Embera Katío people, subjects of the first ethnic land restitution decision, which was handed down in 2014. About 1,450 families make up the Embera Katío community of the Alto Andágueda indigenous reservation (resguardo indígena) in Chocó. Since the 1980s, their territory has been used as a hideout and transit zone for paramilitaries, drug traffickers, and paramilitary successor groups commonly known as “bacrims”. Since the massive entrance of drug traffickers into the area in the late 1990s, violence, homicides, and forced displacement have skyrocketed; as recently as 2012, the military bombed a community inside the resguardo, causing the displacement of over 2,000 residents.

Their traditional territory is also rich in gold, a source of conflict in the region since colonial times. Since 2008, the Colombian government has granted mining concessions over as much as 62% of the territory of the resguardo; by law, these concessions should be subject to a process of free, prior and

informed consultation (FPIC) with the community. But they have not been.

Although the land restitution judge ordered that the contracts be suspended until they could be properly consulted with the community, illegal mining continues. Furthermore, those who currently live in the resguardo suffer from serious food insecurity largely caused by military aerial fumigation with glyphosate in recent years, and malnutrition is common.

In such cases, the land restitution judge’s task is considerably more complex than issuing a declaratory judgment that the land in question belongs to the community—indeed, in this particular case the community’s legal title to the land was never in question.

Rather, in order to return to and live peacefully on their land, the Embera Katío need guarantees: more than just a legal declaration of ownership, they need physical security from armed actors, social security (including adequate food, housing, and health care), and support for the “life plans” (planes de vida) of community members that allow their communities to thrive in their traditional lands. The judge’s orders in the decision reflect these needs, including, among others: orders to create individual and collective security plans, end fumigation, carry out FPIC, build health clinics and hire doctors, and hold workshops to identify inter-ethnic conflicts and work toward peaceful conflict resolution.

Despite the wide range of legal guarantees the community received in the decision, however, the implementation of the decision has been slow and difficult. A lack of institutional coordination has hampered the creation of health infrastructure and housing, still incomplete more than two years later.

Illegal mining inside the resguardo is

ongoing, and local authorities who oppose it continue to receive threats. In addition, linguistic and cultural differences between the community and government functionaries present serious challenges for the implementation of educational, vocational, and welfare programs. Many Embera Katío families still remain displaced in cities like Bogotá and Medellín, and the families in the resguardo continue to live in precarious conditions.

This case, like the other ethnic land restitution cases, seems to reflect an emergent ethnic public policy that considers not just the need for collective reparation, but also for guaranteed social rights and ethnic rights in order to ensure the survival and wellbeing of ethnic communities in their traditional lands. Nonetheless, lack of institutional coordination, high-level policy conflicts between respect for ethnic rights and other governmental priorities (most prominently, resource extraction), and government agencies’ still-minimal capacity to work with ethnic communities pose serious barriers to the success of these cases in practice.

By evaluating both the successes and challenges of ethnic land restitution to date, Dejusticia hopes to provide insights that will improve both the design and implementation of collective reparations to ethnic communities in the future, embodying a broader vision of ethnic justice.

Helen is a J.D. Candidate at the University of Texas School of Law (expected May 2017), and holds an M.A. and B.A. in International Studies from the University of Oklahoma.

Her work at Dejusticia focuses on indigenous and Afrodescendant rights and land restitution.

Radio: the Original Social Media

Each year on February 13, World Radio Day, the UN brings attention to the humble wireless, which was invented back in 1895, more than 100 years before the World Wide Web was created in 1990 Lyndal Rowlands Inter Press Service

W

ith less than half the world’s population online, radio continues to be world’s most widely accessible source of news and information.

For many of the 5 billion people who have access to a radio – it is also a form of social media – with talk radio giving people a chance to participate live on-air.

Martin Scott, Lecturer in Media and International Development at the University of East Anglia told IPS that this social aspect of radio is often over-looked.

“You can have ongoing live discussion on (the radio),” says Scott. “In a newspaper that’s far more difficult, it’s easier to be participatory on radio.”

Scott says that there are many advantages to having live discussions on the air.

“If you want the decision making to be transparent, if you want multiple perspectives to be taken account of, if you want the disadvantaged to be actively helped, engaged in the process, then participatory communication is vital to achieving those things

and radio is a medium that often but not always lends itself to doing those things,” he said.

In recent years, the race to get as many people online as possible, has obscured the vital role that the radio continues to play for billions of people, particularly in developing countries.

In fact, some 75 percent of households in developing countries have access to a radio compared to just 40 percent, which have access to the internet, according to figures from the UN’s International Telecommunications Union and UNESCO. As Scott points out radio’s are cheap and have no ongoing running costs, unlike the internet. But there’s more reason why radio is more widely accessible than the internet, especially for people who are disadvantaged.

Radio can be broadcast in many different dialects, it is a source of information for the one billion people worldwide who are illiterate, as well as for people who are visually impaired.

It can also reach people living in remote areas where even mobile internet is not yet available.

The sharp rise in mobile phone

ownership in developing countries has not only led more people to get online, it has also resulted in more people having access to radios, since mobile phones sold in developing countries often come with in-built radios.

Meanwhile, as Scott points out, the world wide web does not necessarily signal the death of radio, as many people now listen to radio shows and podcasts online.

And while the internet has led to a significant expansion in who can publish and share news – Scott noted that it shouldn’t necessarily be presumed that the internet is more widely accessible than radio.

Not everybody has the time, literacy, mobile phones or electricity needed to be on Twitter he said, whereas a radio can simply be powered with batteries or even wound-up by hand.

However ensuring that both radio and the internet remain open to as many people as possible means that it is also important to pay attention to how these mediums are governed, says Scott.

“Facebook.org protests on the streets in India and Egypt rightly or

WRITE-WING

wrongly illustrate that governance of new technologies is crucial,” said Scott, referring to protests over a plan to bring affordable internet to developing countries based on access to only a limited number of websites. The plan has been described as a “walled garden” and is considered to go against the principles of the founders of the world wide web, who wished for it to remain open.

Historically the number of radio channels has often been restricted by the frequencies and licenses available to go with them. However, while digital radio offers the opportunity to expand the number of radio stations, Scott also cautions that the transition from am/fm to digital should be carefully managed.

Radio NZ recently reported that thousands of people living in the Solomon Islands lost access to radio at the end of January when the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) switched off its AM signal, in favour of FM and online services.

Ruth Liloqula, told Radio NZ that after a recent earthquake some people living in remote parts of the Solomon Islands only knew that there was no tsunami because they heard it on ABC radio.

Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The Morung Express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com

TUESDAY 14•02•2017

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7

Korean Women Take On Washington As the Trump administration tries to do damage control in Asia, Korean women are leading a movement to re-define their country's relationship with Washington Christine Ahn

makes the final decision on the provision of the site, we have no choice but to fight.” The Lotte boycott is the latest target by China of South Korean exports, a broader effort which spans from banning cosmetics and dramas to denying K-pop stars visas.

Foreign Policy In Focus and TheNation.com

U

.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis recently made the Trump administration’s first overseas trip. His destination: South Korea and Japan.

Coming on the heels of Donald Trump’s loud complaints about America’s “freeloading” allies, Mattis was there to assure South Korean and Japanese officials of America’s commitment to the trilateral security alliance between the three countries.

Yet Trump is hardly the only critic of Washington’s military alliances in the region. Civil society organizations in the region have long complained about their governments’ deference to the United States, from challenging U.S. military bases to warning against policies that could draw their countries into a superpower conflict between Washington and Beijing.

In South Korea, Mattis’ first stop, women demanding genuine human security are at the forefront of the resistance.

Korean Women vs. THAAD Foremost on the U.S. agenda there is the THAAD missile defense system, which South Korean President Park Geun-hye agreed to install last summer. According to Simone Chun, a Korean-American policy analyst whose family owns a 100-year-old orchard near Seongju, the missile defense system will be adjacent to schools, hospitals, farms and markets. “It will threaten the very economic and social lifeblood of the communities,” she said.

Now, however, Park is being impeached, and leading opposition candidate Moon Jae-in is calling for delaying the decision until the next administration, though not outright opposing THAAD. Meanwhile, Washington and Seoul officials are ratcheting up attention to North Korea’s nuclear threat as a self-evident justification for the missile defense system.

But the nationwide protests that

brought 2 million South Koreans onto the streets calling for Park’s impeachment is also demanding renegotiation of the missile defense system, which is threatening South Korea’s relations with North Korea and China.

Proponents of THAAD say that it’s needed to intercept North Korean ballistic missiles. But others, such as MIT military analyst Theodore Postol, argue that the system’s ability to deter North Korean missiles is “insignificant.” Rather, Postol explains, THAAD “will definitely be looked upon by China as a significant military provocation by the U.S.” that could trigger military confrontations or war.

South Korean women aren’t buying the argument, either. In fact, they aren’t buying anything from the Lotte Corporation — the country’s largest department store — because the company is negotiating the transfer of its Skyhill Golf Course in Seongju as a deployment site for

the THAAD system. Women residents from Seongju and Gimcheon, flanked by local Won Buddhists, have vowed to protest in front of Lotte stores and boycott their products and services until the company rescinds its agreement.

These women — including farmers and mothers with little to no experience in political activism — have been conducting daily candlelight vigils and protests in front of Lotte stores nationwide.

According to Ahn-Kim Jeong-ae of South Korea’s Women Making Peace, the women of Seongju and Gimcheon also organized 10,000 women’s signatures and took out a full-page ad in Hankyoreh, a leading South Korean newspaper. Yoon Geum-soon, a melon farmer from Seongju, reports that “the sales of Lotte have decreased recently due to our daily protest.”

“The deployment of THAAD will increase tensions between South and North Korea,” said Ham Soo-

yeon, a resident of Gimcheon who has been publishing newsletters about their resistance. In a phone interview, Ham said THAAD would “make the unification of Korea more difficult,” and that it would “place the Korean peninsula at the center of the U.S. drive for dominant power over Northeast Asia.”

Indeed, many of these Korean women view their fight against THAAD as part of a larger struggle against the militarization of Korea driven by the United States. “Weapons can’t produce peace,” Ham says.

“Rather, diplomacy and talk with North Korea has a far greater chance to bring about peace and stability in the Korean peninsula.”

The Korean women’s boycott really got going when civic groups in Beijing and other major cities in China joined in. “China’s stance over the THAAD deployment is clear,” explained the secretary of a civic group in Beijing. “If the Lotte Group does not care about our position and

Justice for Comfort Women Mattis also tried to salvage South Korea-Japan relations, which have soured since President Park agreed to put to rest Japan’s responsibility for its World War II sexual enslavement of Korean “comfort women.”

Virulently opposed by surviving “comfort women” and their supporters, this betrayal has erupted in widespread citizen protests, including a self-immolation by a Buddhist monk and a campaign by activists to refuse to allow the removal of a bronze statue of a young girl in front of Japanese embassy in Seoul. South Korean activists also installed a second statue next to the Japanese consulate in Busan, the nation’s second largest city.

Japanese officials are determined to remove these embarrassing reminders of Japan’s wartime sexual enslavement of “comfort women,” but civic groups including high school and college students have been guarding the statues, even camping out on Korea’s cold winter nights. Meanwhile, the challenge to the agreement has led to a virtual exodus from Seoul by the Japanese diplomatic corps.

Another complicating factor to the U.S.-South Korean alliance is the result of decades of organizing by Korean women and advocates for another set of “comfort women” — South Korean women working in gijichon, the camp towns frequented

by U.S. troops.

In a recent landmark ruling, a Korean court found that the South Korean government illegally detained women to force treatment for sexually transmitted diseases as a means to protect U.S. soldiers. Seoul District Court Judge Jeon Ji-won called the Korean women “comfort women for the United States military,” drawing a distinct parallel with

the “comfort women” forced into sexual slavery for Japanese soldiers.

Of the more than 120 women who filed the lawsuit, only 57 plaintiffs were offered an insulting amount of $4,240 each in compensation for the physical and psychological trauma they endured.

They’ve vowed to appeal for a more just compensation and a decision that finds the government culpable in systematically creating the camp towns.

According Ahn-Kim, this ruling will hopefully help level out U.S.South Korean relations, particularly the unequal Status of Forces Agreement between the two countries, to include “new articles about women and children’s rights in U.S. camp towns.”

Demanding a Just Alliance At time when saber rattlers calling for “decapitation strikes” on Pyongyang are drowning out reasoned voices urging caution and diplomacy, Korean women have no choice than to take matters of security in their own hands. And without addressing their demands for justice and genuine security, the Trump administration’s touting of a trilateral alliance will simply be a ruse.

Like women who marched worldwide and in Washington following Trump’s inauguration, Korean women are staking their claims to human security on multiple fronts.

No amount of posturing in service of an enhanced deterrence system will produce a robust alliance without the full and meaningful regard for their concerns for their families and communities.

As the Trump administration will soon discover, Korean women and their allies are on the forefront of re-defining their country’s relationship with Washington and will make sure they’re heard — in the streets, in front of embassies, and through their pocketbooks.

Christine Ahn is the International Coordinator of Women Cross DMZ, a global movement of women mobilizing for peace in Korea

Transformed: A New Balance of Power Does Democracy Automatically Lead to Gender Equality? China At a point in time when nationalism is on the rise, China is at

Rwanda has the highest percentage of women in parliament worldwide Katrin Zinoun

A

a crossroads. Former Irish Prime Minister John Bruton explains.

John Bruton

Fair Observer

ccording to the latest Global Gender Gap Report published in October 2016 by the World Economic Forum, Rwanda has the highest percentage of women in parliament worldwide—64% of seats in the Rwandan parliament are occupied by women. Rwanda and Bolivia are the only countries with a female majority in parliament.

From the third ranked country— Cuba—onward, a male majority is once again the norm. The 10 highest-ranking countries in terms of female participation in parliament include three other African countries, Senegal, South Africa and Namibia, and just two European countries, Sweden and Finland.

However, Africa does not only have positive examples to offer. The sub-Saharan countries feature the full range—from very high to very low participation of women in parliament. And, of course, gender equality cannot be measured simply in terms of the proportion of female members of parliament (MP). Equally important is the number of women in leadership positions and ministerial offices, while other factors include primary school enrollment or years served by female heads of state.

SOCIETAL TRANSFORMATIONS In the broader context of societal transformations, opportunities are often limited based on individual criteria beyond gender, such as sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, race or political preference.

The Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index (BTI) measures equality of opportunity for women and minorities in 129 developing and transition countries.

Botswana and Rwanda both score highly in the BTI equal opportunity indicator (7 out of 10 points). Comparing female participation in parliament, Botswana performs poorly with just 10%. The discrepancy is also hinted at by other indicators. In Rwanda, 35% of ministerial positions are held by women, compared to just 13% in Botswana. Yet, political and ethnic minorities fare much better in Botswana than in Rwanda.

In Africa, Ghana is the country with the most women in these leadership positions, at 50% , whereas only 11% of MPs are women—exactly the same proportion as Liberia, which in turn is one of the countries with the most years served by a female head of state: 11. As a result of these figures, the countries listed achieve higher positions in the rankings than many other countries, including those in the developed world.

Meanwhile, other African states are at the opposite end of the spectrum. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia and Eritrea all receive a score of three or below (out of 10) in the BTI equal oppor-

T tunity indicator. In DRC, only 8.3% of MPs are female. In Eritrea and Somalia, gender equality is virtually non-existent. It would appear that these often-called failed states also fail with regard to gender equality.

ments toward democracy. Since gender equality is forced upon society, it might not hold when at a later time the political process opens up to more participation by different social groups. When, contrary to the current situation, Rwandan society as a whole is involved in the political processes, it might well be that the role of women in politics will decline.

To assume that gender equality implies a general openness might thus be misleading. The Rwandan example shows that a very high performance in gender equality indicators does not allow any conclusions to be drawn regarding the status of a democracy or the recognition of human rights. It is interesting to note that some of the world’s most autocratic regimes such as Rwanda, Cuba or Angola, which are all ruled by men, adorn their rubber stamp parliaments with a strikingly large number of women.

The very low percentage of women in Botswana’s parliament might also point to the problem that democracy alone is no guarantee for the development of gender equality. A recent survey on gender attitudes in 15 African countries found that even in countries that are on a good track to more gender equality in the law and pursue progressive policies, public opinion still puts men first. In South Africa, for instance, 73% of men and 65% of women agree that a woman should obey her husband. In Botswana, 50% of men and women agree that women cannot refuse to have sex with her husband.

MORE DEMOCRACY? Can we assume that countries with a higher degree of gender equality will be more democratic? Or, to ask the question from a different perspective, does democracy automatically lead to gender equality?

Looking at the cases of Botswana and Rwanda, we see two very different scenarios.

Even though gender equality appears to be highly developed in both countries, one is ranked by the BTI as a hard-line autocracy and the other as a consolidating democracy.

Botswana seems to be a typical example of the correlation between democratic development and equal opportunity according to which the more advanced a country’s democratic development, the greater the value placed on equality of opportunity.

This correlation holds true for almost all African countries. For example, Ghana and Liberia, as defective democracies, achieve only moderate scores in the equal opportunity indicator. It is not surprising that in failed states such as the DRC or Somalia women are the most vulnerable group and gender equality is completely out of reach.

Rwanda, however, is an exception in this analysis. Although it is considered a hard-line autocracy according to the BTI, it nevertheless ranks very highly in all gender equality indicators. The Rwandan govKatrin Zinoun is a freelance writer ernment, which believes in strong centralfocusing on education. She is interested in ized leadership and puts every political intercultural education and the changes and economic matter under government brought by transcultural communication. control, has also regulated the development of greater gender equality to demonThis article is reproduced with the strate its progressive values. permission of Fair Observer. The views Accordingly, the case of Rwanda is a expressed in this article are the author’s kind of constrained process that might own and do not necessarily reflect Fair possibly see a backlash in later developObserver’s editorial policy.

Fair Observer

and the Chinese nationalism of the Communist Party (CCP). Both can exploit suspicion of the other to rally political support internally.

The United States should be cautious. The abandonment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership—by both Donald Trump and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton—will leave China in the driving seat as far as trade policy in East Asia is concerned. It is ironic that China increasingly sees itself as the defender of an open world trading system while the US adopts protectionist rhetoric. Adding a conflict over the status of Taiwan to this mix could have unpredictable results.

If, under President Trump, the US moves closer to Russia, the European Union (EU) may find its interests aligned more with those of China in some fields such as climate change. This will be reinforced by the anxiety many member states of the EU feel about Russian intentions, as well as Moscow’s view that some of them belong in a Russian sphere of influence instead of being aligned with Western Europe through the EU. Russian support for populists like Marine Le Pen is part of a strategy to undermine the union.

Historically, China has been a supporter of EU integration, while Russia has been hostile because it felt it was excluded from panEuropean security structures. The Kremlin feels that it is hemmed in. Russia’s seizure of Crimea, and its involvement in the Syrian Civil War, can also be seen as attempts to break out of its strategic isolation and gain access to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

It is also to break out of its sense of isolation that China has promoted its “One Belt, One Road” policy to link itself with Western Europe.

As a member of the European Union, it will be in Ireland’s economic and political interests to play its full part in building a balanced structure of peace on the Eurasian land mass that protects the rights of small states, but which also ensures that no great power feels itself hemmed in or isolated. For that is how wars start.

he transformation of China is the most important global economic story of the past 40 years. It has changed the balance of power on the Eurasian landmass, in ways we are only beginning to comprehend.

China changed because, since 1979, there has been lively economic competition within the country—something that was not allowed in the Soviet model. The Chinese economy grew while the centralized Soviet system stagnated. This explains why communism survived in China, but collapsed in the Soviet Union. China also grew thanks to the opening up of global trade, under successive rounds of trade liberalization, which allowed the country to build a powerful export sector.

Now, China is having to transform itself again. Its export-led model has reached its limits. Costs are rising because the big transfer of labor from farming to industry is over, and the Chinese population is beginning to age.

The working-age population of China peaked in 2015 and will decline from now on. Chinese exporters are being undercut by lower wage economies like Vietnam.

The Chinese economy has also reached environmental limits. The pollution level in some cities is dreadful and the air is dangerous to breathe, even on a clear day. Environmental losses reduce China’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 10%.

The proportion of its population living in cities has grown from 20% in 1978 to 50% today, and will reach 75% by 2030. This will lead to even more pollution, unless the cities are built to a different model. China is devoting a lot of research to this and may soon become an exporter of green technology. Necessity is the mother of invention.

Meanwhile, China has an increasing number of well-off, high-spending consumers. The Boston Consulting Group recently estimated that what it calls the “upper middle class” (a group that can afford regular foreign holidays) will rise from 53 million today to 102 million John Bruton is the former Irish Prime by 2020. Interestingly it estimates that, by Minister and an international business 2020, the upper middle class will reach 73 million in Indonesia, 32 million in India and 21 leader. He has held a number of posts in Irish government, including Minister for Finance; million in Thailand.

Minister for Industry and Energy; Minister At the other end of the scale, China does for Trade, Commerce and Tourism; and not have a well-developed welfare system. The Minister for the Public Service. During his income gap is very wide. Stress is high. Parents term in the Prime Minister's Office between are left looking after grandchildren back in ru1994-97, Bruton was deeply involved in the ral China while sons and daughters seek work Northern Irish Peace Process leading up to in the cities. There is a two tier labor market under which long established city residents the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. He served as the Ambassador of the European Union qualify for social support, but recent arrivals to the United States from 2004-09. in cities do not and can remain in a precarious situation for years.

This article is being reproduced with THE RISE OF NATIONALISM the permission of Fair Observer. The views Nationalism is very strong in China, and expressed in this article are the author’s own one can foresee a clash between the Ameri- and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s can nationalism of President Donald Trump editorial policy.

Readers may please note that, the contents of the articles published on this page do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

tuesDAY 14•02•2017

INDIA

8

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

65% Indian women literate, 5% have Panneerselvam attends Sasikala vows to win sole control over choosing their husband office, SC verdict on disproportionate assets case today Lavanya Garg

IndiaSpend and IANS

H

ow much control do Indian women have over different aspects of their lives?

Not much, according to the Indian Human Development Survey (IHDS), conducted by the University of Maryland and the National Council of Applied Economic Research in 2004-2005 and 2011-2012.

Only 4.99 per cent of women in India had sole control over choosing their husbands, while 79.8 per cent of women needed permission to visit a health centre, according to the 2012 survey, showing little change since a survey in 2005, when 5 per cent reported having sole control over choosing their husband, and 74.2 per cent reported needing permission to visit a health centre.

The IHDS survey in 2012 covered over 34,000 urban and rural women between the ages of 15 and 81, in 34 Indian states and union territories.

Overall, 73 per cent of the women surveyed reported that their parents or relatives alone chose their husbands, while as few as 5 per cent of women reported to have had sole control over choosing their husbands.

A similar survey for men has not been conducted.

Women need permission to visit a grocery store, healthcare center Limited control over life decisions extended to visiting a healthcare centre, and a grocery store.

Almost 80 per cent of women said they had to seek permission from a family member to visit a health centre. Out of these women, 80 per cent said they needed permission from their husband, 79.89 per cent from a senior male family member and 79.94 per cent from a senior female family member.

Further, 58 per cent of women reported that they needed permission to visit the local kirana (grocery) store, compared to 44.8 per cent in 2005.

Such restrictions are also echoed in other indicators. For in-

stance, only 27 per cent of Indian women are in the labour force, the second-lowest rate of female labour-force participation in South Asia after Pakistan, as IndiaSpend reported in April 2016.

Women, however, seemed to have control over what is cooked in the house, a decision that 92.89 per cent women reported making everyday. About 50 per cent reported that the husband took part in deciding what to cook, highlighting the gendered nature of household chores.

Since 2005, there has been a decrease in the percentage of women who decide what they cook (94.16 per cent in 2005), and an increase in the percentage of men (40.89 per cent in 2005) who took part in the decision. A woman's freedom to make decisions depends on where she lives More women chose their own husband in states in northeastern and southern India as compared to northern India, as per 2012 IHDS data.

The percentage of women who had sole say in choosing their husbands was lowest in Rajasthan (0.98 per cent), followed by Punjab (1.14 per cent) and Bihar (1.19 per cent). It was the highest in Manipur (96 per cent), followed by Mizoram (88 per cent) and Meghalaya (76.9 per cent).

As many as 65 per cent of the women said they had met their husband for the first time on the

China hails India for facilitating soldier's return beijing, February 13 (ianS): China on Monday hailed India for facilitating the return of a Chinese soldier who was unable to leave India for 50 years after he accidentally crossed over into India. "On February 11, through the joint efforts of China and India, Mr. Wang Qi returned to China and got back to his family," China Froeign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said here.

"China appreciates the facilitation provided by relevant authorities of the Indian government in this process," he added. Wang, who joined the Chinese army in 1960, strayed into Indian territory one night soon after the 1962 war. He reached Xian, the provincial capital of his home province Shaanxi, last week. He was handed over by the Indian Red Cross to the Indian Army in 1963 and spent time in jails in Assam, Ajmer and Delhi before his release was ordered by the Punjab and High Court in 1969. He finally settled at Tirodi in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat district and raised a family after marrying an Indian woman.

Wang, who is now 77, has returned to his home after more than five decades.

Over 1.62 cr refunds issued till February 10: CBDT

new Delhi, February 13 (ianS): Over 4.19 crore income tax returns (ITRs) have been processed and over 1.62 crore refunds issued during the current financial year up to February 10, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said on Monday. "The Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) of the income tax department at Bengluru has already processed over 4.19 crore ITRs and issued over 1.62 crore refunds during the current financial year up to February 10," CBDT said in a statement here. "The amount of refunds issued at Rs 1.42 lakh crore is 41.5 per cent higher than the corresponding period last year," the statement said. As a result of emphasis on expeditious issue of refunds, 92 per cent of all income tax returns were processed within 60 days, demonstrating CBDT's commitment to faster and more efficient taxpayer service, it said. "Of the refunds issued, 92 per cent are below Rs 50,000 due to the high priority given to expeditious issue of refunds to small taxpayers. Only 2 per cent of refunds less than Rs 50,000 are remaining to be issued," it added.

No impact of global slowdown on India: Jaitley

bengaluru, February 13 (ianS): India remained unaffected by global slowdown and the rhetoric of protectionism in developed economies, said Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely on Monday. "Unpredictable global slowdown and the rhetoric of protectionism in developed economies have not affected India," he said at the 'Make in India - Karnataka' conference here. Asserting that the government would continue to focus on investments and growth, Jaitley said the policy-makers were under pressure as the people wanted the country to grow at a faster rate. "Unlike in the developed countries, we don't get to hear about protectionism in India, which indicates that we are willing to accept investments and fine tune our policies," he said. Calling upon the state governments to work together with the central government for going ahead on the growth path jointly, the Finance Minister said the country had hunger to grow faster than the current (GDP) rate of 7-7.5 per cent. "We are not satisfied with the tag of being the fastest economy in the world.

We think we have a potential to do better," he pointed out.

wedding day, but wide variations exist across states. For instance, all women in Manipur had met their husband before the day of the wedding, while 94 per cent of women in Bihar met their husband for the first time on the day of the wedding.

This highlights the "arranged" nature of marriages in India, a process in which prospective partners usually meet for the first time with the intention of getting married, after their family vets the spouseto-be, and the match is backed by the support of their extended social network.

A similar trend in regional variations can be seen in the percentage of women who needed permission to visit a healthcare center.

As many as 94 per cent of women reported needing permission to visit a health center in Jharkhand, the highest of any state, while only 4.76 per cent of women in Mizoram needed permission, the lowest.

The top five states, which weren't necessarily doing well in 2005 like Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal, have improved since then. However, more women in the bottom five states reported they had to ask for permission to visit the health centre in 2012 as compared to 2005.

Does higher literacy lead to greater decision-making power? Not really A woman's power to make de-

cisions regarding marriage, and visits to a healthcare centre are not correlated with literacy at the statelevel, or to the sex ratio (the number of females per 1,000 males), suggesting the role of social norms, which might differ by state.

For example, in Chattisgarh, which has one of the highest sex ratios in the country (991), only 7.57 per cent women said they did not need permission from another family member to visit a healthcare center.

This paradox is not being observed for the first time -- despite female literacy levels being higher than before, the child sex ratio (indication of son preference) in India is at its lowest since 1951, as IndiaSpend reported in December 2016.

"The bias against daughters can only end if women's education is accompanied by social and economic empowerment," concluded a study conducted over a period of 30 years in Gove, Maharashtra, by Carol Vlassoff, a professor at the University of Ottawa, as IndiaSpend reported in December 2016.

In Delhi, which has a literacy rate of 86.21 per cent (higher than the national average of 74.04 per cent), only 2.09 per cent women reported they had sole control over choosing their husband. Meghalaya, which has a lower literacy rate than Delhi (74.43 per cent), ranks third from the top in terms of women who said they had sole control over choosing their husband (76.9 per cent).

"Cultural climate also plays a role", said Kavita Krishnan, secretary of the Delhi-based All India Progressive Women's Association, which works on issues such as reservation for women in Parliament and violence against women. "In and around Delhi, there is no doubt a more rigid patriarchal culture that is hostile to women's sexual autonomy -- this may be far less the case in Meghalaya," she explained.

"This study shows that denial of autonomy is in itself one of the central problems for Indian women.

This problem can't be addressed by literacy alone, and governments need to address the issue directly," Krishnan added.

(L) Sasikala (R) O. Panneeerselvam

Chennai, February 13 (ianS): Acting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneeerselvam and AIADMK General Secretary V.K. Sasikala remained on the warpath on Monday amid speculation they will be told to prove their strength in the assembly. "We have the strength to manage any number of enemies," a defiant Sasikala, a long-time confidante of the late J. Jayalalithaa, told AIADMK supporters at the former Chief Minister's Poes Garden residence.

Her comments came a day before the Supreme Court was set to pronounce its verdict in a case of holding disproportionate assets against Sasikala. If she is convicted, her hopes of becoming the Chief Minister will be dashed.

The case was filed by the Karnataka government challenging the acquittal of Jayalalithaa, Sasikala and two Sasikala relatives by the Karnataka High Court.

While the Panneerselvam camp continued to assert that most AIADMK MLAs were held captive by Sasikala at a resort, government counsel told the Madras High Court that the legislators were not illegally detained. After a week's gap, Panneerselvam attended office on Monday. He announced Rs 300,000 to the family of a murdered girl.

Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi has reportedly told Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao to call a special session of the assembly and ask Panneerselvam and Sasikala to prove their majority. According to his supporters, Panneerselvam is expected to discuss with officials the issue of alleged confinement of AIADMK legislators.

An AIADMK leader told IANS on the condition of anonymity that they had proof that some legislators were being forced to stay at the resort, about 90 km from here.

Panneerselvam did not attend office since he revolted against Sasikala on February 7,

alleging his resignation was forced.

He quit on February 5, paving the way for Sasikala to become the Chief Minister.

The government posted S. Davidson Devasirvatham as the Inspector General of Police in charge of Intelligence in place of K.N. Sathiyamurthy. For a third day in running, Sasikala went to meet the legislators backing her at the beach resort.

Earlier, she told hundreds of supporters here that the Chief Minister's post was not important for her. She reiterated that it was she who pressed Panneerselvam to become the Chief Minister after Jayalalithaa died on December 5.

She claimed Panneerselvam wanted her to take charge of the state but she told him that it was important at that time for her to be with the body of Jayalalithaa.

"With the party having a cadre strength of 1.5 crore, no 'komban' (person with great skills) can break the AIADMK," she told the cheering crowd. "The party cadres are with me," she added to applause. "As long as the cadres are with me and with Amma's blessings, an AIADMK government will be in place."

AIADMK spokesperson Vaigail Selvan alleged that the BJP and DMK were exerting pressure to delay the swearing in of Sasikala. Meanwhile, Sasikala supporters went to the AIADMK headquarters in large numbers probably to thwart any takeover by the Panneerselvam camp.

Jaya TV is under Sasikala's control and beams her speeches. The AIADMK website and Twitter account too are with her.

Ten of the Lok Sabha and two of the Rajya Sabha members of the AIADMK as well as six of the 135 MLAs are siding with Panneerselvam.

The other MLAs are reportedly with Sasikala, who has sought to meet the Governor again to stake claim to form a government.

Minister triggers row, says Hindu population falling in India

new Delhi, February 13 (ianS): Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Monday triggered a row saying the Hindu population in India was shrinking while minorities were flourishing, inviting flak from the opposition.

"Hindu population is reducing in India because Hindus never convert people. Minorities in India are flourishing unlike some countries around," Rijiju tweeted, apparently referring to Pakistan where minorities, including Hindus, often allege that they were facing persecution.

Rijiju embedded a news re-

port where the Congress had alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government was trying to "convert Arunachal Pradesh into a Hindu-majority state". The minister also criticized the Congress for "such provocative statements".

"India is a secular country. All religious groups enjoy freedom and live peacefully," he later told the media in Delhi.

"Why is the Congress making such irresponsible statements?

People of Arunachal Pradesh are unitedly living peacefully with each other," the BJP MP from north eastern state said.

The Congress reacted sharply to the minister's comment. Party spokesperson Manish Tewari said it was "an irresponsible statement" by Rijiju that was not limited to just Arunachal Pradesh. "When a union minister makes such an irresponsible, he must be held to account," Tewari told reporters here.

He said the minister's remarks were contradictory to the 2011 population census in India -- a country that has over 97 crore Hindus who make up 79.8 per cent of its population. As per the census, there are some 17 crore million Muslims, making up

nearly 14.25 per cent of India's 130 crore India. Among the other minorities, Christians make up 2.3 per cent and Sikhs 2.16 per cent. Reading out the Census data, the Congress spokesperson said that population growth rate of various religions had come down in the decade of 2001-2011.

Growth rate of Hindus has come down to 16.76 per cent from 19.92 in the previous decade, he said, adding Muslims also witnessed a sharp fall in growth rate from 29.52 per cent in the decade of 1991-2001 to 24.60 per cent in 2001-2011. "Does the minister of state for home have any other

empirical data beyond 2011 census for making such an irresponsible statement," the Congress leader asked. "This is not conduct which is becoming of a minister."

President of All India MajlisE-Ittehadul Muslimeen Party and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi also criticised Rijiju.

"MOS Home should remember he is a Minister of India for all Indians not for Hindus only, remember your oath as minister," Owaisi said in a tweet.

"What have the minorities in India got to do with minorities of other countries. It is the Constitution which guarantees rights."

Centre opposes MPS challenge to Aadhar bill EC cracks whip, orders FIR new Delhi, February 13 (ianS): The Centre on Monday opposed senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's plea challenging the Lok Sabha Speaker's decision to certify the Aadhar Bill as a money bill and said the decision of the Speaker could not be called into question before any court.

Telling senior counsel P. Chidambaram that tentatively they were not with the petitioner questioning the validity of the Speakers' decision, the bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice N.V. Ramana asked if the Rajya Sabha thought it was not a money bill then why did it propose amendments to it.

Defending the Speaker's decision to certify the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial & Other Subsidies, Benefits & Services) Bill, 2016, as a money bill, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi referred to the provision of the Constitution's Article 110 which gives the definition of money bill.

The AG told the court that all the money required for social welfare schemes that are linked to Aadhar would be withdrawn from the consolidated fund of India. He also took the court through the preamble of the Aadhar Bill to buttress his point that the Speaker was right in certifying it as a money bill.

The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial & Other Subsidies, Benefits & Services) Bill, 2016, was passed by the

against daily for running exit poll

Villagers crowd inside an enrolment centre for the Unique Identification (UID) database system at Merta district in Rajasthan. (REUTERS File Photo)

Lok Sabha on March 11, 2016, and it was taken up by the Rajya Sabha a week later. The Upper House had returned the bill with some proposed amendments, which were rejected by the Lok Sabha.

Defending the plea by Ramesh, senior counsel P. Chidambaram told the court that if the original bill was not a money bill then how could amendments to it be a money bill.

"When original bill was not a money bill, can an amendment be a money bill," wondered Chidambaram.

Saying that the provisions of the Aadhar Bill have nothing to do with the provisions of Article 110 of the Constitution, Chidambaram told the court that "this way every bill will go as a money bill". In a retort, the Attorney General said, "Does he say that Speaker - a high constitutional authority - will allow every bill as a money bill."

Telling the petitioner that it

was not with it questioning the validity of the decision to allow Aadhar Bill as money bill, the bench adjourned the matter for four weeks as Chidambaran said that he would require an hour to argue his case.

Ramesh has challenged the constitutional validity of the act, and termed its introduction as a "money bill" being nothing but a "brazen and malafide attempt to bypass the approval of the Rajya Sabha which holds an important place in the Constitutional and democratic framework of lawmaking". The Upper House has limited powers in case of a money bill, and cannot amend it but only make non-binding suggestions. He has contended that the act impacted fundamental rights of citizens and residents under articles 14 and 21 and has dangerous implications for imposing restrictions on the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

new Delhi, February 13 (ianS): Cracking the whip, the Election Commission on Monday ordered registration of cases against the management and Editor-inChief of Hindi daily Dainik Jagran for publishing an exit poll on the first phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. The EC also ordered an FIR against the management of Resource Development International (RDI) -- the company that conducted the exit poll -- for violating an EC order that bars publication/broadcast of exit polls till the voting is over in pollbound states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand.

The poll panel has directed the District Election Officers of the state's districts covered under the first phase of elections on February 11 and Lucknow to immediately register cases against the managements of RDI and Dainik Jagran as well as the newspaper's Editor-in-Chief under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) read with Section 126-A and 126-B of the Representation of People Act. "It has been brought to the Commission's notice that Dainik Jagran newspaper has published the result of an exit poll conducted by a company by the name of Resource Development International (I) Pvt. Ltd. on the first phase of elections in UP on their website.

"The reported violation by conducting the exit poll and disseminating its result amounts to offence under Sections 126-A and 126-B of Representation of People Act, 1951, as well as offence under Section 188 of the IPC. The offence also amounts to disobedience

to an order duly promulgated by the commission," the EC said in a letter.

"The commission has decided to take stringent action against the perpetrators of this serious violation of the Act to uphold the law to ensure the smooth conduct of free and fair elections.

"The commission has directed that the District Election Officers of each of the districts covered under the first phase of polls and Lucknow shall immediately file FIRs against the Managing Director and/or such other authorities of RDI and Dainik Jagran including the Managing Editor/Editor-in-Chief/Editor/Chief Editor of the newspaper under Section 188 of the IPC read with Section 126-A and 126-B of the Representation of People Act, 1951," it said.

The offence under Section 126-A is punishable by imprisonment for up to two years or fine or both.

Section 126-B provides that if the offence is committed by a company, every person who is in charge of and is responsible for the conduct of the company's business shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and face punishment, an EC official said.

The Election Commission had on January 27 directed that no exit polls will be conducted between 7 a.m. on February 4 and 5.30 p.m. on March 8 when polling is scheduled in the five states, lest the exit polls influence the voters. While elections in Goa and Punjab have been conducted on February 4, the seven-phase elections in Uttar Pradesh will go on till March 8. The counting of votes in all these states will be taken up on March 11.

tuesdAY 14•02•2017

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

New nuke-capable missile test a success: N Korea

SEOUL, FEbrUary 13 (rEUtErS): North Korea said on Monday it had successfully test-fired a new type of medium- to longrange ballistic missile a day earlier, claiming further advancement in a weapons programme it is pursuing in violation of United Nations resolutions. North Korea fired the ballistic missile on a high arc into the sea early on Sunday, the first test of U.S. President Donald Trump’s vow to get tough on an isolated regime that tested nuclear devices and ballistic missiles last year at an unprecedented rate.

The North’s state-run KCNA news agency said leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of the Pukguksong-2, a new type of strategic weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

The United States, Japan and South Korea requested urgent U.N. Security Council consultations on the test, with a meeting expected on Monday afternoon, an official in the U.S. mission to the United Nations said.

Japan said on Monday further sanctions against Pyongyang could be discussed at the United Nations, and called on China to take a “constructive” role in responding to the latest launch.

pelled by a solid fuel engine and was an upgraded, extended-range version of its submarine-launched ballistic missile that was tested successfully last August, according to KCNA.

Passengers watch a TV screen broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing a ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea on February 12. (REUTERS Photo)

China is North Korea’s main ally and trading partner but is irritated

by Pyongyang’s repeated provocations, although it resists calls from the United States and others that it should be doing more to rein in its neighbour.

“We have asked China via various levels to take constructive actions as a

permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and we will continue to work on it. At the same time, Japan will continue to urge North Korea to exercise self-restraint from provocative actions and comply with U.N. resolutions,” Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Monday.

China had yet to comment publicly on the launch on Monday.

North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests, including two last year, although its claims to be able to miniaturise a nuclear weapon to be mounted on a missile have never been verified independently.

KCNA said the missile

was fired at a high angle in consideration of the safety of neighbouring countries.

A South Korean military source said on Sunday the missile reached an altitude of 550 km (340 miles).

It flew about 500 km towards Japan, landing off the east coast of the Korean peninsula.

The missile was pro-

New Zealand warns of exploding whale carcasses

Some of the hundreds of stranded pilot whales marked with an ‘X’ to indicate they have died can be seen together after one of the country’s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand’s South Island on February 10. (REUTERS Photo)

WELLINGtON, FEbrUary 13 (rEUtErS): New Zealand authorities were cutting holes in 300 whale carcasses on Monday, popping the dead animals “like balloons”, to avoid them exploding as they decompose on Golden Bay after more than 600 whales

became stranded.

Hundreds of rescuers managed to save around 400 pilot whales on the South Island beach on the weekend after one of New Zealand’s largest whale strandings.

But hundreds of whales died on the beach and the

Tour bus crashes in Taiwan, at least 32 dead taIPEI, FEbrUary 13 (rEUtErS): At least 32 people were killed and more were taken to hospital after a tour bus crashed on a highway in Taiwan on Tuesday night. The bus was carrying 45 people and 13 of them were sent to nearby hospitals, according to the local fire department. Television footage showed pictures of rescue crews trying to raise the overturned bus on the side of the highway with ambulances and fire trucks lined up along the bend of the road. Many of the injured were older passengers, local television reported. It was unclear what caused the accident.

Nicotine exposure in babies may cause hearing problems LONdON, FEbrUary 13 (IaNS): Babies exposed to nicotine before and after birth may be at an increased risk of developing hearing problems due to abnormal development in the auditory brainstem, researchers have found. The findings showed that the auditory brainstem -- an area of the brain which plays a role in analysing sound patterns -- may have abnormal development in kids when pregnant mothers are exposed to nicotine before and after giving birth. “If mothers smoke during pregnancy and their children show learning difficulties at school, they should be tested for auditory processing deficits,” said lead author Ursula Koch, professor at the Free University of Berlin in Germany. For the study, the team exposed the offspring of the mice to nicotine before birth and via the mother’s milk until they were 3 weeks old -- an age that is approximately equivalent to primary school children. Analysing the brains of the mice offsprings, the researchers found that neurons that get input from the cochlea -- sensory organ in the ear -- were less effective at transmitting signals to other auditory brainstem neurons in mice exposed to nicotine. Moreover, these signals were transmitted with less precision, which deteriorates the coding of sound patterns. These could be part of the underlying causes for auditory processing difficulties in children of heavy smoking mothers, the researchers said.

Department of Conservation (DOC) cordoned off the bodies and urged the public to call them if they found whale carcasses that had floated off the beach and washed up on nearby shores.

“The area is currently closed to the public because of

the risk from whales exploding,” the conservation department said in a statement.

Workers in protective clothing would spend the day cutting holes in the whale carcasses, “like popping balloons” with knives and two metre (six feet) needles, to release internal gases that build up pressure, a DOC spokesman told local radio.

It would take several months for the bodies to decompose and turn into skeletons.

The surviving whales were last seen swimming six kms (four miles) offshore on Sunday evening, according to DOC. Last Thursday a pod of about 400 whales became stranded, with a second pod of more than 200 whales stranded on Saturday.

The precise cause of the whale strandings was not known.

Beached whales are not uncommon on Golden Bay. Its shallow muddy waters confuse the whale’s sonar, leaving it vulnerable to stranding by an ebb tide, according to marine environmental organisation Project Jonah.

Pilot whales are not listed as endangered, but little is known about their population in New Zealand waters.

“COLD-EJECT” South Korea’s military said on Monday the missile had been launched using a “cold-eject” system, whereby it is initially lifted by compressed gas before flying under the power of its rocket, a system used for submarine-launched missiles.

North Korea’s pursuit of large solid-fuelled missiles was “a very concerning development”, said Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

“This new rocket is the type that we should be much more worried about.

Solid fuel rockets can be launched at short notice without much preparation,” he said in an email.

“Large solid fuel motors are difficult to make work correctly so this is indeed a significant advance

by North Korea,” McDowell said.

In addition to launching more quickly, solid fuel engines also boost the power and range of ballistic rockets.

The test also verified a

“feature of evading interception” and “the mobility and operation of the new type missile launching truck”, KCNA reported.

The North’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed pictures of a missile fired from a mobile launch vehicle resembling a tank, with a flame appearing only after it had risen clear of the vehicle.

PROVOCATION EXPECTED Before Sunday, the North’s two most recent missile tests had taken place in October. Both were of intermediate-range Musudan missiles and both failed, according to U.S. and South Korean officials.

A U.S. official said at the weekend the Trump administration had been expecting a North Korean “provocation” soon after taking office.

The latest test came a day after Trump held a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and also followed Trump’s phone call last week with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Abe described the test as “absolutely intolerable”.

In brief comments standing beside Abe in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said: “I just want everybody to understand,

and fully know, that the United States of America is behind Japan, our great ally, 100 percent.”

Trump and his aides are likely to weigh a series of possible responses, including new U.S. sanctions to tighten financial controls, an increase in naval and air assets in and around the Korean peninsula, and accelerated installation of new missile defence systems in South Korea, the administration official said.

However, the official said that, given that the missile was believed not to have been an ICBM and that Pyongyang had not carried out a new nuclear explosion, any response would seek to avoid ratcheting up tensions.

Kim said in his New Year speech the North was close to test-launching an ICBM and state media have said such a launch could come at any time.

A fully developed ICBM could threaten the continental United States, which is about 9,000 km (5,500 miles) from North Korea.

South Korea’s finance ministry said it would act “swiftly and firmly” if financial markets reacted to the missile launch.

The South Korean won and shares showed little reaction to the test.

Peru urges Trump to consider deporting wanted ex-president LIMa, FEbrUary 13 (rEUtErS): Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said he asked U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call on Sunday to consider deporting the Andean country’s fugitive exleader Alejandro Toledo, and thanked Israel for agreeing to deny him entry.

Kuczynski’s government believes that Toledo, wanted in connection with a far-reaching graft probe, is in the United States but it said that efforts to capture him there have stalled on legal hurdles.

Toledo said on Twitter that he did not flee Peru but was not given the right to a fair trial in an ongoing inquiry into bribes distributed by Brazilian builder Odebrecht.

Kuczynski did not describe Trump’s response to his request in a statement or in a televised address he gave about the corruption probe that has ensnared Toledo, who governed Peru from 2001 to 2005 when Kuczynski was finance minister and prime minister.

The White House did not mention Toledo in a read-out of the conversation and did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Late on Thursday, a Peru-

vian judge issued an international arrest warrant for Toledo after prosecutors accused him of taking $20 million in bribes from Odebrecht.

The downfall of Toledo, once a celebrated anti-graft and prodemocracy crusader in Peru, is part of the rapidly-growing fallout of the biggest region-wide corruption scandal to grip Latin America.

But the United States wants Peru to provide more evidence of probable cause before ordering Toledo’s detention in the United States, Interior Minister Carlos Basombrio told Reuters.

The U.S. Department of Justice has declined to comment.

The dispute threatens to strain tensions between the United States and Peru, a traditional U.S. ally in South America and one of the world’s biggest producers of cocaine.

Kuczynski said he also sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to thank him for agreeing to prevent Toledo from entering Israel, which unlike the United States does not have an extradition treaty with Peru.

Israel, where Toledo’s wife has citizenship, said earlier on Sunday that Toledo would only be allowed into Israel when he

“settles his matters” in Peru after Lima warned that he had booked a Saturday night flight from San Francisco to Tel Aviv.

Toledo did not board the flight.

Kuczynski, 78, spent years working on Wall Street and once held U.S. citizenship, but his ardent support for free-trade and defense of migrants cuts a stark contrast to Trump’s politics.

Shortly after Kuczynski narrowly beat a right-wing populist in Peru’s June run-off election last year, he joked that he would cut off ties with the United States if Trump won the U.S. election.

Kuczynski later congratulated Trump on his surprise victory but has also criticized the U.S. leader’s proposal to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico to curb immigration.

Peru is one of several countries in Latin America that Trump has not mentioned much publicly as he focuses his foreign policy in the region on Mexico and Cuba.

Trump told Kuczynski he was concerned about developments in Venezuela, including the country’s “humanitarian situation,” the White House said, echoing similar worries voiced

by Kuczynski in the past.

Myanmar to investigate police over allegations of crimes against Rohingya yaNGON, FEbrUary 13 (rEUtErS): Myanmar is to investigate whether police have committed abuses against Rohingya Muslims, the government has said, after officials promised that allegations of atrocities against members of the Muslim minority would be looked into.

The U.N. human rights office said in a report this month Myanmar’s security forces had committed mass killings and gang rapes of Rohingya Muslims and burned their villages since October in a campaign that “very likely” amounted to crimes against humanity and possibly ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar has denied almost all allegations of human rights abuses in northern Rakhine State, where many Rohingya live, and says a lawful counterinsurgency campaign has been under way since nine policemen were killed in attacks on security posts near the Bangladesh border on Oct. 9.

The military said last week it was setting up a team to investigate alleged atrocities by the security forces and the interior ministry followed that up on the weekend with a promise to investigate police.

The Home Ministry said in a statement a “departmental inquiry” would be conducted “to find out whether the police forces have committed illegal actions including violations of human rights during their area clearance operations”.

The ministry, which is controlled by the military, said action would be taken against personnel “who failed to follow instructions”.

“The U.N. report provides many detailed accounts of what allegedly happened, and that’s why an investigation committee was set up to respond to the report with evidence,” Police Colonel Myo Thu Soe told Reuters on Monday.

“The U.N. report includes very serious human rights abuses allegations against police in Myan- A Rohingya refugee woman with her child walks at Kutupalang Makeshift Refugee Camp in Cox’s Bamar including rape. But as we zar, Bangladesh on February 12. (REUTERS Photo) know, it did not happen,” he said. officers involved in the case have Muslims may have been killed in distinct group under citizenship been demoted, he added. It is rare the crackdown, two senior U.N. laws and are regarded instead DISCRIMINATION in Myanmar for security forces to officials dealing with refugees flee- as illegal immigrants from BanSeparately, five policemen be held accountable for abuses, or ing the violence said last week. A gladesh, entitled only to limited have been sentenced to two for such allegations to be investigat- Myanmar presidential spokesman rights. About 1.1 million Rohingmonths detention after a video ed transparently, rights groups say. said the latest reports from military ya live in apartheid-like condiappeared online showing them Almost 69,000 Rohingyas commanders were that fewer than tions in northwestern Myanmar. abusing Muslims during an op- have fled from Myanmar to Ban- 100 people had been killed in the The violence has renewed intereration aimed at rooting out gladesh since the security force counterinsurgency operation. national criticism that Myanmar suspected militants in Rakhine sweep was launched in October, Rohingya have faced discrim- leader Aung San Suu Kyi has done State, Myo Thu Soe said. according to U.N. estimates. ination in Myanmar for genera- too little to help members of the In addition, three senior police More than 1,000 Rohingya tions. They are not classified as a Muslim minority.

10

public discourse

Naga Women Must Stand Together with Naga Mother’s Association

I

Dr Eyingbeni Hümtsoe-Nienu

have neither an official association with Naga Mother’s Association (NMA) nor am I personally known to any of its officers, but by virtue of being a mother and a Naga, I deem myself to be a member of NMA by default. Hence, this brief article in defense of NMA. The recent imbroglio concerning 33% quota for Naga women in ULBs has adversely affected NMA, a very respectable body in Nagaland and beyond. Through its bold initiative, political unrest resulting in bloodshed in the name of nationalism has been conspicuously lessened over the years. Through its motherly love in action, many unhealthy social habits leading to untimely deaths have been arrested to a commendable extent. Through its visionary leadership, our land, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters have been experiencing rays of hope for new beginnings.

As a Naga woman, when the now dissolved JACWR decided to take legal recourse as a last resort to seek for their constitutional right, my heart leaped for joy at the prospect of seeing my mothers, aunts and sisters at the same table of decision making with my fathers, uncles and sons.

This was one special move by NMA specifically aimed at the uplift of women’s status in the Naga (urban) society. Alas! The table has returned to status quo. Only time will tell how and which collective Naga body will again pursue the issue of women’s fair participation in decision making platforms. However, I trust NMA will not feel defeated by the recent outcome in their fight for gender justice but continue to keep its passion for gender and social activism alive.

Needless to say, NMA is perhaps at the moment at its most vulnerable in all of its nearly four decades of existence; though it’s primarily caused by external factors.

To make it worse, it is unkind of male tribe bodies to pressurize their respective women bodies to “disassociate” from NMA; as if to illogically decide their loyalty between their tribe and gender. Such pressure-tac-

I

TuesDAY 14•02•2017

tic on women groups reminds us of our ancient days of headhunting when the defeated rival was further decapitated to not only prove the victor’s manhood but also to deny the slightest possibility of the rival’s survival. It would be dreadful to relive such a past, no matter how remotely close. For civil bodies and individuals to even reprimand NMA with discriminatory languages contradicts Naga custom of filial piety, given that NMA represents mothers from whom everyone originates.

Even in the midst of intense displeasure for whatever reason, there is no honor and justification in disrespecting a body comprising of their mothers – directly or by the reality of our common origin, and calling for its dissolution via tribe women’s withdrawal or dissolving the central Body itself.

So far a couple of tribe women bodies have publicly withdrawn themselves from NMA. I pray they will take time to introspect and soon rejoin to strengthen the voice and presence of Naga women.

I also pray that no other Naga women group would abandon their “Mother” in her lows as much as they would have stood by her and celebrated her highs. She needs the non-judgmental support of fellow women/mothers from all Naga tribes at this point in time more than ever. The words of Mordecai to Queen Esther (paraphrased) should send a strong message to Naga women to stand together with NMA: “Who knows? Perhaps you have come to (mother’s) dignity for such a time as this” (cf., Esth 4: 14b).

The works of NMA has and will go beyond the demand of women’s rightful place in decision-making bodies. Its existence is an asset to Naga society as a nationally acclaimed NGO; indispensable for the welfare of girls, boys, women, and men; essential for safeguarding peaceful relationships between nationalists, politicians and civilians and; a strong pillar for preserving civic sense and moral duties.

Through all the unprecedented experiences in recent time, may NMA, in the favor of God, arise, sooner than later, in its finest, wisest and strongest!

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

T

Is there no balm in Gilead?

he voice of prophet Jeremiah to the exilic Jews rang in this manner, “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved. Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?”

These haunting yet grilling statements from Jeremiah 8:20-22 cannot simply be answered without knowing its historical context.

Gilead was a region under the territory of Israel and was known for balm that heals almost every physical malady. People from afar would travel all the way just to buy this precious healing medicine.

The Israelites then, were known for trading this famous brand of balm to other neighbouring nations.

Now, the pressing question of the prophet, “Is there no balm in Gilead?” is a rhetorical one in seeking to answer as to why the traders or

M

possessor of this “well-known healing balm” be so sick and unhealthy themselves? It also delves much deeper into understanding a spiritual point as to “Why the people of God with the book of God’s law were so spiritually sick and sinful?”

This description gives a light into our present Naga situation.

What have gone so wrong with us? Do we not possess the healing balm that cures every disease of sins and divisions in our society?

Do we not have enough Christians to diagnose our own illnesses applying the principles of God’s book? Whom do we blame? It is not ‘them’ but ‘us’ who is erupting disorder in our own land! “Death has climbed in through our windows and has entered our fortresses; it has removed the children from the streets and the young men from the public squares.”Let’s admit it: “We’ve done wrong! We’ve all got our hands dirty!” Blame game is a direct result of sin and guilt before a holy God. Primarily, we have not

sinned against one another but God Himself. We have demoted and destroyed His reputation. We let loose our ‘God-given identity’ before our own inherent evils.

The people’s expectations of goodness and peace are replaced with terror on every side. We are indeed religious or say, very religious but that did not restrain or transform us. We sought for waters in our own broken cisterns that failed to satisfy our thirsts. The thirsts for greed, money, power, idolatry and worldly pleasures has blinded us and left us emptier and wanting.

We have forsaken the spring of living water. We have turned our backs to God and not our faces yet when we’re in trouble, we say, ‘Come and save us!’ It is nothing but a pure façade of what should be real. Our cry is not real as it arises only in the need of the moment. God has become for us a help-mate in dire need, not the real deal. Therefore, the possessor of the healing balm is now in pain and anguish.

The actual description of the above paragraph is indirectly quoted from the mouth of prophet Jeremiah to our context. The exilic period of the Jews extended for 70 years under the rule of the Babylonian empire. It was a humbling experience for this tiny Jewish nation to retrospect their own sins and failures to obey the God of their fathers. As we see it, what could be worse than our present situation now? We shouldn’t ask for more!

It’s time that the government officials humble before God and seek forgiveness for their own sins and the sins of the people they govern!

It’s time the Churches cry for forgiveness in failing to uphold the name of God’s holy name! It’s time we all say, “We are guilty.”

Prayer: May the healing balm of God’s word heal our people and restore the dividing walls of the sins of hatred and division within our God-given land.

Vebu Khamo Seoul Christian University

THE FUTILITY OF BANDHS

y last tirade against the regressive policies of the Hohos has already attracted the expected venom and vitriol as accepted. So, further introduction I feel is unnecessary.

Agreed that the present Chief Minister of the Indian state of Nagaland is the most incompetent chief minister, we the younger generation has ever seen. Leaving that aside I would like to ask the “esteemed” leaders of the numerous organizations is that can removing a chief minister who has the full backing of his legislators be even legally done? As long as he has a majority of legislators in his pocket, no amount of ranting and raving to polish personal egos to change the reality of being under an occupiers

(Indian) Constitution which also gives us the Article 371 (a) Our Hohos are leading a group of Nagas on a wild goose chase and as a common person we have no qualms about that. But when it starts affecting the daily life of ordinary Nagas is when the problem arises. We request our esteemed ‘tribal leaders’ to exclude daily bread earners, business establishments from the preview of indefinite bandh. In short the flow of essential commodities should not be affected. Furthermore when entrepreneurship in our society in its nascent stage essential infrastructure like internet and mobile connectivity should be immediately restored lest the government of Nagaland and our esteemed ‘tribal leaders’

want to take our society backward.

The last part of my letter is addressed to our Hohos. What is the end game you seek? Some leaders I have spoken to have no idea beyond bringing down the Chief Minister. Won’t this also be a step in the wrong direction? If you really want this to be a genuine movement of the people start targeting corruption and cronyism which at the root is what lead to this sad state of affairs we find ourselves today. So that the lives of three innocent souls we lost recently will not go to waste. The leaders must reevaluate how the movement is being carried out and to what ends.

If they cannot accomplish this simple task it would be better to resign enmasse and handover the reigns

of leading these organizations to wiser folks, lest you want to see the respectability of these organizations to erode.

If you let your ego lead you leaders from both sides of the spectrum on this path of confrontation for few more days. Then the youngsters, the poors, and those who eke out the daily living will come and totally crush any semblance of respect you hold among the Nagas.

Nagas are ever ready to die for a right cause lead by a wise leader but be warned that the common people will not tolerate dictatorial institution who are fond of giving diktats and try to confuse the Nagas.

Kuknalim Aotemjen Jamir, Signal Basti, Dimapur.

GBs Union Peren District appeal for normalcy

t is for all to see the DAN alliance under the dynamic Chairmanship of Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu and the DAN Government headed by TR Zeliang is a progressive government working tirelessly and determinedly for the development of Nagaland state and its people. Within a span of less than two years in office the TR Zeliang led government with the active support of the Narendra Modi led NDA at the centre has been trying hard to make development reach all the districts of Nagaland in many spheres including establishments of new offices as per the needs of the areas and implementation of national flagship programmes in earnest.

One of the major development projects that is being taken up by the TR Zeliang government with the kind intervention and support of the Modi led NDA government at the centre is the construction of major road projects in the state. Good road communication is the first step towards progress and development of a region. Good road communications provide commuters to travel with comfort and in shorter duration. Good road communication is an imperative essential to seek timely medical service to maintain good health.

As the saying goes, the wearer knows where the shoe pinches, the public especially from Mon, Tuensang and Longleng districts are the usual victims of poor road communication.

During the frequent bandhs called by Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Jorhat and Sibsagar districts our brothers and sisters from these aforementioned disrticts face untold miseries especially the sick in need of medical attention, since commuters have to pass through Assam to reach Dimapur and Kohima. The other road being the via Mokokchung- Kohima road which is around 14 Hours journey. The Mon- Dimapur foothill road linking, Tuensang, Mokokchung, Zunheboto,and Wokha districts has been a dream especially for the eastern Nagaland to travel to Dimapur and the state capital Kohima within Nagaland in a shorter route unaffected by the inconveniences of bandhs in Assam. This much needed road will soon be a dream come true when the Arunachal – Nagaland interstate road is completed and linked with Dimapur and Kohima. The DAN Government is earnestly taking up this road construction works. Some other road projects that need

mentioning is the four-lane road linking Gauhati –Kohima via Niu Land and four-lane road via Diphu-Mhaikam-SukhoviChumukedima linking the main four lane to the State Capital. It is not important who gets the contract work, what is more important is that it is happening at last. To have a four-lane road connectivity to Nagaland has been the dream of many successive governments of the past in Nagaland. This dream of the people could be realised today under the dynamic Chairmanship of Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu Chairman DAN Alliance and the DAN Government headed

by TR Zeliang Chief Minister and with the caring support of the NDA Government at the Centre headed by the able and Dynamic Narendra Modi.

Instead of lauding the present government for its achievements in bringing developments to Nagaland State in all fronts within its short term of office why are certain section of Naga population trying to pull down a government that is working very hard for the development of our state and its people. It may be recalled that certain groups of people from the very beginning even before TR Zeliang took over the reign of the office of the Chief Minister of Nagaland had tried its best to prevent him from becoming the Chief Minister of Nagaland. And from the day TR Zeliang held the office of the Chief Minister of Nagaland the same group of people has since then been working to oust TR Zeliang from office and in the process even tried to oust Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu from the NPF Presidentship. Today some legislators are portraying that there is rift within the NPF which can be bonded only by Neiphiu Rio former Chief Minister Nagaland and present MP. It may be recalled that in 2015 a similar game was played to oust Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu implying that the NPF party workers has lost their confidence on Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu but truth and unity prevailed in the Party.

The issue at hand today is not the issue of Nagas not wanting to implement the 33% women reservation in the ULB election in Nagaland. If this is the issue, why are the agitators still agitating and calling for bandh and asking TR Zeliang to step down from the Chief Ministership? The state government has conceded to the demand of the agitators by postponing the ULB elections in towns where there was conflict. Elections were held where there was no conflict however the state gov-

ernment again conceded to the demands of the agitators by declaring the election null and void where elections were held in towns where there was no conflict. Inspite of conceding to the request made by the agitators, the agitators continuing to demand the stepping down of TR Zeliang from the Chief Ministership reeks only of vindictive political agenda to oust TR Zeliang from the Chief Ministership with undemocratic means. Nagaland has witnessed toppling game in the past. During the 70s when Dr. SC Jamir was removed from Deputy Chief Minister post by the then Chief Minister Late Vizol Angami, Dr. SC Jamir toppled the Vizol Government and became the Chief Minister of Nagaland, the one month old SC Jamir government was then toppled paving way for Late JB Jasokie to take over as the Chief Minister, a post which he held till the next general election of 1982. And again during the late 1980s and early 1990s Nagaland witnessed another toppling game when KL Chisi toppled the Dr. SC Jamir government to become the state Chief Minister for one month. The KL Chisi government was toppled to pave way for Late Vamuzo to take over as the Chief Minister which was toppled necessitating President’s Rule in the state.

In the present political scenario in Nagaland it is to impress upon the people of Nagaland that neither TR Zeliang nor the NPF Party nor the MLAs of the Nagaland State Legislative Assembly has not in any way at any point of time attempted to oust Neiphiu Rio from the Chief Ministership of Nagaland. In fact it may be recalled that when he hinted of joining National Politics his MLA colleagues, his partymen and well wishers requested him to remain as the state Chief Minister: A request he chose to ignore. At a time when Nagaland was heavily in debts and salvaging it seems a mammoth task he chose to leave the sinking ship. Now that under the Dynamic leadership of Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu Chairman DAN Alliance and the DAN Government led by TR Zeliang is doing its best to pluck the holes of the sinking ship by taking up financial austerity measures, the state debt is now reduced considerably and developments have started pouring into the state with the active coordination of the State and Central Government, how do few MLAs, cohorts of Neiphiu Rio have the illusion that Neiphiu Rio’s return to Na-

galand will salvage the NPF party when in the first place there is no rift in the NPF Party.

It is to further impress upon the people of Nagaland that the Zeliang tribe is a very small community in the state of Nagaland with very less population and only two MLA seats. In such a humble environment, it may be known to all that TR Zeliang has never nursed the thought of occupying the dignified and august office of the Chief Minister of Nagaland not to speak of thinking of toppling a Naga leader to enter the august office. The fact that today TR Zeliang is the Chief Minister is not because the Zeliang tribe are united and posses political acumen to convince the Naga populace to make him the State Chief Minister. In fact from day one Namri Nchang the other MLA from Peren District was on the side that was against TR Zeliang from becoming the Chief Minister of Nagaland.

The fact that TR Zeliang is today the Chief Minister of Nagaland against all odds is because of the fact that God has blessed him to become our Chief Minister and our Naga Legislators has blessed and accepted him to be the leader of the house and to work together for peace and progress in the state. When the majority of the MLAs are with him to ask him to step down is unconstitutional and undemocratic. The voice of the people, the mandate of the people’s voice will be echoed with the result of the 2018 Nagaland State Legislative Assembly General Elections. Till such time the voice of the people are the voice of the elected MLAs the representatives of the people.

TR Zeliang with the blessing of his legislators enjoys absolute majority in the house, and therefore as long as TR Zeliang enjoys the confidence of the house, he cannot step down.

The constitutional provision cannot permit him and democratic procedure will not allow him to step down. If he is to step down under public pressure while enjoying the confidence of the house, an un-precedent undemocratic precedence will be set wherein any mafia like group will coerce and force democratic government to step down on the pretext of so called mass voice of the people. Even if TR Zeliang is willing to step down the law of the country will not allow such undemocratic action to take place.

Getting back to the core issue of how it all started, certain agitators misquoted Article 371A in order to mislead and

misguide the Naga populace.

The agitators say because Article 371A upholds customary practice and usage of the Nagas and because it is not within the Naga custom to allow women to sit in decision making bodies, women should not be allowed to contest the ULB elections.

The situation at hand is about interpretation and misinterpretation of Article 371A. However if we allow certain group to continue to connive to twist facts, misinterpret the constitution and its provisions to create law and order problems and misunderstandings among the populace a time may come when the special provision of Article 371A will be considered for amendment to ensure gender equality.

It may be recalled that since the early 1980s it was made mandatory for all the Village Councils, VDBs, VECs etc. to have women representatives and there has been no objection from any quarter. Almost all the village councils will readily admit to having women representatives in their respective council.

Going by records during the late 1980s Banuo Z. Jamir IAS was the first woman Deputy Commissioner of Kohima District during the erstwhile undivided Kohima District before Phek, Dimapur and Peren Districts were carved out of it. The District was then represented by 20 MLAs. We may please recollect meaningfully that at that point of time not a word of resentment was uttered from any Naga tribe across Nagaland objecting a woman Deputy Commissioner to head the state capital on grounds that since it is against the Naga customary practice and usage for women to sit in decision making body and because the office of the Deputy Commissioner is the highest decision making body of the district Banuo Z. Jamir IAS being a woman should not be posted as DC Kohima because such posting will infringe and violate the provision of Article 371A and that such posting of placing a women to sit in the highest decision making body of the district will be an insult to the male population of Nagaland. It may also be recalled when Banuo Z. Jamir the able and efficient officer was made the first female Chief Secretary of Nagaland the highest executive decision making body of the state, there was no outcry that women should not sit in the apex decision making body of the State. Taking Banuo Z. Jamir IAS as their role model

many females in our Naga family have today joined the state civil service, allied services etc. and are today Administrative Head of Departments, Head of Departments, Administrative Officers, Judicial Officers, department officers posted out in the districts and serving fairly well across the entire state even to the most remote locations.

No Naga tribe has ever come out opposing women posted to hold offices on grounds that it is against the Naga customary practice and usage for women to sit in decision making body since such posting will insult the male counterpart.

Going in line with the irrational minds of the protesters are we now to stop sending our daughters and our sisters to schools. Are we to discourage our daughters and our sisters not to prepare for competitive exams or try to be in government service because it is against Naga customary practice and usage for women to sit in decision making bodies.

Today due to the bandh all the school children are being affected. Knowing fully well that the HSSLC and HSLC exams are going to be conducted and yet imposing bandh during the scheduled exam period, creating unfavourable atmosphere and situations where the students to appear these exams are unable to prepare for their exams in a peaceful and calm atmosphere are acts of the protesters which do not have any respect and regard for our children. It is said the future of a nation depends upon the young generation. To stop the children from going to schools by imposing uncalled for bandhs and making them loose many schools days is an irreparable lose for our children who are so eager to learn and become goods citizens because time lost can never be recovered again or compensated.

It is said the world suffers not because of the bad actions of the few bad people but because of the indifference of the good people. The uncalled for bandh has witnessed loss of lives. We need to view this unfortunate incident with open minds. The core issue is who instigated these innocent youths to go in agitated procession when the state government had already postponed holding ULB elections in Dimapur.

The writings on the walls are clear, the JCC did not object holding of ULB elections on the contrary it assured the government that it will support holding of ULB elections after

the expiry of two months. The signature of the General Secretary NBCC is appended as a living witness to the MOU. Who is fooling who.

The bandh has witnessed arson. Government offices burnt. Who loses? You and I. Not the agitators. Mourners are stopped, manhandled and prevented from attending funerals. The sick refused to be taken to hospital by ambulance and threatened to return home.

Children not allowed to go to school. Public threatened to remain indoors. During school admission time due to closure of offices many children are unable to get admission because their parents are unable to draw salary. Many students studying outside the state are facing extreme hardship because their parents cannot send them money since the majority of the Naga Population is salary dependant. Where are we heading to? Do the majority good Naga populace continue to remain complacent and indifferent to the evil going around us and watch our children suffer silently?

In a land where we call ourselves Nagaland for Christ the protesters had no compunction to call state-wide bandh during the NBCC Annual Session 2017 held at Peren. Even church related meetings and activities held in very high esteem was not given any importance by the protesters and many delegates of the NBCC Annual Session 2017 faced much hardships to attend the same while majority of the delegates could not even turn up. Had this bandh been called by the Hindus there will be hue and cry by the Naga people calling such acts to be anti Christian etc. etc.

However in this particular situation the good Naga Christians have chosen to remain silent.

The need of the hour is to provide a peaceful atmosphere so that our children can prepare and appear their HSSLC and HSLC exams without any fear and intimidation. The need of the hour is to provide peaceful atmosphere to allow our children to go to schools and colleges and universities without any fear and intimidation.

The time has now come for all right thinking Nagas to work for peace. I appeal to all the Naga tribes to uphold truth and justice and to sincerely work to bring back normalcy and harmony in our beloved state.

Kainia President Hairut Vice President GBs Union : Peren District

Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

Tuesday 13•02•2017

EntErtainmEnt

Adele, Beyonce steal limelight at 'politically driven' Grammys

Winners of 59th Annual Grammy Awards Album of the year ▶25 – Adele

record of the year ▶Hello – Adele

song of the year ▶Hello – Adele

Best rap album

▶Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book

Best urban contemporary album ▶Beyonce – Lemonade

Best country solo performance

▶My Church – Maren Morris

Best rock song

▶Blackstar – David Bowie

Best pop duo/group performance

▶Stressed Out – Twenty One Pilots

Best new artist

▶Chance the Rapper

Best pop vocal album ▶Adele – 25

Best pop solo performance

Beyonce performed a song called Mother's Pride at the Grammys. The mother-to-be glowed throughout her set, her first performance since announcing she was pregnant with twins earlier this month (Feb17), and celebrity fans couldn't help but gush about the singer via social media straight afterwards.

B

ritish star Adele clinched as many as five trophies at the 59th annual Grammy Awards, where singer Beyonce Knowles, pregnant with twins, performed with a baby bump like a "Queen" for the first time. There were others who didn't shy away from slamming US President Donald Trump through their acts, speeches and even their dressing styles.

Adele, who began the award show at the Staples Center here on Sunday night, bagged all the top honours, including categories like Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year.

She also took home the trophies for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album awards.

What was heart-warming to see was that she

refused to take the Album Of The Year honour and said Beyonce deserves it more than her.

"I can't possibly accept this award, and I'm very humbled and very grateful and gracious but my life is Beyonce, and the album to me, the 'Lemonade' album," she said and added that Beyonce is "empowering" all the black people.

Another highlight of the night was when Beyonce took the stage to perform "Love drought" and "Sandcastles" from her album "Lemonade", for the first time since announcing her pregnancy.

She was introduced on stage by her mother Tina Knowles and received a standing ovation from the audience, which also included her husband Jay Z and daughter Blue Ivy Carter.

Hosted by James Corden, the awards gala, which honours the best in the music industry, also featured special tributes to late singer George Michael by Adele and to late singer Prince by Bruno Mars, The Time and Morris Day. Another big winner of the night was the late singer David Bowie, who posthumously was given five awards for his 2016 album "Blackstar" in categories like Best Rock Performance, Best Alternative Music Album, Best Rock Song, Best Engineered Album (non-classical) and Best Recording Package.

Defeating the likes of Kanye West and Drake, Chance the Rapper won three nods for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album for "Coloring Book".

The winners of the night included musical duo Twenty One Pilots, who won the Best Pop Duo/ Group Performance for "Stressed out". The Chainsmokers' "Don't let me down" was given the Best Dance Recording gramophone, Megadeth as the Best Metal Performance for "Dystopia", "Tell Me I'm Pretty" as the Best Rock Album, Beyonce's "Lemonade" as the Best Contemporary Album and "White Sun II" as Best New Age Album.

Beside awards, the 2017 Grammys also witnessed some power-packed performances by Lady Gaga, Metallica, John Legend, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato and The Weeknd, while some celebrities made political statements starting right from the red carpet.

While musical group Highly Suspect's member Johnny Stevens wore a jacket with "Impeach" written on its back, Perry donned a white pantsuit and had a band on her arms which read: "Persist".

Singer Skylar Grey was also carrying a pink LEDenabled clutch across which the words "Empowerment" and "Equality" were written.

During his opening monologue, Corden said: "With President Trump, we don't know what comes next."

Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez and late Michael Jackson's daughter Paris Jackson also took a jibe at

▶Hello – Adele

▶Solange – Cranes In the Sky

Best r&B song

▶Maxwell – Lake By the Ocean

Best rap performance

▶Chance The Rapper featuring Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz – No Problem

Best rap/sung performance ▶Drake – Hotline Bling

Best r&B album

▶Lalah Hathaway – Lalah Hathaway Live

Best rap song

▶Drake – Hotline Bling

Best metal performance ▶Megadeth – Dystopia

Best rock performance ▶David Bowie – Blackstar

Best dance recording

▶The Chainsmokers – Don’t Let Me Down

Best dance/electronic album ▶Skin – Flume

Best music video ▶Beyonce – Formation

Best country song

▶Humble and Kind – Tim McGraw

Best country duo/group performance

▶Pentatonix Featuring Dolly Parton – Jolene

T

Now, UK University offers PhD in 'chocolate'

he University of the West of England is offering PhD in chocolate, a 15,000 poundsper-year grant for the perfect course for chocoholics. The university is offering the grant to study the genetic factors that influence the flavour of the UK's favourite treat.

The successful candidate will study how the fermentation of cacao beans leads to specific flavour profiles, according to the prospectus.

The three-year position has been created in response to demand from the chocolate industry for more forensic knowledge of different cocoa strains.

Candidates can apply till February 27 to apply to the uni-

versity's Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences in Bristol.

The novel chance comes close on the heels of the job offered by Mondelez International - behind some of the world's most famous sugary treats like Cadbury, Milka, Prince and Oreo - of a part-time chocolate taster.

The firm, which posted the role on LinkedIn, is looking for someone who can taste its delicacies and deliver honest and objective feedback within its team of skilled panelists.

The successful candidates will then help Mondelez perfect and launch brand new products all over the world for years to come.

Prince's Purple Rain reissue to feature new music and concert films

T

he Purple Rain reissue will hit stores on 9 June (17) and it will include "two incredible albums of previously unreleased Prince music and two complete concert films." "When we make any of Prince's music available to fans from the hits to unreleased gems we are committed to upholding Prince's high creative standards and we know fans will be thrilled when they hear these albums and see these films," a statement from Warner Bros. Records CEO Cameron Strang reads.

The news of the reissue comes on the same day the late icon's back catalogue was re-released on streaming services in-

Adele bagged all the top honours including Record of The Year, Album of The Year and Song of The Year at the 59th annual Grammy Awards for her album "25" and hit single "Hello". The British singer also won the trophy for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album.

Trump indirectly while being on stage.

But the direct attack on Trump was made by popular rap group A Tribe Called Quest, who called him "President Agent Orange".

Apart from all that, there were also moments when celebrities faced technical glitches during their gigs.

During her tribute performance to Michael, Adele stopped in between after facing voice malfunction. She later apologised to the audience and started her performance again.

Meanwhile, during Lady Gaga's collaborative performance with Metallica, the band's member James Hetfield's microphone stopped working.

Still they didn't face any issue as Gaga came forward and shared her microphone with him.

Now ShowiNg revIseD TICKeT rATes (silver) : `.120 (Gold) : `. 200 (recliner) : `. 400

Source: IANS

Queen Elizabeth is hiring a social media manager for 25 lakh a year!

Best r&B performance

C M Y K

Prince and George Michael, two Grammy-winning pop veterans who died unexpectedly months apart last year, were honored with special musical tributes from younger stars on Sunday during the recording industry's top awards show.

cluding Apple, Spotify, Pandora, Google Play, and Deezer. Prince's music began to appear on the sites on Sunday hours before the Grammy Awards. Nine months before his death in April last year (16) the musician struck a deal with Jay Z's Tidal music service to stream what would be his final two albums and pulled his old tracks from its competitors.

However, bosses at Warner Music, who manage much of his back catalogue, reached an agreement to make his music widely available on other streaming apps.

"Prince recorded his most influential and popular music during his time with Warner Bros. and we

Source: Indian Today

R

ecently, Buckingham Palace has come out with a job notification for hiring 'Social Media Manager' to handle personal Twitter account of none other than Queen Elizabeth. According to reports, the 90-yearold British Monarch currently has over 2.77 million followers on Twitter.

A job advertisement has been placed on the Queen's official website seeking a new 'digital communications officer' to join a "fastpaced" and "dynamic" team.

The online advertisement reads: "It's knowing your content will be viewed by millions. It's finding new ways to maintain The Queen's presence in the public eye and on the world stage.

This is what makes working for the Royal Household exceptional," it said.

Vacancy details: Job: Full- time Eligibility criteria:ht candidate must be university educated with an "eye to the future" and experience of managing websites.

Moreover, the candidates

11:30 AM, 02:10 PM, 05:00 PM & 07:50 PM need to be "innovative and with creative flair" and have good photography and video skills.

Work roles: One has to involve in managing the Queen's Twitter account and letting the world know about her work and the Royal Family's public role. Tasks will include writing posts on the Queen's social media accounts including Facebook and YouTube, as well as documenting state visits, award ceremonies and Royal engagements, The Sun newspaper reported.

Salary offered: All the selected candidates will be paid Rs 25, 12,410 lakh per annum (30,000-pound) including15 per cent employer contribution pen-

sion scheme as well as training and "personal development."

Last year, the Queen also personally tweeted on her 90th birthday in June.

She posted: "I am most grateful for the many digital messages of goodwill I have received and would like to thank you all for your kindness. Elizabeth R." The monarch has 2.77 million followers on Twitter, as well her own website and YouTube channel.

Further, the advertisement reads: "The reaction to our work is always highprofile, and so reputation and impact will be at the forefront of all you do."

Source: Contactmusic

Ticket Counter (09:00 AM - 09:00 PM)

WWW.BooKMYsHoW.CoM (ID: PLAYBox DIMAPur)

Ward 5 (6) Burma Camp, Landmark - Near J.K Hospital Dimapur.

Power House.

Hillstar NOW SHOWING Jolly ll.B 2

Source: India Today & PTI

Bruce Springsteen's unreleased 'Harry Potter' song seaks online

A

are deeply aware of our responsibility to safeguard and nurture his incredible legacy," Strang continued.

"Warner Bros. is thrilled to be able to bring Prince's music to his millions of fans around the world via streaming services, fittingly on music's biggest night."

03862-237226

song that was written by Bruce Springsteen for 2001 movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone leaked online, Friday, after being included as part of a bootleg compilation.

Springsteen first mentioned he had written a song that didn't end up being used in the movie in an interview with BBC Radio 2's Simon Mayo in October, and since then fans have been eagerly waiting to hear it.

However, the mysterious track was later removed from Soundcloud, where it had first surfaced. The song, titled ‘I'll Stand By You Always’, is described by Rolling Stone as ‘earnest and unhurried, with a soft, sweet gospel hook’, but perhaps ‘a little too somber,’ for the children’s film. The track is also said to contain no references to characters or specific plot points from J.K. Rowling's books.

Lyrics include: "Together we'll chase

11:00 AM | 02:00 PM 08:00 PM

Rings (HoRRoR)

those thieves that won't leave you alone/ Out from the under the bed, out from over our home."

Speaking about the track in October, The Boss described it as "pretty good,” adding: “It was a song that I wrote for my eldest son, it was a big ballad that was very uncharacter-

istic of something I’d sing myself.”

Springsteen didn't give a reason as to why it didn't make it on the film’s soundtrack but did add: “At some point I'd like to get it into a children's movie of some sort because it was a pretty lovely song.”

Source: Contactmusic

05:00 PM

12

TuesDAY 14•02•2017

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Ashwin, Jadeja spin India to win over Bangladesh

Pick my opponent, Pacquiao asks fans

MaNila, February 13 (aFP): Manny Pacquiao on Monday asked his legions of Twitter followers to choose his opponent after announcing his next world title defence will be in the United Arab Emirates.

"See you in UAE for my next fight. #TeamPacquiao" the WBO world welterweight champion tweeted, appearing to scupper reports that he would next fight Australia's Jeff Horn in Brisbane in April.

Pacquiao then posted a poll on his official Twitter feed asking his 108,000 followers to choose either Horn, Terence Crawford, Amir Khan or Kell Brook as his next opponent in the UAE. The poll had received more than 10,000 votes by Monday morning.

A spokesman for Pacquiao told AFP he was due to meet his manager Michael Koncz later Monday and a statement about his next fight would be issued.

Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum had been widely quoted last month in inter-

Mushfiqur made the mistake of looking to attack the off-spinner early in his spell but the Bangladesh skipper only succeeded in mistiming a shot towards mid-off, where Jadeja held on to a routine catch to dismiss the batsman for 23.

Mahmudullah showed more patience during his knock of 64, his 13th test half-century, and kept Bangladesh's hopes of a draw alive by sharing a 51-run stand with Sabbir Rahman for the sixth wicket.

Those hopes were dashed after lunch though, when both batsmen were snapped up by Ishant Sharma during an inspired spell of fast bowling, Sabbir falling leg before for 22 and Mahmudullah caught at fine leg attempting a pull shot.

Mehedi Hasan, who scored his maiden test fifty in the first innings, and Kamrul Islam Rabbi defied India for a further 14 overs before the former became Jadeja's third wicket of the innings as India closed in for the kill.

Jadeja then dismissed Taijul Islam to put India on the brink of their fifth consecutive test triumph India's Ravichandran Ashwin (3rd L) celebrates the wicket of Bangladesh's captain Mushfiqur Rahim on the fifth day and the victory was confirmed of their one-off Test match, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, on February 13 (AFP Photo) when Taskin Ahmed fell leg before ball in the rough created by the to Ashwin after Kohli plumped for Hyderabad, February 13 while touring India.

"It's quite tough out there be- bowlers' footmarks and it spun and a review in a confusing passage of (reuters): Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja cause their bowlers have a lot of jumped to hit Shakib's glove, leav- play.

"The bowlers found ways to get picked up four wickets apiece to variety, not only the spin depart- ing Cheteshwar Pujara to complete batsmen out, that's been the quallead India to a comprehensive ment but the quicks also," visiting a simple catch at short leg.

First-innings centurion Mush- ity of our team in the past couple 208-run win over Bangladesh on captain Mushfiqur Rahim told refiqur and Mahmudullah then of years," Kohli said after being adthe fifth day of their one-off test at porters.

"It was a learning curve for us launched a mini-revival with a 56- judged player of the match for his Hyderabad on Monday.

Bangladesh, chasing an im- to play against the number one run fifth-wicket partnership that first innings double hundred.

"Ishant's spell in the second probable victory target of 459 in team. Hopefully we learn from this frustrated the world's number one innings was outstanding, coming their second innings, were dis- and come up with better perfor- ranked test side. and bowling with a soft ball, getting missed for 250 late in an extended mance." a bit of reverse (swing) and bowlPlaying their maiden test in ASHWIN STRIKES second session as India stretched India skipper Virat Kohli raised ing with pace was really good to their unbeaten run to 19 test India, Bangladesh, who resumed on 103 for three, suffered an early a few eyebrows by keeping spin see. matches.

"If we have two world class Bangladesh, ranked ninth blow when Shakib Al Hasan de- spearhead Ashwin out of the atamong 10 test-playing nations, did parted in the third over of the day tack until the 18th over of the day spinners in your side, you can tell Alastair Cook and Joe well to bat for more than 100 overs after adding just a single to his but when the world's top-ranked the fast bowlers to come in and Root (Reuters File Photo) bowler was finally deployed, he attack. The partnership between in both innings given the struggles overnight score of 21.

Left-armer Jadeja made the needed just four deliveries to break spinners and fast bowlers has been teams like South Africa, New ZealONdON, February wonderful to see." land and England faced recently breakthrough when he landed the the stand.

13 (reuters): Joe Root said he felt "privileged, humbled and very excited" to be named England test cricket captain on Monday, Medals are a feel-good fac- train...even now many of form for their teams and replacing Alastair Cook Faridabad, Febru- urricular activity.

"For India to become a tor. We must take it as a way our shooters train in many grassroot players." ary 13 (iaNs): Stresswho resigned last week af"We have expert ter four and a half years in ing the need for more powerful nation, we should of life like we treat yoga, foreign countries. Now we corporate support to ath- have a re-look at the sports which is internationally have all the same Italian physio's and trainers and charge. letes, specially to potential policy in our country. It is recognised nowadays," he technology at our door- mental coaches who will be Colin Graves, chairsteps. So in that sense, not working closely to give the man of the England and Olympians, Sports Author- high time that the private added.

Multiple Olympian only the young shooters best support to any athlete Wales Cricket Board (ECB), ity of India (SAI) Director institutions join hands General Injeti Srinivas on with the government to shooters Manavjit Singh but all other athletes can in this country," he added. said in a statement that the Shedding light on his Yorkshire batsman had Monday said such initia- create infrastructure for the Sandhu and Ronjan Sodhi, take advantage of the fatives act as a boost for the youth," he said, addressing who are closely associated cilities here," Ronjan Sodhi ambitions of opening a been the perfect choice. sports university, Bhalla with the Sports Centre said told IANS. a gathering here. promising talents.

"I’m delighted that he Commenting on the said: "This institute can be has accepted the role and "On one hand we look such infrastructure will Inaugurating a Sports Science Centre at the at sports as just an extra- help budding and current new centre, Manav Rachna the key centre for main- will now help to take the Manav Rachna Interna- curricular activity and on athletes save more money University Vice President line athletes as well as for team to the next level," he tional University here, the other hand we com- and time which they spend Amit Bhalla said: "This is a grassroot players who can added.

Srinivas reiterated the gov- plain for our failure to win to train and recover from state of the art facility and not only identify, work and Durham's 25-year-old we are reaching out to the detect the injuries, posters all-rounder Ben Stokes was injuries abroad. ernment's view that sports medals in Olympics."

"During our time, we Sports Federations so that that is wrong in their ac- named vice-captain, the "But sports isn't all should be a mainstream subject instead of an extra- about winning medals. used to travel to Italy to they can utilise this plat- tions." role previously held by Root.

Manny Pacquiao (AFP Photo)

national media as saying that the boxing icon would be getting into the ring with the unbeaten Australian Horn in April and the Queensland tourism minister said they were in negotiations to host the bout.

But Pacquiao, 38, posted on his social media accounts that he would be fighting instead in the Middle East and seemed to indicate that while his opponent could still be Horn it could also be one of three

other world-class boxers -American Crawford or Britons Khan or Brook.

Reports of a bout between Pacquiao and Horn had begun circulating last month but the Filipino southpaw said contracts had not been signed.

"We are still negotiating about that. Nothing is really final, the date, who is the opponent. There are a lot of offers from other countries," Pacquiao said last month.

Root replaces Cook as England test captain

C M Y K

SAI calls for re-look at country's sports policy

Root, 26, has scored 4,594 test runs since his debut in 2012 and will become England's 80th test skipper with his first game in charge set to be against South Africa at Lord's on July 6.

Cook, 32, resigned on Feb. 6 after captaining England for a record 59 tests.

Root, third in the world test batting rankings, had been the standout candidate despite concerns that the extra responsibility could affect his form.

The Yorkshireman described the new role as a "huge honour".

"We have a very good group of players and I’m looking forward to leading them out in the summer, building on Alastair’s

achievements and making the most of our talents in the years ahead," he said.

Root made his test debut in December, 2012 at the age of 21 and has scored 11 centuries in the longest format of the game.

The ECB said director of England Cricket Andrew Strauss and head coach Trevor Bayliss had held conversations with three players before the selectors made their decision.

Root did not hesitate when the offer was made.

"Joe is the right man to be our next test captain and I’m thrilled that he has accepted the role," said Strauss.

"He is universally respected by his team mates, passionate about driving the test team forward and extremely excited about the prospect of leading his country.

"I’m also delighted that Ben Stokes will take over from Joe as vice-captain of the team. He has real presence and influence within the team environment that serve as a great source of support for Joe." England face a busy year with a home series against South Africa and West Indies followed by the Ashes at the end of 2017 in Australia.

Ranieri hints at dropping Knicks stop the rot with NBA win over Spurs Angry Leicester underperformers

New yOrk, February 13 (aFP): The New York Knicks's latest tough week ended on a high note on Sunday as Carmelo Anthony and company shocked the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 at Madison Square Garden.

A victory over the secondbest team in the NBA was a welcome change of fortune for the Knicks, who are languishing well out of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference amid tensions between Anthony and club president Phil Jackson.

A feud between owner James Dolan and popular ex-Knick Charles Oakley also boiled over in ugly fashion on Wednesday.

Anthony said he was doing his best to ignore the noise.

"I'm out here playing basketball, trying to enjoy the game of basketball," he said.

"Whatever happens outside the basketball court does not concern me."

Instead, Anthony said, he and his teammates were focused on delivering the kind of consistent performance they've had trouble sustaining through four quarters this season.

Anthony scored 25 points and pulled down seven rebounds, Derrick Rose added 18 and Kristaps Porzingis contributed 16 with seven rebounds and four blocked shots to help the Knicks end a

four-game skid.

New York came up big defensively, too, holding the Spurs to a season-low 36.3 percent shooting in the upset.

Kawhi Leonard paced the Spurs with 36 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 15, but veteran point guard Tony Parker missed all three of his field goal attempts and finished with zero points and four assists in 31 minutes on the floor.

A jump shot from Leonard cut New York's lead to 88-86 with 1:43 to play, but Anthony responded with two straight baskets that rebuilt the Knicks's lead to 92-86 with 33 seconds remaining and the Spurs wouldn't get the deficit below four points the rest of the way.

Days after Dolan banned Oakley from Madison Square Garden -- where the fan favorite was arrested on Wednesday for resisting security personnel who tried to toss him from the arena -- support for Oakley was evident among fans, including filmmaker Spike Lee who sat courtside in an Oakley jersey.

Dolan sat Sunday next to Latrell Sprewell, another exKnick with whom he's feuded.

Sprewell called the Oakley incident "disappointing" in a courtside TV interview, saying it was time to "iron out" the situation "and get past it."

- Pistons fight back -

Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks puts up a shot in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017. (Newsday Photo)

In Toronto, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored five of his 21 points in the final minute as the Detroit Pistons erased a 16-point fourthquarter deficit to beat the Raptors 102-101.

Caldwell-Pope made a 16foot jumper and followed it with a three-pointer with 13.2 seconds left to give the Pistons a one-point lead.

Toronto's DeMar DeRozan missed a fadeaway jumpshot

as time expired.

The Raptors, fourth in the Eastern Conference, lost for the 10th time in 14 games.

Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points and Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 22 as the Minnesota Timberwolves rolled past the injury-depleted Chicago Bulls 117-89 in Minneapolis.

The Bulls were without starters Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade as well as backups Nikola Mirotic and Paul Zipser.

The Timberwolves, who had lost five of their previous six games, took full advantage to give coach Tom Thibodeau a sweep of the season series against his former team.

In Sacramento, DeMarcus Cousins scored 28 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and handed out 17 assists in the Kings's 105-99 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Cousins was also whistled for his 17th technical foul of the season, for an elbow thrown in the first quarter that appeared to be inadvertent. Cousins, who has already served a one-game ban for amassing 16 technicals, will be suspended another game for an 18th tech.

Pelicans rookie Buddy Hield was ejected for the first time in his NBA career after he was assessed a flagrant foul for hitting Cousins in the groin in the second quarter.

lONdON, February 13 (reuters): Leicester City's beleaguered manager Claudio Ranieri suggested he is ready to drop some of the players who won them the Premier League title as the Italian seeks to stave off relegation just one season later.

The champions have yet to win -- or even score -- in six league matches in 2017 and were beaten 2-0 by fellow relegation strugglers Swansea City on Sunday.

The latest setback leaves them just one point above the relegation zone with the club seemingly freefalling into the Championship.

When asked by reporters if he had been too loyal to the players from last season, Ranieri said: "I could be. Of course it is difficult when you achieve something so good, you want to give them one chance, two chances or three chances. Maybe now, it is too much.

"Of course I must change something because it's not possible to continue in this way. We have two problems - we concede and we don't score. Everybody tries to say something positive to help each other. But after, we go back (to losing games).

"I always question myself but then I always say 'come on, together we can do something good'."

Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, who last year both signed new contracts reported in the British media to be worth 110,000 pounds ($137,368.00) per week, have underperformed this season and could find their places under

threat, along with another of last season's leading lights, Danny Drinkwater.

Leicester's astonishing decline could see them become the first English champions to be relegated from the top flight since Manchester City in 1938.

On Sunday Ranieri suggested the relegation fight will take priority over the Champions League and FA Cup, both of which competitions they remain involved in.

On Saturday they face an FA Cup fifth-round tie at Millwall, followed by the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 against Sevilla.

"Now there are a few matches in front of us so we have to find a solution very, very soon," he said.

"There are two matches in front of us, one in the FA Cup and one in the Champions League but our mind is on the Premier League.

"It is important to be strong.

Now it is 10 hours without scoring a goal and we have to find a solution because it is not possible (that) everything is wrong this season.

"The machine is not broken but when you don't play at a maximum level it is a difficult battle. We stick together. I'm confident with my players because it only takes one moment for it to turn."

Last week the Italian received a vote of confidence from the club, who said he had their "unwavering support" but British bookmakers have him at short odds to be the next Premier League manager to be sacked.

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