February 14th, 2017

Page 1

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

o F

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.”


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
February 14th, 2017 by The Morung Express - Issuu