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thursDAY • februArY 18 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 46 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
o F
T R u T H
I have nothing to say, and I am saying it, and that is poetry — John Cage Fighting outside Patiala House court hearing JNUSU leader’s sedition case PAGE 08
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Cavani comes off bench to score as PSG edge Chelsea
‘Dobashis’ are back bone of the administration’ PAGE 02
Kiphire Town – Bandh passes peacefully
PAGE 12
innocent people caught unawares; now displaced • Stories from Kiphire emerge in Dimapur • Students in dire straits Morung Express News Dimapur | February 17
I swear. I will henceforth respect all fellow drivers and shall not ‘ toot’ my car horn unnecessarily.
Petrol price cut by 32 paise per litre, diesel hiked 28 paise
One killed, several injured in vehicle accident in Phek dist DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 17 (MExN): One person was killed and several injured after the vehicle, a Tata Sumo they were travelling met with an accident on Wednesday between Sakraba and Porba area in Phek district. The deceased has been identified as one Zhiewepe, a wrestler from Losami village. He was on his way to Pfustero to attend the Chakehsang wrestling meet, which begins from February 18 onwards. The injured passengers, around nine of them, were rushed to the nearest medical centre for treatment. The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained till the filing of this report.
Dimapur police notifies on new traffic regulation
C M Y K
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 17 (MExN): Dimapur Police today notified the public on the following traffic regulations for strict compliance. The Old Dhansiri Bridge will be open to two way traffic from February 22 as per the following timings: 6am to 2pm for vehicles exiting town area (Up) and 2pm till 8pm for entering town area (Down). These arrangements will not apply on Wednesdays. Only vehicles exiting Town area will be allowed to take the route on Wednesdays, the police notification informed. The new arrangements made are only for the light vehicles on both ways, it stated while adding that heavy vehicles are restricted in the route at all times. As approved by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Dimapur, the police said it will be issuing certified cards containing the particulars of both the driver and the owner to all autorickshaws, also from February 22 onwards. Display of the card by all autorickshaws plying within Dimapur district is made compulsory and shall be enforced from April onwards, it informed. The notification also said all inter-state buses have been shifted to the ISBT at Purana Bazaar. Passengers have been informed to avail the bus services from the terminus. Further, all motorist and riders have been reminded to adhere to the traffic rules or face penalties.
The 12-hour (5:00am to 5:00pm) first phase agitation by the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP), United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC) and Akedah Sangtam Thsingmujanglaru (AST) in all Sangtam jurisdictions on February 17 went peacefully in Kiphire Town without reports of untoward incidents. The bandh was imposed on all shops and establishments, except students appearing exams, invigilators, security and medical personnel, in protest against the Nagaland State Government not fulfilling their charter of demands regarding the February 6 killings. In Kiphire headquarters, student volunteers monitored the bandh. (Morung Photo)
Born in nagaland? Morung Express News
one official privy to the verification process said that there have been several instances when officials have come across birth certificates submitted by residents of the lower Assam districts, which were purportedly issued by the Nagaland government. Another significant observation was that quite a number of certificates
were supposedly issued the certificates by the Nagaland government.” Dimapur | February 17 He, however, maintained, “At this stage we cannot say whether these The State of Assam is in the midst of certificates were forged or illicitly a mammoth undertaking verifying procured.” credentials of its residents, which Hajela further said that the Nagawill be updated in the National Regland State Government has been inister of Citizens. It involves scrutiny timated as it dictates counter-checkof personal credentials submitted ing of records with the purported by residents, like birth certificates, high school certificates Assam’s NRC process finds State of origin. According to him, two batches of certificates have etc as testimonials. conspicuous presence been dispatched, with the NagaIn the process, Assam State government officials have detectof Nagaland-issued Birth land Chief Secretary officially intimated. The first batch was sent ed an unspecified number of birth Certificates in lower Assam in January and the second on certificates with origins in NagaFebruary 15, Hajela added. land State. While the authenticity The Nagaland State Government of the documents are yet to be verified, were recent, as in, recently issued. The official, Assam State Coordi- Chief Secretary, when contacted, said the frequency of birth certificates, claimed to have been issued by the nator for updating the NRC, Prateek that his office has received corresponNagaland State machinery, emerg- Hajela, told The Morung Express dence on the matter from the Assam ing from the mass of documents has that he cannot provide an estimate, State government—it has now been raised eyebrows among Assam gov- while hinting that more might come referred to the Home department. The State Home Commissioner ernment officials involved in the task. up as counting progresses. “It is not It was further made conspicuous uncommon for people to submit was also contacted but said that he from the observation that the findings certificates issued by other State gov- cannot comment on the issue. So, are of the certificates were concentrated ernments but what is puzzling is that people living in several districts of Asin lower Assam districts like Nagaon, a sizeable number of these certifi- sam increasingly coming to Nagaland Barpeta, Morigaon and Karimganj. cates have been submitted by people State to give birth? The Nagaland State Without putting a numerical figure, claiming to be Assam residents, who Government may want to find out.
Yimchungrü citizens who had to vacate Kiphire town following the February 6 killing of a couple near Rurur village in Shamator sub-division and the violent aftermath in Kiphire town, are yet to reconcile to circumstances that led to their sudden displacement. “We are suffering. As innocent public we were caught unawares by the arson and wanton destruction of our property and assets in Kiphire town. Because a heinous crime was committed by unidentified miscreants in Shamator sub-division, hundreds of Yimchungrü families settled in Kiphire town have been forced to leave for no fault of theirs,” said a Yimchungrü leader. At a press briefing held Wednesday afternoon here at Circuit House, some of the displaced citizens narrated their woes and frustrations. According to them, around 200 Yimchungrü families residing in Kiphire town were compelled to leave everything behind including clothes, documents and livestock. “We heard that our last remaining house was damaged today around 1 pm,” said one displaced person. A woman whose house was the first to be targeted by the mob on February 7 morning said she was returning from the Sunday service when the mob attacked her house. “I just had time enough to gather my three children and flee to Pungro. Later I heard from neighbours that the house was damaged and every single piece of clothing burnt,” she narrated. However, the displaced parents worry most about the fate of hundreds of school children who face an uncertain future. “Yes, properties worth lakhs of rupees have been destroyed, but what about the future of our children who are appearing board exams? What about the books and educational documents that have been destroyed? Can the State Government or community concerned compensate the irreparable damage and trauma inflicted on the innocent students?” asked one parent. According to an executive member of Yimchungrü Students’ Union, Kiphire, more than 800 school children have been
uprooted with 110 students appearing Class X, XI and XII board exams at Pungro through temporary arrangement. “These students are appearing exams without textbooks. Parents of students are also facing financial problems for admission in other schools. At Pungro, some schools have admitted these students on credit,” the student leader said. The displaced citizens have squarely blamed the exodus to the laxity of the State Government, the District administration and police, to pre-empt and check the violent aftermath. “Even as the mob went on rampage and took the law into their own hands, the district administration and police remained mute spectators. We also wonder at the silence of other Naga brethrens to the mindless violence triggered by mere suspicion of the tribal identity of the killers of the couple. We equally condemn the heinous crime and if the miscreants ascertained to be from our community, then we will leave no stone unturned to hand over the killers to appropriate authority,” said an executive of Yimchungrü Tribal Union, Kiphire. A woman church leader also said the Nagaland Baptist Church Council have so far not commented on the destruction of documents and assets of the women department of the Yimchungrü Baptist Church Kiphire town. “Since the incident, the doors of the church have remained closed. Why is NBCC silent on this?” she asked. Meanwhile, Yimchungrü leaders and parents have earnestly appealed to education institutions, especially in Dimapur and Kohima, to give admission to the displaced students on humanitarian ground.
Silent peace march today
The Yimchungrü citizens residing in the western belt under the aegis of the Western Yimchungrü Hoho is organizing a silent peace march in Dimapur town on Thursday (February 18). President WYH, PKF Tochu, informed that the silent procession would be held to protest the February 6 murder of a couple between Kiphire and Shamator; rampant mob violence in Kiphire town continuing till date, “indiscriminate firing by security forces” in Shamator town and consequent injury of innocent students and public. “The public will gather at DC Court Junction at 11 am to 12 noon and proceed to the office of the deputy commissioner, for submission of a charter of demand to the competent authority through the DC Dimapur,” WYH informed.
Whole amount for Dimapur land Clean up the technical education dept: ANCSU compensation already sanctioned ACAUT give 10-day ultimatum to NHIDCL to release full amount to land owners
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 17 (MExN): Crying foul over the announcement made by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) to pay land compensation in two installments, Against Corruption And Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) on Wednesday gave a ten days ultimatum to the Corporation to release the full compensation to the land owners. Public grievance cell, ACAUT in a press statement addressed to the Managing Director, NHIDCL, said the Corporation was “taking for granted” the intelligence of the inhabitants of Nagaland by refusing to pay land compensation of Rs 174.36 crore in full for the Dimapur Bypass from Patkai/Chumukedima Bridge to Khushiabill Village while citing “unintelligent and dubious reasons” even though the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MORTH) has already sanctioned the full amount. Furnishing detailed documents on the sanction of the amount, ACAUT revealed that a letter (NHID-
CL/BO-DIM/Dmp Bypass/2015-16/06 dated 10-02-2016) addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur district by the GM (projects), Nagaland acknowledged that Rs 174, 36, 59, 521/- had been received by NHIDCL from MORTH as land compensation amount. However, contravening to the direct executive order from the controlling Ministry (MORTH), the Director (A&F), NHIDCL; General Manager (P), NHIDCL, BO-Dimapur and General Manager (P) “had decided to release an amount of Rs 100 crore as part of 1st installment payment of land compensation since the fund allocation by the ministry is only Rs 505 crore.” This piece of information, ACAUT has alleged, is “totally misleading and false” since the release of Rs 505 crore by MORTH is separate, given as additional allocation to NHIDCL for the works to be carried out during the year 2015-16 which is over and above the main allocation of Rs 1710 crore. In this connection, ACAUT has warned that if the full compensation amount is not paid to the land owners within the given time frame, the issue will be taken up at the Prime Minister’s Office level.
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 17 (MExN): The All Nagaland College Students Union (ANCSU) today asked the Chief Minister of Nagaland TR Zeliang to initiate punitive action against erring officials of the Technical Education Department who were implicated in the State Vigilance Commission (SVC) in its final report. It was one of three-point demand put forth by ANCSU in an ultimatum submitted to the chief minister seeking his “utmost” necessary actions against irregularity in the functioning of the technical education. In the ultimatum, a copy of which was made available to the
media, the ANSCU also demanded initiating the process of amalgamation of Technical Education Department with Higher Education Department without delay. “Only the Indigenous tribes of Nagaland should be allowed to appear the Technical and allied courses for state reserved quota,” it further stated. According to ANCSU, the present ultimatum relates to the irregularity and discrepancies; loopholes in conduct of exams; and distribution of seats for various technical courses by the department which “it has been relentlessly following since October 4, 2014.” Even though the authority was fully sized of the
“seriousness and the concern of the students’ body,” the concerned department was least concerned and considered its demand as “baseless” and even threatened the ANCSU with defamation charges, ANCSU alleged. Only later, the government constituted a 5-member High Power Committee (HPC) under the Chairmanship of the former Chief Secretary of Nagaland, CJ Ponraj, to enquire into the various demands of ANCSU. But shockingly, the report furnished after 5 months where the core issues were not addressed, ANCSU pointed out. Consequently, it was “forced” to reject the HPC’s Report and de-
manded 10 years period enquiry by the CBI but the State Government appointed the SVC to investigate the issue within 3 months. “SVC final report against the Technical Education Department has proved beyond an iota of truth that the department was neither working transparently nor for the welfare of the students’ community but for a few selected groups, throughout the years,” ANCSU told the chief minister. The ANCSU has therefore sought the chief minister’s intervention and warned that the ultimatum will “expire within 15 days from the date of submission.” Full Text on page 10
PWC deliberates on Naga political issue with Muivah
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 17 (MExN): The Parliamentary Working Committee (PWC) of the Nagaland Joint Legislator’s Forum on Naga political issue today met NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th. Muivah and other top functionaries and held a marathon deliberation on the peace initiatives between the group and the Government of India. A press statement from CMO media cell said the 19-member PWC team led by Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang and Speaker Chotisuh Sazo discussed at length the status and progress of the on-going Naga political dialogue between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM). The delegation also offered as-
In this image released to the media, the Parliamentary Working Committee (PWC) delegation is seen here with NSCN (IM) leaders including General Secretary Th. Muivah in Delhi on Wednesday.
sistance that they may be of help in facilitating the peace process. Muivah, who is leading the NSCN (IM) in the peace talks with the GoI shared his views on various issues confronting the Naga people and made several observations on the
peace dialogues. Later in the evening, the PWC delegation met the leader of the Shiv Sena’s Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha, Anand Rap Absul in Nagaland House. According to the CMO release, Absul indicated his
party’s readiness to support any settlement arrived at by the GoI and the NSCN (IM) which is “honourable and acceptable to all concerned.” Shiv Sena, an ally of the NDA has three members in the Rajya Sabha. It may be noted that
even though the BJP commands absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, the NDA does not have command over the Rajya Sabha where parties opposed to the NDA have majority. Therefore, the CMO release maintained, it is important to have the support of various national and regional parties since it is expected the Naga political solution will have to be discussed and passed by both houses of the Parliament. The PWC delegation has already met BJP chief Amit Shah and JDU chief Shared Yadav on Tuesday. The delegation is also scheduled to meet several other national political luminaries in the days to come, the CMO release informed.