C M Y K
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tuesDAY • FebruArY 21 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 49 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
o F
T R u T H
Leadership is a privilege to better the lives of others. It is not an opportunity to satisfy personal greed — Mwai Kibaki 1.6 lakh boys, girls will now be peer educators to adolescents
Airport killing seen on CCTV, probe strains Malaysia & North Korea ties
PAGE 08
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
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TR says Nagaland will benefit from Shurhozelie’s leadership
Morung Express news Dimapur / Kohima | February 20
The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion
Vote on www.morungexpress.com sMs your answer to 9862574165 Is the lack of independent, informed and objective information creating more confusion and division? Yes
no
others
State Bank of India website goes generic ChennaI, February 20 (IanS): The State Bank of India (SBI) on Monday announced rebranding of its website as bank.sbi. According to SBI, the new domain name bank.sbi is the highest domain protocol known as generic top level domain (gTLD), an official statement. “The SBI group has several businesses. For those wanting to do banking or want to know about the bank it is easier to type out www.bank.sbi.” M.K. Rekhi, General Manager -Social Media. The existing site of sbi.co.in will continue till customers get used to the new avtar of SBI’s secure website.
Cash withdrawal weekly limit goes up to Rs 50,000
C M Y K
MuMbaI, February 20 (IanS): The first stage of the two-stage lifting of limits on cash withdrawals from savings bank accounts became effective on Monday, with the weekly limit rising to Rs 50,000 per account from Rs 24,000. Cash withdrawal limits are slated to cease from March 13. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor R. Gandhi announced the lifting of limits on February 8. On January 30, the RBI ended all curbs on withdrawals from Current Accounts, Cash Credit Accounts and Overdraft Accounts. The limits were placed following the November 8 demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes. The upper limit for withdrawals from ATMs was Rs 2,500 initially and was later raised to Rs 4,500. In January, the RBI hiked the daily ATM withdrawal limit to Rs 10,000 and doubled the weekly Current Account withdrawal limit to Rs 1 lakh. The upper limit for weekly withdrawal from bank accounts was raised to Rs 24,000 from Rs 20,000 in November. The lifting of ATM withdrawal limits from March 13 will represent a coming full circle for these machines. IANS journalists who surveyed ATMs in the national capital last week found that the situation had only marginally improved from what it was in the immediate aftermath of the note ban. Most ATMs remain bone dry.
PAGe 12
Dr. shurhozelie to be nagaland cM
81-year old Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu to be sworn in as the 17th Chief Minister of Nagaland on February 22, 2017
Political situation nagaland is improving i think things are going to get worse.
Stokes hits jackpot in IPL auction
In yet another twist in the unpredictable political scenario of Nagaland, the tides of political power went in favor of NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, who was unanimously elected as the leader of DAN legislature Party on Monday. He is now poised to be the next Chief Minister of Nagaland replacing TR Zeliang who tendered his resignation to the Governor on Sunday. At eighty-one, Dr. Shurhozelie will become the 17th Chief Minister of Nagaland and is due to be sworn in on February 22, 2017. Dr. Shurhozelie, who was the first choice to replace Zeliang was beleaguered after Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio appeared in the picture and became the front runner to the CM’s chair. Until Saturday evening, it looked as if Rio would become the next Chief Minister with the backing of 49 NPF and Independent legislators who camped at a resort in Kaziranga, Assam. However, as fickle as politics get, on Monday, at the NPF legislators’ meeting, Dr. Shurhozelie became the unanimous choice leaving a hopeful Rio in the cold. It now emerges that Dr. Shurhozelie actually held the “trump card” as he had claimed on Saturday. While Rio reportedly managed to play his hands, many NPF legislators, who joined him at Kaziranga, did not want to switch party or form a new one and insisted that if he wanted to be the Chief Minister, his suspension from the NPF party should first be revoked. However, when the legislators realized that the suspension of Rio was not going to be revoked anytime soon, they switched allegiance back to Dr. Shurhozelie, sources from the NPF camp revealed. Assures to bring back normalcy A press communiqué from the media cell, CMO stated that the Chief Minister-designate Dr Shurhozelie lauded TR Zeliang’s “supreme sacrifice” of vacating his chair to save Naga people from go-
in this image, nagaland Chief Minister designate Dr. shurhozelie liezietsu is seen with the Governor, P.B. Acharya after he formally staked his claim to form a new Government. He was accompanied by the outgoing Chief Minister TR Zeliang and other members of the Cabinet.
Brief Profile of Dr. Shurhozelie Born november 20, 1936 Son of late Krusietsu, L. Khel Kohima Village BA (Economics) Honour from Gauhati University MA (Tenyidie) Ura Academy 1983 School Teacher in TM Government High School in the mid sixties 1963-73 1997-98 2005-2008 2008-2013 2013-2015 2015-
ing into further turmoil. “He has done this with a big heart and I want all to recognize this sacrifice,” Dr. Shurhozelie said in his acceptance speech after been unanimously elected as the Leader of the DAN legislature party this morning. Dr. Shurhozelie also pledged to give his best to bring back normalcy to “our land and society.” “A lot of damage has been done to the fair name of Nagaland and our economy has been adversely affected in the last few weeks. But I hope good sense will prevail so that people can come together and rebuild our society,” he said and appealed to “the people of Nagaland to initiate the healing process giving due recognition to the sacrifice made by the outgoing Chief Minister.” “I cannot do magic even if I take over but I have a strong feeling that together we can achieve our goal, together we can do it,” Dr. Shurhozelie said. He also called upon the legisla-
nPcc reiterates demand for President’s rule, early polls
DIMaPur, February 20 (Mexn): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today reiterated its demand for the imposition of President’s Rule and called for an early election in Nagaland. “Although President’s Rule is the last resort, the present situation forces Congress to prefer President’s Rule rather than be ruled by traitors and vultures,” NPCC said in a press statement issued by its Media Cell. Ridiculing the political twists and turns unfolding in the state in the past two days or so, NPCC said that the shifting loyalty among the legislators was proof that “there is no MLA who stood by ideology, principle or ethics.” “There is huge trust deficit among themselves with nobody above suspicion. Their actions have greatly embarrassed Nagaland and the people, majority of whom professes to be Christians,” it added. NPCC further opined that TR Zeliang and his cabinet’s collective decision taken after January 30 tripartite agreement on ULB election
- Secretary General (UFN/UDF/ NNDP) - President NPC - President NPF - President NPF - President NPF - President NPF
will go down as “greatest betrayal document” and no coalition members in Democratic Alliance of Nagaland are “free and clean from the betrayal.” “Rather than singling out TR Zeliang and abandoning him, the NPF government should collectively own moral responsibility and gracefully step down for betraying the people of Nagaland,” it pointed out. It also reminded that keeping in view “public upsurge in the past and interest of the people” the NPCC “without any political prejudice” had urged state government to postpone the ULB election on January 12. However, in the whole episode, the NPCC claimed that the NPF-DAN has proven to be “senseless and numb” by completely failing to understand the feelings and sentiments of the people and exhibited their instability. In this connection, the NPCC reiterated it demand for President’s Rule stating that the present dispensation “have lost moral support of the people and have no moral right to rule.”
Eight times legislator 1969 - United Front of Nagaland (Won) 1974 - United Democratic Front (Won) 1977 - United Democratic Front (Won) 1982 - Nagaland National Democratic Party (Won) 1987 - NNDP (Won) 1989 - Nagaland People Council (Lost) 1993 - NPC (Uncontested) 2003 - Nagaland People Front (Won) 2008 - NPF (Won) Author of 42 books Life Member Bharat Scouts and Guides President of Ura Academy
tors to forgive one another if there Khriehu was inducted as parhave been differences among them liamentary secretary of youth reand to “move ahead together for the sources and sports, Music Task betterment of the Naga society.” Force and State lottery in the Zeliang government. He is likely to vaTo form Ministry on February 22 cate his seat for his father to contest A separate statement from the the by-election within six months. PRO to the Governor stated that Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu called on TR Zeliang appointed Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya Chairman of DAN on Monday and formally staked TR Zeliang who stepped down his claim for formation of new Gov- as the Chief Minister of Nagaland ernment. He was accompanied by was unanimously elected as the outgoing Chief Minister and other Chairman of the Democratic AlliCabinet colleagues, the PRO stated. ance of Nagaland (DAN) Co-ordiThe Governor appointed Dr. nation Committee. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, Leader of His name was proposed by the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland new leader of the DAN Legislature (DAN) as the Chief Minister of Na- Party, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu at galand and invited him to form the the DAN Legislature Party meetMinistry on February 22, 2017 at ing today and was unanimous11:00 am at Raj Bhavan, Kohima. ly accepted by the legislators Dr. Shurhozelie has been through a show of raising hands, elected to the Nagaland Assembly media cell CMO informed in a eight times from Northern Anga- press statement. mi assembly constituency. But he The post was occupied by Dr did not contest the 2013 election Shurhozelie till date, and is equivand paved way for his son Khriehu alent to the status of a Cabinet Leizietsu. Minister.
DIMaPur, February 20 (Mexn): Outgoing Chief Minister TR Zeliang, while congratulating Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu for being unanimously elected as the leader of the DAN Legislature Party, expressed confidence that the State will benefit immensely from his experienced leadership and statesmanship. “I am confident that under his experienced leadership all issues will be smoothly solved and the people of our State will benefit immensely from his statesmanship,” a press statement from media cell, CMO quoted Zeliang as saying. He said as the party president, Dr Shurhozelie had been the backbone of the Government, “especially when very strong forces went all out to dethrone me in 2015. I have always looked up to him for sage advice whenever I faced political problems,” he said and thanked him for having been the “fatherly figure all through these tumultuous months.” In his farewell speech today at the Banquet Hall, Zeliang went on to narrate how after attempts to destabilise his Government failed, some people started to raise issues pertaining to the functioning of his department, Food & Civil Supplies. Zeliang recalled how he was able to implement National Food Security Act last June to ensure that the right amount of food grains reach the targeted beneficiaries without any pilferages whatsoever, and also made the whole process transparent by listing the names of beneficiaries in the open. “However, the good that we do seems to be overlooked by many, and perceived shortcomings are magnified beyond belief,” he lamented. On the elections to the ULBs, what he called the ultimate issue, he rued how some individuals and organisations who supported whole-heartedly that elections to the ULBs should be held with 33% reservation for women a few months back, took U-turns and started to oppose the same tooth and nail. “What was supposed to be a social movement took strange directions when politically-vested interests started to steer the movement. Mobocracy took over resulting in loss of precious lives and injuries to some, razing of several Government properties and innocent public held to ransom as bandhs and restriction of movement were imposed,” Zeliang said. “While our main objective was to safeguard the interest of women through the reservation of seats for them in the ULBs, the irony is that women were in the street as bandh volunteers to the call of tribal organisations to topple my government,” he added. “Our Government also took the decision to hold elections to the ULBs to pre-empt the Supreme Court from giving any verdict which could adversely affect Art 371(A). However, it is to be reminded to the Naga public that Naga aspiration issue is beyond Art 371(A) and 16-point Agreement, and is to be carried forward by the State government till final solution is arrived at,” he said. Zeliang also made a special mention of “my good friend, long-time colleague of more than two decades, Neiphiu Rio, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha and former Chief Minister of Nagaland for his efforts to bring normalcy in the Naga society at this moment when various organisations have brought the entire society and the functioning of the Government to a grinding halt.” The outgoing Chief Minister also thanked the NBCC and the various denominations of the Church and the people of Nagaland for their prayers and support especially during the present crisis, which he believed prevented matters from getting worse.
from nl allegedly JCC lifts state-wide boycott Woman assaulted in south Delhi Morung Express news Dimapur | February 20
The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) lifted the state-wide boycott of Nagaland state government offices on February 20. The decision to withdraw the bandh came after TR Zeliang relinquished the Chief Minister’s chair on February 19 and NPF chief Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu officially staked claim to take the reins today. “The bandh was lifted today as our primary demand has been fulfilled,” said JCC convenor Supu Jamir. On the NTAC and JCC’s next course of action, Jamir said that the two bodies will meet on February 21 in Dimapur for further deliberation. Asked on the demands for the suspension of the former Commissioner of Police, Dimapur and Superintendent of Police, Longleng and the institution of a 3-member Judicial Inquiry Commission to probe the violence and deaths related to ULB elections fiasco, Jamir stated that the de-
mands are still alive. The decision to lift the boycott on state government machinery was partly attributed to enable the NTAC and the JCC to “pursue” the other demands. “The demands can be pursued after government offices are allowed to function,” Jamir said.
Mobile data services restored in Nagaland Meanwhile, mobile data services resumed on Monday evening 20 days after it was hastily shutdown state-wide. The data services returned like it went off – without official notice. This brought big relief to businesses, banking services and people especially youth who depend on mobile data services for general networking. All mobile data and messaging services remained in limbo since the night of January 31 after the State Government initiated the move following its decision to go ahead with Urban Local Body election on February 1. It was primarily initiated to thwart the spread
of rumours and provocative messages in an already vulnerable and volatile situation. The restoration can be attributed to overall improvement in law and order situation as well as the possible change of guard in the State Government. The business sector, banking services and students were most affected. After the data seviced were restored, people in State Capital Kohima and commercial Capital Dimapur were seen rushing for to restore their internet pack in the evening. Social media activities in popular platforms like Facebook and Whatsapp also registered a tremendous jump as people used humor, sarcasm and general concerns over the banning of data services and unfolding state of affairs in Nagaland. In March 2015, Nagaland faced a similar situation but with the state government notifying the reason for the data blockade; consequently issuing a similar notice informing of resumption of service.
Morung Express news Dimapur | February 20
A woman from Nagaland, in her 20s, was allegedly sexually assaulted by an unidentified man in the wee hours of February 19. “A case has been registered in Hauz Khas police station and an investigation has been launched. Efforts are being made to ascertain the culprit’s identity,” DCP Chinmoy Biswal told the IANS news service. “She was offered a lift home by the accused, who said his vehicle was parked at some distance… Thereafter, on the pretext of guiding the victim, the accused led her to an isolated stretch in the adjoining park area and allegedly sexually assaulted her,” Biswal said. According to a Hindustan Times report, the woman in her complaint stated that she was assaulted twice by the accused. A social worker in Delhi stated that the victim along with a cousin had gone out with a group of friends to the Hauz Khas village area in South Delhi on Saturday night. Around 1am, the two women were trying to hail a cab to return home when two men reportedly in their teens offered them a lift. The assault reportedly occurred thereafter. The Hindustan Times further reported that police detained six men on Monday in connection to the incident The social worker added that the victim’s statements were recorded before a magistrate at the District Court, Saket on Monday. Further, that a medical test of the victim was also conducted. Meanwhile, the Concerned Citizens of Northeast in Delhi NCR will hold a protest on February 21 at Hauz Khas village from 4-6 PM against the “brutal assault.” It demanded “full investigation and arrest of the culprits and justice be done and proper counseling, relief and rehabilitation of the survivor.”
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tuesDAY 21•02•2017
NAGALAND
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Modern College installs Don Bosco Forum for Young at Retail POS Software Risk governing body meeting held
Students attend class at Modern College, Kohima where Retail POS Software was installed recently as part of the skill education for Bachelor of Vocation in Retail Management & IT.
Kohima, February 20 (mexN): Modern College, Kohima recently installed Retail POS Software for students as part of the skill education under the programme for Bachelor of Vocation in Retail Management & IT. It is one of the first colleges in Nagaland to introduce Bachelor of Vocation which is a skill based programme aimed to incorporate industry requirement into the academic curriculum, informed a press re-
lease received here. The POS software “Stan Pro” is used in retail stores for maintaining records of suppliers, customers, customer billing, stock management, employee tracking. With the IT knowledge in Retail, the students will be ready for the Retail IT industry as well. This course helps students to develop skills, prepare them for the industry and enhance employability of graduates. The students are ex-
pected to perform various job roles such as sales associate, team leader, department manager, and store manager within 3 years of bachelor of vocational course. This programme is 40% theoretical and 60% practical based, which is the positive side when compared to other programmes. The uniqueness of this programme is that it is flexible and there are exit levels after every one year or academic session.
Dimapur, February 20 (mexN): The Don Bosco Forum for the Young at Risk held the governing body meeting on February 7 and 8 at Institute for Development and Leadership (IDL), Don Bosco Campus, Dimapur. The Provincial of Hyderabad, all Province Young at Risk (YaR) Coordinators and the National Team members were present. The students of Don Bosco School Dimapur and Don Bosco Tech Trainees at AIDA led the gathering into a prayer song and a cultural performance. Father Nestor Guria, Provincial of Dimapur in his welcome address noted the key theme of the meeting was ‘Concerns and Challenges in Young at Ministry Today’ and hoped that the meeting would lead to an action plan and reflect on the works we have done so far. The first day’s sessions were led by Munish Kaushik, who currently works as a volunteer with the government of Delhi. Earlier, he had served as country head of Cordaid, and other national and international organiza-
Participants with guest and others during the Don Bosco Forum for the Young at Risk governing body meeting held on February 7 and 8.
tions. The YaR Commission members of Dimapur province were invited to participate in the day’s sessions. The ‘Statement’ drawn up at the end of the day’s discussions will be taken up for study and implementation by all provinces of India. The second day was devoted to review and planning of various activities in the provinces: 18+ YaR ministry, YaR in prisons, 3rd Gender and Migrants Ministry. National level activities of the Forum were
presented by the National team, including Homelink, YaR Day 2017, Participatory Action Research, Child Friendly Cities Initiative, Five-days Orientation Programme in July in Delhi for Directors and senior staff of YaR centres, and the AGM and Annual YaR Seminar on Restorative Justice and Practices, scheduled for mid-September at Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati. According to a press release published in the Don Bosco India information service, two books were released by Father Nestor
Guria: the second edition of the YaR Handbook, and a research study conducted by Father Sebastian Jose SDB and Jyoti Ahuja on ‘Street Children in Chandigarh, The City Beautiful.’ Father Thattireddy Vijaya Bhaskar, the Provincial of Hyderabad and President of DB YaR Forum in his concluding words expressed appreciation for the excellent work being carried out in the Young at Risk sector, a ministry that is so close to the heart of Don Bosco and so integral to our mission. He wished
that the works develop further and reach other critical and emerging areas where young people today are at risk. Vote of thanks was proposed by Father Thomas Koshy, Secretary of DB YaR Forum, who specially highlighted the Governing Body’s appreciation and thanks to Father Joseph Pampackal, Province YaR Cordinator Dimapur, the community of Don Bosco Dimapur, and Provincial House, Dimapur, for the arrangements and warm hospitality accorded.
Food Business Operators in Peren District notified Training on youth leadership pereN, February 20 (mexN): In pursuance of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, the CMO & Designated Officer, Peren Ngangshimeren has directed all Food Business Operators in
Peren District to obtain License or register their Food Business under the Act from the office of the CMO Peren for the period 20172019 on or before April 30. The Food Business includes food manufacturers, millers, grinders, whole sellers, retailers, godwons,
warehouse, cold storage, distributer, transporters, stockers, agencies, departmental suppliers, repackers or relabellers, pharmacies dealing with food items, good supplements, hotels, restaurants, canteens, carters, all petty food business operators etc.
Any renewal application filed beyond the period mentioned shall be accompanied by a late fee of Rs. 100 per day. Licensing and registration forms and other details can be obtained from the office of the Chief Medical Officer on all working days.
St. Thomas Mission Society holds felicitation prog
Dimapur, February 20 (mexN): St. Thomas mission society, Dimapur, the parent society of MGOS Church, MGM Hr Sec School and MGM College had organized a felicitation programme for the faculties of Old Theological Seminary, Kottayam, Kerala and St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary, Nagpur on February 5. As part of Seramapore University convocation programme at Trinity Theological Seminary, Thahekhu, faculties and students of both the seminaries arrived at Dimapur. On Sunday morning the Holy Communion was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Dr. Bijesh Philip, Principal STOTS, Nagpur, while the sermon was delivered by Rev. Fr. Dr. O. Thomas, Principal OTS, Kottayam.
Participants after the felicitation programme organised for the faculties of Old Theological Seminary, Kottayam, Kerala and St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary, Nagpur on February 5.
The church vicar Fr. P. S. Varghese welcomed all the guests with floral bouquets. The senior members
along with church secretary and Trustee presented Naga traditional shawl to all the guests. Rev. Fr. Dr. Reji Mathew proposed
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
30-07-1930 - 15-02-2017 We the bereaved family members if Late. Er. V. Hesso express our heartfelt and profound gratitude to all Churches, Organisations, friends and individuals who stood by us through, physical and financial support during the times of illness and sad demise of our beloved father on the 15th of February 2017. We deeply regret our inability to thank each and everyone but it is our humble and sincere prayer that our Almighty God Bless you all abundantly. Loving Wife, Children, in-laws and relatives.
vote of thanks on behalf of the guests. The programme concluded with a devotional song sung by MGM Hostellers.
and community development
Dimapur, February 20 (mexN): Five-day training on ‘youth leadership and community development’ was organised by Altrura Society (AuS) in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra Dimapur (NYKD), Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India from February 11 to 15 at Council Hall Tenyiphe- 1 Village Dimapur. The inaugural programme was graced by Phyobemo Lotha, Dimapur Youth Coordinator, NYK as the special guest. Phyobemo encouraged the young leader participants quoting; “It is our attitude not our altitude that determines the heights of altitude” and asked them to adopt the 3C’S (Challenges, Choices and Consequences) in life for a constructive and positive contribution in the society. Resource persons for the workshop were Zhau Sanch, Principal, Hope Institute of Theology, Dimapur; Ps. Zhabu Nagi, Pastor, Sovima Baptist Church, Dimapur; Joel Basumatary, Proprietor, Smokey Joe & Judge of Naga Chef Season1-4; Neivikho Savi,
Participants along with the resource persons during the training programme on ‘youth leadership and community development.’
Sales Officer, Axis Bank, Kohima and Mhasileto Medoze, Assistant Headmaster, Ministers Hill Hr Sec School, Kohima; Kenny, Principal, Mt. Ghasiler College, Arunachal Pradesh as the special invitee. Intensive sessions were conducted during the training on various topics such as leadership-the concept, qualities, styles, skills, roles and responsibilities, good citizenship - civic manners and respect for ethics and values, life skills, communication skills-how to interact with people and make speech
and personality development. While speaking on the programme, Visakuolie Medom, President, Altrura Society (AuS) highlighted that the Society (AuS) is a registered NGO working for public welfare through voluntary services has been conducting various social and capacity building training in the past year , he deliberated upon the aims and objectives of the training and emphasize for a leadership training and community development for an overall development in the society, he expressed
the importance of such training and workshop and desired that the young leaders trained in the workshop should disseminate the knowledge to their respective place gathered in this training for a positive community development in the society. On the Concluding day Megosielie Kruse Ex-President AuS delivered the Vote of thanks, the training programme was attended by fifty seven participants from different villages under Chumukedima block including the members of the Altrura Society.
AR provide medical assistance to villagers
Dimapur, February 20 (mexN): Free medical camps were organized under the aegis of Headquarters Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) at Razeba village in Pfutsero subdivision of Phek district and Chenmoho village of Mon district on February 19. 9 Assam Rifles organized the medical camp at Razeba village with an aim to provide treatment to the local populace where requisite medical facilities are not available, informed a press release from Assam Rifles. A specially constituted medical team under 2IC (CMO) C Satyaranjan conducted the medical camp and treated 275 patients comprising 95 male, 102 female, and 78 children. Free medicines were provided to those suffering from ailments. The medical team also conducted screening of diabetes. Apart from providing medical assistance, basic knowledge on health education including precaution from common viral diseases was also imparted. Emphasis on importance of hygiene and sanitation were explained to the villagers for better living standard. The people of Razeba Village and adjoining Villages appreciated the initiative of 9 Assam Rifles, according to the press release. At Chenmoho village, 403
patients - 273 adults and 130 children - were provided medical assistance during the camp organized by 9 BIHAR from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. The patients were treated by RMO, 9 BIHAR and his medical staff. The villagers were also educated on the importance of vaccination, health and hygiene and household methods of treatment in case of exigencies, a separate press release from Assam Rifles informed.
Interaction programme held in Peren As part of “grassroots level perception management activities,” 36 Assam Rifles carried out an interaction with participants of ‘We Unite Tour’, an adventure expedition being conducted in Peren district on February 17. The expedition, a press release received here stated, aims to provide boost to adventure activities within the district, while also exploring the rich cultural heritage of Peren and create awareness on various issues such as sanitation and health. During the interaction, various issues and ideas were brought out which could be promulgated through expedition, it added. The members of ‘We Unite Tour’ lauded various development projects undertaken by Assam Rifles in Peren district, Villagers at the medical camps organized by Assam Rifles at Razeba village the release said. (Top) and at Chenmoho village (Bottom) on February 19.
TUESDAY 21•02•2017
NORTH-EAST 3
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
CM takes Congress confident of fourth term in Manipur onManipur BJP over blockade IMPHAL, FEBRUARY 20 (PTI): The Congress is confident of returning to power for the fourth time on the trot in Manipur, riding the growing wave of anger over the ongoing economic blockade and apprehension about the state's territorial integrity. "We will win more than a two thirds majority in the state. The people have understood very well the game plan of the BJP. They are hand in gloves with those who have called this blockade and are a threat to the territorial integrity of Manipur," state Congress spokesperson K H Joykishan told PTI. Polling for the 60-seat Manipur Assembly will take place in two phases on March 4 and March 8. It seems that the Congress, which is vying for a fourth term under the
leadership of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, has been able to shed the baggage of anti incumbency after its one and a half decade rule, marred by allegations of fake encounters, corruption and human rights violation. The party has tried to make the economic blockade and threat to the territorial integrity of Manipur, if the BJP comes to power, major poll issues. Even in June last year, with the resurgence of the BJP in the state and several Congress leaders joining it, it looked like the Congress was going to have a tough time in the 2017 Assembly polls. But with the decision of creation of seven new districts in the landlocked state by bifurcating the existing ones and upgradation of Sadar Hills to a fullfledged district, the Ibobi Singh gov-
ernment has turned the tables on the BJP and seems to have killed three birds with one stone. Besides partly dividing the hill tribals by upgrading Sadar Hills to a fullfledged district, the economic blockade by the United Naga Council has only helped the Congress consolidate the dominant Meitei (Manipuri) community by cashing on their anger with the three monthlong blockade. Thirdly, the Congress's repeated allegations that the BJP was hand in gloves with the Nagas and the Centre not disclosing the details of the framework agreement with NSCN (IM) have also helped Congress sharpen its attack on the BJP that it (BJP) will compromise the territorial integrity of Manipur. The BJP leadership in the state also agrees with the
factors but is confident that the politics of "divide and rule" would not work this time. "The Congress knew they would lose. That is why they took the decision of dividing the districts in order to flare up ethnic frenzy in the state," a senior state BJP leader told PTI. So strong has been the campaign about the BJP being a threat to Manipur's territorial integrity that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at an election rally had said, "Canards are being spread against the BJP that if it comes to power, the territorial integrity of the state will be under threat as the central government has done a framework agreement with NSCN (IM). "This is absolutely baseless... I want to reassure all of you here that the central government and BJP will never ever compromise
the territorial integrity of Manipur." An indefinite economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) since November 1, 2016 is on in Manipur against the state government's decision of creation of seven new districts in the state by bifurcating the existing ones and up gradation of Sadar Hills to a fullfledged district. The state government, however, had claimed that the decision was taken to improve administrative efficiency. A senior Congress leader questioned as to why the Centre was delaying banning the UNC when the ruling Congress at a legislative party meeting had passed a resolution in February to ban it and had written to the Centre in that regard. Almost 65 per cent of Manipur's population lives
Development of NE is IIT-Guwahati students reach out to kids in rural Assam FEBRU- transactions," AG Gout- ple, students of Ramsaraswati essential for country's GUWAHATI, ARY 20 (TNN): Students of ham, spokesperson of Team Academy are taught elementary subjects, while science (IIT-G) have Techniche, said. development: Rajnath IIT-Guwahati As part of Pragati, the experiments and projects are launched a mission to eduITANAGAR, FEBRUARY 20 (PTI): Development of the North East is essential for the country's economic development, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today while criticising the previous UPA regime at the Centre for neglecting the region for years. Singh, who was addressing a function to mark the 31st Arunachal Pradesh statehood day, called the North East a "holy place" and one of the richest in the country. "But no one had taken care of it even after several decades since Independence," he said. "In 2001, the NDA government under Prime Minister A B Vajpayee created the Ministry of Department of North Eastern Region as an independent one. After this, the region got a momentum in terms of development," he told the gathering. "And now Prime Minister Narendra Modi had rechristened the 'Look East Policy' as 'Act East Policy' to fast track development in the region after years of negligence," he said. The senior BJP leader said the Centre was keen on development of Arunachal Pradesh which is "strategically located sharing international borders with China, Bhutan and Myanmar", and assured full support to the state for its all round development. Referring to the border dispute between India and China, Singh said the relations between the Asian giants had improved and they were involved in bilateral trade worth USD 70 billion. Singh, who was accompanied by Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and BJP national secretary Ram Madhab, said, "Arunachal Pradesh is in its full youthfulness and interestingly the Chief Minister is also the youngest in the country. He has the vision and will power to lead the state to the zenith of development." "I am confident that under Pema Khandu, Arunachal Pradesh will shine among developed states of the country," he said. BJP had formed the government in Arunachal Pradesh last year after 33, out of 43 Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) MLAs led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, joined the party. The Union Minister also declared open a four-day Festival of Arunachal and released a souvenir on the occasion.
cate schoolchildren in rural areas and make them conversant with modern technology. The mission, called Pragati, is being helmed by members of the team in charge of Techniche, the institute's annual technomanagement fest to be held in September. "There are villages near Guwahati where people still don't have basic amenities. We started Pragati recently to help such people. We teach their children and educate them on cashless
IITians have already provided basic education to children in schools in Lathiya Bagicha and Hajo. They have also launched a survey to ascertain the needs of people living in the vicinity of these schools. Dolibari, Dadara and Singimari are some of the villages where the campaign is being carried out. Students of the elementary classes are being taught the fundamentals while those studying in higher classes are being given career guidance. For exam-
demonstrated to students of Harvard Public School, Singimari . "It is an honour to have such brilliant students voluntarily help younger children in our school," said a teacher of the Singimari school. The IITians, too, were happy with the response they got. "It was a great and overwhelming experience to be part of such an event. It has been a great experience," said Divj Ranjan and Deepa Kumari from Team Techniche.
PM greets people of Arunachal, Mizoram on Statehood Day NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 20 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday greeted the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram on their statehood day. "Statehood Day greetings to the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh. May the state scale new heights of development...," Modi said in a tweet. "On their Statehood Day, my greetings to the people of Mizoram. I pray that Mizoram progresses immensely in the years to come," he said in another tweet. While Arunachal Pradesh was granted statehood on this day in 1987, Mizoram was declared a state in 1972.
Rijiju urges to remain united Soldier arrested for ITANAGAR, FEBRUARY 20 (PTI): Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju today urged the people of Arunachal Pradesh not to play politics with religion. "If we try to divide the state on communal lines, the dreams for a developed Arunachal will remain elusive," the Minister said while addressing the 31st Statehood Day celebration at Indira Gandhi Park here. "There are divisive forces trying to divide us on communal lines. We should keep a strict vigil on their conspiracy," he said. He said the Centre was preparing plans and policies for Arunachal keeping in view the rough terrain and territory. Referring to the insurgency problems in Tirap,
Changlang and Longding districts of the state, the Union Minister claimed that outside forces were trying to destabilise peace in the state and appealed all youths to return to the mainstream for a peaceful life. Stating that no development was possible without peace, Rijiju said insurgent activities in any form would not be tolerated by the Centre. "If we indulge in agitation and try to topple the government, no development is possible...I assure you that I will work for the state's interest and will act as a voice of the people at the Centre," he said adding, if the central schemes were not executed properly, no development was possible in the state.
harassing woman co passenger
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEBRUARY 20 (PTI): A soldier was today arrested here for allegedly harassing a woman passenger from Meghalaya during a train journey on February 17, police said. 32-year-old Simson, a jawan with the Assam Rifles, was last night taken into custody from Ernakulam. His arrest was recorded this morning here after the woman identified him, police said. The woman in her complaint had stated that she was assaulted and verbally abused by the man, who was in an inebriated state, during the journey in the Second AC compartment of the Guwahati-Thiruvananthapuram
Rs 159.56 billion tax-free deficit budget in Tripura AGARTALA, FEBRUARY 20 (IANS): Tripura Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha on Monday presented a Rs 159.56 billion tax-free budget for the fiscal 2017-18 with a deficit of Rs 1.98 billion. Like previous many years, neither new taxes have been proposed nor existing taxes have been increased in the budget, presented on the second day of the month-long budget session of the state assembly. "We have planned to cover the budgetary deficit of Rs 1.98 billion by compressing non-development expenditure, stepping up of resource mobilisation, better tax enforcement and effecting austerity measures," Saha, accompanied by Principal Secretary (Finance) M. Nagaraju, told reporters later. He said that to increase salaries and pensions of the
in Imphal Valley dominated by nontribal Meiteis. Two tribal groups, Naga and KukiZomi, account for the remaining 35 per cent of the population scattered across the hills that make up 90 per cent of the state's geographical area. The Valley has nearly 40 seats, whereas the hills have 20 seats in the 60-member state assembly. In order to bag the magic number of 31, pocketing as many of these valley seats is crucial and it is here that the issue of economic blockade and politics over ethnicity comes into play. The economic blockade issue has not only widened the divide between the hills and the plains, but also relegated all other issues like demonetisation, corruption, alleged fake encounters or antiincumbency to the back benches.
state government employees, additional amount of Rs 6 billion has been proposed in the budget. Responding to the state government employees' and pensioners' demand to give salaries and pensions at par with the central government employees, the minister said that additional amount has been allocated in the budget, now we would soon come out with a concrete decision. "Rs 100 per month has been increased for each of the 28 state government sponsored social pension schemes including state contributions to three national pension schemes. This would involve around Rs 39 crore per year and would benefit 325,000 people," he said. "The growth in budgetary estimate of the coming fiscal over the current
year's (2016-17) budget estimate is 4.66 per cent." The minister said that in the proposed budget top priority has been given to education (21.23 per cent of the budgetary expenditure) followed by public works (11.51 per cent), rural development (9.96 per cent), agriculture (5.37 per cent) and health (4.85 per cent). Saha said that to introduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from July 1, adequate training would be given to the tax officials and necessary acts and rules would be enacted after re-
ceiving model GST rules from the GST council. "The Tripura government has decided to extend the benefit of family pension to divorced daughters of the state government's pension holder employees." Tripura Finance Minister in his hour-long budget speech said that the infrastructure bottlenecks are the primary barriers in the development of the northeastern states. "No additional funds have been provided in the central budget for the development of the
infrastructure of the region," he said and urged the central government to allot proper funding to take care of the requirement under state specific development needs and revenue deficit. The minister said that after discontinuation of various central assistance for special category states, including all the eight northeastern states, these states are facing severe financial crunch in implementing projects relating to health, education, rural roads, urban sector schemes.
(A Central University Established by an Act of Parliament 1989) School of Engineering & Technology
D.C. Court Junction: Dimapur- 797112, Nagaland NU/SET/ESTT/G-1(PT-V)/2016-1124
Phone: 03862-234555 Fax: 03862-234561
WALK-IN-INTERVIEW
Dated: 10/02/17
Applications are invited for Walk-in interview for Guest Faculty in the Department of Electronics & Communication Engg., Nagaland University for a period of six months or end of semester (Feb-July 2017 Session). The selected candidates will be paid @ Rs. 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only) per lecture subject to a maximum of Rs. 25,000/(Rupees twenty five thousand only) per month. The interview which was scheduled on 20th Feb. 2017, has been post-poned to 22nd Feb. 2017 in the office chamber of the Dean, SET D.C. Court Junction, Dimapur-797112 as per details mentioned below. The applicants have to produce all the original documents in support of their qualification/ experience on the date of interview. Sl. No. 1
Department Qualification & Specialization No. of Post Time Electronics & B. Tech/B.E.(ECE) + M.Tech/ 1 11:00am Communication Engg. M.E.(ECE) Sd/- (Prof. S.K. SHARMA), Dean
Express on February 17. The man had alighted at Ernakulam, while the woman, who was travelling to Thiruvananthapuram, filed the complaint with the Railway police after reaching here. A case under IPC section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty) had been registered against Simson. The incident comes close on the heels of alleged abduction and harassment of a popular Malayalam actress in Kochi.
COOK REQUIRED for a small Cafe, located at the ADC Court Junction for Fast Food. * Urgent * Contact: 7005277485 (M)
Newmai News Network Imphal | February 20
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today attacked the Centre while accusing it of attempting to interfere in State policies, saying the BJP has been drawing political mileage out of the ongoing economic blockade on National Highways. “The deployment of paramilitary personnel by the Centre to help open the blockade has helped nothing but the move rather aims to gain political mileage out of the crisis,” the Chief Minister claimed while attending a flag hoisting event held for INC candidate T Mangibabu Singh of Thanga constituency under Bishnupur district. Ibobi Singh said NH-37, Imphal-Jiribam road, has been left alone without any help from the paramilitary forces. The Centre has deployed some 16,000 paramilitary personnel to help break the nearly three-month-old blockade. United Naga Council (UNC) has demanded that the Okram Ibobi government takes back its decision to create the seven new districts. It has vowed to continue the blockade until the decision is rolled back. Ibobi Singh said, “There’s no need for the Centre to intrude into state policies.” The Manipur Chief Minister has averred that the Centre asked his government to roll back the district creation policy to pave the way for removal of the blockade. He targeted the BJP over the blockade while accusing the party of keeping up noise over the issue to allegedly mislead the people. Ibobi Singh dubbed the saffron party and UNC as one, saying the party should stop finding ways to wield power. Taking a dig at BJP, Ibobi Singh questioned the ground for allegedly hiding the details of the 'Framework Agreement' signed between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India on August 3, 2015. He said all communities and political parties, including the BJP, are suffering due to the blockade, and that the Congress alone was feeling its impact. It may be noted that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had assured here yesterday that the 'Framework Agreement' signed between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) would not hurt the integrity and territorial boundaries of Manipur. Releasing BJP’s Manipur Vision Document, Rajnath had also alleged that the blockade was a deliberate political conspiracy of the Congress government headed by Ibobi Singh.
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IN GRATITUDE
We the bereaved family members of Late Vesotalu Kapfo who left us for her heavenly abode would like to express our gratitude to those who stood by us in prayers and supported us emotionally, materially, financially and physically. Our family would like to acknowledge a few with gratitude. i. Professors and Doctors of RIMS, Imphal ii. Doctors and Nurses of NHAK iii. Chakhesang Baptist Church M/H Kohima iv. Pfutseromi Welfare Society, Kohima v. Thipuzu Welfare Society, Kohima 04/05/1959 – 12/02/2017 vi. Doctors and Staffs of CHC, Pfutsero vii. Thipuzu Community, Pfutsero viii. Reku Colony, Pfutsero ix. Orient Club, Pfutsero x. Women Dept. PTBC xi. Leizhie SHG, Pfutsero xii. Reku Colony Youth Organization xiii. Thipuzu Baptist Church xiv. Phek District Farmers Union xv. Blood Donors We regret our inability to thank all the individuals who stood by us in every possible way but it is our prayer that our Gracious God will bless each one of you abundantly.
Family me mbers and relatives.
4
TuesDAY 21•02•2017
Business
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
leaves behind Nestle Chandra to take over Tata Group reins Haldiram Maggi, Domino’s in terms of revenue
MuMbai, February 20 (PTi): Indian multinational conglomerate Tata group will enter a new era on Tuesday as N Chandrasekaran takes over as
chief, hoping to put behind an acrimonious boardroom battle that saw the ouster of Cyrus Mistry as Tata Sons Chairman. Popularly known as
'Chandra', the 54-year-old will be the first non-Parsi chairman of the 150-year old Tata Group. A man known for making India's largest software exporter TCS what it is on Monday, Chandrasekaran has his task cut out as the new Chairman of Tata Sons -- the promoter firm of many of the operating Tata group firms. Last week, Chandrasekaran had described his new assignment as "a very big job" with a large canvas, where there were "challenges and opportunities". He had hoped that he could "make an impact and make a difference". As he steps into the role of the head of the USD 103 billion conglomerate, many immediate pressing issues will greet him. One of his major focus areas will be the European operations of Tata Steel, particularly in the UK which has become a drag to the group after the unsuccessful acquisition of Corus. While Tata Steel has already started selling assets
in the UK, Chandra will have to decide how much assets are to be put on the block and how much could be turned around, especially keeping in mind the implications of Brexit. Chandrasekaran, however, had hinted at what he'll do when he said on the evening of his appointment in January that Tata Sons did pioneering businesses and stood by the operating businesses in "good times and more importantly, in bad times." Another problem that awaits him is Ratan Tata's dream project Nano, which has been responsible for bleeding Tata Motors. While his predecessor Mistry wanted to end the road for the doomed 'People' s car', Chandrasekaran will have to take a call how long its journey could be continued as it has accumulated losses exceeding Rs 1,000 crore. As such, Tata Motors has set a target of making all its business units profitable. He will have to address how the group can help in making the company's passenger vehicles business unit
with or without the Nano. Group observers will be keenly watching Chandrasekaran's relationship with Tata Trusts and their trustees considering how Mistry accused them of interference and developing alternate power centre making him a "lame duck" Chairman. Interestingly, his predecessor Mistry was sacked for "growing and untenable trust deficit between Tata Sons and the Tata Trusts." On January 12, the TCS chief was named as the Chairman of Tata Sons, capping two months of the most bitter boardroom battle in corporate history that followed the unceremonious sacking of Cyrus Mistry and letting of bad blood ever since. An avid photographer and a passionate long-distance runner having completed several marathons around the world including Amsterdam, Boston, Chicago, Berlin, Mumbai, New York, Prague, Stockholm, Salzburg and Tokyo, all eyes are now on Chandrasekaran on how he tackles the course.
New Delhi, February 20 (ageNcies): Indigenous snacks manufacturer Haldiram saw a 13 per cent growth in its revenue during the Financial Year 2016 pacing ahead of multinational brands like Nestle Maggi, Domino’s, McDonald’s among others, reported Economic Times. The report states that the company has now a combined revenue of over Rs 4,000 crore operating in three distinct areas of operation.
Kamal Agarwal, member of the founding family, told ET: “We have increased our reach and developed products inhouse that ensure quality control. We also understand Indian palate well and that comes handy while launching new products.” The business started with a small shop in Rajasthan’s Bikaner in 1937 and since then has expanded to become a household name across the country.
Apart from the MNCs, regional manufacturers like Bikanervala, Bikaji Foods among others also lag behind the ‘Bhujia Barons’. Shedding light on the journey of this business which has been carried forward by four generations of original Aggarwal family, a book has also been written by author Pavitra Kumar in 2016. The family witnessed internal disputes but managed to survive and prosper in the highly competitive Indian market.
Online EPF withdrawal, pension Maruti Suzuki sells over 1 lakh smart hybrid vehicles fixation a reality by May this year
New Delhi, February 20 (PTi): Retirement fund body EPFO is expected to launch online facility for settlement of claims, including EPF withdrawal and pension fixation, by May this year to put an end to tedious paper work by its members. At present, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) receive close to 1 crore applications manually for settlement of EPF withdrawal claim, pension fixation or getting group insurance benefit by deceased persons. "The process of connecting all field offices with a central server is going on. We may introduce the facility for online submission of all types of applications and claims like EPF withdrawal and pension settlement by May this year," EPFO's Central Provident Fund Commissioner V P
Joy told PTI. Joy said that all EPFO offices would be connected to central server in couple of months following which the facility of online submission of all sort of applications can be introduced. EPFO has an ambitious plan to settle the claims within few hours after filing of application. For instance, it has plans to settle the EPF withdrawal claim within three hours of filing of online application. As per the scheme, EPFO is required to settle all claims within 20 days from filing of the application for settlement of pension or EPF withdrawal. Under the pilot, the EPFO has already connected its around 50 field offices with the central server. In a recent review meeting on digitisation in the EPFO, the field formations and Information Services
wing has been asked to link all 123 offices with the central server so that subscribers can be provided services online. EPFO has made it mandatory for all subscribers as well as pensioners to submit their Aadhaar number. This will help linking EPF account, pension account, bank account and Aadhaar number which would eventually facilitate providing a host of online facilities to subscribers like online withdrawal and fixation of pension. The body has recently extended the deadline for submitting Aadhaar for its subscribers and pensioners till March 31, 2017. Seeding of Aadhaar number with the EPF, pension and bank accounts is required for settling claims online to reduce public interface for bringing in more transparency.
leisure
CROSSWORD # 3864
SUDOKU
Answer Number # 3858
technology makes it more efficient than the conventional set-up and saves energy while decelerating and braking. Commenting on the achievement, Maruti Suzuki Executive Director marketing and Sales, R S Kalsi, said, "As we move towards hybrid and electric cars we see this as a first important step in this space.
Both Ciaz and Ertiga SHVS are high on fuel efficiency, come with reduced running costs and lower levels of Co2 emission, thus making these popular among customers. The response we have received for SHVS equipped Ciaz and Ertiga encourages us to continue to invest in new technologies that support the environment while benefiting std code: 03862
DiMaPUR ACROSS 1. Kind of lily 6. Tip 10. Mountain lion 14. Not silently 15. Any day now 16. Shortly 17. Very slow in tempo 18. Cozy 19. A promiscuous woman 20. Pillager 22. Collections 23. Behold, in old Rome 24. Doldrums 26. Speech disorder 30. Not her 31. Russian fighter 32. A single time 33. Hindu princess 35. Japanese stick fighting 39. Hollywood hopeful 41. Upwind 43. Body 44. L L L L 46. Copied 47. Nigerian tribesman 49. N N N N 50. Evergreens 51. Computer screen pointer 54. G G G G 56. Send forth 57. Traverse 63. Competent 64. Centers 65. Heart artery 66. Observed 67. Small island 68. Labyrinths 69. At one time (archaic) 70. D D D D 71. Flurries DOWN 1. Young cow 2. Winglike 3. Wisdom 4. Olympic sled
Simple Rules - Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.
Game Number # 3859
MuMbai, February 20 (DNa): Maruti Suzuki has sold over 1 lakh of its smart hybrid vehicles this month, the homegrown carmaker informed the stock exchange on Monday.' In a press release, Maruti Suzuki India said "it’s Smart Hybrid Vehicles - Ciaz SHVS and Ertiga SHVS - had crossed cumulative sales of 1,00,000 units this month. This marks the sucess of Maruti Suzuki's efforts in hybrid and electric mobility in India. Maruti Suzuki launched the Ciaz SHVS on September 2015 and later introduced the technology in the Ertiga Diesel in October 2015. Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki (SHVS) is a technology which uses an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) and an advanced high capacity battery to supplement the engine's power, SHVS
TaHaMZaM
has sold over six lakh alternate fuel vehicles and one lakh smart hybrid vehicles cumulatively which has helped in offsetting about four lakh tonnes of CO2 emissions cumulatively," it told BSE. On the BSE, the shares of Maruti Suzuki were trading at Rs 6,047, up Rs 58 apiece or 0.97% from previous close.
std code: 03871
(formerly senapati)
Police station Fire Brigade
222246 222491
5. Pueblo brick 6. Partner 7. Despise 8. Pout 9. Memory trace 10. Corridor 11. Not rented 12. Oral cavity 13. Jittery 21. Fall color 25. Northern freshwater fish 26. Misplaced 27. Within 28. Stigma 29. Stubbornly unyielding 34. Sicknesses 36. Back of the neck 37. Sketched 38. Probabilities 40. Gray wolf 42. S S S S 45. Readable 48. Helmetflower 51. Stop 52. Deep brown 53. Angers 55. Cons 58. Ploy 59. A soft sheepskin leather 60. Ricelike pasta 61. Goulash 62. Back talk
Civil Hospital emer
232224
MH Hospital
227930 231081
Fire Brigade
2222952
Faith Hospital
228846
naga Hospital
2222916
shamrock Hospital
228254
oking Hospital
2243339
231864 224117 227337
Bethel nursing Home
2224202
northeast shuttles
08974997923
railway
131/228404
Answer to Crossword 3863
Airport Indian Airlines
229366 242441 225212
229529 229474
Zion Hospital
KOHiMa
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MILItArY MoAn PArtY PrIVAte reAson reGIon resIGn retroACtIVe rICe serVAnt serVICe sInCe stILL teen toUGH trAde UntIL wHILe
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std code: 0370
228400
KoHIMA Ps/oCs Contact numbers
Police Traffic Control
232106
north Ps
east Police station
227607
west Police station
232181
south Ps
CIHsr (referral Hospital)
242555 242533
Zubza Ps
Police Control room
dimapur Hospital
224041 248011
tseminyu Ps
8575045507
Officer-in-Charge 8575045517 8575045505
Kezocha Ps
248302, 09856006026
eden Medical Centre
248288
C
Officer-in-Charge 8575045516
Officer-in-Charge 8575045515
nagaland Multispecialty Health & research Centre
R
Chiephobozou Ps 8575045506
Khuzama Ps
232032, 231031
A
8575045508
Officer-in-Charge 8575045518
nikos Hospital and research Centre
E
8575045502
Officer-in-Charge 8575045520
Apollo Hospital Info Centre 230695/ 9402435652
S
8575045501
Officer-in-Charge 8575045510
Chumukedima Fire Brigade 282777
W ABroAd AnnoUnCe APPeAL AVenUe BLeAt CAPItAL CHArGe CLAIM CoVer doCtor dUrInG eArLY eXPLore FAtHers ForMer GrAnt HeALtH LAst
the customer." Maruti Suzuki said SHVS equipped vehicles account for over 60% of volume of the two models. Apart from the SHVSequipped models, the carmaker has alternate fuel options in its six models viz. Alto 800, Alto K10, Celerio, WagonR, Eeco and Ertiga with i-GPI CNG engine technology. "The carmaker
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
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65.48 81.92 8.17 50.16 45.99 50.04 57.27 69.33 1.81 0.0552 17.25 9.22
68.43 85.88 9.09 52.60 48.24 52.48 60.49 72.69 2.01 0.0615 19.21 10.27
TUESDAY 21•02•2017
NAGALAND
NSCN (R) condemn AR raid in Kilonser’s house DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 20 (MExN): The NSCN (Reformation) has condemned the raid conducted by 33 Assam Rifles at its Kilonser’s residence in Mon “without any rhyme or reason” on February 5. A press statement from MIP, NSCN (R) alleged that the Assam Rifles had taken away one almirah from the Kilonser’s residence and opened it in the police station but found nothing. It has asked the Assam Rifles to explain the reason to the general public and the group as to why it raided the Kilonser’s residence and also declare whatever illegal things were found from the Kilonser’s house. The NSCN (R) further accused the Assam Rifles of “creating unnecessary harassment and fear psychosis in the minds of the general public, when the people are yearn-
ing for peace and unity in the region.” The statement maintained that the reason why SS Khaplang had pulled out of the ceasefire with the Government of India was only because of such activities of the Assam Rifles in the past. The Assam Rifles, it asserted, are “problem maker” and “liability” for the Government of India. “The Government of India cannot bring any peace as long as the Assam Rifles are posted in Nagaland,” it added. Asserting that there can be no peace as long as the Assam Rifles acted in such way, the NSCN (R) urged upon the AR to shun such kind of “unwanted activities” amongst the people in order to create a congenial peaceful atmosphere among the various sections of the people and society at large.
One apprehended for ‘illegally’manufacturing arms
Nagaland students interact with President of India Pranab Mukherjee
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 20 (MExN): Students from School of Agricultural Sciences & Rural Development (SASRD), Medziphema interacted with President of India Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on February 19, 2017. During the interaction, the President acquainted himself with problems and issues faced by the youths of the region and encouraged them to contribute towards the development and well being of the region, stated a press release issued by Assam Rifles. The 13 students from SASRD who interacted with the President are part of the ‘National Integration Tour’ organised by 41 Assam Rifles under the aegis of Headquarters Inspector General Assam Rifles (North), which was flagged off on February 14 in Medziphema. Post interaction, a group photograph with the President was organized followed by visit of the stu- Students of SASRD, Medziphema with the President of India, Pranab dents to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Mukherjee and others in New Delhi on February 19, 2017.
SABS Sisters celebrate golden, silver jubilees
MEx FILE One dies in vehicle accident KOHIMA, FEBRUARY 20 (MExN): One person was killed and another injured in a vehicular accident near Jotsoma village on Sunday. The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained.
NSCN (R) expels one Deputy Kilonser DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 20 (MExN): The NSCN (Reformation) has expelled one of its Deputy Kilonsers, Vinni Johnson of Shepoumaramth region from the national service with immediate effect for “indulgence in corruption and violation of certain Articles against the National Yehzabo of the government.” The NSCN (R) through a press release issued by its MIP further informed the general public not to entertain him under any circumstances for any purpose relating to government activities.
Liquor seized in Peren PEREN, FEBRUARY 20 (MExN): 36 Assam Rifles recovered illicit liquor during a search operation in Mhainamtsi on February 16. Based on information about movement of arms dealer, 36 Assam Rifles had established a mobile vehicle check post along with a police representative on Sukhovi-Jalukie road, informed a press release from Assam Rifles. During the search, troops of Assam Rifles intercepted a vehicle and apprehended four persons with 331 bottles of illegal IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor). They have been identified as Lunsa (43), Abon (37), Sapna (27), and Sara (36), all from Manipur’s Senapati district, according to the press release. The apprehended persons, the release said, confessed their involvement in transportation of illegal liquor from Assam to Nagaland. The individuals along with the recovered items were handed over to Jalukie Police Station, Peren district for further investigation.
DAN expresses sadness at former secretary’s death
The person apprehended by 7 Assam Rifles for his alleged involvement in illegal arms manufacturing.
KIPHIRE, FEBRUARY 20 (MExN): 7 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) apprehended one person allegedly involved in illegal arms manufacturing during an operation conducted in Hotunger village of Kiphire district on February 20. A press release from Assam Rifles stated that the apprehended person was in possession of one 12 bore rifle, one 0.22mm rifle, six live rounds, five barrels and other accessories. The apprehended individual identified as Kiuthrum Yimchunger along with the recovered arms and ammunition was handed over to Kiphire Police Station for further investigation, the release added.
Assam Rifles troops apprehend NSCN (IM) cadre
The NSCN (IM) cadre apprehended by Assam Rifles troops on February 19 in Jalukie Town.
JALUKIE, FEBRUARY 20 (MExN): Troops of 36 Assam Rifles apprehended an NSCN (IM) cadre along with one 7.65 mm pistol with magazine and two live rounds of 7.65 mm during a search operation conducted in Jalukie Town of Peren district on February 19, informed a press release from Assam Rifles. The operation was launched based on specific information regarding movement of armed cadre in general area of Jalukie Town, according to the release. The apprehended cadre identified as Tuithung Achan along with the recovered arms and other items was handed over to Jalukie Police Station for further investigation.
The Sisters at SABS Provincial House, Chumukedima who celebrated their jubilees pose for photograph with Bishop of Kohima and another priest.
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 20 (MExN): The Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (SABS), Corpus Christi Province, Dimapur celebrated the golden and silver jubilees of the Sisters at SABS Provincial House, Chumukedima with the Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima as the main celebrant and concelebrated by Most Rev. Paul Mattekat, the Bishop of Diphu and 45 priests. The celebration’s theme was “Mighty has done great things for me” (Lk.1.19). Mother Sibia, SABS, was the Golden Jubilerian and Sisters Nirmala Muthirakalayil SABS, Vineetha Eranackal SABS, Rose Kannackal SABS, Elaize Muthirakalayil SABS, Ancy Mullenkuzhiyil SABS, Amala Puthiyadeth SABS, Rose Mary Kochutharayil SABS, Lizabeth Vellilamthadam SABS and Flowerlit Thenamkuzhiyil SABS were the Silver Jubilerians, informed a press release from Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima. Bishop in his homily thanked the Sisters in the name of the diocese for the great ministry they have carried out despite many odds and difficulties in various missions in Nagaland in particular and the entire NE in general. Pointing out that they were one of the first congregations to take up the mission in the farthest place in Kohima diocese – Tuensang, the Bishop acknowledged not only did they carry out the mission with great tenacity, perseverance and faithfulness, they continued to spread their wings to Kiphire, Tobu, Mokokchung, Pungro, etc. “And God has blessed them and
fructified their ministry. That is why we were able to expand and spread our presence from Tuensang to other places,” he added. Referring to Pope Francis’ teaching that religious life helps the Church to grow through the way of attraction without bothering to proselytize, the Bishop further stated the religious life of “our” Sisters have been a way of attraction and the tangible proof of it is the large number of vocations they have from North East. “Not only did they attract others to their religious congregation by their commitment as religious, they have built up the mission, the Church by their active ministry and prayer life. True to their charism to make known the Eucharistic Lord, they have carried out their ministry by promoting and living Eucharistic devotion and the gospel values,” the Bishop lauded. Rev. Dr. James Thoppil further noted that the reading the Sisters chose for the celebration exemplifies their vocation and mission. The first reading taken from the book of Leviticus that is often taken for jubilee celebration is the description of the jubilee among the Israelites. The reading is an invitation to celebrate jubilee as a time for retrospection, restoration, renewal and rededication, he said. The second reading taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, the Bishop added, speaks of the manner in which every religious, for that matter, every Christians must live their life. “Everyone is specially chosen ones as beloved and holy, and so they must put on or live those
qualities that befit their vocations – compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and patience, above all love – virtues that need to be lived particularly in a religious community.” Quoting Paul that what one does, in word or deed, must be done in the name of Jesus, the Bishop said when one lives one’s religious life in such a way, one will have the joy and blessedness of the beatitude, spoken by Jesus in the gospel. “Beatitudes are religious life in action.” Bishop referred again to the words of Pope Francis who said that Jesus did not come to teach a philosophy, or an ideology, but rather a 'way', a journey to be undertaken with him. Christianity, at its beginning was called “the way”, he said, according to the release. “We learn the way as we go, by walking. And that is what these Sisters have done during the last 50 and 25 years. There is our joy: joy to walk with Jesus, although it is not easy, or comfortable, because the way that Jesus chooses is the way of the Cross. The way of the cross purifies inwardly; it enlightens the consciences, uniting one with Jesus totally. Thinking and acting as the world thinks and acts leads to rivalry, jealousy, factions, and dissatisfaction,” he added. Bishop urged people of God to pray for the Sisters as they celebrate their jubilees. The celebration, which was compered by Sr. Cecilia Paumai, SABS, began with the words of welcome by Sr. Catherine SABS, the Vice Provincial. There were congratulations songs and speeches after the Holy Mass.
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 20 (MExN): Development Authority of Nagaland (DAN), Dimapur officers and staff have expressed sadness over the demise of their former secretary, Imkongangshi Yaden on February 13. DAN in a condolence message from Executive Officer, Noleto described late Yaden as a “true and real torch bearer” for the uplift of DAN and added that it was because of his sheer determination and conviction, DAN has attained higher heights of policies implementation for the welfare of the employees under his secretaryship (2009-13). DAN Secretary, I. Imtilep and staff while conveying condolences at this hour of grief to the bereaved family expressed that the authority will always stand by their side and assured cooperation. Further, DAN prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.
41 Assam Rifles conduct medical camp
A doctor from 41 Assam Rifles examines a patient during the medical camp held at Seithekima village.
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 20 (MExN): A medical camp was organised by 41 Assam Rifles under the aegis of Headquarters Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) on February 20 at Seithekima village in Dimapur district. Assam Rifles doctors and the team of medical staff of 41 AR attended to 132 patients – 27 men, 39 women, and 66 children – during the camp, informed a press release from Assam Rifles. The patients were given free consultation and medicines and also made aware of hygienic practices and preventive measures. The medical camp held under Operation Sadbhavana brought “smiles and succour” to the villagers of Seithekima Old and neighbouring villages who have limited access to healthcare, the release stated, adding the Gaon Buras and villagers also expressed gratitude to Assam Rifles for conducting the medical camp.
PUBLIC SPACE The Truth Shall Set The Nagas Free: (The Corruption Saga)
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orruption in Nagaland has laid its strong foundation during the past few decades and stand today ever strong thanks to the committed effort of the govt. officials in keeping the system ignorant so that there would be no ‘questioning authority’ in their race for being millionaires. Suppose the present situation of Nagaland is in point (A) and point (B) is the vision of the Naga leaders for a glorious Nagaland, then corruption stands in the middle, tall and impossible to get to the other side. Such is the sealed fate of the Nagas and every time another party or individual gets to sit in the government thrones and the people has high hope for a change, we are led right to point (A) and ever kept in loop never to get the people to point (B) whilst they get swell rich before they retire. We have a theory as to how corruption began taking its roots and triumphed in our society. As history defines our present we shall go back in time from where it all be-
gan. It was in the early decades of the 19th century when the British started leading expeditions around the Naga inhabited areas in the North-East. By the 20th century they had already colonized some major areas of Nagaland. During the First World War the British also recruited Naga men in their army to fight against the Central Power and when the war ended in 1918 the returning Nagas who had seen the great advanced civilizations of the west, they became intellectually aware of the primitive perspective of the Nagas. In order to create a platform for the Nagas to catch up with the world intellectually, they formed the Naga Club comprised of visionaries who wanted to revolutionize Nagaland as those western countries. But alas, with the exchange of power from the British to India, the fate of Nagaland was already sealed inside the labyrinth, wanting to but unable to get out. It was because of strong determined
leaders like AZ Phizo who gave a sense of hope to the Nagas and a message to the Indians that the integrity of the Nagas will never be compromised. Now when Nagaland attained its statehood in 1963 the state government and the bureaucrats came into existence. Their purpose was to allocate the funds from the center to the people for development which is like paying rent from the GOI. It was only in 1997 when at least one NPG signed a ceasefire agreement with the GOI and peace somehow restored back in Nagaland. During these 34 years amidst all the chaos, anarchy and confusion when there was no voice of the people and many public leaders were threatened with their lives if to speak out, the state government officials took this opportunity to start exploiting the Nagas. The GOI was busy checking the insurgency, the public was all the more afraid to speak out but the government officials started committing daylight
robbery with no one to know anything or complain about it. Thus the generations of such officials who now holds most government offices by buying their way through NPSC exams keeps the tradition of corruption alive and well. At this rate we would never make it to our supposedly destined paradise at least not while we are still living in Nagaland. So the people altogether must change our approach and measures in our fight against corruption. Instead of dreaming for point (B) to come by itself unto us we should let go off that dream and think and act rationally. We should choose a new path, Point (C) where nothing is promised but progress will be based on our smart rational thinking and choices.
To
The President, United Naga Council, Manipur, Imphal.
Subject:- An appeal to end the ongoing economic blockade and to device another alternative way which is humane.
Sir, With brotherly love and high respect of you, I am writing this letter to you for a concerned matter relating to the ongoing economic blockade in Manipur. While imposing economic blockade in Manipur State in connection with a political issue is inevitable, according to my personal conviction, it is the way of inhumanity which is against the will of God and God will not listen to the prayer of the people to intervene in and the outcome of it in the long run will not be a healthy one. In view of this, my humble appeal to you is that you review the ongoing action and take an alternaMedia Cell tive way which is constructive and healthy. Liberal Democratic Party Nagaland Rev. L. Suohie Mhasi (LDPN)
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.
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TUESDAY 21•02•2017
IN FOCUS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
The Power of Truth
The Morung Express
C O M M E N T A R Y
James Jeffrey Inter Press Service
Still in Limbo, Somaliland Banking on Berbera A Naga Tribunal VOLUME XII ISSUE 49
Point 9 b (ii) of the Sixteen Point Agreement is the basis for establishing a Naga Tribunal. This can define and determine the nature and scope of customary law in accordance with the present day need to embrace gender equality and uphold international human rights standards
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uring the last few months the phrase “customary law” has been used much more frequently. The perception that reserving places for women in urban local bodies contravenes customary law, and therefore, infringes upon the special provisions of “Naga customary law and procedure” in Article 371 A has sparked a chain of events. While the crisis has gone beyond the ambit of women’s reservation, it has raised critical questions around the state of political affairs, leadership and power, and the parochial modern culture itself. Now it is more imperative than ever to examine the question of what constitutes customary law. Political and legal thinkers point out that “customary law” concerns the laws, locally recognized principles, specific norms and rules of conduct, patterns of practices, beliefs and customs established over time which are applied by community institutions to internally guide and govern an indigenous political community. “Customary law” has been projected to encompass principles of equity, shared responsibilities, and collective interdependence. It is holistic and focuses on bringing balance and harmony to all aspects of community life, values of equilibrium, respect and restorative justice while addressing conflicts, and is also the basis for negotiation. Therefore, since customary law is intrinsic to the life and customs of an indigenous community, the question of “custom” and what aspects amount to “customary law” will depend on the community as a whole. And even though most indigenous communities are patriarchal in structure, the dynamic and evolving nature of “customary law” was meant to ensure that laws would develop to meet the changing times. However, for most indigenous peoples, the colonial project misappropriated “customary law” and effectively broke up community cohesion through negating indigenous ways of life, worldviews and their intellectual and moral framework. Subsequently, the colonial construct of “customary law” became more narrowly defined and lost its flexibility under the State system in the post-colonial era and this reinforced the hierarchical and patriarchal systems. The colonial “customary law” came to represent an outdated rigid parochial view of reality manipulated by people in power to support their own interests. More importantly it stopped facilitating restorative justice approaches which marginalized women, younger people and people of 'lesser privilege' and this did not address the issues of equity. Today’s form of “customary law” has ceased to reflect the indigenous community’s ethical foundation and values. “Customary law” has become frozen in time through the rigid formal nature of institutionalizing and legalizing, rather than reflecting the contextual relevance and flexibility of its application and role in the social discourse. These reasons encapsulate why present day Nagas are responsible for ensuring that its meaning is not entrapped in the colonial construct of “customary law” and gender equity is fully incorporated. Since Article 371 A is at the center of the present discourse, perhaps the process of seeking a way forward can be found within its broader domain. Article 371 A is the result of the 1960 Sixteen Point Agreement between the Naga People’s Convention and the Government of India through its Foreign Secretary. This requires that the Article be read and applied in conjunction with the Agreement. On the administration of justice, Point 9 b (ii) of the Agreement implies that the Naga Tribunal (representing all of Nagaland) would be responsible for cases decided according to Customary Law. However, neither the provisions of Article 371 A, nor the Sixteen Point Agreement define what constitutes the nature and scope of “Customary Law.” And, with most Naga villages having their own “customary law” the administration of justice is even more complicated and complex with competing systems. Consequently, the recent crisis further emphasizes the urgent need to locate “customary law” in the contemporary context. Establishing a Naga Tribunal is one way forward in this process. While this may partially fulfill the Sixteen Point Agreement, its primary task will be to help today’s Nagas to agree on an acceptable working definition of “customary law.” The Naga Tribunal needs to be an independent body comprised of respected and capable women and men from diverse backgrounds and experiences who have demonstrated their commitment to work for equality, justice and the common good. The task of the Naga Tribunal needs to focus on liberating the colonial “customary law.” It also needs to recover the relevant traditional values which can be woven into a present day acceptable working definition of “customary law,” and its scope consistent with the peoples’ needs and aspirations. Furthermore, a viable structure will need to be designed and established through which the tenets of “customary law” are upheld. In other words, since most villages have their own “customary law,” the working definition can formulate a preamble based on shared principles taken from the existing diverse spectrum of “customary law” which can be applied contextually within each community. This could create a Naga “customary law” that is relevant and responsive to present day affirmative need to embrace gender equality, uphold international human rights standards and exercise principles of justice for all within an inclusive ethical framework.
LEFT WING |
Reuters
Arctic & Antarctic sea ice at record low in January: UN
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he extent of sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctic last month was the lowest on record for January, the U.N. World Meteorological Organization said on January 17, while concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere hit a January record. "The missing ice in both poles has been quite extraordinary," David Carlson, director of the World Climate Research Programme, told a U.N. briefing in Geneva. "It is a quite strange situation. It's extraordinarily warm in the north, and the sea ice, which is one indicator of planetary warmth, is at a minimum at this point in both hemispheres." This January, Arctic sea ice averaged 13.38 million square km. The previous record low was just a year ago, in January 2016, when there was 260,000 square km more ice - bigger than the area of the United Kingdom. "The horizons that we thought we had - the number of years until summer sea ice disappears, or the number of years
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rossing African borders by land can be an intimidating process (it’s proving an increasingly intimidating process nowadays in Europe and the US also, even in airports). But crossing from Ethiopia to Somaliland at the ramshackle border town of Togo-Wuchale is a surreally pleasant experience. Immigration officials on the Somaliland side leave aside the tough cross-examination routine, greeting you with big smiles and friendly chit chat as they whack an entry stamp on the Somaliland visa in your passport. They’re always happy to see a foreigner’s visit providing recognition of their country that technically still doesn’t exist in the eyes of the rest of the political world, despite having proclaimed its independence from Somalia in 1991, following a civil war that killed about 50,000 in the region. A British protectorate from 1886 until 1960 and unifying with what was then Italian Somaliland to create modern Somalia, Somaliland had got used to going on its own since that 1991 declaration, and today exhibits many of the trappings of a functioning state: its own currency, a functioning bureaucracy, trained police and military, law and order on the streets. Furthermore, since 2003 Somaliland has held a series of democratic elections resulting in orderly transfers of power. Somaliland’s resolve is most clearly demonstrated in the capital, Hargeisa, formerly war-torn rubble in 1991 at the end of the civil war, its population living in refugee camps in neighbouring Ethiopia. An event that lives on in infamy saw the jets of military dictator Mohammed Siad Barre’s regime take off from the airport and circle back to bomb the city. But visitors to today’s sun-blasted city of 800,000 people encounter a mishmash of impassioned traditional local markets cheek by jowl with diaspora-funded modern glass-fronted office blocks and malls, Wi-Fi enabled cafes and air-conditioned gyms, all suffused with typical Somali energy and dynamism. “We are doing all the right things that the West preaches about but we continue to get nothing for it,” says Osman Abdillahi Sahardeed, minister for the Ministry of Information, Culture and National Guidance. “This is a resilient country that depends on each other—we’re not after a hand out but a hand up.” Increasing levels of exasperation within Somaliland’s government and among the populace are hardly surprising. Somaliland’s apparent success story against the odds remains highly vulnerable. Its economy is perilously fragile. Non-statehood deprives it of direct large-scale international support and access to the likes of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (I.M.F.). As a result, the government has a tiny budget of about 250 million dollars, with about 60 percent spent on police and security forces to maintain what the country views as one of its greatest assets and reasons for recognition: continuing peace and stability. Also, it relies heavily on the support of local clan elders—it
Kazu Haga
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Peace and security hold in Somaliland, so effectively that moneychangers can safely stash bundles of cash on the street.
Credit: James Jeffrey/IPS
is hard for any government to prove its legitimacy when essential services need the help of international humanitarian organizations, local NGOs and the private sector. Indeed, Somaliland survives to a large extent on money sent by its diaspora—estimated to range from $400 million to at least double that annually—and by selling prodigious quantities of livestock to Arab countries. All the while, poverty remains widespread and swathes of men on streets sipping sweet Somali tea and chewing the stimulating plant khat throughout the day testify to chronic unemployment rates. “About 70 percent of the population are younger than 30, and they have no future without recognition,” says Jama Musse, a former mathematics professor who left Italy to return to Somaliland to run the Red Sea Cultural Foundation center, which offers cultural and artistic opportunities for Hargeisa’s youth. “The world can’t close its eyes— it should deal with Somaliland.” For now, Somaliland’s peace holds admirably well. “If you look at the happiness of Somalilanders and the challenges they are facing it does not match,” says Khadar Husein, operational director of the Hargeisa office of Transparency Solutions, a UK-based consultancy focused on civil society capacity building in Somaliland and Somalia. “They are happy because of their values and religion.” But others speak of the risks of encroaching Wahhabism, a far more fundamental version of Islam compared to Somaliland’s conservative though relatively moderate religiousness, and a particular concern in a volatile part of the world. “Young men are a ready-made pool of rudderless youth from which militant extremists with an agenda can recruit,” says Rakiya Omaar, a lawyer and Chair of Horizon Institute, a Somaliland consultancy firm helping communities transition from under-
development to stability. Almost everyone acknowledges the country’s present means of sustainment—heavily reliant on the private sector and diaspora—must diversity. Somaliland needs greater income to develop and survive. For many, the key to Somaliland’s much needed economic renaissance lies in tapping into the far stronger economy next door: Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country and its fastest growing economy, according to the I.M.F. Crucial to achieving this is Berbera, a name conjuring images of tropical quays and fiery sunsets. Once an ancient nexus of maritime trade, Berbera has long been eclipsed by Djibouti’s ports to the north. But Berbera Port is now on the brink of a major expansion that could transform and return it to a regional transportation hub, and also help fund Somaliland’s nation-building dreams. In May 2016, Dubai-based DP World was awarded the concession to manage and expand Berbera for 30 years, a project valued at about 442 million dollars, including expanding the port and refurbishing the 268-kilometer route from the port to the border with Ethiopia. Landlocked Ethiopia has long been looking to diversify its access to the sea, an issue of immense strategic anxiety. Currently 90 percent of its trade goes through Djibouti, a tiny country with an expanding network of ports that scoops at least 1 billion dollars in port fees from Ethiopia every year. Somaliland would like about 30 percent of that trade through Berbera, and Ethiopia is more than happy with that, allocating such a proportion in its latest Growth and Transformation Plan that sets economic policy until 2020. Ethiopia and Somaliland had already signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) covering trade, security, health and education in 2014, before in March 2016 signing a trade
agreement on using Berbera Port. And Ethiopia could just be the start. “It would be a gateway to Africa, not just Ethiopia,” says Sharmarke Jama, a trade and economic adviser for the Somaliland government during negotiations on the port concession. “The multiplying benefits for Somaliland’s economy could be endless.” Somaliland officials hope increased trade at the port will enable greater self-sufficiency to develop the country, while also chipping away at the international community’s resistance over recognition. “As our economic interests align with the region and we become more economically integrated, that can only help with recognition,” Sharmarke says. Perhaps. The political odds are stacked against Somaliland due to concerns that recognizing Somaliland would undermine decades of international efforts to patch up Somalia, and open a Pandora ’s Box of separatist claims in the region and further afield around Africa. But greater self-sufficiency would undoubtedly result from a resurgent Berbera, and without this crucial infrastructure revival Somaliland’s economic potential will remain untapped, trapping its people in endless cycles of dependence, leaving those idle youth on street corners. On April 13, 2016, up to 500 migrants died after a boat capsized crossing the Mediterranean. Most media reported that a large portion of those who died were from Somalia. But in Hargeisa following the tragedy, locals noted how many of those who died were more specifically Somalilanders. “Why are they leaving? Unemployment,” says Abdillahi Duhe, former Foreign Minister of Somaliland and now a consultant in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. “Now is a very important time: we’ve passed the stage of recovery, we have peace—but many hindrances remain.”
The urgency of slowing down
Waging Nonviolence
n April 4, 1967, exactly one year before his assassination, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous “Beyond Vietnam” speech in Harlem’s Riverside Church. In it, he spoke of being confronted with “the fierce urgency of now.” He went on to say that, “there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time … We must move past indecision to action.” He warned us that if we do not move into action, “we shall surely be dragged down the long dark and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.” Almost 50 years later, this country is once again faced with the “fierce urgency of now.” Within hours of his inauguration, Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of repealing Obamacare, and the White House website was updated to reflect his administration’s views: the site’s sections on climate change, civil rights, disabilities and LGBT issues were removed. And many around the country have feared what this administration is going to mean for our Muslim friends and others of Middle Eastern descent, immigrant communities and those
who are already marginalized. What will this administration mean for the movement for black lives, for Standing Rock, for our struggles against patriarchy, income inequality and so many critical issues of our time? Yes, we are in an urgent moment in history, and we need to respond accordingly. We need to organize harder than ever, mobilize more people than ever, knock on more doors than ever, and fight like we’ve never fought before. And that brings us to what I believe is a critical question for our movements to answer today: As we confront the urgency of the moment, how do we ensure that we are not organizing from a place of panic? Oftentimes, when we get caught up in momentum and the urgency of the moment, our energy begins to shift and we enter a frenzied panic state. And organizing from that place can deeply impact both our external work as well as in our internal process through which we do the work. I can still hear the voices of the elders at Standing Rock, reminding us that we need to slow down. That for indigenous peoples, struggle is nothing new. We’ve been here before. That for them, everything they do is ceremony, prayer, ritual. And those
are not things that you rush. You do it with intention, with all of the time and respect that it deserves. When we move from a place of panic, our work happens with less mindfulness. We miss steps. We don’t have the right information. Our strategies aren’t as tight. We react as opposed to respond. We aren’t as prepared. We are easier to counter. We make mistakes. We also are much likelier to perpetuate the same systems of violence that we are trying to resist when we work in a frenzied pace. Those with the loudest voices tend to take over, and we often lose the voices of those who are marginalized. We are more likely to emphasize actions over process and relationships, and we begin to distrust each other. Newer activists have a harder time finding a way in, feeding the exclusivity of activism. We are less careful with our messaging, which can turn potential allies away. The work of social change is stressful enough on its best days. But if we are moving without intention, without mindfulness and without awareness of how we are moving, it can easily add to what is already a challenge. So we need to learn to slow down, while acknowledging the urgency of this moment. There is no doubt that this is not a
WRITE-WING
moment to procrastinate, but a time to act, as King reminds us. But the frenzied pace that we do our work in is oftentimes a habit that has been ingrained in us by a capitalist system functioning with a different time frame than we do. We have always known that this was a long-term struggle. The struggle towards social justice is not one of multiple election cycles, but of multiple generations. Another piece of wisdom from our indigenous teachers reminds us that the work we do is not for ourselves, but for the seventh generation that will come after us. And the work we do now stands on the shoulders of the seven generations that came before. That is a lot of wisdom, and a lot of time. It is with that long-view approach that we need to tackle the urgency of today. Trump and his agenda is one urgent thing that we need to resist. But the tendency to come from a place of panic and move too fast is, ironically, just as urgent of an issue that needs to be addressed. We need to act, but addressing this crucial moment cannot come at the expense of strategy, process, intention and remembering to slow down enough to breathe. So, what is our work moving into 2017? Organize, breathe, repeat. Organize, breathe, repeat. Organize, breathe, repeat.
Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The Morung Express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com
TUESDAY 21•02•2017
PERSPECTIVE
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
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Bullies in Armani suits
Lawrence Liang
T
Himalmag
The strategic use of the law threatens investigative journalism
raditional free speech conflicts have taken a vertical direction, with censorship consisting of state actions that place restrictions on the ability of individuals to exercise their freedom of speech and expression. The long struggle in Indian courts over freedom of speech has created a fairly robust jurisprudence that provides safeguards against unreasonable interferences on speech by the state. The crucial question, however, is whether these are adequate to challenge the emerging paradigm of horizontal censorship. The rise of horizontal censorship – that is, attempts at censorship by non-state actors – has two primary manifestations: the use of intimidation by lumpen forces through acts of vandalism or violence, and the use of law by corporations, religious groups and wealthy individuals to silence critics and activists. Rajeev Dhavan, in his book Published and be Damned, argues that, imperfect as the jurisprudence of free speech in India is, it at least provides one with a platform to challenge unreasonable acts of the state. The real challenge Scene from “The Happy Land” by W. S. Gilbert and Gilbert á Beckett (Wikimedia Commons/Illusnow, is how we tackle threats to free speech trated London News) that use existing laws in strategic, self-serving al family disputes also, leading to irretriev- claimed INR 50 crore as damages from the ways and which are generally preceded or folable break down of marriages/families. Caravan magazine and writer Siddhartha Deb lowed by the use of violence as part of a holistic There is also an impression that if a person for an article titled the ‘Sweet Smell of Success: approach to harassment and intimidation. could somehow be entangled in a crimi- How Arindam Chaudhuri made a fortune off The use in India of what American legal nal prosecution, there is a likelihood of im- the aspirations – and insecurities – of India’s experts Penelope Canan and George W Pring minent settlement. Any effort to settle civil middle classes’. Even though both IIPM and call ‘Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participadisputes and claims, which do not involve the Caravan were based in Delhi, the case tion’ (SLAPP) is part of a global trend in which any criminal offence, by applying pressure was filed in Assam, and when Penguin later deep-pocketed individuals and corporations through criminal prosecution should be brought Deb’s book out, it was published withpursue either criminal punishment or claim out its original first chapter on IIPM. deprecated and discouraged. massive civil damages as a way of silencing Traditionally, the SLAPP suit found its vicIn G Sagar Suri v State of UP, the Court simicritics. Rather than securing adjudicatory retim in activists and whistle-blowers. The delief, the primary objective of the SLAPP suit is larly observed: It is to be seen if a matter, which is essen- ployment of this instrument has, however, to threaten, intimidate or coerce the other party tially of civil nature, has been given a cloak increasingly been used against academics into silence or, alternately, burden them with of criminal offence. Criminal proceedings expressing objective opinions or making fair prohibitive legal costs in judicial systems that are not a short cut of other remedies avail- observations. have a reputation of favouring big players over able in law. Before issuing process a crimismaller ones. Regardless of the suit’s legal merit, Slapping back the intention of intimidating those who dare to nal court has to exercise a great deal of cauIn recognition of the scale of the problem speak in the public interest is often achieved. tion. For the accused it is a serious matter. and the adverse effect that SLAPP suits have on While the global rise of the SLAPP suit can be This Court has laid certain principles on free speech, 28 states in the US have passed antraced back to the 1970s – when US companies the basis of which [the] High Court is to ex- ti-SLAPP laws. While the content of these laws began naming environmental organisations ercise its jurisdiction under Section 482 of vary from state to state, their common objective and advocates as defendants in civil lawsuits – the Code. Jurisdiction under this Section is to protect the right to free speech from vexathe Indian legal system is especially conducive has to be exercised to prevent abuse of the tious litigation. Apart from these legislative efto their initiation. As in the US, defamation law process of any court or otherwise to secure forts, there have also been judicial attempts to has become the SLAPP suit’s weapon of choice. the ends of justice. counter SLAPPs. On the other hand, as Rajeev Dhavan obThe landmark case New York Times v SulliThe law In India, legal proceedings against an al- serves, civil proceedings also have their own van – in which the US Supreme Court held that leged defamatory act can be brought either as advantages and disadvantages. The high for a public official to make a successful claim criminal actions (Section 499 of the IPC) or as court fees (fixed on the basis of the quantum of defamation or libel against the accused, civil actions under common law. The primary of damages sought) effectively ensures that they must show that the defamatory statement difference between the two options is that while those with the deepest pockets can afford to meets the actual malice standard (i.e. it was criminal defamation proceedings are under- claim large damages, while those without can made with the knowledge that it was false or taken to punish the offender, civil actions are only file for meagre damages, whatever the with reckless disregard of its falsity) – was pivpursued so as to derive compensation in the merits of the case being initiated. Since the in- otal in the developing jurisprudence against form of monetary damages. Also noteworthy tentions of the defendant have no bearing on SLAPP suits. In India meanwhile, the Delhi is that though the intentions of the accused are civil defamation cases, the action functions as High Court in M/S Crop Federation of India v relevant for any proceedings brought under an effective means of silencing critics by virtue Rajasthan Patrika demonstrated how despite Section 499 of the IPC, they are irrelevant in civil of the high damages sought, accompanied by the absence of anti-SLAPP legislation, Order 7 cases. Significantly, criminal and civil actions in the fact that companies usually hire the most Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure can be used to dismiss SLAPP suits. The plaintiff in relation to defamation are not mutually exclu- expensive lawyers to pursue their case. Defamation cases have, therefore, become the case was a company whose members and sive, and both can be pursued at the same time. The primary reason for pursuing a criminal a litigation sport of the privileged, and it is of- shareholders were insecticide manufacturers, remedy over a civil one is the relative efficacy ten the case that corporations do not neces- licensed to produce such goods. The first deof India’s criminal justice system, and the fact sarily file defamation cases to win or to make fendant was the newspaper Rajasthan Patrika, that the process itself acts as a punishment. a point against their opponents. Instead, their and the remaining defendants were employInitiating a criminal complaint means that the interest is in obtaining immediate injunctive ees of the newspaper. The plaintiff approached accused is obliged to appear before the court relief and drowning their opposition in pro- the High Court and claimed to be aggrieved by several articles published in Rajasthan Patrika until the case is over, often necessitating travel tracted and expensive litigation. to remote areas where cases may be filed. InOne of the most prolific users of defama- by the defendants, with respect to the alleged deed, a defamation case can be filed at any tion as a strategy of silencing media critics in levels of pesticides the company used and the location where the ‘offending’ publication is recent times has been the Indian Institute of alleged harmful effects these have on plant and available, which in the case of the internet can Planning and Management (IIPM) and its animal life. The plaintiff argued that these artimean legal proceedings being filed in unlikely, flash, ponytailed director Arindam Chaud- cles tended to defame all pesticide and insectiinconvenient though strategically useful plac- huri. In 2005, IIPM slapped a blogger with a cide manufacturers, which essentially included es. Referred to as ‘forum shopping’ or ‘libel defamation suit for pointing out that the insti- all the plaintiff’s members and shareholders. According to the court: tourism’, this approach has become an effec- tute was not accredited to either the UniverThe present suit contains all the ingretive means to intimidate outspoken journalists sity Grants Commission (UGC) or the All India dients of a ‘Slap suit’. A strategic lawsuit and publications. The use of defamation laws Council for Technical Education. In 2009, IIPM against public participation (SLAPP) is by corporations to quell media criticism has successfully obtained an interim restraint (an a lawsuit intended to censor, intimidate by now become an established aspect of the injunction that prevents a party from engagand silence critics by burdening them country’s legal arena. This tendency has even ing or continuing to engage in a particular acwith the cost of a legal defense until they been acknowledged by the Supreme Court. In tivity such as the publishing of a book) against abandon their criticism or opposition. Indian Oil Corporation v NEPC the court ob- an article in Careers360 titled ‘IIPM – Best only Winning the lawsuit is not necessarily served that there was: in claims?’ The article investigated the validity the intent of the person filing the SLAPP. A growing tendency in business circles to of the claims made in IIPM’s advertisements. In such instances the plaintiff’s goals are convert purely civil disputes into crimi- IIPM also secured an order from the Gwalior accomplished if the defendant succumbs nal cases. This is obviously on account of Court directing the Department of Telecom to to fear, intimidation, mounting legal costs a prevalent impression that civil law rem- block 73 URLs, including that of the UGC, the or simple exhaustion and abandons the edies are time consuming and do not ad- country’s regulatory authority for higher educriticism. A SLAPP may also intimidate equately protect the interests of lenders/ cation, for bringing to light the fact that IIPM others from participating in the debate. creditors. Such a tendency is seen in sever- was not recognised by the body. In 2011, IIPM
Justice Ravindra Bhatt, who delivered the judgment, went on to make further observations about the dangerous tendency of SLAPP suits, and made special note of the precedent established in the Greenpeace case, in which Tata initiated a lawsuit against Greenpeace for developing a game modeled on Pac-man that depicted the Tata logo as a turtle-eating predator. In this case, the court applied the principles established in Bonnard v Perryman to defamation cases and refused to grant an injunction on the grounds that it would be unreasonable to fetter the freedom of speech before the full trial takes place, where each of the parties can argue in detail with the help of additional evidence. Still, in India, defamation suits have gained a reputation for being easy to bring, even though they may be hard to win. Despite the cited rulings, the deep pockets of committed SLAPP users (for example IIPM or Bennett, Coleman and Co Ltd) illustrate that money and muscle power can go a long way in manipulating the system. It is also important to note, however, that sometimes a defamation case can itself be the catalyst for the mobilising of public opinion against the person or company filing the case. An example of this in the UK is the infamous McLibel case (which spanned two decades), in which McDonalds sued two activists for the production and distribution of pamphlets targeting the company. McDonalds eventually spent up to GBP 10 million in legal costs while the activists raised GBP 40,000 from the public to mount their legal defence. The trial turned out to be the longest trial in the history of UK law, with the court finally delivering its 762 page judgment in 1997. Justice Bell held in favour of McDonalds on some of the more extreme claims that had been made by the activists (including the allegation that McDonalds was to blame for starvation in the Third World and had used lethal poisons to destroy vast areas of Central American rainforest). In what many perceived as a PR disaster for McDonalds, however, Justice Bell also held that the corporation had helped to “depress wages in the catering trade”, had exploited children in its advertising, and “pretended to a positive nutritional benefit which their food did not match”. McDonalds did not claim the damages that were awarded to them and were relieved instead with the wrapping-up of the case, especially given the media interest that it had garnered and its rightful portrayal as a David versus Goliath struggle. While the case provides many lessons on how a SLAPP suit itself can be converted into a critical media event (which can generate further adversity for companies), the stranglehold that companies often have over the media makes it unlikely that this will be a common occurrence. The phenomenon of paid news, for instance, more-or-less ensures that companies who are using SLAPP suits are unlikely to face challenges from other media houses. If we recognise that corporate censorship takes a form similar to either state or lumpen bullying, there is a need to develop principles that proactively protect citizens against it. The Supreme Court in S Rangarajan v Jagjivan Ram clearly established that freedom of speech and expression does not just entail the right of a person to express his opinions freely, but also entails a duty cast upon the state to ensure that there is no interference with such a right. The court held that: If the film is unobjectionable and cannot constitutionally be restricted under Article 19(2), freedom of expression cannot be suppressed on account of the threat of demonstration and processions or threats of violence. That would be tantamount to a negation of the rule of law and a surrender to blackmail and intimidation. It is the duty of the State to protect the freedom of expression since it is a liberty guaranteed against the State. The State cannot plead its inability to handle the hostile audience problem. It is its obligatory duty to prevent it and protect the freedom of expression. The need of the hour is a similar recognition that bullies do not necessarily wield lathis, but instead, often come dressed in impeccable suits. ~Lawrence Liang is a lawyer and writer at the Alternative Law Forum, Bangalore. He is also a distinguished fellow with the Centre for Internet and Society
Saving an endangered bird – with tricks, tactics and love Azera Parveen Rahman
I
IANS
ts not a typically pretty bird to ‘ooh and ‘aah over. Far from it, the Greater Adjutant Stork is a big bird with a dull-orange bill and grey, black and white feathers. An endangered species, its numbers were plummeting until wildlife biologist Purnima Devi Barman intervened and, nine years later, has led a village here to become the worlds largest breeding colony for this bird. The Greater Adjutant Stork is the rarest of the 20 stork species in the world. Once widely found in the northern and eastern parts of India, and South and South East Asia, it is now confined to only three places in the world -- Assam, Bihar and Cambodia. Assam has about two-thirds of the 1,200 surviving storks in the world. Called ‘Hargila' (one which swallows bones) locally, the Greater Adjutant Stork is a scavenger whose role in the food chain is crucial. However, owing to its bad odour and loud sound, people drive it away, or worse, kill it. Working painstakingly to change perceptions, Barman has been fighting the battle since 2008 in a small village called Dadara in the Kamrup district of Assam where most of these birds are found. The turning point in her life came when, Barman says, she witnessed the sheer apa-
thy and ignorance of the locals towards the bird first-hand. "One day, while I was still doing my PhD, I was walking through a village and saw a private land-owner cutting down a tree which had the nest of a Greater Adjutant Stork. When I confronted him, I realised that he was unaware about the bird's significance in the ecosystem," Barman told IANS. "That was when I decided to delay my PhD and first work on protecting the bird by educating the people of the villages on its significance." It has taken ‘Hargila Baideo' (Stork sister), as she is now lovingly referred to by villagers, nine long years to get people to shed their previous notion about the bird and start loving it. During this time, Barman chose both traditional and "tricky" methods to gather public support. "The Greater Adjutant Stork nests on tall trees that are usually on privately owned land; and since the birds were viewed with repulsion, the trees would often be cut. So my approach was to make land-owners take ownership of the bird. But instead of telling them what to do straightaway, we decided to make them connect with the bird through various activities," Barman, who is associated with the NGO Aaranyak, said. Among the activities was the Bhagwat Geeta procession in which a ‘Hargila Army'
would take part. "The Hargila Army would be people wearing a headgear in the shape of the stork. This immediately attracts attention and helps us highlight the importance of the bird," she said. They also tied up with the Sankardev Sishu Niketan school in the Kamrup district where most of the tree owners' children went. Children, Barman said, were an important influence on the family's opinion, and through their tie-up, children were encouraged to adopt a bird, thereby making the conservation movement self-sustaining. Women, Barman however realised, would often skip the awareness campaigns and other community meetings. "So we decided to lure them with a cooking competition at the end of which the traditional meal prepared would be offered to the deity. The religious angle made it difficult for the women to say no, and once they came, we presented them with the facts of how the Hargila helps their families and communities, and should therefore be protected." As the movement gathered momentum, and a sense of ownership and pride replaced the earlier repulsion, things began to look up. Barman decided to step on the gas and weave the livelihood angle into the campaign. They formed a self-help group in which women were taught different handloom techniques to create Hargila designs
on merchandise such as the traditional mekhla-chador that Assamese women drape. Wetland degradation has also played a major role in the plummeting numbers of the Greater Adjutant Stork. During the breeding season, the bird is dependent on the wetlands for its food -- frogs, reptiles, fishes, etc. "But because of rampant, illegal construction activities, conversion to farmland, and unchecked garbage disposal, wetlands are dying a slow death. It's a vicious cycle. We have therefore been running a ‘Save Wetland, Save Greater Adjutant Stork' campaign too," Barman said. On the success of her work, the conservationist said, "Before we started in 2008, there were 28 nests. Later, in 2014, when we did a survey, there were 170 nests. Today Dadara village is the world's largest breeding colony of the Greater Adjutant Stork." Despite her best efforts, it's not all good news. In the last week of January this year, as many as 22 carcasses of the Greater Adjutant Stork were found in the Deepor Beel wetland near here. Even as investigations got underway, Barman opined that the solid waste disposal site of the municipality near Deepor Beel, on which the birds are often found feeding, should be moved to another site. "It's an uphill task, and the fight must go on," Barman says.
Motivation To Work Culture Veto V Zhimo Asst. prof., Dept. of Commerce, St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama.
A
word motivation expresses an enthusiasm. Motivation explains a process which inspires the person to work, to contribute to the best of capability; it directs human needs and controls the behaviors of human being. Abraham Maslow proposed five types of human needs explain how needs influence human behavior through his “Need Hierarchy Theory of Motivation” in 1943.The hierarchical process of human needs is, 1. Physiological needs. 2. Safety and security needs. 3. Social needs or affiliation or acceptance needs. 4. Esteem or Ego needs. 5. Self-actualization needs. The physiological needs talks about a need for survival and maintenance of human life;themodern generations need to understand that ‘physical needs for the survival must be earned by physical work; any type of labor that you are capable of is your weapon to survival’. The Safety and security needs. Itrelate to the physical security and economic security needs of person; Generations the work culture that you developed out from your capability can give you a life of security and safety, and it will let a person choose you as a skilled employee, we know skilled are the person who are professional in their own works and it is developed by the weapon called work culture as such you will content to satisfy Physiological needs even in the future. The Acceptance Needs; This needs relate to social interaction these are the desires to belong and be socially accepted, to love and be loved as a social animal: the society are in the era of linking people and are developed to acceptance to the people who have better job, self sufficient earned and doing prestigious and regard able work. Socialism is one of those reasons why many individuals go to work and thus develop affiliations, acceptance, and belongingness’ that are important to the social humanism. The Esteem or Ego Needs; These needs are of two different set of needsthe need for a positive self image and self respect- the need for the recognition and self respect from others; These needs are build by way of bringing up on counting self experience which earns confidence and by way of creating an social image by acknowledgeable work that is recognized and thus it earns prestige and group attention of the society at his or her movements even, as they are the one who transform themselves From The Labor to Skilled Workers, From Learners To Professionals and from Educated Learners to fill Experts. The self Actualization or self fulfillment Needs; These needs is the desire to become everything one is capable of; This are the desire to realize one’s own full creative potentials through creativity, self expression and developed to become what he/she is capable of becoming; The self Actualization needs person are the leaders and creative persons who build the nation by optimum utilizing of resources and also,they are the person who have the ability and capabilities to gather all Forces from Labor to Expertise person as they are the man of hard work with experience and highly qualified intellectuals with wisdom. Motivation controls the human behaviors is one of the factor that can be proved by person needs on maximum self development so also, a person needs achievements one after other is beyond infinity. Looking back to the world history the colonialism/colonizeera by Japanese and British so also The extension of US influence through economic investments in the regions so calledDOLLARDIPLOMACY. Are the works of ambitious nation Leaders having motive to gather the resources for higher need of the nation beyond individuals. Today we Generations have to give deep thought in developing work culture in us by way of honest job doing, honest task solving, honest learning and doing any type of job on honest earning, which is the way to gather the resources for one and for all kinds’ of development. We the generation learners’ have to believe in oneself that, Discrimination, Ego, Pride, Class, Inferior and Superior complex can cut out from our minds and deeds, as it is one of those reason which keeps us awayfrom developing work culture anddoing jobs on honest earning and thus it lead us to unskilled and unemployment. The world is growing to the heights of Expertise in their own filland yes, ‘it is time to put our dreams into practice as it is the need of the hour.At last to my thought I ask to myself that, “If you are so busy preparing to organize an hour program for a day, how are you preparing for your dream life”.
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tuesDAY 21•02•2017
INDIA
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
After PM's graveyard jab, comes Akhilesh's ‘Gujarat ass' punch
Rae BaReli/Jalaun, FeBRuaRy 20 (ianS): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi by asking Amitabh Bachchan to stop promoting "donkeys of Gujarat" -- a sarcastic reference to a tourism promo on wild asses that features the superstar. The remarks amid the hotly contested and bitterly fought Uttar Pradesh elections came a day after Modi told a rally that the ruling Samajwadi Party in the state was appeasing Muslims and said "if a village has a qabristan (graveyard), it should also have a shamshaan ghat (cremation ground)". Yadav responded to the Prime Minister at a rally in Rae Bareli, urging Modi to stop promoting donkeys and "focus on more important things". "There's an ad which shows donkeys. I appeal to the century's biggest star that he should stop promoting donkeys of Gujarat," the Chief Minister said, without naming Amitabh. "Have you ever heard of campaigning for donkeys? Gujarat's people are doing campaigns for donkeys. Then they accuse me of working only for qabristan," the 44-year-old Sama-
Camaraderie between Rahul, Akhilesh enthuses workers
JhanSi, FeBRuaRy 20 (ianS): Once political rivals, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav seem to be sharing great camaraderie in Uttar Pradesh assembly polls for which their parties have stitched an alliance. The "chemistry" between these two is reflective in the election rallies where both leaders look in sync with each other whether it is the body language or the crowd pulling tactics. The assembly polls are underway in India's largest state. In one such rallies in Jhansi where Rahul Gandhi landed in a helicopter, the Congress leader waited for half an hour for Akhilesh Yadav only to go to the stage together. When the duo
Akhilesh Yadav and Narendra Modi
jwadi Party chief said. The Bollywood megastar, the brand ambassador of the Gujarat Tourism who was once close to the Yadavs in Uttar Pradesh, has been campaigning for the wild ass sanctuary in Gujarat for years. The remarks are the latest in the caustic campaigning for Uttar Pradesh polls - seen as the semifinal before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Modi told a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur district that "no discrimination" should be made on the basis of caste or religion. "There must be bi-
SC junks plea against UP pension scheme new Delhi, FeBRuaRy 20 (ianS): The Supreme Court on Monday junked a plea challenging the Akhilesh Yadav government's 'Samajwadi' pension scheme for the poor in Uttar Pradesh. Dismissing the plea by some Hindu Front for Justice, the bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul described the scheme as "beautiful one". 'Hindu Front for Justice' had moved the top court challenging the Allahabad High Court order which had dismissed the plea saying it lacked merit. The petitioner 'Hindu Front for Justice' had contended that the scheme provided 25% reservation for minorities and the same was not permissible under the Constitution.
Bengal minor's arm amputated, kin calls it 'medical negligence' KolKata, FeBRuaRy 20 (ianS): The family of a minor whose arm had to be amputated following an infection, on Monday protested at a primary healthcare centre in West Bengal, accusing the authorities of medical negligence. Farzana was brought to the Muradih Block Primary Healthcare Centre in Purulia district on January 30 with a stomach ache. "The doctor didn't even properly examine her. He gave an injection and prescribed a medication. Later on, the arm turned black. We went to consult experts from Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, and were told that nothing could be done as the infection had spread," Farzana's father said. Her left arm was eventually operated upon and amputated below the elbow at a hospital in Chennai. The girl's father demanded strict punishment for the doctor and the nurse, as the rest of his family and neighbours staged a demonstration outside the healthcare centre.
jli (electricity) both on Eid and Holi," said the Prime Minister. Yadav retorted by let Modi swear on the Ganga if his government had not ensured uninterrupted power supply in Varanasi - the Hindu holy city and the Prime Minister's parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh. "You revere Ganga maiyya. Why don't you swear on the Ganga and tell us is the Samajwadi Party government giving 24-hour electricity in Varanasi or not?" Modi also continued with his no-holds-barred criticism at a poll rally in
Jalaun of the Bundelkhand region that he said had suffered from the years of neglect by Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party governments. He said the BJP's fight was against SCAM that stood for the Samajwadi Party, the Congress, Akhilesh (Yadav) and Mayawati of the BSP. "You have an opportunity in this election to throw SCAM out from Bundelkhand," he said. He also mocked at Mayawati's opposition to the November 8 note ban and said the BSP actually the 'Behenji Sampatti Party' calling it a personal asset of
the former Chief Minister. "Where has Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) reached today...when I announced note ban on November 8, rivals SP and BSP, who never see eye-to-eye, came together? I was amazed when I launched the war against corruption and asked for the details of black money. They came together and all including the Congress started speaking the same language." He said Mayawati had alleged that the government was ill-prepared with its demonetisation move but "was it the government or it were you who was not
reached, it looked as if they were from one party. Though their outfit was different, their style was alike. While the Samajwadi Party leader wore white 'kurta-pajama' which was suggestive of him trying to establish himself as a rural leader, the Congress scion was in jeans and kurta with a scarf around his neck bearing his party's symbol. They were complimentary to each other in their speeches, seeming to have been scripted by one. The outgoing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said bicycle -- the SP's electoral symbol -- had gained speed while Rahul Gandhi remarked their friendship had changed the mood of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
prepared". "Money started being deposited in banks all of a sudden and Mayawati started shouting as why is it only at election time that the account of her brother has been made public. "You have deposited Rs 100 crore after note ban. Those who deposit wealth for themselves, can they solve your problem?" he asked. Modi making controversial remarks out of frustration: Congress The Congress on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his controversial "graveyard and cremation ground", remark alleging him of "viti-
ating" the atmosphere during the state polls. While urging the Election Commission to take cognizance of the matter and issue a notice, the party asked, if the Commission would initiate an inquiry into the matter. "The Prime Minister, true to his form, is vitiating the atmosphere during election time," Congress leader Anand Sharma told media. "He has tried to stir communal tensions and polarise the society. His speech on graveyard and crematoria, shows his mindset and reflects his true face," the Congress leader said. On the ques-
tion that few Samajwadi Party leaders also abused the Prime Minister, Sharma said: "Congress party has not said anything that has assaulted the dignity of the office of the PM." "We have strong differences with the person who occupies the office. But at the same time, we have kept the decorum and dignity of the political discourse," he added. "People would react to what he says. He should not provoke people and use language which is unacceptable and unbecoming of the PM of India," he added.
Afghan intelligence playing into India's hands: Musharraf Stalin calls people to protest against AIADMK government
iSlamaBaD, FeBRuaRy 20 (ianS): Former Pakistan President Pervaiz Musharraf has said that Afghanistan's intelligence agency -the National Directorate of Security (NDS) -- was playing into Indian hands, and was being used as a tool for facilitating terror groups in Pakistan, media reported on Monday. "This operation (Zarb-e-Azb) cleaned up all the camps and launching pads of terrorists, who were supported by the Indian spy agency with the collaboration of NDS, to destabilise the tribal areas," Musharraf was quoted as saying to a TV Channel by Pakistan Today. The former Pakistan military chief said that operation Zarb-eAzb had no shortcomings as it was
specifically for North Waziristan. "Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has always been a sectarian outfit and is extensively involved in killing minorities in Quetta," he said. He said that in his tenure as a military chief and President of the country, Paksitan was succeeding. "We were able to bring India to the negotiating table and to sort out issues that India was not ready to discuss," he said. Asked why he did not wipe out these outfits during his tenure, he said these terrorist groups did not exist during his tenure. "This all started after I stepped down; we had carved out an effective strategy vis-à-vis Kashmir, we were near resolving Kashmir issue
with India on a four-point agenda, our policies were successful; America and China were aligning with us." On the arrest of 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Jamat-Ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, Musharraf said Hafiz was not a terrorist. "Hafiz Saeed is not a terrorist, it should be established as he runs a very large charity; they contributed to relief activities in postearthquake and post-flood periods in Pakistan." He said Hafiz Saeed was against Taliban and Al-Qaeda and that the nation should not be confused and that India is against them because their supporters go voluntarily to Jammu and Kashmir to fight the Indian Army, the report added.
India looks to expand energy ties with Myanmar
chennai, FeBRuaRy 20 (ianS): DMK Working President M.K. Stalin on Monday called all to join the party's hunger protests on February 22 and added that the party would soon bring a noconfidence motion against the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker. Stalin also said appointment to meet President Pranab Mukherjee has been sought to brief him about the happenings in Tamil Nadu. Stalin said the DMK party will hold series of protests till this AIADMK government was removed. Narrating the sequence of events that happened in the state after the death of AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa till the former Chief Minister O, Panneerselvam's revolt and the passage of confidence motion Stalin said the people of this state were opposed to this rule and the government has to be removed. "This is people's problem and they have to come out and protest," Stalin said calling for the support of students, government employees, trade union members and others. He said people are angry at Chief Minister K. Palaniswami and the legislators supporting him were not able to go to constituencies. Stalin said AIADMK Gen-
new Delhi, FeBRuaRy 20 linking India's northeastern states ery, " Padmanabhan told Reuters. NRL plans to treble its refining (ReuteRS):India plans to sell re- with Myanmar. The Indian oil minister's trip capacity to 180,000 barrels per day fined crude oil products to Myanmar as part of New Delhi's efforts to comes months after Myanmar in four to five years. Myanmar's redeepen ties with its eastern neigh- leader Aung San Suu Kyi visited fined fuels consumption is estimatbour, which is expected to see strong New Delhi, courting investments in ed to rise at an average annual rate demand for fuels as it builds new sectors left in disarray under nearly of 6% over the next 10 years to 2026, roads, factories, utilities and air- 50 years of a military dictatorship. A BMI Research, a unit of credit ratings ports. Indian oil minister Dharmen- sweeping electoral victory for Suu agency Fitch Group, said last month. B. Ashok, chairman of India's dra Pradhan began a five-day trip to Kyi's party in 2015 paved the way for Myanmar on Monday, scouting for the lifting of U.S. sanctions against top refiner Indian Oil Corp earlier this month said his firm was looking opportunities in oil exploration, re- her country last year. Numaligarh refinery Ltd (NRL), for downstream opportunities and fining and products retailing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi a unit of India's state-run Bharat Pe- the sale of refined fuels to Myanmar. wants to expand ties with the coun- troleum Corp, is looking at selling ONGC Videsh Ltd, a unit of Oil and try's eastern neighbours including gasoil into northwest Myanmar, its Natural Gas Corp last year said his Myanmar to develop its landlocked managing director said. "Initially it firm was in exploratory talks with will be a small quantity. We will look Gazprom for the supply of natural Kochi, FeBRuaRy 20 (ianS): The key accused in northeastern states. for a long-term contract for diesel gas through a complex swap involvPradhan is also expected to disthe abduction of a popular Malayalam actress has esexports after expansion of our refin- ing Russia, China and Myanmar. cuss laying fuel and gas pipelines caped, police sources said on Monday. After monitoring his mobile telephone, police found that Pulsar Sunil was in Alappuzha. But before the accused, a driver, could be intercepted, he reportedly gave the slip. Another accused also escaped minutes before the police reached their hideout. But a friend who came to meet Sunil was taken into custody, the sources said. The actress, who was new Delhi, FeBRuaRy 20 (Pti): kidnapped on Friday night and then left off, alleged that The Centre today launched a nationwide Sunil committed the crime at the behest of others. Sunil programme under which 1.6 lakh boys reportedly told her that he had been hired to kidnap her and girls will work as peer educators to and if she resisted, he would have to use force. The actress adolescents and respond to their queries was let off near a director-turned-actor's house, from on key health issues including mental and where the police were informed and her driver Martin physical changes, nutrition and addiction. was arrested. 3 days later, the police have arrested three of Union Health Secretary C K Mishra the seven persons allegedly involved in the crime. launched the 'Saathiya' resource kit, including 'Saathiya Salah' mobile application, for adolescents as part of the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK). One of the key interventions under the programme is the introduction of the peer new Delhi, FeBRuaRy 20 (ianS): The Delhi educators (saathiyas) who will act as a catHigh Court on Monday issued notice to the JNU on a alyst for generating demand for the adoplea against a UGC notification that a Professor cannot lescent health services and imparting age guide more than three M.Phil and eight Ph.D scholars at appropriate knowledge on key adolescent The Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), C.K. Mishra launching the 'Saathiya Resource any one time. Justice V.K. Rao sought the response from health issues to their peer groups. Kit', at a function, in New Delhi on February 20. (PIB Photo) the Jawaharlal Nehru University on the students' plea by "We (India) were among the first counMarch 2. The May 5, 2016 University Grants Commission tries to launch an exclusive programme re- training can interact with adolescent popu- because apart from health, we are also notification recommends an upper limit on the number lated to adolescent and well-being which lation and some of the basic concern which talking about behavioral change. It is not of M.Phil and Ph.D students a faculty member can guide was called RKSK. We have been debating they have, they will be able to address. about Health Ministry approaching adoat a given time, which has become a bone of contention how to push RKSK. It is not an easy job as "The app and the kit that has been lescents with health messages, it's about between the students and the university administration. we are talking about 26 crore adolescent launched today is actually a tool to help changing thought, behavior and lifestyle The notification was adopted by the university during its population in the country. educators take this job forward. We are in adolescent," he said. 142nd Academic Council meet on December 26 amid "This is a critical mass of asset which is talking about 1.60 lakh peer educators in protests from several Council members. The students ar- available to the country and if we can drive the field who will be trained. Once they are India is home to 253 million adolescents gued that the UGC notification "threatens to put their futhis asset in the right direction, this is going Mishra said that India is home to 253 trained, they will be using this kit to reach ture in jeopardy" as they would not be able to find a supervisor due to the clauses prescribed in the notification. The to be the biggest dividend in terms of con- out to the adolescent population," Mishra million adolescents which is the largest said. He said that even with so much ex- in the world in terms of absolute numramifications of the notification would extend beyond ex- tribution to economy," Mishra said. He said that one of the best ways to pansion of social media, television and bers and when reproductive, maternal, isting students and would also mean that very few admissions in the current academic session would take place reach out to the adolescents was to reach others, there are many unanswered ques- newborn and child health (RMNCH) profor aspiring research scholars, thereby violating norms out to the community and therefore a sys- tions in the minds of boys and girls in the grammes were launched globally, India of mandated reservation norms, said the students. The tem was designed which was called peer villages today particularly related to good was the first country to add the '+A' i.E. Adolescent component to the RMNCH, makJNU counsel told the court that the administration will educators. "These educators are largely health and wellness. "This is an attempt to reach out to ing it today's RMNCH+A programme'. not issue admission forms and prospectus for the next from within the community, a boy and a girl, who we think with some amount of them. This is a very ambitious programme academic year till the next date of hearing on March 2.
Key man behind Malayalam actress' abduction escapes
made him sweat. The workers in both parties are enthusiastic over the bonhomie. "It is not difficult to change the course of politics when young leaders of same age join hands. It's inspiring for youths as well," Samajwadi Party leader Singhvrat Singh Yadav said. "While BJP was resorting to communalism and catch phrases, these two talk about development and social harmony. Their togetherness is becoming the need of this state," he added. "Congress' ideology is the closest to socialist ideology. The new thinking of these two leaders will pave way for the progressive development. Their chemistry is great, which is a good coincident," said Congress leader Ramkumar Shukla.
eral Secretary V.K. Sasikala was ruling through a benami. Referring to the eviction of DMK members from the Assembly on February 18 Stalin said all the opposition parties wanted the Speaker hold a secret ballot to decide on the confidence motion moved by Palaniswami. The other option suggested was to adjourn the house for a week and then take up the confidence motion and both were rejected by the Speaker P. Dhanapal, Stalin said. "We protested inside the Assembly in a peaceful manner. However police wearing assembly marshal uniform forcibly removed us," Stalin said. According to him the party legislators will bring a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. Stalin expressed satisfaction at the functioning of the Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao. Queried about the steps being taken to bring Sasikala to a jail here from the Bengaluru jail Stalin said the party would explore legal options to oppose such moves. He said DMK President M. Karunanidhi who is ailing was recovering step by step and is also advising him on party matters. Stalin said he does not consider anybody as his competitor/opponent when cited the absence of Jayalalithaa.
1.6 lakh boys, girls will now be peer educators to adolescents
HC seeks JNU reply on M.Phil, Ph.D admissions
RKSK launched in 2014 identifies six strategic priorities for adolescents -- nutrition, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), substance misuse, injuries and violence (including gender-based violence) and mental health. The peer educators will be trained across the country in a phased manner, ensuring optimum use of the resource kit, which is a ready source of a range of communication material specially designed to help them to be recognised and respected as 'saathiya', a good friend for the adolescents. The resource kit comprises activity book, Bhranti-Kranti Game, question-answer book and Peer Educator Diary. In addition to the kit is the mobile app 'Saathiya Salah' which acts as a ready information source for the adolescents in case they are unable to interact with the peer educators. While short films will be played by the peer educators at their group meetings, the activity book and games will bring about discussion and resolve adolescent queries. The shy adolescents or those unable to interact with the peer educators due to family reasons can access the information through the free mobile app as well as a toll-free helpline. Diega Polacios, Country Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said the resource kit has been designed to present the peer educators with key information on adolescent health, which would then enable them to communicate the same and help the adolescents at the grassroots or village level.
tuesdAY 21•02•2017
WORLD
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
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Iraqi forces battle their Airport killing seen on CCTV, probe way toward Mosul airport strains Malaysia & North Korea ties
sOutH OF MOsuL/ bAGHDAD, FebruAry 20 (reuters): U.S.-backed Iraqi forces fought Islamic State fighters on Monday to clear the way to Mosul’s airport, on the second day of a ground offensive on the jihadists’ remaining stronghold in the western side of the city. Federal police and elite interior ministry units known as Rapid Response are leading the charge toward the airport, located on the southern limit of the Mosul, trying to dislodge the militants from a nearby hill known as Albu Saif. The Iraqi forces plan is to turn the airport into a close support base for the onslaught into western Mosul itself. Islamic State militants are essentially under siege in western Mosul, along with an estimated 650,000 civilians, after they were forced out of the eastern part of the city in the first phase of an offensive that concluded last month, after 100 days of fighting. “They are striking and engaging our forces and pulling back towards Mosul,” Major Mortada Ali Abd of the Rapid Response units told a Reuters correspondent south of Mosul. “God willing Albu Saif will be fully liberated today.” Helicopters were strafing the Albu Saif hill to clear it of snipers, while machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades could be heard. The advancing forces also disabled a car bomb - used by the militants to obstruct attacking forces. The Iraqi forces have been advancing so far in sparsely populated areas. The fighting will get tougher as they get nearer to the city itself and the risk greater for the civilians. Up to 400,000 civilians could be displaced by the offensive as residents of western Mosul suffer food and fuel shortages and markets are closed, United Nations Humanitarian
Coordinator for Iraq Lise Grande told Reuters on Saturday. Commanders expect the battle to be more difficult than in the east of the city, which Iraqi forces have took control of last month after three months of fighting, because tanks and armoured vehicles cannot pass through its narrow alleyways. The militants have developed a network of passageways and tunnels to enable them to hide and fight among civilians, disappear after hit-andrun operations and track government troop movements, according to residents. Western Mosul contains the old city centre, with its ancient souks, government administrative buildings, and the mosque from which Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his self-styled caliphate over parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014. The city is the largest urban centre captured by Islamic State in both countries. Islamic State was thought to have up to 6,000 fighters in Mosul when the government’s offensive started in mid-October. Of those, more than 1,000 have been killed, according to Iraqi estimates. The remainder now face a 100,000-strong force made up of Iraqi armed forces, including elite paratroopers and police, Kurdish forces and Iranian-trained Shi’ite paramilitary groups. The westward road that links the city to Syria was cut in November by the Shi’ite paramilitary known as Popular Mobilization forces. The militants are in charge of the road that links Mosul to Tal Afar, a town they control 60 km (40 miles) to the west. CIVILIAN LIVES Coalition aircraft and artillery have continued to bombard targets in the west during the break that followed the taking of
eastern Mosul. The United States, which has deployed more than 5,000 troops in the fighting, leads an international coalition providing key air and ground support, including artillery fire, to the Iraqi and Kurdish forces. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis who arrived in Baghdad on Monday on an unannounced visit, declined to offer details about U.S. battle plans when speaking to reporters on Sunday. “The coalition forces are in support of this operation and we will continue ... with the accelerated effort to destroy ISIS,” he said, using an acronym for the militant group. Mattis also said the U.S. military is not in Iraq to seize the country’s oil, distancing himself from remarks by President Donald Trump. Islamic State imposed a radical version of Islam in Mosul, banning cigarettes, televisions and radios, and forcing men to grow beards and women to cover from head to toe. Citizens who failed to comply risked death. Capturing Mosul would effectively end the Sunni group’s ambitions for territorial rule in Iraq. The militants are expected to continue to wage an insurgency, however, carrying out suicide bombings and inspiring lone-wolf actions abroad. About 160,000 civilians have been displaced since the start of the offensive in October, U.N. officials say. Medical and humanitarian agencies estimate the total number of dead and wounded - both civilian and military - at several thousand. “This is the grim choice for children in western Mosul right now: bombs, crossfire and hunger if they stay – or execution and snipers if they try to run,” Save the Children said, adding that children make up about half the population trapped in the city.
KuALA LuMPur, FebruAry 20 (reuters): Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Monday his government’s investigation of the killing of the North Korean leader’s half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, will be “objective”, as tension rose between the countries. Earlier on Monday, Malaysia said it has recalled its envoy from Pyongyang and summoned North Korea’s ambassador in Kuala Lumpur, who again cast doubt on the impartiality of Malaysia’s investigation into the murder and said the victim was not Kim Jong Nam. “We have no reason why we want to do something to paint North Korea in a bad light, but we will be objective,” Najib told reporters in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. CCTV footage obtained by Reuters appeared to show Kim Jong Nam being attacked at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday last week by a woman, who is believed to have wiped a fast-acting poison on his face. Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the video, and police officials were not immediately available for comment. Kim Jong Nam, 46, who had been living in the Chinese territory of Macau under Beijing’s protection, had spoken out publicly against his family’s dynastic control of isolated, nuclear-armed North Korea. South Korean legislators last week cited their spy agency as saying the young and unpredictable North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, had issued a “standing order” for his half-brother’s assassination, and that there had been a failed attempt in 2012. Malaysian police are hunting four North Koreans who fled from the country on the day of the attack, having already detained one North Korean man, a Vietnamese woman, an Indonesian woman, and a Malaysian man. At least three of the
North Korean suspects Ri Jae Nam (front L), Hong Song Hac (back L) and Ri Ji Hyun (R) are seen in this undated handout released by the Royal Malaysia Police to Reuters on February 19, 2017. Police identified the three men as suspects in connection with the murder of Kim Jong Nam. (Reuters)
Indonesia informs at least three murder suspects went to Dubai JAKArtA, FebruAry 20 (reuters): At least three of four North Korean men wanted in connection with the murder of President Kim Jong Un’s estranged half-brother caught a flight from Jakarta to Dubai on the evening of the attack, an Indonesian immigration official said on Monday. Suspects Ri Jae Nam, Hong Song Hac, and Ri Ji Hyon flew from Jakarta to Dubai on Emirates flight EK0359 at 10.20 p.m. local time last Monday, immigration ofwanted North Koreans caught an Emirates flight to Dubai from Jakarta late on the day of the attack, an immigration official in Indonesia told Reuters. Malaysia’s Star newspaper reported that all four had returned to North Korea. North Korea had sought to prevent Malaysia from conducting an autopsy, insisting the body be handed over. Its envoy in Kuala Lumpur accused Malaysian authorities of “delaying” the release of the body. “At the moment we cannot trust the investigation by the Malaysian police,” ambassador Kang Chol told reporters after talks at the foreign ministry. He said the embassy had only identified the victim as Kim Chol, based on
fice spokesman Agung Sampurno told Reuters by text message. The details of the fourth suspect were unclear. Malaysian police said on Sunday four North Korean suspects had fled Malaysia after the Feb. 13 attack in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, without saying where they went. Malaysian daily newspaper The Star reported the four men had made their way back to Pyongyang via Jakarta, Dubai, and Vladivostok in Russia.
the passport found on the dead man, and suggested a joint investigation with Malaysian authorities. Kim Jong Nam had been caught using fake travel documents in the past. Malaysia’s foreign ministry announced the withdrawal “for consultations” of its ambassador in North Korea and said the body would be handed over to the next of kin, although none had come forward. Malaysia’s health minister said autopsy results could be released by Wednesday. Malaysia is one of the few countries that maintains ties with the reclusive state and the dispute could further isolate impoverished North Korea.
“GETTING BOLDER” South Korea, acutely sensitive to events in its volatile neighbour, convened a meeting of its National Security Council. Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn told the meeting that it was nearly certain that North Korea was behind the killing. “The murder carried out in public at an international airport of a third country is an unforgivable and inhumane criminal act and clearly demonstrates the recklessness and brutality of the North Korean regime that will spare no avenues when it comes to perpetuating itself,” Hwang said. “The North Korean regime’s terrorism tactics are getting bolder so we must be more vigilant.”
South Korean and U.S. officials had earlier said the killing was probably carried out by North Korean agents. The grainy CCTV images showed Kim, wearing a light-coloured jacket and trousers and with a backpack on one shoulder, heading for an automatic check-in counter in the airport departure hall. A woman approaches Kim from behind on the left and another - identified by Fuji as the Vietnamese woman, wearing a white shirt - walks rapidly up behind him from his right, before what appears to be a scuffle takes place. In footage taken from another angle, the woman in the white shirt appears to lunge from behind and throw something over his head, locking her arms around him briefly. As the woman in white quickly walks away, the second woman also moves off rapidly in another direction. Later footage shows the portly, balding middle-aged man stumbling, wiping his face, and seeking help from people while gesturing to his eyes before being escorted to a clinic. The mother of the detained Indonesian woman told Reuters that her daughter, Siti Aishah, had been duped into believing she was part of a television show or advertisement. According to Malaysian media, the Vietnamese suspect, Doan Thi Huong, told police she had been tricked into taking part in what she thought was a practical joke. There is speculation that China’s patience with North Korea could be tested by the killing because Kim had been living in Macau, where he was headed when he was attacked. China said on Saturday it had suspended coals imports from the North, a vital source of revenue. China is seen to be irritated by the North’s repeated aggressive behaviour, including two nuclear tests since early 2016 and a Feb. 12 intermediate-range ballistic missile launch, the latest in a series of missile tests.
Chewing gum may affect digestive system We’re not here for your oil: US to Iraq
New yOrK, FebruAry 20 (IANs): Chronic exposure to a common food additive found in everything from chewing gum to bread can decrease the ability of small intestine cells to absorb nutrients and act as a barrier to pathogens, warns a study. Ingestion of the compound, known as titanium dioxide, is nearly unavoidable. It can enter the di-
gestive system through toothpastes, as titanium dioxide is used to create abrasion needed for cleaning. The oxide is also used in some chocolates to give it a smooth texture. “Titanium oxide is a common food additive and people have been eating a lot of it for a long time -don’t worry, it won’t kill you! -- but we were interested in some of the subtle effects,
and we think people should know about them,” said one of the authors of the study, Gretchen Mahler, Assistant Professor at Binghamton University, State University of New York. For the study, the researchers exposed a small intestinal cell culture model to the physiological equivalent of a meal’s worth of titanium oxide nanoparticles -- 30 nanometers across --
over four hours (acute exposure), or three meal’s worth over five days. Acute exposures did not have much effect, but chronic exposure diminished the absorptive projections on the surface of intestinal cells called microvilli, showed the findings published in the journal NanoImpact. With fewer microvilli, the intestinal barrier was weak-
ened, metabolism slowed and some nutrients -- iron, zinc, and fatty acids, specifically -- were more difficult to absorb. Enzyme functions were negatively affected, while inflammation signals increased, the study said. “To avoid foods rich in titanium oxide nanoparticles you should avoid processed foods, and especially candy. That is where you see a lot of nanoparticles,” Mahler said.
Retired policeman says worked for ‘death squad’ under Duterte MANILA, FebruAry 20 (reuters): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte operated a “death squad” while mayor of Davao city, giving cash and orders for police and assassins to murder criminals, according to a former policeman who said he was involved in the clandestine killings. In remarks contradicting his denial under oath last year of the existence of such a “death squad”, Arturo Lascanas said he was one of the ringleaders of the group that began operating when Duterte became mayor of the southern city in 1988. Duterte has repeatedly denied involvement in vigilantism or summary executions, either as president or during his 22 years as Davao mayor. His police chief has denied there was ever a death squad in Davao, describing it as fiction created by the media. On Monday, Lascanas asserted that the Davao death squad was no myth and he was one of those who carried out secret killings of drug dealers and criminals at Duterte’s behest. “It is true, the Davao death squad, or DDS, really exists,” Lascanas told reporters at the Senate in Manila. “When Mayor Duterte sat down as mayor for the first time, we started what is called ‘salvaging’ of people, these people are suspects committing crime in Davao.” “We implemented the personal orders
Arturo Lascanas, a retired Davao policeman, speaks during a news conference at the Senate headquarters in metro Manila, Philippines February 20. (REUTERS)
of Mayor Duterte to us.” Duterte’s legal counsel, Salvadore Panelo, said Lascanas’ allegations were a “continuing fabrication” and “another false narration”. Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said allegations that Duterte was linked to extrajudicial killings had been proved false by numerous independent agencies. “Our people are aware that this character assassination is nothing but vicious politics,” he told CNN Philippines. Lascanas said he had decided his “obedience and loyalty” to Duterte must end and had promised God that he would confess. He is the second man to go public with claims of involvement
in murders allegedly ordered by Duterte, the hugely popular president nicknamed “the Punisher”, whose ruthless approach to tackling crime has won public approval. ‘EXPLOSIVE’ The account given by Lascanas was similar to that of hit man Edgar Matobato, who testified in September he had also been a death squad member in Davao and he had seen Duterte shoot a man dead and give orders for police to kill criminals. Senator Antonio Trillanes, a critic of Duterte who appeared at the same news conference as Lascanes, said he would file a motion for a Senate investigation into the so-called Davao death squad. Another anti-Duterte Senator,
Leila de Lima, who led a Senate investigation last year into the Davao killings, described Lascanas’ account as “a very, very explosive development”. Human rights groups have documented about 1,400 suspicious killings in Davao while Duterte was mayor and critics say the war on drugs he unleashed as president has the same hallmarks. More than 7,700 people have been killed in the latest crackdown, some 2,500 in what police say are shootouts during raids and sting operations. Most of the rest are under investigation and activists believe many were extrajudicial killings. Lascanas said death squad members in Davao got 20,000 to 100,000 pesos ($398 to $1,990) per hit, depending on the target’s value. Some members, he said, were former Communist rebels. He confessed to the unsolved murder of a Davao radio show host who was staunchly critical of Duterte. Lascanas detailed his involvement in the bombing of a mosque and the killing of the family of a suspected kidnapper. The victims included a pregnant woman, a small boy and an elderly person. Both attacks were ordered by Duterte, he said. “This is how it began, all the killings we did in Davao, whether we bury or we throw in the sea, we are being paid by Mayor Duterte,” he said.
bAGHDAD, FebruAry 20 (reuters): The U.S. military is not in Iraq “to seize anybody’s oil”, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said, distancing himself from remarks by President Donald Trump before arriving on an unannounced visit to Baghdad on Monday. Mattis, on his first trip to Iraq as Pentagon chief, is hoping to get a first-hand assessment of the war effort as U.S.-backed Iraqi forces launch a new push to evict Islamic State militants from their remaining stronghold in the city of Mosul. But he is likely to face questions about Trump’s remarks and actions, including a temporary ban on travel to the United States and for saying America should have seized Iraq’s oil after toppling leader Saddam Hussein in 2003. Trump told CIA staff in a January speech: “We should have kept
the oil. But okay. Maybe you’ll have another chance.” Asked whether a threat to seize Iraq’s oil was on the agenda for his Iraq visit, Mattis flatly ruled out any such intent. “I think all of us here in this room, all of us in America have generally paid for our gas and oil all along and I’m sure that we will continue to do so in the future,” Mattis told a small group of reporters travelling with him as he discussed his objectives for the trip. “We’re not in Iraq to seize anybody’s oil.” Mattis remarks are only the latest example of his policy differences with Trump. Trump has acknowledged that Mattis did not agree with him about the usefulness of torture as an interrogation tactic but, in a sign of Mattis’ influence, said he would defer the matter to his defense secretary.
Traffic jams cost US drivers $1,200 a year: study reveals
DetrOIt, FebruAry 20 (reuters): Traffic jams cost U.S. drivers an average of $1,200 a year in wasted fuel and time, and much more in Los Angeles, the city with the world’s biggest rush hour traffic delays, according to a study by INRIX Inc released on Monday. INRIX, based in Kirkland, Washington, aggregates and analyzes traffic data collected from vehicles and highway infrastructure. The company said the latest edition of its Global Traffic Scorecard report was based on 500 terabytes of data from 300 million sources. While Thailand was the world’s most congested country in 2016, according to the study, the United States had the worst traffic among rich, developed economies. Five of the
world’s 10 most congested cities are in the United States, INRIX found. U.S. traffic congestion is not a new problem, but it could get renewed attention if President Donald Trump pushes for a largescale infrastructure investment program as he has promised. Chronic traffic jams are a concern for global automakers, and some major cities have begun to limit private motor vehicle access to central city areas. The INRIX study sliced data in different ways. Los Angeles drivers spent an average of 104 peak drivetime hours fighting slow traffic during 2016. That put Los Angeles at the top of the list of cities where drivers spent the most hours stuck in slow rush hour traffic. But on a different mea-
sure, time stuck in congestion as a share of all driving, Moscow drivers had it worse. They spent 25.2 percent of their total driving hours on congested roads, while Los Angeles motorists spent 12.7 percent of their total driving time in slow traffic, the study found. In Bogota, Colombia, motorists spend 31.8 percent of their total driving time in traffic jams. The worst stretch of road in the United States is New York City’s Cross Bronx Expressway, where drivers on the 4.7 mile (7.5 km) road spent an average of 86 hours a year staring at the bumper of the car ahead. After Los Angeles, INRIX listed New York, San Francisco, Atlanta and Miami as the most trafficchoked U.S. cities.
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TuesDAY 21•02•2017
sports
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Hamilton has "zero Kolkata mourns legendary problems" with Bottas goalkeeper shibaji's death KOLKata, Feb 20 (IaNs): A pall of gloom descended on the football fraternity here on Monday as Kolkata paid homage to famed former India and Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Shibaji Banerjee who died on Sunday night. A Bagan legend who represented the club for 11 years winning 34 trophies and playing against Brazilian legend Pele when New York Cosmos toured India in 1977, Banerjee's body was taken to the office of Bengali publication Ganashakti in the morning, followed by stoppages at the Mohun Bagan club ground and then at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). Banerjee, for the record, was also a competent club level cricketer having scored runs in the CAB first diviL O N D O N, F e b r u ary 20 (reuters): Triple world champion Lewis Hamilton has clarified comments about not wanting to share data with Formula One team mates and says he has "zero problems" with new Mercedes arrival Valtteri Bottas. Hamilton told a Facebook Live session with F1 sponsor UBS last Friday that drivers should do their own "homework" rather than be able to copy a team mate's racing lines and braking points. "I go out, do my laps, do all my homework and the other guy can see everything," said the Briton. "When we're driving we're picking out braking points, bumps, tyre rubber marks on the track, all these different things to help get you through the corner quickest ... but because of this (shared) data they (team mates) can just copy you. "They should be able to go out there on their own
and find it all themselves, without you." Hamilton's comments were interpreted by some as Hamilton criticising Mercedes for insisting on shared data between team mates, but he took to Twitter on Monday to emphasise that was not the case. "I wish to clarify, I have not hit out at my team at all. My point on data sharing is solely my feelings about the sport in general," said the 32-year-old, who made his debut with McLaren in 2007 alongside double champion Fernando Alonso. "It has been my feeling since the day I started F1 and still is 10 years later. There is zero problems in my team, zero problems with Bottas." Hamilton is favourite to clinch a fourth title this season after losing out last year to team mate Nico Rosberg, who promptly retired. The German, a rival since their teenage years in go-karting, won fewer
races than Hamilton (9-10) but enjoyed better reliability. Hamilton beat Rosberg to the title in the previous two campaigns. The Briton has said it does not matter who his team mate is and spoke warmly of Bottas, who joins from Williams without having won a race so far. "It is interesting to see how it's going to go, how quick he will be, how quick he adapts, how he does with pressure ... I would say the most fascinating thing is the mind of my competitors, what limits they'll go to," Hamilton said during the Facebook Live session. "Some people will sell their mum to win a race, sell your soul, and some people will do other things so it's really interesting to see where Valtteri will go." The season starts in Australia on March 26 and Mercedes present their new car at Silverstone on Thursday.
sion league. He was a Port Trust representative at CAB meetings. One of the country's finest exponents between the sticks, Banerjee was a senior officer in charge of recruitment at Port Trust. After retiring, he served in various committees of Mohun Bagan club. He was at the stands on Saturday watching Mohun Bagan's 3-1 win over DSK Shivajians in an I-League tie. Mohun Bagan said a condolence meeting will be held on March 3. The All India Football Federation (AIFF), the game's parent body in the country, also condoled the demise. "It is sad to hear that we lost Shibaji Banerjee untimely due to a
sudden heart attack. He was one of the greatest goalkeepers, especially during spot-kicks," AIFF President Praful Patel said in a statement. Former and present stars of Mohun Bagan crowded the club tent as the cortege reached there in the afternoon. Some of Banerjee's teammates were in tears. Among those present were Chuni Goswami, Prasun Banerjee, Subrata Bhattarcharya, Sisir Ghosh, Prasanta Banerjee, Gautam Sarkar, Chinmoy Chatterjee, Monoranjan Bhattacharya, Aloke Mukherjee, Atanu Bhattacharya, Bhaskar Ganguly, Dibyendu Barua and Satyajit Chatterjee. Current squad members including star Haitian Sony Norde, Jeje Lalpekhlua, and Pronoy Hal-
der were also in attendance. Banerjee's photograph diving at Pele's feet to snatch the ball remains etched in the hearts of football lovers. Bhaskar Ganguly, another stalwart India goalkeeper and Banerjee's contemporary, said: "East Bengal and Mohun Bagan met several times. I have won many a times against him in matches. When I conceded four goals in a game, it was he who came first and encouraged me to make a comeback." Ganguly was talking about th 1975 IFA Shield final tie where he was replaced by Prasanta Mitra after leaking four goals. Mohun Bagan legend Chuni Goswami termed Banerjee's demise as "tragic".
Everton finally adapts to Koeman
LONDON, February 20 (reuters):Everton are finally playing in the manner that manager Ronald Koeman wants and the progress has been reflected in their climb to seventh in the Premier League table, according to left-back Leighton Baines. Koeman inherited a team with a poor defensive record when he took over in June, but Everton got off to a good start to the season under their new manager, getting through their first five league games without defeat before losing momentum. A run of two wins in 12 league games followed, culminating in a 1-0 loss to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Dec. 19, before Everton turned the corner, going on an eight-game unbeaten run "What we've shown Baines told the club web"Of course, it takes time to challenge for a Europa comes from the manager," site (www.evertonfc.com). but the team starts to reflect League spot.
the manager out on the pitch. The manager wants intensity, a bit of aggression and good football as well. "We can improve in all of those departments -- you always can -- but I think he has been more pleased in what he is seeing in that respect." Everton host basement side Sunderland in the league on Saturday, and Baines said the team was keen to keep the momentum going. "We're on a good run at the moment and, obviously, we've been working hard this week to extend that," he added. "At this level, there are fine lines at times. We work hard every week, we've been on a good run, a bad run and now we're back on another good run -- but, generally, the work we've done has been the same."
public discourse
Going beyond the Gender divide in Nagaland Sanjoy Hazarika The Wire
The anger over constitutional reservations for women is being expressed in a negative way only because of a larger atmosphere of frustration in the state
A
s the confrontation in Nagaland over women’s rights ( specifically constitutional reservations for women participating in local body elections) escalates, between those insisting on ‘protecting’ male-dominant traditions and others pressing for reform and an active role for women in elections, we tend to forget that it’s not an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ confrontation or simply patriarchy versus women’s empowerment, but a combination of many factors that are being overlooked in an effort to simplify issues. We need to be cognisant of the following: • Elections to 32 municipal and town councils in the state were notified after a gap of more than 12 years • The provision of 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies (ULBs) was staunchly opposed by various male-dominated tribal bodies and ‘civil society organisations’, who said that it infringed on article 371A of the constitution which provides special rights to Nagaland and protected its customary rights and traditions (without defining the latter) • Article 371A says that no Act of parliament will apply to Nagaland unless passed by the state legislature; after many delays, much debate, a lot of hesitation and turnabouts, the state government of T.R. Zeliang approved the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments applying to local bodies, which included the proviso for 33% reservation for women. Opposition to this triggered demands for withdrawal, boycotts and other intimidation of women contestants as well as threats of ex-communication, which are totally unacceptable. There were firings on protesters
in which three persons were killed, public buildings torched in Kohima, the state capital, and curfew clamped on both Kohima and Dimapur, its commercial hub. Women leaders are moving about with security guards, a sad day. • For the first time, at least in Nagaland, article 371A is being interpreted by ‘pro-tradition groups’ as conflicting with the constitutional provisions empowering women • A consequence of the agitation is a growing demand seeking the resignation of the chief minister and of MLAs; those issuing the call include male-run tribal organisations • Both sides (the traditionalists and non-traditionalists) are using the constitution to buttress their respective positions • But the state government seems to be in a funk and hastily passed a cabinet resolution which seeks the exemption of Nagaland from the constitutional provision of implementing ULB elections – a classic copout if there was one. Essentially, it amounts to throwing the baby out with the bathwater and the Centre must not acquiesce but use whatever good offices and the little goodwill that it has among the Nagas to stitch up an agreement based on trust, equality and consensus, without compromising on the constitutional assertion of equality of all. If it can’t do this, then it needs to find people who are respected among the Nagas and who can play a role, with government backing, in bridging the differences. There also appears to be a major common thread running through the commentaries of prominent scholars, writers and others on the current imbroglio. On the surface, this may appear as unconnected with the reservation issue. But it is critical to understand the heart of the complexity in the state and among the Nagas. This relates to the trust deficit with New Delhi and the latter’s complete opacity with regard to the so-called ‘Framework Agreement’ with the NSCN (I-M) of August 3, 2015. Till date, neither signing party has made this ‘accord’ public to allay fears and suspicions, not just of the Nagas but of many others in the region, especially in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, where there have
always exited concerns over territory and borders in the light of the NSCN’s assertions on a larger territorial space. So a deep sense of frustration has been building up in Nagaland – the contestation over women’s legal rights, asserted through the Supreme Court, gave space for this anxiety to overflow in an extremely negative way. I wonder if the thinking must have gone something like this: “We don’t know anything about this agreement which is 18 months old, we don’t trust this lot of politicians and now they’re thrusting this Indian constitutional provision down our throats without discussion”, despite the fact that this had been consistently opposed by the male bodies including the overall alliance of Naga tribes called the Hoho (all male representatives) since 2004. The trigger for the violence was the government’s own turnaround from an agreement to keep the elections in abeyance two days before the polls were to be held. This was forced by a high court order insisting on the elections on February 1. As a result of the turmoil, the elections were cancelled and have just been declared null and void. Fresh dates have not been announced. Prominent Nagas say that women’s groups have failed to understand the larger issues, although one influential tribal group has acknowledged that men have not accepted women as equal partners. A case in point is the fact that customs lays down that Naga women do not inherit ancestral property. A complex battle Charles Chasie, a prominent independent researcher and writer, says that the Naga system should be called patrilineal rather than patriarchal. But I think he was missing the point. The women’s groups, in this case the Naga Mothers’ Association, which has been at the forefront of the struggle seeking the right to contest elections, is at least as much about the attitude of Naga groups as about the law. Chasie wrote recently, “Today, things have changed and Naga women must be included in decision-making. If we do not include the women, we will not only exclude half the population. This will be to our cost. But the women too must be clear about their role in society and not be affected by happenings elsewhere or try to implement those ideas here without proper reflection.” He said that the Naga tribe
associations were prepared to accommodate women up to 40-50% of the bodies, but then said that these women would need to be nominated. Chasie, who is an old friend, went on (and this is the part that I completely disagree with for it is contradictory to the concept of a functional democracy), “Nomination would also ensure women’s presence as they would be ‘uncontested’. They would have avoided the problems associated with elections, including financial costs and enmities always involved in electioneering. They could also choose women of ability they know and place them where these women could make a difference, with more representation than they were asking!” “Why did the women leaders refuse? It would seem that the women leaders were more interested in making a political statement instead of having women’s welfare in their minds,” he added. I don’t think that is so: the Supreme Court took six years to rule on the case, upholding Naga women’s rights to constitutional provisions. I doubt if the highest court in the land was interested in merely making a political statement but asserting the democratic rights of people under the laws of the land, of which the fount is the constitution. There was enough time for tribal and civil society organisations, including women’s groups, to develop conversations on the need for change within society instead of opting for a head-on confrontation. Monalisa Changkija, the editor of the Nagaland Page and a resolute pro-rights campaigner on this issue, is quite acerbic in her editorials: “’Women’s reservation is necessitated in patriarchal societies for the historical fact of the practiced culture of inequalities ubiquitous in Naga society ~ even if we don’t practice dowry, sati, female foeticide and infanticide and the caste-system”. In a later editorial, “Clearly, here the problem is denial of the culture, customs and traditions of patriarchy and misogyny in Naga society, unfortunately even by some Naga women. Why is it that only Naga men believe that they alone can form organizations and appropriate for themselves the right to be the custodians of Naga culture, customs and traditions? What gives the right to all-male tribal organizations to demand women’s organizations of various tribes to disband or disassociate from the Naga Mothers’ Associations? What makes
Naga men believe that they have the right to dictate Naga women? It is the patriarchal culture. The other factor has makes Naga men take an even more strident position, as witnessed recently, is the fear of Naga women’s ascendency to political and economic power ~ after all, especially in the past three decades, Naga women have been scaling heights no Naga men has scaled before. This is a threat perception …” As a result of this confrontation, the Naga Hoho has split, with at least two other groups claiming to represent Naga tribal interests, the women’s movement has been damaged and the process of asserting equality under the law has been stalled. Chasie and other say that the name of the Nagas as standing for honour, equality and dignity has been tarnished. It is significant that Naga groups, which once contested the constitution and the very concept of India and their accession to it with arms, are now using this foundational document to contest each other’s views of rights as enshrined therein. We cannot forget that the constitution is an amalgam of many parts. Whether wisdom lies in quoting John Donne’s eternal lines, “No man is an island, entire of itself, every man is a piece of the continent” or not, no part of the constitution can be seen as unconnected to other segments. The section on fundamental rights make it absolutely clear – all must be treated equally and have the right to hold office and cannot be discriminated against on the basis of religion, caste, sex etc. It is no accident that the visionaries who founded of the republic gave this chapter their highest priority. It is in this light that the confrontation must be resolved. Many of us have friends, as I have said elsewhere, on either side of this unnecessary and tragic divide. There are many prominent figures in Nagaland who can help calm the tension and enable a mutually-agreed mediation. Their friends are prepared to help in this process. The government of India must stand firm on this fundamental issue. It cannot be seen to waver for the sake of political gain – it has already lost much goodwill as a result of its silence of the hastily bundled together ‘framework’, signed in a public space, hailed as historic but which still remains a secret document. Sanjoy Hazarika is director, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. Views expressed are personal.
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 21•02•2017
EntErtainmEnt
Sir paul mcCartney is a 'talented magician' S
ir Paul McCartney has been dubbed a ''really talented magician''. The 74-yearold musician was recently spotted showing off his trickery at a party in Los Angeles, and onlookers have described his act as ''really good''. One fellow party-goer said: ''Sir Paul is a really talented magician. He often performs tricks during any showbiz "Born to Die" collaborator bash he attends. He's actually reEmile Haynie, "Summer- ally good, people are always so time Sadness" songwriter shocked.'' It has been claimed Rick Nowels and Katy Perry producer Benny Blanco. And it is also claimed the music video for the new track was produced by Rich Lee, who has worked with Eminem, Maroon 5 and will.I.Am.
Lana Del Rey teases new music
S
inger Lana Del Rey has sparked rumours of new music by having a series of mysterious posters installed around Los Angeles. A fan site has been tweeting photos of the posters which popped up around the city, with the images showing the "Born to Die" singer advertising a
visual project called Love. Lana, 31, who hasn't released an album since Honeymoon in 2015, also registered a new song called "Young & In Love" recently, and it's been speculated the two are linked, reported NME magazine. It was previously reported "Young & In Love" has been co-written with
I
n a list that includes popular authors like J K Rowling who penned the famous Harry Potter series and Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho, India has found its presence in names like Bollywood veterans Anupam Kher and
Mahesh Bhatt. They are two of the three Indians who have been listed as one of the most influential authors by the website Richtopia. Anupam Kher is placed 12th for his book ‘The Best Thing About You Is You’. The actor was re-
tles and at one concert at Wembley in London he nearly gave it all up for good because it was so ''painful''. Asked by a fan on his website what his biggest fear is, he admitted: ''Performing, it was always the idea that the audience didn't like you and you had to prove yourself. ''I think that's why a lot of people get stage fright and get nervous. You think, 'Oh my god, I'm gonna be terrible, they hate me, and it's all terrible.'
''And so I think that was one of the earliest fears. I remember nearly giving it all up when we were doing a concert in Wembley - which was a Poll-Winners concert - in the really early days of The Beatles. ''And I remember feeling physically sick with a knot in my stomach thinking, 'I should give this up, this is just too painful, what am I doing?' I got over it. ''And as you can see I didn't give it up! So that's two different kinds of fears.''
Source: PTI
cently seen in his debut short film Kheer, which was released on Valentine’s Day and he will soon be seen in Naam Shabana where he will share the screen with Taapsee Pannu, Manoj Bajpayee and Akshay Kumar. The website which noted Anupam Kher as an Actor/Teacher/Author/ Motivational Speaker/ UN_Women Champion of Gender Equality @HeForShe movement took to Twitter to congratulate him. The CEO of Richtopia Derin Cag, confirmed to indianexpress.com that Anupam Kher has made it into the Top 20 list of most influential authors, and was ranked at the 12th spot, despite the tweet putting him at 6th, a mistake from the end of the website definitely! Other than a spectacular career in Bollywood, Anupam Kher is known for his acting school, his talk show The Anupam Kher Show and more. His work with Terribly Tiny Talkies was a debut into the genre of short films. Kheer released recently and was received well by audience on the YouTube channel. Source: Indian Express
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ormer One Direction member Louis Tomlinson has reportedly rekindled his relationship with former girlfriend Eleanor Calder. The singer is reported to have had a secret meeting with the fashion blogger here, after she had flown out there for work, reports mirror.co.uk. The couple split in March 2015, after being together for three years. "Louis and Eleanor spent a lot of time in Los Angeles together
Hollywood to face lawsuit for not hiring women directors
W
omen in Hollywood have always been vocal about the unfair behaviour against them within the film industry, and now it seems like the industry might have to face the heat in this matter from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). EEOC concluded the investigations in Hollywood's discrimination against hiring of female directors, the organization is now moving for settlement talks with all the major studios. "Every one of the major studios has received a charge contending that they failed to hire women directors. The EEOC is attempting to resolve the charges but, if unable to, may file a lawsuit," a source stated. EEOC is not ready to say anything about the issue, yet. It will only make information in public once a lawsuit is filed. This comes after a study found that on seven percent of last year's top-grossing films were directed by women directors. This marks a two percent decline from 2015 and with women only making up 17% percent of crucial behind-the-scenes setting. The discussion of the topic has been going around since many years now, but nothing has been translated in the increase of the female directors. With Petty Jenkins, helming the upcoming 'Wonder Woman' movie and Nicky Caro, recently chosen to direct the Disney's live-action 'Mulan' remake, there is a hope for improvement.
this month," a source told The Sun. "It's early days but they are an item again. Eleanor was flown to Los Angeles for a huge Tommy Hilfiger fashion event as she works with the label as a blogger. They have a really special three years together and they have found it quite easy to find that spark between them again." Tomlinson has been single for several months after splitting from Danielle Campbell last year.
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stronger and closer,” she continued. “Right now, I’m going through a moment when just everybody’s in my room,” she said. “Two dogs, two hamsters and two children at the moment. It’s wonderful. But, usually, I just wake up trying to figure out who’s going to get [the] dog out, who’s going to start the pancakes and did anybody brush their teeth.” When asked where she saw herself in five years, Jolie realised that she would be the mother of a bunch of teenagers by then. “In five years’ time I would like to be travelling around the world visiting my children, hoping that they’re just happy and doing really interesting things, and I imagine in many different parts of the world, and I’ll be supporting them.” Source: Hindutantimes
ReviSed TiCKeT RaTeS (Silver) : `.120 (Gold) : `. 200 (Recliner) : `. 400
Adele voted Music Icon of the Future 10:00 aM, 02:50 PM 07:50 PM
12:30 PM & 05:30 PM
Hillstar
Source: ANI
Angelina Jolie opens up about ‘difficult’ divorce
Now ShowiNg
Source: IANS
NOW SHOWING
‘We are, forever will be a family’ or the first time since filing for divorce from Brad Pitt in September, Angelina Jolie has opened about it. Speaking with BBC World News’ Yalda Hakim in Cambodia, where Jolie was promoting her new film First They Killed My Father, she said that, “I don’t want to say very much about that, except to say it was a very difficult time and… and we are a family and we will always be a family, and we will get through this time and hopefully be a stronger family for it.” “My family… we’ve all being through a difficult time. My focus is my children, our children… and my focus is finding this way through. We are and forever will be a family. I am coping with finding a way through to make sure that this somehow makes us
Source: Contactmusic
Louis Tomlinson, Eleanor Calder 'back together'
AnupAm Kher is one of the top rated Indian authors in Richtopia list
C M Y K
that The Beatles legend is thinking about expanding his career prospects and making his magic tricks available for hire. The source added to the Daily Star newspaper: ''He even mentioned that he would have to start hiring himself out for parties.'' However, the 'Hey Jude' hitmaker will have his work cut out for him if he wants to take his magic to the stage, as he recently admitted he suffered from terrible stage fright during the early days of The Bea-
Jolly ll.B 2
T
he Grammy-winning Hello hitmaker has beaten her own pop idol, Beyonce, to score the support of 50 per cent of Brits polled for the Mastercard survey as the ultimate artist who will stand the test of time. Beyonce comes second in the countdown, ahead of Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, and Robbie Williams. Coldplay, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, and Bruno Mars also make the top 10. Meanwhile, David Bowie has been voted the most iconic musician in pop history. The late rock legend claims the number one spot ahead of The Beatles, Queen, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson, who all make the top five. "Musical icons of tomorrow, such as Ed Sheeran, Adele, and Beyonce, all possess the same vital traits which have made artists like David Bowie and The
Beatles global successes; singing and songwriting is clearly a timeless art and speaks for itself," Nicola Grant, Mastercard's Head of Marketing for the U.K. and Ireland, says of the results. “People connect with that - it’s the priceless side of music.” The results have been released ahead of the Mastercard-sponsored BRIT Awards in London on Wednesday (22Feb17). British rapper Skepta and girl group Little Mix lead all BRIT Award nominees with three nods apiece, while Bowie and Zayn Malik are among the artists who each earned two nods. Adele is only up for Video of Year for Send My Love (To Your New Lover), while Beyonce will compete for International Female Solo Artist against her sister Solange Knowles and Rihanna, among others. Source: Contactmusic
11:00 AM | 05:00 PM
The Ghazi aTTack
02:00 PM | 08:00 PM
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TuesDAY 21•02•2017
SPORTS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Ibrahimovic fires Manchester United into FA Cup quarters
ASA golden jubilee tournament from Feb 28 kohima, FEbruary 20 (mExN): The Angami Sports Association (ASA) today announced that it will conduct its golden jubilee tournament from February 28 to March 4 at Kohima Local Ground and Indoor Stadium, Kohima. Informing this, ASA general secretary Er. Zale Neikha requested
all the units, players and tournament officials to be prepared for the success of the tournament. All the Angami villages have also been requested to submit the village youth or Association flag with village contribution of Rs. 2000 each on or before February 25 through their respective units
Stokes hits jackpot in IPL auction
(Reuters Photo) C M Y K
Ewood Park, FEbruary 20 (rEutErs): Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic came off the bench to score the winner as they recovered from an early deficit to beat Championship strugglers Blackburn Rovers 2-1 away in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday. The Swedish hitman entered the fray just part the hour mark at a murky Ewood Park and produced a typically silky finish in the 75th minute to spare holders United an unwanted replay. It was his first goal in the FA Cup and 24th in all competitions and sent 12-times
winners United into the quarter-finals where they will play at Premier League leaders Chelsea. United's passage was far from smooth, though, against the former Premier League champions who are now struggling to retain their second-tier status. Until United manager Jose Mourinho sent on Ibrahimovic and world record signing Paul Pogba in the 62nd minute the visitors were finding Blackburn a tough nut to crack. Danny Graham had put the hosts ahead before United forward Marcus Rashford equalised just
before the half-hour mark. Then, in a moment of supreme quality, Pogba's flighted pass found Ibrahimovic running in behind the Rovers rearguard and the veteran striker took his time before guiding a shot past keeper Jason Steele. "Did they give us a good game? More than good, they gave us a hard game and congratulations to them," Mourinho, who won the Cup 10 years ago with Chelsea, said. "Their approach was brave, strong. They had real competitors and if we didn't have the right attitude from everybody we
would be in real trouble." BRILLIANT GOAL Mourinho even graciously applauded as Rovers took the lead with a goal of real quality in the 17th minute. The lively Marvin Emnes did superbly to work some space before slipping an astute pass to Graham who finished superbly into the far corner with an angled shot. "We conceded a brilliant goal," Mourinho said, although it was matched by the quality of United's equaliser. There looked little danger when Henrikh
Mkhitaryan received the ball inside his own half but he dissected the Rovers defence with a pass played with the outside of his left foot and Rashford rounded Steele before sliding home. United dominated thereafter but still needed some inspired intervention from their substitutes to seal victory. Blackburn never gave up the cause, though, and thought they had scrambled a late equaliser when Anthony Stokes poked the ball home but a linesman's flag cut short the celebrations. United's success means the fixtures are
coming thick and fast as they prepare to visit St Etienne in the Europa League last 32 on Wednesday, protecting a 3-0 first leg lead, then face Southampton in the League Cup final at Wembley next Sunday. "Southampton is sleeping, is eating and resting and working for the League Cup final and we have had to play three tough games," Mourinho said. "It is so much more difficult for us, but for good reasons," added Mourinho, who can now also look forward to visiting his old club Chelsea in the FA Cup sixth round.
baNGaLorE, FEbruary 20 (rEutErs): England's Ben Stokes fetched a staggering $2.17 million in the Indian Premier League's (IPL) player auction on Monday, with the Rising Pune Supergiants splashing out in a frenzied bidding war to land the explosive all-rounder. The Pune franchise fought off Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad to get the 25-year-old, paying 145 million rupees despite his limited availability for the Twenty20 competition. With England hosting South Africa in a one-day series in May, Stokes is set to miss the final phase of the April 5-May 21 tournament, yet the bidding surged from his base price of 20 million rupees. Pune owner Sanjiv Goenka told reporters that Stokes, now the most expensive overseas player in IPL history, would bring something new to the team for the 10th edition of the tournament. "He's a complete player and he completes our squad. We've been lacking this one genre of player," he said. "We knew he was going to be there for the first 14 games ... We pretty much knew we were not going to get him for below this price." Tymal Mills, Stokes's England Twenty20 team mate, was snapped up for 120 million rupees by Roy-
al Challengers Bangalore, who will look to benefit from the left-arm fast bowler's ability to combine great pace with economy. Allrounder Chris Woakes was the third England player to get a hefty payday, going to Kolkata Knight Riders for 42 million rupees. Other big-earners included New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult and South Africa paceman Kagiso Rabada, who both went for 50 million rupees to Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils respectively. England's limitedovers captain Eoin Morgan went to Kings XI Punjab for a relatively modest 20 million rupees. D e l h i Da re d e v i l s bought Australian paceman Pat Cummins for 45 million rupees, while compatriot Mitchell Johnson, who quit international cricket in 2015, returned to his former team Mumbai Indians for 20 million. Owners mostly gave the cold shoulder to slow bowlers, with South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who tops both the one-day and Twenty20 bowling rankings, unsold. Mohammad Nabi became the first Afghanistan player to be bought in the IPL with Sunrisers Hyderabad offering three million rupee for the all-rounder. They also bought Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan for 40 million rupees.
Afridi retires from international cricket bENGaLuru, FEbruary 20 (rEutErs): Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has announced his retirement from international cricket, but said he wants to play in his country's domestic league for two more years. The flamboyant allrounder, who played the last of his 27 tests in 2010 and retired from one-day internationals in 2015, quit as Pakistan's 20-overs captain after the team's poor
World Twenty20 campaign in India last year. "I have said goodbye to international cricket," Afridi, who turns 37 next month, said in Sharjah after smashing a 28-ball 54 for Peshawar Zalmi against Karachi Kings in the ongoing Pakistan Super League. "I am playing for my fans and will continue to play this league for another two years but it's goodbye from international cricket. Now my foundation is
important for me. I have played with seriousness and in a professional way for my country." Known for his swashbuckling batting and tricky leg-spin, Afridi's last match for Pakistan was the defeat by Australia in the World Twenty20 in Mohali in March 2016. Despite his intention to continue in the game's shortest format, he has not been selected since that defeat.
Messi penalty rescues win for Barcelona barCELoNa, FEbruary 20 (rEutErs): Lionel Messi's late penalty saw bedraggled Barcelona scrape a 2-1 victory over Leganes on Sunday at a divided Nou Camp as the La Liga champions looked as if they had still not recovered from their harrowing midweek defeat to Paris St Germain. Messi scored both Barca goals, slotting home the crucial 90th minute spot kick to earn an undistinguished victory that keeps their title hopes flickering -- but it was another tough night for coach Luis Enrique, who was booed by some of the home fans. Messi, anonymous in the 4-0 Champions League defeat at PSG, put Barca ahead in the fourth minute but Leganes were rewarded for a bold approach which saw them create numerous chances when Unai Lopez levelled in the 71st minute after a huge error from Sergi Roberto. Neymar won a penalty late on which Messi converted to steal the win for Barca, keeping them within reach of leaders Real Madrid and temporarily easing the pressure on Luis Enrique. He was jeered by a large number of the home supporters but received roaring approval from the most vocal section.
GOMES UNDER FIRE Andre Gomes, who has failed to live up to his 35 million euros price tag since joining from Valencia in the summer, also came under fire and had to listen to a barrage of boos when hauled off for Andres Iniesta 10 minutes from time. Luis Enrique urged the fans to stick by the team. "I have nothing to say about criticism towards me because I can take decisions regardless of what the atmosphere is like, but players need to receive the backing and encouragement of the supporters," he told reporters. "I regret the whistles
towards Andre as we are much stronger when the fans are behind us. I don't understand why you would boo a player from your team. Everyone is free to express their anger how they like but booing doesn't make sense. "What helps is when the fans support us, which is what happened in the end and helped us get the win." The nervy victory keeps Barca within a point of leaders Real Madrid, who have two games in hand. Luis Enrique conceded another slip up could have done real damage to their confidence. "We got three points today that are absolutely
vital to keep going in the title race, a slip up would have been almost definitive, not in terms of points but on an emotional level," he said. Barca will be tested again next week at Atletico Madrid but the coach said he trusted his side to turn things around. "I'm sure we're going to improve immediately and you'll see that at the Calderon," he added. "I cannot fault the attitude of my players, their effort or sacrifice or intensity, it has not been better in any other season. Of course things are not quite going our way but we're trying to change that."
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