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FriDAY • FebruArY 24 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 52 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
When brothers fight to the death, a stranger inherits their father’s estate 61% voting in UP fourth phase polls
What is customary law for the Nagas?
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reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Rio congratulates Dr Shürhozelie DIMAPuR, FEbRuARy 23 (MExN): Nagaland Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio has congratulated Dr Shürhozelie Leizietsu who was sworn in as the 17th Chief Minister of Nagaland on February 22, 2017. “As one of the senior most politicians in the State, I am confident that your wide experience and wisdom will be of significant benefit to the State. Under your leadership, the feeling of regionalism is bound to be further strengthened and I am sure the regional party will take further strides forward,” Rio stated in a congratulatory note. The Lok Sabha MP also assured full cooperation and assistance in achieving “our collective goals for accelerated development and economic progress.” Also assuring sincere efforts towards the peace process, Rio hoped that “together we can bring lasting peace in Nagaland through an honourable political solution.” While pointing out that the NPF party has given its political commitment to the people during the elections, Rio said he would continue to stand by the promise made to the people during the elections. He also expressed happiness for accommodating some of the senior leaders in the cabinet on true reconciliation spirit.
Sharmila’s PRAJA vows to remove AFSPA, redraft ILP
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IMPhAL, FEbRuARy 23 (IANs): Irom Sharmila’s People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRAJA) on Thursday released its manifesto for the upcoming state assembly elections here on Thursday, promising that it will work for the revocation of AFSPA and will redraft the Inner Line Permit system. Manipur is scheduled to go to polls in two phases on March 4 and 8. Sharmila formed PRAJA last year with an objective to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. Sharmila, who ended her 16-year-long fast demanding the revocation of the AFSPA last year, decided to join politics so that she could repeal the act after becoming the Chief Minister. She said, “I have not given up on my campaign. I have merely changed the strategy.” The manifesto promises to work for the repeal of the AFSPA, redrafting of the Inner Line Permit system, 33 per cent reservation for women, judicious utilisation of the funds, improvement of education system and take the camps of the security forces at least 10 km away from residential and educational areas, among others. Sharmila, who hails from Khurai Assembly constituency, is taking on three-time Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh, in the Thoubal Assembly constituency.
T R u T H
— Ibo proverb
Force India aim to be a top three team
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First priority is to bring normalcy: Nagaland CM Rs. 5000 crore is parked in the state coffer, he said the state government will inquire into it. After the press conference, the CM headed to the Old MLA Hostel Compound (Phoolbari) along with all his cabinet colleagues to pay their respects to the two victims of the January 31 shooting in Dimapur, Khriesavizo Metha and Bendangnungsang Longkumer. A prayer service was conducted by Rev K Luruo, after which the CM laid two wreaths at the grave site.
• Dr. Shürhozelie starts first day in office with prayer meeting • Portfolio for new Ministers, PS will be decided in a day or two; status quo will be maintained for old ones • Yet to discuss on who will hold the post of NLA Speaker Now go and behave like new wines.
o F
Chizokho Vero Kohima | February 23
Dr Shürhozelie Liesietsu who assumed the chair of the Chief Minister on February 22 started his first day in office with a prayer meeting at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat here in Kohima this morning. Thereafter, along with the council of ministers, he interacted with AHoDs and HoDs to be acquainted with the working system of the bureaucrats and to seek their views. During the interaction, Dr Shürhozelie pointed out that legislatures come and go whereas the executives are the main body that continues. In a lighter vein, he remarked that government service is like terrace cultivation but politics is like a shifting cultivation. He said bureaucrats are part of the government
along with the legislators and the successful implementation of government policies depend on the executives. He stated that the executive is the most important organ of the government, adding that the success of any government depends on the effectiveness of the executives. Recalling the recent turmoil in the state, the Chief Minister rued the state had wasted so many days wherein business came to standstill and normal life was paralyzed. He expressed hoped that the situation will come to normal at the earliest. He said without peaceful environment, none would be able to work freely to develop the state. Later in the afternoon, Dr Shürhozelie interacted with the media during a press conference at his official residence. On the question of al-
Chief Minister Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu addressing the press conference in Kohima on Thursday, February 23. (Morung Photo)
location of portfolios to cabinet ministers and parliamentary secretaries inducted on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said status quo would be maintained for the old ones while portfolio for the new faces of the cabinet and parliamentary secretaries will be decided within a day or two. He also mentioned that more portfolios would be created if it is deemed necessary. On the question of who will replace Chotisuh Sazo as the new Speaker of the NLA,
Dr Shürhozelie declined to spell out names but commented that there are 2/3 names on the card but they were yet to discuss about it. The Chief Minister also expressed his sadness over the loss of the lives of the Naga youths during the unrest. He said Nagas have suffered a great loss in many aspects including the state’s economy. The CM asserted that his priority is to bring back normalcy to the state since without normalcy and complete
understanding among the people, the state cannot progress. On the stand of the NPF for the forthcoming Manipur polls, Dr Shürhozelie said the party had already issued 14 tickets to those who wanted to contest. NPF had already kickedoff the election campaign in hill areas, which has 20 seats and will continue to send NPF leaders batch wise for campaigning. On the allegation made by ACAUT that more than
Cabinet ministers seek cooperation from bureaucrats
Cabinet Minister Y Patton said it was the responsibility of the bureaucracy to help the political executive in formulating policy and also to carry out and implement the policies of the government. Speaking during the interaction with AHoDs and HoDs, Patton pointed out that civil servants are expected to actively assist the political executives in the exercise for formulating the policies of the government and its implementation. He opined that the officers should distribute
proper assignments to the staffs and maintain strict vigil over the employees to ensure that every employee works diligently for the welfare of the people. Further, Patton sought the cooperation of the civil servants and bureaucrats to the Chief Minister “so that together we can deliver justice to the people of the state in all fronts.” Cabinet Minister Yitachu also appealed to all the bureaucrats and the elected members to take moral responsibility in order to develop the society. He stressed that random appointment of government servants needs to be checked. “We won’t have a single penny left for development if we continue spending on salaries,” Yitachu said. He also stressed on the need to streamline all the confronting issues to build the state economy. With the appointment of new Chief Minister, he expressed hope that a lot of corrective measures would take place. Nagaland Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar meanwhile assured fullest cooperation to the government to achieve together high level of governance.
Finance Dept clarifies on state’s finances 10% drugs in govt supply chain below standard
DIMAPuR, FEbRuARy 23 (MExN): The Nagaland State Finance Department today issued a clarification in response to allegations made by the ACAUT Nagaland that more than Rs 5000 Crores released by the centre is parked in the state coffers. A press note from the Finance Department stated that information furnished by the government in response to an RTI was “misunderstood, leading to the wrong conclusion that the Government has huge funds in its coffers owing to non-utilization of funds released by the Centre.” The department said that the centre releases funds from time to time as per the norms recommended by the Finance Commission, and the state government takes into account all the funds receivable from all sources during a particular financial year and works out the estimates of receipts for the purpose of the state budget. The main sources of receipts of the state government, it informed, are the post devolution revenue gap grant, state’s share of central taxes, all other grants available under the award of the Finance Commission, state’s own tax & non-tax revenue, and the borrowings of the state government as permissible within the norms prescribed by the Finance Commission. It clarified that the post devolution revenue deficit grant and grant for disaster relief have been incorporated in the State Budget for the year 2015-16 and 2016-17.
“To verify the correctness of this statement, page 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum to the Budget for the years 2015-16 and 2016-17 may be referred to. Similarly, the grants indicated for the year 2017-18 will also be incorporated in the Budget for the year 2017-18,” it added. It further stated that while central grant against disaster relief is utilized specifically for disaster relief, the post devolution revenue deficit grant and the state’s share of central taxes, etc. are not tied to any specific programme/scheme but goes to finance the state’s expenditure as reflected in the budget of the respective year. It concluded that “since the above mentioned receipts have been/are being utilized to meet the expenditure as reflected in the budget of the respective year, there cannot be any question of any part of these central grants remaining unutilized.” With regard to delay in payment of salaries to SSA, RMSA, Hindi teachers etc, the department acknowledged that these are genuine concerns and are being tackled as best as possible. It however reminded that such programmes fall under Centrally Sponsored Schemes and releases under these schemes are directly linked to the corresponding specific releases from the Centre. “It is to be made clear that there is no logical link of these issues to the Post Devolution Revenue Gap Grant etc, of which no undistributed ‘reserve’ is kept anywhere,” it stated.
Framework Agreement yet to be finalized, says JIC Chief Ravi NEW DELhI, FEbRuARy 23 (ANI): R.N. Ravi, the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), has said that the framework agreement between the government and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) is not the final agreement, and that it is still work in progress. In an interview given to ANI, Ravi, when asked why the framework agreement has been kept a secret and not released in the public domain, said, “The framework agreement is not the final agreement and we don’t serve halfcooked meals, because, as and when we will reach the final agreement, this (the framework agreement), will be part of that. Ravi said that it would not be in the nation’s larger interest to release the framework agreement when its details are not yet finalized.
“I have explained it to all the stakeholders by and large, by going and meeting them, and discussing the issue with them, what (the framework agreement) contains. So, a document as such, as I told you that since it is not a complete agreement, and an incomplete agreement can create issues, so, I think, it will not be proper,” Ravi said. When asked whether a deadline has been set for the framework agreement to come out in its final form, the chairman of the JIC, said, “No, we can’t have a deadline. We are trying to make it as early as possible. Well, we are trying our best, but we can’t set a deadline.” His comments came a day after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh issued a clarification on the framework agreement signed between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India, during his visit to Manipur capital Imphal.
Nagaland among states that recorded high NSQ percentage
NEW DELhI, FEbRuARy 23 (AGENCIEs): A national level survey conducted by National Institute of Biologicals over two years has found that around 10 per cent of the drugs in government’s supply chain are substan-
dard or “not of standard quality (NSQ)”. The survey also declared that around 3 per cent of the drugs sourced from retail outlets were marked NSQ. Nagaland was among the states which recorded higher percentage of NSQ from both retail outlets as well as through the government supply chain. NSQ for drugs from retail outlets in Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Puducherry, Gujarat and Punjab ranged from 4.20 to 8.82%.
For medicine from the government supply chain, the NSQ for Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab ranged from 11.39 to 17.39%. Drug inspectors drew 47,954 samples and ran tested for quality—if they were NSQ, spurious, expired or adulterated. From the total sample size, 71.6 per cent were drawn from retail outlets, 17.8 per cent from government sources and the rest were from ports.
Astronomers find seven Earthsize planets where life is possible ‘The discovery gives us a hint that finding a second Earth is not just a matter of if, but when’
CAPE CANAVERAL, FEbRuARy 23 (REutERs): Astronomers have found a nearby solar system with seven Earthsized planets, three of which circle their parent star at the right distance for liquid surface water, bolstering the prospect of discovering extraterrestrial life, research published on Wednesday showed. The star, known as TRAPPIST-1, is a small, dim celestial body in the constellation Aquarius. It is located about 40 light years away from Earth, close by astronomical standards, but about 44 million years away at the average cruising speed of a commercial passenger jet. Researchers said the proximity of the system, combined with the proportionally large size of its planets compared to the small star, make it a good target for follow-up studies. They hope to scan the planets’ atmospheres for possible chemical fingerprints of life. “The discovery gives us a hint that finding a second Earth is not just a matter of if, but when,” NASA chief scientist Thomas Zurbuchen said at a news conference on Wednesday. The discovery, published
An artist’s depiction shows the possible surface of TRAPPIST-1f, on one of seven newly discovered planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system that scientists using the Spitzer Space Telescope and ground based telescopes have discovered according to NASA, in this illustration released February 22. (REUTERS)
in this week’s issue of the journal Nature, builds on previous research showing three planets circling TRAPPIST-1. “This is the first time that so many Earth-sized planets are found around the same star,” lead researcher Michael Gillon, with the University of Liege in Belgium, told reporters. Researchers have focused on finding Earth-sized rocky planets with the right temperatures so that water, if any exists, would be liquid, a condition believed to be necessary for life. “I think that we’ve made a crucial step towards finding if there is life out there,” University of Cambridge astronomer Amaury Triaud said on
a conference call with media on Tuesday. The diameter of TRAPPIST-1 is about 8 percent of the sun’s size. That makes its Earth-sized planets appear large as they parade past. The planets’ motions regularly block out bits of the star’s light. Scientists determined the system’s architecture by studying these dips. “The data is really clear and unambiguous,” Triaud wrote in an email to Reuters. Because TRAPPIST-1 is so small and cool, its so-called “habitable zone” is very close to the star. Three planets are properly positioned for liquid water, Gillon said. “They form a very compact
system,” Gillon told reporters on Tuesday. “They could have some liquid water and maybe life.” Even if the planets do not have life now, it could evolve. TRAPPIST-1 is at least 500 million years old, but has an estimated lifespan of 10 trillion years. The sun, by comparison, is about halfway through its estimated 10-billion-year life. In a few billion years, when the sun has run out of fuel and the solar system has ceased to exist, TRAPPIST-1 will still be an infant star. It burns hydrogen so slowly that it will live for another 10 trillion years which is arguably enough time for life to evolve.”
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FriDAY 24•02•2017
NAGALAND
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
What is customary laW for the Nagas? Morung Express Feature Dimapur | February 23
O
nce upon a time, a village in Angami country outlawed the consumption of cat meat—albeit delicious, wild cats instilled the right amount of fear in cropdestroying rats. They ought to be left in the wild. The law allowed for people, cats and rats to live happily, in harmony. Not very far away, in Ao country, technology became a boon and bane. Youth began to use explosives and chemicals to fish, discarding traditional methods that could be slow. Explosives and chemicals were destroying the entire ecosystem. A village council somewhere stepped in—anyone using these harmful fishing methods would be fined generously. An ecological catastrophe was avoided. These Naga villages exercised their customary laws— clearly defined tenets that differ from village to village and tribe to tribe. The lack of definition of ‘customary law’ in Article 371A has created new avenues of conflict in Naga society. So, we ventured out to ask, what are customary laws? They provide “a model for Naga self governance,” says Shikuto Zalipu, General Secretary of the Nagaland Goan Bura Federation (NGBF). “In the context of India it is the law which has not been made by the legislature but is recognized by the community. It is similar to the situation of the recognition of customary law of indigenous peoples in Australia and Canada,” explains Nandita Haksar, a human rights lawyer, teacher, campaigner and writer. The Supreme Court of India recognizes that there are “areas of life” (marriage, inheritance etc.) that are governed by customary law; international law also recognizes some aspects of customary laws, particularly of indigenous peoples, “but only if the customary law does not violate the tenets of international human rights law,” she notes. “Reality,” she adds, however, “is far more complex.”
Tradition and Customary Laws There is a difference between tradition and customary laws, for instance, says Dr. Visier Sanyü, academic and author while explaining this complexity. In his village, it was not “traditional” for women to go to school or carry an AK-47 but that changed with circumstances. Customary Laws of the village, on the other hand, did not change quite so easily given the
Customary law courts in Mokokchung, Tuensang and Kiphire (L-R) respectively. Can customary laws evolve to become the Naga polity’s life force?
socio-economic rationale on which they are based, much like driving laws that help ensure survival. Practiced long enough, traditions begin to influence customary laws, according to Dr. Sanyü. However, these concepts continue to be used interchangeably in common parlance, observes Prof. Temsula Ao, Chairperson of the Nagaland State Women’s Commission. Much like tradition, “customary laws are always evolving,” she says. “Customary Laws help tackle problems in the society which is why they change with changing circumstance. It is not a static set of rules.” Today, paying five cows as fine for a crime is not possible everywhere compelling its substitution with a hefty cash fine, cites Akang Ao, former principal of Kohima Law College. “Naga Customary Laws follow precedent, much like any other law. Changes are thus dynamic, and if there is one progressive village that sets a new precedent, others may follow suit,” he reflects. Due Process Much like State laws, Naga customary laws follow some form of ‘due process’. The Gaon Buras (GBs) as “custodians” of Naga customary law are part of village councils, alongside a nominee from every village clan—all male—that administer justice at the grassroots level. They are joined by Dobashis (DBs, or erstwhile interpreters for the British government) at the urban and district level to “administer justice.” They hear the cases brought to them, look at available evidence, discuss the matter jury style and then pronounce judgment as per customary laws and its precedents. While this used to be all oral “back then,” many villages have started to keep case records today. If judgments are found unsatisfactory, the cases are ap-
pealed, with sanction of the village council, to tribal councils (various tribal Hohos) or even State higher courts like district cum sessions’ court, high court or the Supreme Court. Sometimes cases are even sent back from State courts to customary courts for resolution. The basis for administration of justice, or the values on which each court is based, however differs, giving rise to unique problems. “If, say, there is a land dispute, customary laws allow for arbitration, offering both compensation and demarcation. Since the customary court is a channel of agreement, both parties partake in arriving at a compromise. Judgments are rare, and so are appeals,” explains a senior policing officer, requesting anonymity. With an ‘agreement’ based model, Naga people prefer to go to customary courts than “get stuck in endless rounds” of the State judicial system, he notes. However, if appeals are to be made, say, in a murder case brought to the customary court but obviously cannot be arbitrated, matters become murkier. Much of the provisions for administration of justice are mentioned in the 16-point agreement but Article 371-A, the legal element of the political agreement, stays mum on these aspects, thus becoming the crux of confusion. “70-80 percent of cases at the grassroots are resolved through customary courts,” informs Shikuto Zalipu based on his experience. Even at the district level, people most often approach the district administration, which forwards the case to the Dobashi Court depending on its nature. Land disputes, divorce, theft may go to the DB court but an FIR may be filed in a murder case. These decisions follow no precise guidelines and are often a “matter of convenience” for parties involved, says the police officer. It creates a “conflict of law” says Phutoli Chingmak, a legal researcher. “Customary
Laws cater to the unique situation of the people here in their context and it is developed by consensus. That is not the case with State laws which creates great confusion for lawmakers. We need to find a method for harmony between the two,” the police officer asserts. According to Zalipu, “deviation” from the 16-point agreement and “imposition” of the Indian legal system is what created the “confusion.” While most of the administration of customary justice carries on without State support, people remain confused about what case to take to which kind of court. Justice is often sacrificed at this altar. Local Self Governance Once upon a time, each village had to plan out its own survival method. “Since the village council was drawn from a representative of each clan, customary laws were honourably used,” says Akang Ao. In the scheme of local self governance, “individual interest must be subsumed for the village interest,” explains Prof. Temsula Ao about the tenets on which the customary legal system is based. A well developed system of “human resource management” allowed for labour division in her community that went in conjunction with laws. Society was segregated along age lines as well as gender lines. Men became direct inheritors of knowledge and political practice by being allowed to customary courts and village councils. In many places it is taboo for women to even enter a customary court, informs Phutoli Chingmak. But the scenario of the past has changed considerably with young people leaving villages for work or study; the village headman’s position that used to be hereditary (patrilineal) in majority of the cases, is at times replaced by political appointments today. Customary Laws have, at times,
kept up with changes but many times not. Having been instated since “time immemorial,” even though the people have faith in the customary courts, “the element of natural justice has been missing,” says Nino Iralu from the Nagaland Legal Services Authority (NLSA) of modern customary law. So, in many villages when women face domestic abuse, for instance, they have to either keep quiet in order to “save face” or make a complaint through a brother who will then “resolve” the matter within the family or clan (there are family courts to resolve divorce cases too). Even if the matter goes to a customary court, no woman will hear the matter as women cannot “traditionally” be GBs or DBs. When there is a violation of customary laws, the village council decides on the matter— with clan based male representation, the “voice of the people” becomes the law, or even more powerful, notes Dr. Visier Sanyü. Today, the interpretation of ‘customary law’ is hinged on “power and public opinion,” and if an all powerful organization decides to interpret it in anyway, then it stays that way. Village Councils have the power to legislate and execute customary laws, says Phutoli Chingmak. “In this case, customary laws can be misused to some extent” and justice denied, noted Iralu. NLSA thus works in all of Nagaland’s districts to “sensitize” people to bring “serious” offenses like violence against women or murder to State courts. On the other hand, only those with enough money can approach the ‘Indian legal system’ for justice, highlights Shikuto Zalipu. What of justice then? According to Phutoli Chingmak, “if you only stick to precedents set 100-200 years ago, how will you evolve?” And without evolving through frame-
works such as human rights and equity, customary laws will eventually phase out. To this, Zalipu notes that “Since the coming of Christianity, many old Naga customs have changed; old ones have been discarded and new ones taken over.” Change becomes necessary for all laws to flourish and flower. “Awareness of our present situation is critical for customary law to flourish,” says Akang Ao. A Naga Tribunal? One possibility for change is for Nagaland to have its own constitution—guidelines laid out for what falls under the spectrum of customary laws and remedies available, suggests Dr. Visier Sanyü. This can be no easy task given the variety of customary laws among the Naga peoples. Dr. Sanyü acknowledges this dilemma and notes, “Writing oral laws down may create more confusion so it will need scientists, anthropologists, lawyers etc. to prepare such a document.” Akang Ao agrees. “It is time that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) make a uniform set of rules and enact them to accommodate the changing nature of society,” he notes. Shikuto Zalipu provides the anchor—the 16 point agreement. Its points 8 and 9 lay out the details of local self government and administration of justice respectively—points that fail to appear on Article 371-A, a legal provision that ought to be read in conjunction with the 16 point agreement. ‘Local Self-Government’ offers that each tribe shall have a village council, range council (abolished) and tribal council to make rules and deal with matters concerning the respective tribes. Read alongside point 9 (b)(ii), the local councils can follow a continuum in matters of justice by approaching a “Naga Tribunal (for the whole of Nagaland) in respect of cases decided according to custom-
ary law.” This offers an option for having an apex ‘customary law’ body that could standardize practice of the laws—where applicable, where not—as well as look into amendments, while relieving the NLA of judicial responsibility, making each independent of the other—philosophically and in practice. The senior police official is, however, skeptical. “It will be difficult. There are many similarities between different customary laws but unique practices in different regions have led to unique laws which will be difficult to bring under an umbrella,” he feels during the course of discussion, albeit promising to think more about the provision. And what of inclusion? While it is traditional to exclude women from customary arbitration, women have proved their mantle in the practice of law through the State legal and judicial systems. Why not help upgrade customary law as a collective gender effort then? Why not women GBs and DBs? “That you have to ask the men,” says Prof. Ao, hinting at how much of this hinges on the “voice of the people.” According to scholar Dr. Dolly Kikon, “If Naga customary law is seen as the foundation of justice, the exclusion of women from these powerful decision making-bodies negates the entire notion that these are pillars of justice.” “The change has to begin with tribes bringing women into tribal councils,” says the police official. In his opinion, villages or a bigger Naga Tribunal will not accept inclusion, particularly due to the powerful influence of tribe based organizations. Phutoli Chingmak concurs and suggests that a discussion and dialogue is necessary within each tribe to negotiate the evolutionary changes to be brought to customary laws in each region—this can be facilitated by the Nagaland State Government. “We have to find a point of reconciliation through a two pronged approach—from topdown, bottom-up as well as between genders,” she asserts, maintaining that the collective wisdom of both men and women can lead to “mutually decided” changes towards a shared future. Bringing a Tribunal without the grassroots evolution would be like building a skyscraper without a foundation. While this may be an uphill climb for Naga society as a whole, the fruits derived thus may be a small step towards transforming a source of conflict into the community’s life force.
NLA session on March 21 c-edge college observes February 23 (Dipr): In exercise of the powers conferred by Clause (I) of Article 174 of the Coninternational mother language Day kohiMa, stitution of India, Governor of Nagaland, P.B. Acharya has
summoned the Fifteenth Session of the Twelfth Nagaland Legislative Assembly to meet at 9:30 am on Tuesday the March 21 in the Assembly Hall, Kohima.
Dimapex 2017 rescheduled
DiMapur, February 23 (Mexn): All the concerned schools of Dimapur district are informed that the District Level Philatelic Exhibition “Dimapex 2017” organized by the Department of Posts, Nagaland Division has been rescheduled on March 3 and 4. Timings and venue remain the same. All the intending participants are therefore informed to submit the exhibits as specified earlier to the Inspector of Posts, Dimapur Sub-Division latest by March 1. For further information contact Inspector of Post, Dimapur Sub-Dn- 8415955048. Students of C-Edge College enacting ‘ATEM- an eulogy’ during the International Mother Language Day observed on February 23.
DiMapur, February 23 (Mexn): A programme on International Mother Language Day 2017 was held at C-Edge College, Dimapur on February 23. The programme, earlier scheduled on February 21 in the college academic calendar was postponed to Thursday due to the recent situation in the state, informed a press release received here. It was observed and celebrated with the aim to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and preservation of multi-lingualism through the unrelenting spirit and enthusiasm of the Principal, Dr. Chubatola Aier. The event had interesting, fun and learning line-up of events such as Word List of the different dialects of the tribes in Nagaland, followed by Elocution based on storytelling in Yimchunger, Sumi and Lotha mother tongue. A presentation about a romantic Ao folk song that started with “Atem” which was the major highlight – an eulogy which is a practice among the Ao Naga which represents a high introduction where the person introduce oneself drawing lineage from one’s genealogy, ancestry or even ex-
traordinary feats performed and achieved. There was quiz on deep and meaningful words of various Naga tribes which were presented to the students to translate it. The event was hosted by Vitsusie Savino, Assistant Professor & HOD of Sociology who highlighted the theme of 2017 International Mother Language Day “towards sustainable future through multilingual education”. Significance of Mother Language Day was highlighted by Wapangla Imchen, Assistant Professor & HOD of Management where she stresses on the genesis of ILMD. She also mentioned the importance of observing and celebrating such a day where it is the birth right of every nation and every race to speak in their own language or mother tongue, and that it also helps to preserve all the languages of the world and that the diversity of languages is important to maintain cultural identity and distinction. The event ended with a special song presentation of hymn in different Naga dialect by the students followed by vote of thanks by Meyatemsu, Asst. Professor & HOD of English.
The council of ministers led by Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu pays tribute to late Khriesavizo Metha and late Bendangnungsang Longkumer at the graveyard at Old MLA Hostel Compound (Phoolbari) Kohima on February 23. A prayer service was conducted by Rev K. Luruo. The Chief Minister laid wreaths at the grave site.
Villagers informed on cashless economy
Digital Financial Literacy Awareness Program at Aokum Village conducted
Mokokchung, February 23 (Mexn): To promote the cause of financial literacy and inclusion, a one day Digital Financial Literacy Awareness Program (dFLAP) supported under FIF managed by NABARD was conducted at Aokum Village on February 22 organized by Care and Support Society, Mokokchung in collaboration with State Bank of India, Tzurangkong Branch, Mokokchung sponsored by NABARD. During the programme, S. Amarjit Mangang, DDM, NABARD informed the villagers on digital transaction and importance of cashless economy. He highlighted the objectives of demonetization and informed the villagers to go for cashless transactions to save time and money. He advised the villag-
Resource persons speaking at the one day Digital Financial Literacy Awareness Program (dFLAP) conducted at Aokum Village on February 22.
ers to open account and apply for Rupay cards from the banks. He also informed them to connect their mobile numbers with the bank account for doing cashless transaction. He also shared about internet banking and other digital
wallets including *99#. He further shared initiatives of NABARD i.e. Farmers Club, SHG, JLG and other Government Sponsored Schemes routed through NABARD. Moasunup Imchen, Branch Manager, State Bank of India,
Tzurangkong Branch, Mokokchung shared the importance of banking, savings, financial planning. He shared various financial services offered by the banks for the general public. He further highlighted PMJDY, PMSBY, PMJJBY and APY in details. He further shared the gathering about the current demonetization going in the country. Cautioning the public about unscrupulous people, he further advised the people not to entertain people who try to evade Tax by trying to park their Cash in the Accounts, which is equal to abetting the tax evaders and is punishable by law. A press release informed that the programme was chaired by Imchawati Kichu, Managing Director, Care and Support Society. Invocation prayer was pronounced by Pastor, Aokum Baptist Church. Welcome address was addressed by Naromongba, Chairman Aokum Village Council.
Friday 24•02•2017
NORTH-EAST 3
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Settle Kuki problem before Manipuris to be consulted before final Naga peace deal: KIM final Naga accord: Kiren Rijiju Newmai News Network Imphal | February 23
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) on Thursday reiterated its demand that the Government of India settle the “Kuki problem” before the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process comes through a final solution. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi should present a clear-cut stand on the 'Kuki problem' during his scheduled Imphal visit on February 25,” KIM president Thangkhosei Haokip told a press meet at Kuki Inn, Imphal. Modi is set to address a huge public rally at Langjing Achouba ground in Imphal to campaign for BJP candidates for the two-phase ensuing Manipur assembly polls to be held on March 4 and 8. “The Nagas had killed Kukis, torched hundreds of their houses and thousands displaced during the ethnic conflict that took place from 1992-95 in Manipur,” KIM president Haokip said. Bringing all culprits to justice in the Naga-Kuki clashes has been a long pending demand of all Kuki civil society organisations. Haokip expressed dismay over the "delay
in delivering justice." “The plight of Kukis has remained ignored for years leaving the ‘massacre’ clueless till today,” Haokip said. He also asked the Centre whether it would like to let Manipur boil over the issue of the 'Framework Agreement'. Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) president Paotinthang Lupheng who was present at the press meet said the "Kuki genocide" was committed by the NSCN (IM). He said, “We’ve been demanding the Government of India that the matter should be settled in a court of law as we (Kukis) all are citizens of India. But the Centre has neglected the issue.” The influential All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) has also demanded that the Centre disclose the contents of 'Framework Agreement' signed between the Government of Indi and NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015, before the visit by PM Modi. Pressure has been mounted on political parties in poll-bound Manipur by AMSU which has been carrying out a concerted campaign demanding details of the Naga peace accord.
New Delhi, February 23 (PTi): Ahead of elections in Manipur, the Centre today said all stakeholders will be consulted before finalising the Naga accord and the deal signed with NSCNIM in 2015 does not compromise state's territorial integrity. "Without the consultations of all the stakeholders, final decision on Naga issue will not be taken," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told reporters here. The Minister's statement bears significance as assembly polls in Manipur will be held on March 4 and 8. People in Manipur are very sensitive on the Naga issue and opposed to the NSCN-IM's demand for integration of Naga inhabited areas in Manipur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to campaign for the BJP in Manipur this weekend. Echoing Rijiju, Centre's Interlocutor for Naga peace talks R N Ravi said no solution will be reached at without taking the wishes of the people of Manipur including those who live in Imphal valley, who are important stakeholders.
Referring to the 'Framework Agreement' signed with the NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015, Ravi said "This doesn't compromise Manipur's territorial integrity at all". "This is just a broad document under which we will work out details. It is not final agreement," he said. Ravi also said violence can never bring a solution and all stakeholders have to be taken into confidence before finalising any final peace accord with the Nagas. The 'Framework Agreement' was signed by NSCN-IM general secretary T Muivah and Ravi, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The pact set the political parameters of the final solution. The signing of the agreement came after over 80 rounds of negotiations that spanned 18 years with the first breakthrough in 1997 when the ceasefire agreement was sealed. Ravi continues to hold parleys with the leadership of the NSCN-IM for the final settlement.
Woman, militant killed in Manipur gunfight DECLARATION In the ensuing gunimPhal, February of a Nagaland-based outfit, 23 (iaNS): A tribal woman and a suspected militant were killed and the latter's accomplice was wounded in a fierce gunfight in Manipur on Thursday, police sources said. The injured militant, suspected to be a member
Petroleum products airlifted to Manipur i m P h a l , F e b r uary 23 (PTi): An Indian Air Force (IAF) cargo oil tanker landed at Imphal airport today, bringing in petroleum products to fuel-scarce Manipur, where assembly polls are slated early next month. The cargo oil tanker landed around 10.30 am and took off after unloading, airport officials said. This is the second time a cargo oil tanker of IAF has flown in petroleum products in Imphal as the ongoing indefinite economic blockade has cut off all regular transportation of essential commodities in the poll-bound state.
was captured while combing operations were on in the area. The sources said 2/5 Gorkha Rifles men came under fire during a search operation at Khoupum in Noney district in the early hours of Thursday.
fight lasting over 10 minutes between the security men and the militants, the woman and one militant were killed. Police said the woman was identified as Adingu Rongmei. Additional forces have been rushed to the spot.
I, Dr. Esterlane Imchen, D/o. Prof. A Lanunungsang, resident of Chumukedima, Dimapur, Nagaland. Due to inadvertence my name has been entered and recorded as Dr. Esthe L Imchen in my LIC Policy of MGT Life.
GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND
DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE
OFFICE OF THE
NAGA PEOPLE’S FRONT
10 Northern Angami (I) Assembly Constituency Kohima – Nagaland th
NPF 10TH N/A-(I) A/C FELICITATES DR. SHÜRHOZELIE LIEZIETSU THE NEW CHIEF MINISTER OF NAGALAND
The NPF Parent Body 10th Northern Angami- (I) Assembly Constituency heartily congratulates and felicitates Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu on been elected the 11th Chief Minister of Nagaland on 22nd February 2017. On this auspicious occasion the NPF Parent Body 10th N/A-(I) on behalf of all the Office Bearers, Active and Primary members, extend warmest greetings to the New Chief Minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu. May your leadership bring a new era of peace and prosperity to the Nagas. We also express our heartfelt gratitude to all NPF and DAN Legislatures for their wisdom in electing Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu. We also extend our deepest thanks to all rank and files of NPF Party Office Bearers and Party functionaries and well wishers. “fide non armis” NPF, 10th N/A-(I) A/C
GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND
DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION NAGALAND :: KOHIMA
NOTIFICATION
NO.DTE/ESTT-2/2/2016-17: This is for general information that NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY CUM ENTRANCE TEST (UG)-2017 (NEET-UG-2017) conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for admission to MBBS/ BDS courses in India that, the last date for online submission of application form and final transaction of fees is 01.03.2017 (Wednesday, till 00.00 midnight). Interested Candidates can register in NEET-2017 using their Aadhaar number through the website www.cbseneet.nic.in. The selection of candidates for MBBS & BDS against Nagaland State Quota will be done through NEET-2017 merit. There will be no separate State Entrance examination for selection of candidates to study under-graduate in MBBS and BDS courses. (ER. ARJUN SINGH) Director, Technical Education
NAGALAND HEALTH PROJECT
No.DHFW/NHP/ADVT/2014-15/417
(A World Bank Aided Project) NAGALAND: KOHIMA – 797001
INVITATION
For any further enquiries, please contact: Ph. No.: +91 87319 11681 Email Id: nmhp.wb@gmail.com
Sd/DR. VIZOLIE SUOKHRIE Project Director, Nagaland Health Project Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima
EXCELLENT INSTITUTE KOHIMA PR HILL, Near PHQ Ph: 0370-2241518, 9863143390, 9436830040
Admission Started for:
NPsC/uPsC Prelims (2017)
GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND
DIRECTORATE OF SCHOOL EDUCATION NAGALAND : KOHIMA
PREss RELEAsE
Dated Kohima, the th Jan.2017 NO.ED/ADV/B-1/2016-17 : In pursuance of Government Office Memorandum NO.DSE/HINDI/GEN-1/2011 dated Kohima, the 21st November 2016 and in view of the acute shortage of Hindi Teachers in the Government Schools, the State Government has decided to withdraw all the Hindi Teachers posted at private Schools and Institutes. Henceforth, no Government Hindi Teachers will be place under the disposal of Private Schools/Institutes. The existing Hindi Teachers who are on deployment to Private Schools will be withdraw and their service will be utilised in the Government Schools. This Office Memorandum supersedes all the Office Memorandum/Notification affecting such posting/deployment of Hindi Teachers to private Schools/ Institutes. (WONTHUNGO TSOPOE) Additional Director (HoD) Issued by: DIPR
ThETA TuTORIALs Lower P.R. Hill, Kohima, Nagaland
ADMIssION NOTICE
1. Coaching for NEET-UG (AIPMT) 2017 2. Coaching for JEE Main 2017 Issue of Form & Prospectus : In progress Admission : In progress Commencement of Classes : 06-03-2017 (Monday) Contact No. (0370) 2226005/2244814/9436410403
Crash Course: NPSC Mains (2017) NEET/AIPMT, JEE, NERIST (I/II/III) Computer Courses: CCA, DCA, DTP, PGDCA, Tally SSC, Banking, Railways, NDA & CDS Spoken English & Hindi, Soft skill Coaching For CBSE/ NBSE Course (Class 5 to 12) Stenography, Typewriting & Music
Oking: Zunheboto
PIThITsAh
Sumi Hoho Hiyam mipemiqo eno Mijettomiqo (Executive Members) asuchedo tove ani eno Baghi Hoho Lusaqhi (March) shekhau shussu ani, atsala ye kighithe pithi tsunni. Tighenguno, Sumi Hoho’w Yezaboh “Kokutha VIII” kiqi lono amqo aqhou yehpua keqo pelo “Mijettomi 2017 – 2020 suchedo” ghenguno kishe pesu Lusaqhi 15 zuwu no Sumi Hoho’w Akiyyettou lau ssuvetsu penike qhuiniju ani. 1. “Sumi Kukami Hoho” no Atokujo (Constituency) kumtssu lo 3 (kuqha kelo Mijettomi 21) kishe puwunni. Atokujo hipaqo: (a) Aghunato (b) Akuluto (c) Atoizu (d) Pughoboto (e) Satakha (f) Suruhuto (g) Zunheboto. 2. Kulolau (Western) Sumi Hoho (Autonomous) no 5 kishe puwunni. 3. Kipelau (Eastern) Sumi Hoho no 3 eno Ahuu (Northern) Sumi Hoho no 3 kishe puwunni. 4. Amqo hipaqo kumtssu lo “Alakhumipeu” no Mijettomi shinni: (a) Sumi Kukami Hoho (b) Sumi Totimi Hoho (c) Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (d) Sumi Officers’ Union Nagaland (e) Sumi Literature Board (f) Sumi Mhesho Mheghi Mpi (g) Sumi Games and Sports Association. 5. Sumi Kuqhakulu (Community) aphughi hipaqo kumtssu lo 1 kishe puwunni: (a) Kohima (b) Mokokchung (c) Phek (d) Tuensang (e) Wokha (f) Dimapur. 6. Zunheboto Town GB Association no 3 kishe puwunni. Mijettomi kishe puwu kelo Sumi Hoho Yezaboh kiqi lono ajeli hipaqo lo akuzupu shiaghi masa: 1. Pa ye aqoaho kuxu lo tukutiye kuhakemi shiaghi masa. 2. Pa ye timi no gihu eno ikhilu cheghi kemi shiaghi masa. 3. Pa ye Sumi jih lono ighikemi (by blood) shiaghi masa. 4. Pa ye ado tsukulumi eno phui-thai kemi shiaghi masa. 5. Pa ye akimikheu no amipe 40 shive aghi masa. 6. Ishokibe asuchedo kini ghenguno Mijettomi shive kemi ye akuthuu ye puwu monni. 7. Atokujo’w zuqhumiqo dolo lakhi ye Atokujo Oking lono kishe puwunni. Sd/- (TONIHO YEPTHOMI), Alakhumipeu, Sumi Hoho. Sd/- (VIHUTO ASUMI), Akiyyettou, Sumi Hoho.
Hostel Available for Both Boys and Girls
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS: INDIA O/O THE DIRECTOR OF POSTAL SERVICES NAGALAND: KOHIMA-797001
No.M7/CBS/Corr/2010
Dated at Kohima the 22/02/2017
APPLY FOR ATM/DEBIT CARD
This is to inform to all the Post Office Savings Bank account holders/customers having an Savings Bank Account at Kohima Head Post Office, Kohima Science College PO, New Sectt. Complex PO that they can apply for ATM/DEBIT CARD in the above mentioned Post Offices. Depositers may kindly contact the Postmaster concerned. Sd/Director of Postal Services Nagaland: Kohima-797001
Issued by: DIPR
SUMI HOHO
Date: Kohima, 22nd February, 2017
Nagaland Health Project (World Bank P. 149340) under Directorate of Health & Family welfare, Government of Nagaland, invites interested firms/dealers to the Stakeholders Consultation Meeting for Water & Sanitation project to be held on the 9th March, 2017 at 11:00 A.M., IDSP Hall, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima for “Construction of roof water harvesting systems, elevated water tanks(Plastic), underground or partially underground tank(ferrocement), pumping machinery, toilet, wash basins, kitchen sinks and internal plumping for water supply and sanitation health facilities in the state of Nagaland’.
Dated 23rd Feb 2017
NAGALAND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION NO.NPSC/ADVT-1/04
KOHIMA
Dated Kohima, the 23rd February, 2017
CORRIGENDuM/ NOTIFICATION
With reference to the Nagaland Public Service Commission’s Advertisement NO.4/2016 dated 19.10.2016, the following corrigendum shall be made as mentioned below. Item No. 8: 1 (one) post of Programmer (class-1 Gazetted) under department of Justice & Law has been kept in abeyance as requested by the department vide Department. letter No. LAW/ HC-21 2009(pt) dated Kohima the 23rd Jan 2017. Item No. 23 (a): 1 (one) post of Electronic Mechanic (class-III NonGazetted) under the Department of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has been withdrawn as requested by the Department vide letter NO. DET-1/7/11 (pt) dated 19.11.16. This is also to notify that examination fees will be refunded to those candidates who have applied for the said post only. This is also to notify with reference to corrigendum/Notification dated 26th Oct. 2016, 24th Nov. 2016 & 17th Feb. 2017 that, (i) Some general candidates were inadvertently issued admit cards for those posts which are reserved for backward tribes. Such candidates may please abstain from appearing the same exam. Inconvenience is regretted. (ii) On further scrutiny, some more anomalies were detected and the 2nd list of rejected candidates is being notified. Candidates may visit the Commission’s website at www. npsc.co.in or the notice board for the same. Sd/- Thepfurienyu George Kire Controller of Examination Nagaland Public Service Commission Kohima
4
friDAY 24•02•2017
Business
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Bharti Airtel to buy Telenor’s India unit MUMBAI/OSLO, FeBrUAry 23 (reUterS): Bharti Airtel, India’s top telecoms network operator, is buying Norwegian Telenor’s India unit, in yet another consolidation move in the country’s telecoms sector driven by upstart rival Jio’s disruptive pricing. Bharti Airtel said on Thursday it will buy Telenor (India) Communications Pvt Ltd, as part of which it will acquire the Norwegian company’s operations in six Indian states. A Telenor spokesman said Bharti will not pay any cash under the deal but will instead take on the Telenor unit’s commitments to pay for licences and phone towers. The acquisition, which also includes Telenor’s India employees and its 44 million customers, will not
lead to any impairment charges for Telenor. The deal highlights how the entry late last year of Reliance Industries’ wireless carrier Jio is shaking up India’s crowded telecoms sector. With its free voice and deeply discounted data plans, Jio has pushed rivals to slash rates, sharply eroding their profits. Expectations have
grown for continued consolidation, likely culminating in the emergence of a few large players and the exit of smaller players like Telenor, which accumulated losses of 24 billion NOK ($2.87 billion) since entering India in 2008, and has assets in the country of just 0.3 billion NOK. Britain’s Vodafone Group is already in talks to
New DeLhI, FeBrUAry 23 (INDIA tODAy): The all-new Jaguar XF will be available in two options -- a 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine with a power output of 132 kW and a 2.0-litre petrol engine with a power output of 177 kW. “The introduction of the allnew Jaguar XF into our locally manufactured portfolio reiterates our commitment to the Indian market,” Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd Managing Director and President Rohit Suri said. Since its introduction in 2009, Jaguar XF has gained immense popularity and success in the country, he added. The new sedan also comes with a slew of advanced technology features including InControl Touch Pro with the all-new 25.9 cm (10.2) touchscreen infotainment system and a Meridian Sound System, the statement added. The Jaguar range in India also includes imported F-TYPE starting at Rs 1.25 crore, locally manufactured XJ starting at Rs 99.99 lakh, all-new F-PACE price starting at Rs 68.40 lakh and the locally manufactured XE with price starting at Rs 39.90 lakh.
Hella India wins ‘Auto Component of the Year’ award MUMBAI, FeBrUAry 23 (IANS): Automotive lighting solutions major Hella India Lighting (HILL) on Thursday informed that it has been bestowed with the ‘Auto Component of the Year award by a leading automobile magazine. “This coveted award not only underlines our excellence in brining many first lighting solutions to the country but also in raising the standards of safety, reliability and styling for the industry at large,” Ramashankar Pandey, Managing Director of Hella India, was quoted as saying in a statement. “The award shall also go a long way in strengthening our OEM partners’ confidence and our suppliers too.” The company is part of the global Hella Group which develops and manufactures lighting technology, electronic components and systems for the automotive industry. HILL produces stateof-the-art technology products which are manufactured at their Derabassi plant, near Chandigarh.
New DeLhI, FeBrUAry 23 (AgeNcIeS): Sony has launched its SF-G Series of SD cards, which as per the company’s claims, are the world’s fastest SD cards with write speeds of up to 299MBps. Apart from the impressive write speeds, the SD cards also offer read speeds up to 300MBps. The new SD cards will be made available in ‘Spring 2017’ and will offer 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities. The company has not announced the pricing for the cards as of now but might announce it closer to the release date. The SF-G Series of SD cards offer enhanced features optimised for videographers, DSLR and
will have around 314 million customers after its Telenor acquisition. Jio and Bharti would potentially compete against a merged Vodafone-Idea entity with 375 million subscribers, forcing remaining smaller players such as debt-ridden Tata Teleservices into urgently finding a buyer. Another small carrier, Videocon Telecom, is in the process of shutting its wireless business. Reliance Communications has already entered into an agreement to merge its wireless business with smaller rival Aircel. “Consolidation will add to some more spectrum resources for bigger carriers which will allow delivery of more data and help them in providing better quality of service,” said Kunal Bajaj, an independent telecom consultant.
mirrorless camera users, as well as professional photographers, the company said in its blog post. “The quick write speed supports maximum performance of digital imaging devices, contributing to longer continuous shooting of high-resolution images with UHS-II supporting cameras,” the company said. Sony says that using its algorithm, the cards prevent the decrease of data-writing speeds and contribute to the camera’s ability of successive high speed shooting. “Available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities, the SF-G Series offers options that ensure highperformance, high speed and
reliable shooting,” company’s Viviano Cantu was quoted as saying. The company will be pairing a memory card reader with the cards to help them transfer large volumes and file sizes to a computer very quickly. To add to these qualities, the new SD cards are also shockproof, temperature-proof, waterproof, and X-ray proof, apart from having anti-static capabilities. Further Sony’s free downloadable File Rescue software allows users to recover photos and videos, including RAW images and 4K XAVC-S video files that might have been accidentally damaged or deleted.
Earn upto Rs 40,000 per month The Ministry of Finance has released an official notification inviting all the interested, eligible candidates to apply for Assistant Accounts Officer post on deputation basis. All the interested candidates are requested to apply through a prescribed format latest by February 26. Period of Deputation: The initial period will be three years, which can be extended. VACANCY DETAILS Total posts: 643 Name of the post: Assistant Accounts Officer ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Educational qualification: All the candidates working in accounts service of Central/ State Govt/ Public Sector Undertakings are eligible to apply. Applicants must be holding analogous post of Assistant Account Officer (AAO) in the pay scale mentioned above on regular basis. Candidates who have cleared the examinations of AAO (Civil)/ SAS or equivalent can apply as well. SAS exam passed candidates awaiting their promotion can also apply. Age limit: Candidates must not be more than 56 years (as on the last date of application). However, candidates from reserved category will get age relaxation as per government norms. Selection procedure: Candidates will be selected on the basis of a written test/interview round. PAY SCALE Grade: General Central Service Group ‘B’ Gazetted Pay Scale: Level 8 as per 7th Central Pay Commission (pre-revised between Rs 9300 to 34800 plus Grade Pay Rs 4800). How to apply: • Log on to the official website, http://finmin.nic.in/ • Click on relevant link • Enter all the required details in prescribed format • Click to submit • Take a print out of the same and send it to the ministry along with attested copy of ACRs/ APARs for the last 5 years, vigilance clearance and integrity certificate and other documents. Important dates: The last date to send in the application form is February 26.
BIRTHDAY GREETING Hello B eautiful Akhrae,
NF Railway special trains to clear Holi rush MALIgAON, FeBrUAry 23 (AgeNcIeS): NF Railway has decided to run three special trains to clear rush of passenger during the ensuing Holi festival. Special trains will run from Kamakhya to Anand Vihar, Katihar to Jalandhar City and Guwahati to Gorakhpur and back. The details are as follows: • 02503 Kamakhya – Anand Vihar Terminous (New Delhi) Super Fast Holi special will leave from Kamakhya on March 8 and 15, 2017 at 10-00 hrs to reach Anand Vihar next day at 21-30 hrs. In re-
leisure
CROSSWORD # 3867
Answer Number # 3861
turn direction 02504 Anand Vihar Terminous (New Delhi) – Kamakhya Super Fast Holi special will leave from Anand Vihar on March 10 and 17 at 05-15 hrs to arrive Kamakhya next day at 19-30 hrs. The train will have AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier and sleeper class coaches. • 05717 Katihar – Jalandhar City Holi special will leave from Katihar on March 9 and 16 at 09-00 hrs to reach Jalandhar City next day at 18-30 hrs. During return journey 05718 Holi special will leave from Jalandhar City on March 11 and 18
ACROSS 1. Lather 5. Doorpost 9. Rapscallions 13. Raindrop sound 14. Warning signal 16. Half-moon tide 17. Dwarf buffalo 18. Craze 19. Bristle 20. Tall tales 22. Layers of rocky material 24. Be cognizant of 26. Gesture of indifference 27. Roomette 30. Leotards 33. Distaste 35. To scatter about 37. Defraud 38. Units of paper 41. Actress Lupino 42. Blockade 45. Narrow flat-bottomed boats 48. Incongruous 51. Buff 52. Smells 54. Formal dress 55. A sedimentary rock 59. Attendants of knights 62. Fourth sign of the zodiac 63. Fruit of the oak tree 65. Country bumpkin 66. Breezy 67. A sudden forceful flow 68. “Phooey!” 69. Fabricated 70. Put away 71. Notch DOWN 1.Neuter 2. Forearm bone 3. Usher 4. Wrench (British) 5. Preserve of crushed fruit 6. Winglike 7. Flowing tresses
std code: 03862
A fren to remain~ £olo TaHaMZaM
std code: 03871
(formerly senapati)
Police station Fire Brigade
222246 222491
8. Brilliant 9. Perceptiveness 10. Encounter 11. Trail 12. Resorts 15. New Zealand native 21. Absorbs 23. Totes 25. Small dam 27. Droops 28. 58 in Roman numerals 29. Caviar 31. 3 languages 32. Soft drinks 34. Henpeck 36. Clean 39. Unruly crowd 40. Cozy 43. Farewell 44. Terminates 46. Let go 47. Forward 49. Smidgens 50. Early spring bloomer 53. Sound of contempt 55. Fraud 56. Diva’s solo 57. An aromatic ointment 58. Therefore 60. River of Spain 61. Dispatched 64. Not used
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 3866
Airport Indian Airlines
229366 242441 225212
229529 229474
Zion Hospital
KOHiMa
W
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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
dimapur Hospital
224041 248011
Police Control room
8575045507
Officer-in-Charge 8575045517 8575045505
Kezocha Ps
248302, 09856006026
eden Medical Centre
248288
C
Officer-in-Charge 8575045516 tseminyu Ps
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
AVert AwAKe BeFore CHoCoLAte CHoICe ConVentIon CoUnCIL enGIne FeAr FIGHt FInest FrIend FrUIt GAte HUsBAnds JUdGe LAIr MArCH MAster
A very Happy Birthday!!!! May God Bless you with long Life and Happiness.. I’m blessed to have you my dear.. Stay Beautiful :-)..
at 01-15 hrs to arrive Katihar at 1130 hrs next day. The train will have AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, sleeper class and general second class coaches. • 05609 Guwahati – Gorakhpur Holi special will leave from Guwahati on March 10 and 17 at 21 hrs to reach Gorakhpur next day at 21-35 hrs. During return journey 05718 Holi special will leave from Gorakhpur on March 11 and 18 at 23-30 hrs to reach Guwahati next day at 23-55 hrs. The train will have AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, sleeper class and general second class coaches. DiMaPUR
Simple Rules - Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.
Game Number # 3862
CuT-THRoAT ComPETITIoN Jio, backed by energy conglomerate Reliance Industries’ billionaire owner Mukesh Ambani, has intensified competition in India, the world’s secondbiggest mobile market after China. Bharti Airtel reported its lowest profit in four years in the October-December quarter while No. 3 player Idea Cellular posted its first-ever quarterly loss for the same period. Some of that competition could ease after Ambani said on Tuesday Jio would start charging customers starting in April after accumulating more than 100 million subscribers since its launch. But Jio will do so at sharp discounts, pricing its offering below the ones provided by Airtel, which
Sony launches ‘World’s Fastest SD Card’
Made-in-India Jaguar XF launched at Rs 47.50 lakh
SUDOKU
merge its Indian subsidiary with Idea Cellular, potentially overtaking Bharti Airtel as India’s largest mobile operator with about $12 billion in sales. “The decision to exit India has not been taken lightly. After thorough consideration, it is our view that the significant investments needed to secure Telenor India’s future business on a standalone basis will not give an acceptable level of return,” Sigve Brekke, CEO of Telenor Group, said in a statement. Shares of Bharti Airtel, in which Singapore Telecommunications is the second-biggest shareholder, rose as much as 11 percent in Mumbai trade to a one-and-a-half year high after the deal was announced. They were up 4.7 percent in early afternoon trade.
Ministry of Finance is hiring
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
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68.43 85.88 9.09 52.60 48.24 52.48 60.49 72.69 2.01 0.0615 19.21 10.27
friday 24•02•2017
NAGALAND
address aadhaar Latest pension and GPF final Management of coffee plantation training held card problems: payment cases updated bJYM Kohima urges Kohima, February 23 (mexN): The Bharatya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Kohima District today said that majority of the approval slips for Aadhaar card “are rather invalid though the Bio-metric data were extracted from the same machine.” It was found out during an enquiry at the department concerned to ascertain why Aadhaar card cannot be obtained even after the possession of approval slip, BJYM Kohima District said in a press release Stating that that Aadhaar card numbers are made mandatory for most of the official purpose, the Morcha also questioned why the department con-
cerned is not taking up any initiative “to sort out the mass problem” and rectify the errors. It also added that most of the people from the villages still do not hold an Aadhaar card due to the non availability facilities for application in their respective areas. As most of them probably cannot visit Kohima to apply for the card, number of students and villagers are facing major problems, the BJYM release maintained In this connection, the district unit requested the department to look into the matter seriously and take necessary steps to solve the problem of the general public.
Kohima, February 23 (mexN): All retired State Government officials have been informed that pension and GPF final payment cases settled upto the month of January 2017 have been uploaded on the AG Nagaland website. Pensioners may log on to the office website at www.agnagaland.gov.in, click on Felicitation and Pension or GPF Felicitation or directly click on the Sticky Note written “Click here to view list of settled Pension/GPF final payment cases.” The list has also been put up for display at the Public Relation Cell of the AG office and can be viewed on any working days during office hours. Aggrieved pensioners
or government officials with genuine problems have been requested once again to write directly to the Deputy Accountant General (A&E) Kahoto J Yepthomi via e-mail at kahotoj@yahoo.co.in or agaenagaland@cag.gov. in or through a handwritten letter on the address given below for immediate clarification and redressal of their grievances. They can also submit suggestions to strengthen the delivery system addressed to Kahoto J Yepthomi, IAAS; Deputy Accountant General (A&E); Office of the Accountant General (A&E) Kohima. Meanwhile, all Heads of Department in the state government have been requested once again to en-
sure timely submission of all retirement related documents (that is, six months before the date of retirement) to avoid harassment to retired officials at various processing stages. A press release from the AG office informed that cases of many officials received before the date of retirement have been settled by the AG Nagaland office on their retirement date and day as a demonstration of seriousness the office accords to sensitivities of retired officials and their retirement benefits. “Departments may seriously take up the matter of timely submission of retirement documents, so as to enable the pensioners to receive their retirement benefits in time,” it urged.
Resource persons and participants of the training posing for after the culmination of the training at NBHM conference hall on February 23.
Dimapur, February 23 (mexN): The Department of Land Resources, Dimapur conducted one-day training on management of coffee plantation in the NBHM conference hall today. Partha Ratim Choudury, Deputy Director (Extension), Coffee Board of India, Jorhat and Bijaya Barman, SMS in Plant Pathology and Deputy Director (Research), Regional Coffee Research Station, Diphu were the resource persons of the training, a press note informed. Imparting knowledge on management of coffee plantation and coffee nursery, the resource persons gave an in depth ex-
planation on growing coffee, it said. Since the climatic conditions and soil in Nagaland is suitable for coffee, the resource persons said that it has good potential with fine and organic quality with distinct flavour as well as large scale coffee production, it added Earlier, Hekato N. District Project Officer, Land Resources, Dimapur in his welcome note said that coffee growing in Nagaland is still in its infancy and urged all stakeholders to nurture it together for the growth of its industry. Officials of Land Resources Department and coffee growers from Dimapur attended the training.
Governor meets ‘social Army Recruitment Rally cancelled Medical fraternity, others mourn doctor’s demise February 23 (mexN): Army Recruitment Ral- Dimapur, February 23 Hindu Seva Samiti to Almighty God to grant solace entrepreneur' awardee Kohima, ly scheduled at Bhagat Stadium, Rangapahar (Dimapur) from (mexN): The medical fraternity in Expressing its shock and grief and comfort to the bereaved famMarch 5 to 7 stands cancelled. PRO (Defence) Col C Konwer has Nagaland have condoled demise informed that fresh dates would be intimated shortly. of Dr Ashit Baran Choudhury who passed away following a heart attack on February 23. Late Choudhury was a senior member of General Practitioners Association (GPA) and Dimapur, February 23 (mexN): A total of 695 bottles In- a veteran doctor of Dimapur. Expressing shock over his suddian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) was seized by troops of 28 Assam Rifles during a search operation at Sanis Road Junction on den demise, the Nagaland MediFebruary 23. The liquors, found hidden in a vehicle, were being cine Dealers Association in a press smuggled from Assam into Nagaland, the AR said in a press note. note said that late Choudhury was a Nono Singh (35), a resident of Merapani, was arrested in this con- doctor known for his kindheartednection. Singh was handed over to Sanis Police Station and an ness and famous for his dedication to his job and treating poor patients FIR had been lodged, it addded. free of cost. “The NMDA prays for the departed soul to rest in peace and extends its sincere condolences to the Kohima, February 23 (mexN): The members of Kohi- bereaved family members at this ma Press Club (KPC) have expressed shock and sadness over time of grief,” it added. Meanwhile, the President of the demise of Malhe Theünuo, the father of former KPC treasurer, Rüülhoutuonuo Theünuo. Late Malhe died on February GPA Dimapur Dr Z Mozhui in a 22 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kolkata. press note has requested all the He was 74 and leaves behind his wife, 7 children and 5 grand- private practitioners and members children. Describing late Malhe as “an honest and hardworking of Indian Medical Association and person and a loving father not only to his children but to club GPA to close their clinics as a mark members as well,” the KPC in a condolences note mourned the of respect to the departed soul on loss of a of a dear father with the bereaved family members. “The February 24. “This will also serve as a notificlub conveys its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family cation to the general public as well,” and prays for the departed soul to rest in peace,” it added. it added.
AR seizes IMFL in Sanis
Temjen Imna Along Longkumer (right), Chairman and MD of REM group with the Governor at Raj Bhavan, Kohima on February 23.
Dimapur, February 23 (mexN): The Governor of Nagaland & Arunachal Pradesh PB Acharya has congratulated Chairman and MD of REM Group Temjen Imna Along Longkumer on being awarded the “Leadership Excellence in Social Entrepreneurs” at the 7th edition of Middle East Business Leadership Awards 2016. He was given the honour at a function held at Inter-continental London Park Lane, London on February 17. The Governor hoped that with the award will recognize REM Group’s initiatives for the welfare of the people and their achievement made in the society as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the PRO to Governor said in a press note. Urging the REM group to continue working for the development the society, Acharya also wished them a good success even in their future endeavour, it added.
KPC condoles
over the demise of late Choudhury , the Hindu Seva Samiti said that he was instrumental in taking the Samiti to “newer heights” during his tenure as the president and work cohesively to bring the community together. As a practicing doctor, he is remembered for his philanthropic works for the poor and needy, besides his usual practice, a press note from HSS President Gopal Sharma said. “The HSS conveys its heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family and pray to Almighty God to grant them strength to bear the loss.”
KuHoi ZHimo: Kuhoi Zhimo, an Ex-Councillor Ward-No. 5 of Dimapur Municipal Council, has also condoled the demise of Dr. Dr AB Choudhury. Describing the late doctor as a long time family friend, Zhimo in a press note said that late Choudhury as a “humble man, who always stood for the poor and needy people.” “At this hour of grief, I pray
ily members. May his soul rest in peace,” it added. nagaland BHojpuri Samaj The Nagaland Bhojpuri Samaj has also expressed its deep pain over Dr AB Choudhury. The “NBS conveys its heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family members and prays that God grants them solace and comfort at this hour of grief. May his soul rest in peace,” NBS condoled in a press note issued by its PRO Dilip Sharma. npF minority Wing: President NPF Minority Wing Central Bishnu Bhattacharjee on behalf of all the members and community have also extended deepest condolence on the sudden demise of Dr AB Choudhury and prayed for the departed soul to be rest in peace. “He will be remembered in the midst of all community for his immense contribution as doctor and selfless community works since last 40 years in Dimapur,” the General Secretary of NPF Minority Wing, Central Debendra Rana said in a press note.
Public SPace The fallout of the bandh Tali Longkumer (IAS rtd)
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aving completed the first stage of Ho Ho of celebration on the new ministry, consisting of Old Wine in new bottles, we are now on to the next stage of Bo Bo of reactions emitting out from different quarters on the performance of the new team manned by old hands. There is a favorite word in Hindi called ‘Chaltahai’. Yes, no matter what may, it will go on. Now all eyes are on Dr. Shürhozelie who has promised that he will work to bring normalcy to the State. Normalcy would mean setting the house in order by disposing off the long pending unsolved issues of public interest. Yes, he is a new hand but then he will be handling issues that will not be new to him. With his seasoned experience both in political and administrative fields and his exposure to public life for years, will hopefully come very handy while dealing with the vexed affairs of the State. It is prayed that he will fully make use of his front door approaches but not otherwise while elbowing through the rough roads ahead. Now coming to the issues on fallout of the recent Bandh, I would like to make few observations. The writer on the recent article on ‘The Genesis and Nemesis….’ has raised few thought provoking and soul searching issues that needs to be examined impartially and sincerely. Admitted, this is the kind of State where we thrive, plan, plunder, laugh and cry and procreate. Surrounded by foes that exploit people day in and day out with no end in sight, people somehow manage to survive, pursuing their dreams. While in upper room the leaders of sorts will continue squabbling for money, fame and power, at the ground floor the common people will continue struggling to eke out a means for survival. Talks on peace in Nagaland have
become a fashion and an illusion rather than a reality and those talking about peace on the yonder horizon may continue to talk on and on. Many of the people’s lives here are on razors edge. It was in such a kind of situation, the issue on election to ULB and 33% Women reservation cropup. Initial complains to such issues gradually gave way to agitation that finally snowballed into the peoples movement that ultimately culminated in the resignation of the then States’ Chief Minister. He, in-fact carried the ‘sins’ of the entire ministry. Out of the recent movement, few claring facts has emerged for everybody to see. The first is the spontaneous participation of all the Tribal Communities of the Sate in the movement. This movement though its objective was not very clear, became a kind of people’s movement that expressed in no uncertain terms, of its anger and frustration against the shortcomings of the Government. Hopefully it will be an eye opener for the new ministry. The second most poignant phenomena about this movement was the locking up of all the Government offices in the State for more than Fifteen days. I do not think such incident has ever happened in Nagaland and hopefully will never happen again. The third aspect of the movement relates to the survival of the life of the Government though its heartbeat was dead for more than fifteen days. There is perhaps need for the political scientist of the World to examine this strange phenomena. The fourth aspect of the movement is the participation of the Naga Women-folks with their colorful traditional attires in the Bandh for an issue which originally begun as a protest against the 33% Women Reservation in the ULB election. The fifth aspect of this movement is the fact that the movement brought the mighty Government on their knees.
I do not think our legislators rushed to Kazaringa to watch the vanishing Rhinos nor do they went on a holiday. Whereas forming or replacing a Government is normal in a democratic form of Government, rounding up of legislators and huddling them at Kazaringa holiday resort outside the State cannot be condoned. We have no provision as Scheduled Tribe or Backward area concession on such kind of Kazaringa Culture. The sixth aspect was the alarming trend on how the public at large casually viewed at such a phenomena, often humorously, whereas such kind of display by the legislators should be taken in with all seriousness. As long as there are horse trading, pimping and manipulation of sorts in the formation of any Government, a clean and stable Government will still be far away. Though a poor option, Government may consider constructing a holiday resort within Nagaland, that next time should such a shakeup in the Government become imminent, they can conveniently occupy such resort with less cost, instead of rushing back to Kazaringa. Recently while Bandh was relaxed at Dimapur, I went for a hair-cut. The person next to me was saying something like this… ‘Bandh se aj-kal roti-be melna mushkil ho kaya’. I really felt so sorry for this person. Normally, on hearing about an incoming bandh, we quickly make purchases to last for weeks and spend time watching TV and relaxing at home. But what about those thousands of Nagas and non Nagas alike who are to feed their Wives and Children’s mouths by earning their daily bread. Let us shed some tears for them. Bandh is not a festival, it is a serious business and if not wise it can be used for wrong reasons. Therefore before a Bandh is visualized, the interest, the well-being of the entire society should first be duly examined.
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Utilizing freedom of speech and expression
ormer American President Abraham Lincoln has clearly stated Democracy as the Government OF the People, BY the People and for THE People. Which means Democracy works on propel of People's WM. However, Revolution takes its phase when Democracy reciprocates as Government OFF the people, BUY the people and for the FEW people. JUST Society is a Peaceful society; Peace prevails when fair and reasonable justice is delivered to the people. To safeguard the Rights of the people and the Government;
and to achieve the just society with democratic principle, the Constitution of India has enshrined "Freedom of Speech and Expression" in Fundamental Right to its citizens with reasonable restrictions/limitations as (i) Security of Nation (ii) Sovereignty of Nation (iii) Public Order (iv) Morality (v) Contempt of Court etc Logically, Freedom of Speech and Expression cannot be used as a device for delivering a final judgement/justice by any citizen prior to the investigation/examination by experts and delivered by court/
judiciary. Though the system of govern is democratic in nature (Will of the people) but delivering a justice is the duty of judges/judiciary with requisite qualification in respective fields. But citizens using freedom of speech and expression beyond its restriction and delivering/declaring its final judgement on any socio-eco or political issue prior to establishment of concerned court is considered as undemocratic and unjust society. Therefore, any citizen or groups utilizing freedom of speech and expression for de-
The Westward Riding Legislators
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hen leaders lack vision, values, ethics, courage, character or integrity, they will succumb and will not stand the test of time. Such leaders cannot be expected to lead themselves, let alone the flock! It doesn’t matter how intelligent, persuasive or savvy a person is, if they are prone to rationalizing unethical behavior based upon current or future self-interests, without principle, they will eventually fall prey on their own undoing. Additionally in this context, leaders with poor vision and principle amongst the majority of the regionalist MLAs have even overshadowed obvious negative traits of an over abundance of ego, pride and arrogance. The society has witnessed trickeries and attempted maneuver in the current imbroglio of sorts wherein the elected sworn regional representatives have laid bare their weakling backbone in full display, negating the very default Naga principled honest stance. “Politics without principles” breeds toxics and is therefore, dirty and poisonous. Such politicians are the architects and agents of toxic politics. It is a sad commentary that in the present Naga context we have leaders who have no real essence of politics with principles. Rather than sticking with the party they vowed and vouched for to stand by, the episode of riding westward (Kaziranga) shuddering at the slightest sign of storm ahead exhibited the outmost lack of principle, conviction and courage. Like them or loathe them, the three Ks - namely
claring or pronouncing its final decision claiming general Will/voice of the people prior to investigating bureau over certain issue/conflict is absolutely/completely misuse of Fundamental Right and it is against the principle of DEMOCRACY. Am issuing this press statement in my own capacity with layman's understanding and if this statement requires any correction, you are most welcome and the rest, I leave this to the wisdom of Naga People. Vinoka Awomi Thilixu Village 3rd mile
Three Words Of Hope From Three Sources
Kiyaneilie, Kuzholuzo and Khriehu - are our heroes. Leadership takes courage to give credit to others, to remain faithful to one’s core values no matter what. We live in an era of every person for themselves, where the material always get priority over the social, where our ambitions centre on personal advancement rather than making the world a better place. In such a scenario, an unstable unprincipled leader who won’t stand firm and true ensuring the dignity of those they lead, must be outrightly rejected. The right/wrong track barometer of the “Westward Riding Legislators” was solidly wrong track. Their action has done irreparable damage to the status of the party. This has left bad precedence not only for the party at present but for posterity. Only when all the concerned put aside everything else (negative energy) ready to start from scratch with the concept “ Service Above Self” (something I don’t believe is assured by the current crop of party MLAs) will the people repose their trust, confidence and loyalty to such leaders and the party at large. Even in the most crucial areas of life, there is no room to build anything without real principles and a sense of character. Billy Graham said, “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened”-Kudos to those who stood their ground.
ORGIVENESS, RECONCILIATION and HEALING are very significant and much needed words that came from the Chief Minister, DAN Chairman and Kohima Village Council’s (KVC) note of felicitation. Only time will tell how subsequent development will take place for onward progress of this mission since it has become the ‘Centre-Stage’ of public eyes now. It is now time for those sensible and responsible youth as well as middle-aged to be prepared for bigger roles, the Church to be more active and aggressive with its program of clean and fair elections and lastly the electorate to be more cautious and wise. Coming days will offer opportunities for all to play own parts towards fulfilling the meaning of these three words of HOPE. Otherwise, a most glorious and a most colourful brightness before the sunset only or what else? Today we stand given over to the consequences of our own settled choices
K C Naga, Upper AG Kohima
Dr. Dietho-o South Corner, AG Road
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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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friday 24•02•2017
IN FOCUS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
The Power of Truth
The Morung Express volume XII Issue 52 By Witoubou Newmai
A failed mechanism
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failed mechanism was responsible for the creation of the recent disorderly scene in the State of Nagaland. Calm has prevailed now but it does not signal that the failed mechanism has been rectified. Rather, it has become a matter of urgency to note that the calm is not without potential to accumulate more energy to generate a catastrophic state of affairs in the given configuration of Nagaland State. In a democracy like ours, there are enough tools to address and redress the affairs of the day. Either due to misuse of these tools or ignorance of their availability and abundance, the working mechanism often jumps off gear. This is what has happened recently in the State of Nagaland. The reluctance of going beyond the temporary or momentary, drowning in the joy of brownie-point scoring or dearth of analytical and leadership resources and elements also contributed to the sorry story of today’s Nagaland State. Today, the mental health of the State Government is reminiscent of a captain who fails to study/gather the weather forecast before s/he sets out on a voyage. Interpretations of the causes of any wreckage of the ship will always be random and rampant driven by the intensity and colours of the interest groups. Interestingly, the recent impasse in the State had come amid celebrations of having a so called “Opposition-less Government”. Time and again, this writer has been questioning the so called “Opposition-less Government” in the State of Nagaland. The writer has also been voicing the desperate need for a spokesperson for the State Government. These are two examples among the many factors whereby, addressing these concerns can play a part towards the rectification of faulty mechanisms. It is never proper or right for one to accuse a government for being an “Opposition-less” one. Freedom of affiliation and allegiance is a key feature of democracy. However, if one ventures out for honest inquiries, the manner in which how the Nagaland State Government became “Opposition-less” was determined by interests, thereby paving a way for the people to act as the Opposition. The unfortunate truth is that, “an Opposition-less Government” is the other connotation for “a speed-breaker free government.” The absence of pick-holes-exercise among the law makers often generates an atmosphere of despotism. In the absence of Opposition parties, any action or decision of the government will be masqueraded as the truth. This is to say that no one is there for the policing job in such a time when the government becomes despotic. This is also to say that the “Opposition-less Government” is to give the legislators too much freedom to cause too much of damage to the society. The State Government of Nagaland would “happily” choose not to recognize these facts. At the end, one feels enough and more to despair about the present configuration trending in the State of Nagaland.
lEfT WING |
IANS
Mamata publicly rebukes private hospitals for 'unethical money-making'
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est Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday gave an unprecedented public tongue lashing to city-based private hospitals for "unethical" money-making practices and announced the formation of a regulatory commission to monitor their activities. A stern Banerjee berated hospital managements for excess billing and medical negligence and called upon them to show a "humane" side. Banerjee met the top brass of private hospitals (that have 100-plus bed capacity) at Town Hall with a roster of grievances of the public against them, including turning away emergency patients and refusing to release dead bodies if the families fail to cough up the bills. "We are setting up a West Bengal Health Regulatory Commission headed by an ex-Chief Justice or judge and experts. It will have representation of the public, the physicians and the hospitals as well. There will be comprehensive monitoring from billing to performance," she said in the presence of a large posse of media persons with some news channels covering the interaction live. The Commission will submit a report every month. She also said the West Bengal Clinical Act will be amended and strengthened. Leaving the management representatives stunned and often fumbling for words, Banerjee called them one after another and underscored the specific complaints against them. Medica Superspecialty Hospital representative had the most difficult time. "Has the kidney racket stopped at your hospital?" Banerjee asked the Medica official, who denied the charge, but the Chief Minister was unimpressed. "There was a police inquiry. Centre had sent us a document. The matter had gone to court... since there was no law.... you went scot free," she said, prodding a senior health official and the city Police Commissioner to get going about the legislation. At times, Banerjee instructed the senior bureaucrats to read out specific allegations against the hospitals and asked the managements to respond. But while admonishing the hospital authorities, she advised citizens to refrain from taking law into their own hands, referring to the vandalism at CMRI hospital where relatives of a patient and locals ransacked the premises accusing it of wrong treatment and demanding money without taking care of critical patients. The incident triggered the meeting where senior ministers, top bureaucrats including Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee, all high-level Bengal Health Department officials, Director General of Police Surajit Kar Purkayastha and city Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar were present. Banerjee also informed the hospital officials that a survey had been carried out recently following which as many as 70 hospitals were slapped showcause notices. "Out of 2,088 healthcare facilities, we have surveyed 942 places and 70 have been showcaused. 33 licenses have been cancelled. We had been getting complaints for a long time and it's not that we didn't do anything," she said. She vowed to clamp down on "unethical" practices. "There is absence of cleanliness and coordination. Some patients are being admitted to ICUs or put on ventilator when these options are not required in their cases. "Doctors are forcing patients to go for expensive tests and treatments for small issues. Doctors are not to be blamed. They are being forced to bend to the will of hospital authorities and go for pricier treatment for commissions," she said. "I will not allow private hospitals to extort money from patients. Have you ever thought how a poor man will pay bills in lakhs (of rupees)?" she asked. "If you feel that you need 100 per cent profit
C O M M E N T A R Y
Phil Wilmot Waging Nonviolence
‘Our challenges are bigger than Mugabe’ A conversation with Zimbabwe’s ‘protest pastor’ Evan Mawarire
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n April 19, 2016, following a cash shortage and the subsequent economic collapse of Zimbabwe, evangelical pastor Evan Mawarire released a video of himself wrapped in the national flag. He lamented each color’s defiled symbolism and then attributed alternative meanings to them. The video went viral in Zimbabwe, a nation that has been ruled by 92-year-old Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party since its independence in 1980. Much to Mawarire’s surprise, #ThisFlag erupted into a mass movement, galvanizing not only activists and preexisting movements, but also everyday citizens. Threatened by Mawarire’s skyrocketing influence, the Mugabe regime pushed him into exile. When the “protest pastor” returned to Harare on February 1, he was detained at the airport and charged with subverting a constitutionally elected government, which could result in a 20-year sentence. After another court appearance on Friday, he spoke to me about the spontaneous eruption of the #ThisFlag movement, its structure and the political climate in his homeland. Today you returned to court facing subversion charges. Tell us what happened. It was not a very drawn out affair. The state said they were not ready to go on with the case because they were still investigating [the charges]. They asked for a postponement to March 16. My lawyer agreed to the adjournment. However, the state’s affidavit says their investigations will be finished by February 28. So, if they are not ready to argue the case on March 16, my lawyer will ask for my bail conditions to be lifted, enabling me to retrieve my confiscated passport. Last year you shared a video via social media that went viral and launched the #ThisFlag movement. Did you expect this video to mobilize as broadly as it did? Not at all. It was a very personal rant, and I meant everything I said. It was the day after Independence Day. I had hoped a couple hundred people in my circle would watch it. I did not expect it to have the reach it did. This presented me with a lot of challenges, including the response from our government. It was surprising to receive threatening phone calls, harassments and harsh reactions from the state. I got caught up in a fast-moving current and was not prepared the way an activist or politician or member of civil society might be. Whether you like it or not, many now perceive you as a charismatic leader. In what ways does this aid or weaken the Zimbabwean struggle? I think charisma is certainly a gift from God, if I indeed have it. I believe ordinary people are becoming more articulate, and this is why #ThisFlag is growing very quickly. I was fortunate enough to strike a chord with the everyday person on the street. If we depend too heavily on one person who may
strategy” where any member can spontaneously generate a campaign. Ideas come from the periphery, from the grassroots. In one example, a young man decided people should gather at a prominent cricket game, wearing flags, to sing the national anthem in unison at a particular point in the competition. Without any single person coordinating this, it happened. For me, that is the success of #ThisFlag.
Zimbabwean Pastor evan mawarire gestures after addressing students during a lecture at Wits university in Johannesburg, on July 28, 2016. Mawarire, who said he has no political ambitions, became the public face of a wave of protests in Zimbabwe as founder of the popular "This Flag" internet campaign and an organiser of a national strike. The country's long-standing economic troubles have deepened in recent months, with mugabe -- aged 92 and increasingly frail -- now struggling to pay soldiers and civil servants. (AFP Photo)
There are some very confrontational and agitated movements in Zimbabwe, such as #Tajamuka/ Sesjikile. What is the relationship between #ThisFlag and such movements? Are you allies or in competition with one another? We have found many points of convergence. This is because our problems are the same. Methods may be different, but we are speaking to the same challenges. Where one has had a strategy that is working, we have tried to get behind that strategy. Lots of collaboration and sharing of ideas. Right now we have a movement partnering with us to reach out to rural areas. This movement is doing very well, although it is not on social media. It is very committed to nonviolent struggle and engaging local authorities. Is it necessary to see Mugabe out of power? Our challenges in Zimbabwe are much bigger than Mugabe. He is a figurehead of a system. I don’t want to take away from the fact that the individual had a role to play in these challenges, but there is a system of corruption and abuse. He could die tomorrow or next week, and then what?
leave, as in my case, there can be a slowing down Do you have any personal political ambitions? [when that person is gone]. A lot of my work upon my Would you run for public office? It is a question I have had to answer now, particureturn has been to deflect or defer the attention and larly because in Zimbabwe everyone is asking about the opportunities. question of leadership. Public office is something I hold in very high regard. I have chosen to keep that door open Share one example of how you have done this. Part of our communication strategy is #ThisFlag and to be available for the job of public office. Thursdays. Every Thursday we interview someone in government or public office about what they have done Does this include Mugabe’s throne? Yes, it does. for the country or how they have used the money allocated to them. It is run by a young lady, Fadzai Muhere. I don’t have any hand in it. Originally, I had started the You are a pastor. Many parts of Africa have been Facebook page and was the one updating it. Now it is in led astray by a sort of prosperity and celebrity religion, particularly in charismatic and evangelical other hands and is managed from multiple locations. I make no decisions on my own. A team always communities. What advice do you have for clersits around and deliberates before moving forward gy and laypeople like yourself in Africa who feel drawn to work for social justice, but face challengwith something. es in acting on these convictions, even from their Tell us more about the structure of #ThisFlag. How own religious circles? I think, for me, the key lies in being somebody are decisions made? How is leadership understood? Our team is made up of people with training in who does not play to the choir. You must believe different areas. Some are strong in strategy or mobi- in what you stand for, even if you are the only one lizing or social media or administration. These arms standing for it. People saw my courage and commitwork together to create campaigns and rally support ment to the cause. Even when people look like they and disseminate information. This team determines are not watching you, they are watching you. If you the direction we take. It is citizen-based, a “popcorn have a cause, run with it.
Humankind’s Ability to Feed Itself, Now in Jeopardy M IPS World Desk
ankind’s future ability to feed itself is in jeopardy due to intensifying pressures on natural resources, mounting inequality, and the fallout from a changing climate, warns a new United Nations’ report. Though very real and significant progress in reducing global hunger has been achieved over the past 30 years, “expanding food production and economic growth have often come at a heavy cost to the natural environment,” says the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report The Future of Food and Agriculture: Trends and Challenges, issued on Feb. 22, 2017. “Almost one half of the forests that once covered the Earth are now gone. Groundwater sources are being depleted rapidly. Biodiversity has been deeply eroded.” As a result, “planetary boundaries may well be surpassed, if current trends continue,” cautions FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva in his introduction to the report. By 2050 humanity’s ranks will likely have grown to nearly 10 billion people. In a scenario with moderate economic growth, this population increase will push up global demand for agricultural products by 50 per cent over present levels, intensifying pressures on already-strained natural resources, The Future of Food and Agriculture projects. At the same time, the report continues, greater numbers of people will be eating fewer cereals and larger amounts of meat, fruits, vegetables and processed food — a result of an ongoing global dietary transition that will further add to those pressures, driving more deforestation, land degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Alongside these trends, the planet’s changing climate will throw up additional hurdles. “Climate change will affect every aspect of food production,” the report says. These include greater variability of precipitation and increases in the frequency of droughts and floods. Zero Hunger? The core question raised by the new FAO report is whether, looking ahead, the world’s agriculture and food systems are capable of sustainably meeting the needs of a burgeoning global population.
The short answer? Yes, FAO says, the planet’s food systems are capable of producing enough food to do so, and in a sustainable way, but unlocking that potential – and ensuring that all of humanity benefits – will require “major transformations.” According to the report, without a push to invest in and retool food systems, far too many people will still be hungry in 2030 — the year by which the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda has targeted the eradication of chronic food insecurity and malnutrition, the report warns. “Without additional efforts to promote pro-poor development, reduce inequalities and protect vulnerable people, more than 600 million people would still be undernourished in 2030,” it says. In fact, the current rate of progress would not even be enough to eradicate hunger by 2050.
More With Less The core challenge is to produce more with less, while preserving and enhancing the livelihoods of smallscale and family farmers, and ensuring access to food by the most vulnerable. “For this, a twin-track approach is needed which combines investment in social protection, to immediately tackle undernourishment, and propoor investments in productive activities — especially agriculture and in rural economies — to sustainably increase income-earning opportunities of the poor.” According to the UN body, the world will need to shift to more sustainable food systems which make more efficient use of land, water and other inputs and sharply reduce their use of fossil fuels, leading to a drastic cut of agricultural green-house gas emissions, greater conservation of biodiversity, and a reduction of waste. This will necessitate more investment in agriculture and agri-food systems, as well as greater spending on research and development, the report says, to promote innovation, support sustainable production increases, and find better ways to cope with issues like water scarcity and climate change, it underlines. Along with boosting production and resilience, equally critical will be creating food supply chains that better connect farmers in low- and middleincome countries to urban markets — along with measures which ensure access for consumers to nutritious and safe food at affordable prices, such as such as pricing policies and social protection programs, it says. On this, Kostas Stamoulis, FAO Assistant Director General for Economics and Social Development, said a media briefing, when asked about the most important challenge of tomorrow regarding food and agriculture, said that it is climate change. “This demands change in practice of agriculture and developing agriculture that is more adaptable to climate change.” Kostas Stamoulis and the other two authors of the report, Rob Vos, Director of the Agriculture Economics Development Division, and Lorenzo Bellu, Team Leader, Global Perspective Studies, organised on Feb. 21, a briefing session for the media to explain the key issues the new document incudes.
WRITE-WING
Where Will Our Food Come From? Given the limited scope for expanding agriculture’s use of more land and water resources, the production increases needed to meet rising food demand will have to come mainly from improvements in productivity and resource-use efficiency, says FAO. However there are worrying signs that yield growth is leveling off for major crops. Since the 1990s, average increases in the yields of maize, rice, and wheat at the global level generally run just over 1 percent per annum, the report notes. To tackle these and the other challenges outlined in the report, “business-as-usual” is not an option, The Future of Food and Agriculture argues. “Major transformations in agricultural systems, rural economies and natural resource management will be needed if we are to meet the multiple challenges before us and realize the full potential of food and agriculture to ensure a secure and healthy future for all people and the entire planet,” it says. “High-input, resource-intensive farming systems, which have caused massive deforestation, water scarcities, soil depletion and high levels of greenhouse gas emissions, cannot deliver sustainable food and agricultural production,” adds the report.
Top Trends and Challenges The FAO report identifies 15 trends and 10 challenges affecting the world’s food systems:
15 Trends: • A rapidly increasing world population marked by growth “hot spots,” urbanization, and aging • Diverse trends in economic growth, family incomes, agricultural investment, and economic inequality. • Greatly increased competition for natural resources • Climate change • Plateauing agricultural productivity • Increased conflicts, crises and natural disasters • Persistent poverty, inequality and food insecurity • Dietary transition affecting nutrition and health • Structural changes in economic systems and employment implications • Increased migration • Changing food systems and resulting impacts on farmers livelihoods • Persisting food losses and waste • New international governance mechanisms for responding to food and nutrition security issues • Changes in international financing for development.
10 Challenges: • Sustainably improving agricultural productivity to meet increasing demand • Ensuring a sustainable natural resource base • Addressing climate change and intensification of natural hazards • Eradicating extreme poverty and reducing inequality • Ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition • Making food systems more efficient, inclusive and resilient • Improving income earning opportunities in rural areas and addressing the root causes of migration • Building resilience to protracted crises, disasters and conflicts • Preventing trans-boundary and emerging agriculture and food system threats • Addressing the need for coherent and effective national and international governance
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Friday 24•02•2017
PERSPECTIVE
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
7
Free speech in the courts: legal outcomes in 2016 Sevanti Ninan The Hoot
• Sedition, defamation, censorship, internet shutdowns—the year saw the courts being tested on a range of freedom of expression issues • Right to free speech is not absolute. It does not mean freedom to hurt another's reputation which is protected under Article 21 of the Constitution
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016 saw the courts being tested on a range issues concerning freedom of expression. It was a year in which cases of sedition and defamation, and of censorship of films and other arts reached record numbers. Significant orders and rulings in the supreme court and high courts this year spanned the gamut of conflicts between state and media, state and artist, state appointed censor board and film makers, legislature and media, state and political opposition, and the conflict between societal censure and free expression---the right to free speech of a citizen versus another’s right to take offence. Also, the challenges opening up on the digital front, with mobile internet bans for instance being imposed under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Perhaps the most significant rulings in the course of the year were on upholding the validity of criminal defamation, and on defamation and sedition, and whether strong criticism would amount to committing either offence. Criminal defamation, and what qualifies as defamation In May, giving its verdict on a batch of petitions including the ones by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the criminal defamation law. The court pronounced its verdict challenging the constitutional validity of sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code providing for criminal defamation. The law has no chilling effect on free speech, the apex court said. "Right to free speech is not absolute. It does not mean freedom to hurt another's reputation which is protected under Article 21 of the Constitution". There was dismay over a ruling which seemed to nullify efforts to decriminalize defamation. A few months down the line, in August, however, the SC clarified that criticism did not constitute defamation. The year which saw the demise of J Jayalalitha, CM of Tamilnadu, also saw the Supreme Court pull her up earlier in the year for using defamation as a political tool. It quashed a non-bailable warrant issued against DMDK chief Vijayakanth, and said that criminal defamation proceedings cannot be initiated for merely critiquing the government. The apex court expressed concern over the defamation law beJoseph Chamie Inter Press Service
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significant global demographic change having far-reaching consequences yet receiving scant attention is the rise of one-person households. Of the world’s two billion households, approximately 15% – or 300 million – are oneperson households (OPHs). As is often the case with global averages, considerable variation exists in the incidence of OPHs across countries. The highest rates of oneperson households occur in Europe. Among European countries OPHs of 40 percent or more are reported in Denmark, Finland, Germany and Norway. Other European countries with high rates of one-person households include Sweden (38%), Austria (37%), Switzerland (37%) Netherlands (36%), France (35%) and Italy (33%). Moderately high levels of one-person households are also observed in countries outside Europe, such as Japan (32%), the United States (28%), Canada (28 %), South Korea (27%), Australia (24%) and New Zealand (24%). One notably lower proportion of OPHs among developed countries is Russia (19%). Developing countries generally have lower proportions of one-person house-
ing misused and the office of public prosecutor in Tamilnadu being used as a 'post office' for initiating politically motivated cases against opponents. It said during the hearing that calling a government corrupt or unfit cannot be grounds for a defamation prosecution. (In the year under review the AIDMK government also filed 16 cases of defamation against in the media in just the first three months of the year.) Sedition In January and October judges at two high courts, Delhi and Chhattisgarh respectively, grappled with the issue of why young people were inclined to allegedly seditious thoughts. The Delhi judge was examining Kanhaiya Kumar’s application for bail in the JNU sedition case and wondered aloud, "why the colour of peace is eluding the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University". While granting Kanhaiya Kumar interim bail for six months the Court noted that being of the "intellectual class" Kumar could have any political or ideological affiliation, and had the right to pursue the same within the framework of the Constitution. To afford time to introspect on the events that had culminated in the arrest of Kumar and provide "antibiotic" to cure the "infection", the Court was inclined to grant him an opportunity to return to the mainstream. Six months down the line in Bilaspur, a Chhattisgarh High Court judge considered the bail application of a Kashmiri youth residing in Chhattisgarh who had shared a Facebook post which showed a cartoon of India being swept by a broom. He took a more judgmental view than the Delhi court, noting that while the case diary does not suggest that any disorder or disturbance of public place took place, “The argument that the applicant had only liked the face book wall and has a right of freedom of expression cannot be appreciated. It cannot be ignored that the applicant is able to study and live a life of freedom in this country only…” This judge too granted bail but urged introspection. 2016 was a year when sedition went viral and a large number of cases were filed, 18 between just January and June. In a case hearing on Sep-
tember 6 the SC clarified that sedition or defamation cases could not be slapped on anyone criticising the government: “Someone making a statement to criticise the government does not invoke an offence under sedition or defamation law. We have made it clear that invoking of section 124(A) of IPC (sedition) requires certain guidelines to be followed as per the earlier judgement of the apex court,” a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and U Lalit said while hearing a petition by Common Cause on the misuse of the sedition law. However the Supreme Court declined to pass a direction on the Common Cause plea that a copy of this order be sent to all Chief Secretaries of states and the Directors General of Police. “You have to file a separate plea highlighting if any misuse of sedition law is there. In criminal jurisprudence, allegations and cognisance have to be case specific, otherwise it will go haywire. There can’t be any generalisation,” the bench said. Bans as regulation: I and B ministry vs TV channels 2016 saw three bans imposed on TV channels in the course of the year by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, for durations varying from one week to one day. NDTV India was ordered to go off air for a day for having revealed "strategically-sensitive" details while covering the Pathankot terrorist attack, the one day ban quickly became a cause celebre. The channel moved the Supreme Court against the ban but the court deferred hearing the case. Care World TV, a health channel upon which a seven-day ban was imposed, went to court as well and obtained a heartening order. The Bombay High Court said the order was completely illegal and a breach of the elementary principles of natural justice. It also observed that larger issue of the power of the central government to impose such a ban would have to be examined. Given that there have been 32 bans imposed by the ministry over the last twelve years, this year may have seen the beginning of a significant push back. Legislature and the media In August 2015 an enquiry committee set up by the UP Legislative
Assembly had held staff of two TV channels of the of TV Today group guilty of breach of privilege of Azam Khan, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister in the Samajwadi Party government in the state, and an MLA from Rampur constituency. In March this year the Supreme Court stayed the proceedings initiated by the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Legislative Assembly. This committee had been set up by the Sadan on 17 September, 2013, to examine allegations aired against Khan in a sting operation telecast on Aaj Tak and Headlines Today channels in relation to the Muzaffarnagar riots. It held 48 meetings, it said in its report, examining the evidence and listening to the channel representatives, before it concluded that there had been a breach of privilege. Senior advocate Soli Sorabjee had filed a Special Leave Petition in the SC under Article 32 of the Constitution. Appearing for the TV Today Network's channels — Aaj Tak and Headlines Today (now India Today) — submitted that UP assembly had no locus standi to direct journalists to appear before it for having conducted the sting operation since it pertained to a matter outside the assembly and did not in any way impede the functioning of the House or any of its members. "The proceedings against petitioners by the UP Legislative Assembly shall remain stayed," a Bench of justices J S Khehar and C Nagappan said and asked the UP government and its legislative assembly to file their response within four weeks on the petition by the channel and its staffers. The bench said it was passing this order to give the Additional Advocate General of the state of Uttar Pradesh more time which he had sought to file a counter affidavit so as to enable him to place the complete picture of the controversy on the record of this case. The case has not been heard by the apex court again, but it constitutes a significant test case on whether media exposing a legislator’s actions outside the assembly can attract a charge of breach of privilege. The detailed report of the enquiry committee does point out though that the legislator had not been given a chance to respond to the expose before it was telecast.
Triumphing over community censorship In July 2016 came a judgement from the Madras High Court which ws hailed for striking a much needed blow against community censorship of the arts. In 2015 Tamil writer Perumal Murugan had announced his death as a writer after orchestrated protests demanding a ban on his novel Mathorubhagan (One Part Woman)in his hometown of Tiruchengode in Tamil Nadu. He had been forced to tender an apology at a local peace committee meeting. The Hindu said in an editorial “The 160-page judgment by a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul builds on a series of progressive rulings. It has applied the contemporary community standards test in concluding that there is nothing obscene in the novel.” It however demurred later in its editorial that the suggestion of the bench that the state should set up an experts body to resolve conflicts such as these could itself represent a compromise. After the judgement the writer said in a statement that it had given him much happiness. "It comforts a heart that had shrunk itself and wilted. I am trying to prop up myself holding on to the light of the last lines of the judgment, "Let the author be resurrected to what he is best at. Write." The following month, in August 2016, there was a victory in a similar case for a Mumbai writer charged with obscenity in 2005 for a novel published in 1994. In this case there was no judgement--the charge was withdrawn 11 years after being filed. The Hindu reported that a 19-yearold student at the Urdu Department of Mumbai University had registered a complaint at the Jogeshwari police station stating that she found two paragraphs in Mr Abbas’ 1994 novel, Nakhlistan ki Talash (The Search of an Oasis), “objectionable” and “obscene”. The allegations cost him his job as a teacher at the Anjuman-eIslam’s English High School and Allana Junior College. The complainant retracted her statement this year and said she had misunderstood the writing.
the CBFC did not have the power to censor films. While the CBFC merely cited guidelines and offered no reasoning for the cuts it was demanding, the court did not actually question the lack of a reasoned order by the board. Instead the judgement focused on defending the scenes sought to be deleted. Digital challenges Finally the courts grappled with internet bans and offences arising out of social media. The year saw the Supreme Court rule on the legality of Internet shutdowns under Section 144 CrPC. In February the apex court ruled that mobile internet can be banned under this section, and dismissed an appeal challenging a judgment of the Gujarat High Court which had upheld the ban on mobile internet under S.144 of Code of Criminal Procedure. Dismissing the argument that there was a provision for such bans under the Telegraph Act the court said that using this section “becomes very necessary sometimes for law and order. There can be concurrent powers”, remarked one of the judges before dismissing the petition. High courts in Delhi and Madras dealt with cases involving uploading of morphed pictures on social media, the sharing of What’sApp data with Facebook and the posting of defamatory videos on Youtube. In October The Madras High Court directed YouTube and Google to disclose details of a user who posted a video that a private company termed defamatory. And in the same month the Delhi HC restrained social websites, including Facebook India, Google, YouTube and Twitter India, from publishing or showing any derogatory photographs of expelled AIADMK MP Sasikala Pushpa. The order by Justice R K Gauba came after Pushpa alleged that unknown persons had threatened to upload her morphed photos on the internet. Sports feed: advantage public broadcaster In a ruling with significant commercial implications the Supreme Court held in May this year that when private sector sports broadcasters shared their feed with the public broadcaster, the signal provided had to be stripped of advertisements, if the revenue from those advertisements was not being shared with Prasar Bharati: “The sharing of the signals has to be without any advertisements and if the advertisements are to be included in the signals, the revenue has to be shared equally.” The court said that the law which mandated the sharing-- Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act-said it should be the best feed possible. Star India Ltd had filed an appeal against sharing ad free feed with Prasar Bharati. The broadcaster had argued that the feed it received from the organisers would necessarily include advertisements, logos and other on-screen credits presented during the game.
Upholding cinematic freedom of expression In a year which saw practically weekly tussles between film makers and the Central Board of Film Certification, there were at least two court judgments which upheld the creative freedom of film makers. While expressing diametrically opposite views on the judgment of the Central Board of Film Certification! In April the Bombay High Court on Thursday declined to grant a stay on the release of a Bengali film called Dark Chocolate, based on the Sheena Bora murder case. Peter Mukherjea, the co-accused in the case, and his sister had filed a petition seeking a stay on the grounds that the film was defamatory. While rejecting the plea a division bench of the High Court said that it had faith in the Central Board of Film Certification which must have analysed the film before approving it for release. In June the Bombay High Court The Hoot is the only not-for-profit upheld only one of 94 cuts ordered initiative in India which does indein the film Udta Punjab, saying that pendent media monitoring.
The Rise of One-Person Households holds than developed countries. Some of the lowest rates of OPHs – less than 10% – are observed in India, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, the Philippines and Vietnam. Other developing countries having levels of one-person households closer to the global average include China (15%), Turkey (13%) and Singapore (12%). Although China’s proportion of 15% OPHs is well below the levels of developed countries, China has the world’s largest number of one-person households – 66 million are registered - due to its enormous population size of 1.4 billion people. In second place with an OPH proportion of 28% is the United States having approximately 35 million one-person households. The proportion of people who live alone has grown steadily over the recent past. Since the 1960s, for example, one-person households in many countries have increased substantially. In many European countries as well as in Australia, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, and the United States, the proportion of one-person households has more than doubled. Also in contrast to the recent past, in at least 25 developed countries one-person
households have become more numerous than two-parent households with children. In several of those countries, such as Estonia, Finland, Germany and Japan, the proportion of one-person households has reached approximately twice that of couple households with children. Various factors account for the rapid rise in one-person households. Economic development, increasing wealth and improved standards of living play major roles in the increased incidence of OPHs. Consequently, the levels of one-person households tend to be substantially higher in developed countries than in developing countries. With greater affluence people can afford to live alone and growing numbers are choosing to pay for their personal privacy, individualism and freedom to live as they wish. Also, as women have become more socially and economically self-reliant, they are more able and apt to establish one-person households. With increased education, more employment and career opportunities and improved gender equality, women are increasingly able to choose their life styles, including whether they would like to live inde-
pendently on their own. Population ageing, increased longevity and improved health at older ages are also important factors giving rise to one-person households. With longer, healthier lives and the growing proportions of elderly persons, widows and widowers are often choosing to live alone, especially in developed countries where governments generally provide old age social security, assistance and health care. Urbanisation with its high population densities, small living quarters and multitude of services, opportunities and freedoms permits a lifestyle that is conducive to living on one’s own. Whereas in 1960 two-thirds of the world’s population lived in rural areas, today the majority of the world’s population (55 percent) lives in urban centers. In addition, the migration of the young single men and women from rural areas to urban centers often results with the elderly living alone and far away from family members. Another major reason for the rapid rise in one-person households among young people is delaying or eschewing marriage and family building due to higher education, professional training, career
aspirations and personal goals. In addition to lower marriage rates and smaller family size, growing numbers are choosing to remain childless. Also contributing to the rise in one-person households are high levels of divorce and cohabitation dissolution, low rates of remarriage and changes in traditional values and family structures. The divorce rate in China, for example, has increased rapidly during the past thirty years, jumping from 0.4 divorces per 1,000 people in the mid-1980s to 2.7 divorces per 1,000 people today. Similarly among OECD countries, the average divorce rate increased from 1.3 divorces per 1,000 people in 1970 to 2.1 divorces per 1,000 people in 2014. Modern communications, particularly the Internet, allows those wishing to live alone to be connected and engaged with family, friends and others. As often noted, living alone does not necessarily mean one is lonely. Relatively low cost, modern communications and social media have permitted one-person households to maintain intimate relationships, friendships, emotional support and social interactions. The rise of one-person
households has consequences for consumption patterns, resource allocations and human mobility. The growing numbers of OPHs increase demand for housing, transportation, natural resources and energy. In addition, one-person households have implications for certain industries and businesses, such as housing, appliances, electronics, domestic goods, health care, food manufacturing, meal packaging, financial and personal counseling, travel, entertainment and home services. Also, the growth of OPHs has various societal and normative implications, including the well being of the individuals residing on their own. Oneperson households tend to be more vulnerable and therefore potentially more costly to society than those having a partner or companion. With a single and often limited source of income, one-person households are more precarious with lower median household incomes and generally face more difficulties when dealing with unemployment, injury, illness, adversity, disability, social isolation and loneliness. In addition, the increase in one-person households has government policy implications. OPHs often mean small-
er savings for retirement and therefore potentially greater financial aid and assistance needed for the elderly in the future. Voting patterns are also likely to be impacted, with astute political leaders realizing that perhaps its time to expand their traditional focus on what is good for families with children to the needs of people living alone. Clearly, the rise of one-person households is a significant global demographic transformation with wide-ranging consequences. For individuals OPHs offer opportunities for men and women wishing to have privacy, solitude, introspection and personal lifestyle choices. However, growing numbers of one-person households also pose challenges to the social and economic development of urban centers and rural areas, the centrality of the family in modern society and the capacities of governments to provide support, services and care to those living alone when needed, particularly the elderly. Effectively addressing those and related challenges requires acknowledging, discussing and planning for the large and growing presence of one-person households. Joseph Chamie is an independent consulting demographer and a former director of the United Nations Population Division.
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FriDAY 24•02•2017
INDIA
Three soldiers, woman killed in Kashmir attack
Srinagar, February 23 (ianS): Three soldiers and a woman were killed in a militant attack in a south Kashmir village on Thursday, police said. Two officers, a Lt. Colonel and a Major, and three more soldiers were injured in the attack owned by Hizbul Mujahideen, the largest militant group in Jammu and Kashmir. The Major is reportedly in critical condition. Police said the security forces were returning from a search operation when they were ambushed near Kungnoo village of Shopian district, some 50 km from here. A soldier died on the spot while two others succumbed to their injuries later, the police said. The woman was hit by a bullet inside her house, the police said. "Reinforcements were rushed to the area to track down the attackers," a police officer said. A caller identifying himself as Burhan-ud-Din, a Hizb spokesman, told a Srinagar-based news agency that the group carried out the attack.
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
61% voting in UP fourth phase polls Over 61 per cent of the 1.84 crore voters have cast their vote in the fourth phase of the elections
Freedom doesn't mean make campuses hub of anti-national acts: Kiren Rijiju
new DeLhi, February 23 (PTi): Amidst tension in DU's North Campus in the wake of clashes, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today said freedom of expression in the country does not give right to make college campuses hub of anti-national activity. "No anti-India slogans will be allowed in the name of freedom of speech. Freedom of expression in the country does not give anyone the right to make college campuses hub of anti-national activity," he told reporters here. Rijiju's statement came a day after Ramjas College had turned into a battleground as students of Left-affiliated AISA and the RSS-backed ABVP, armed with hockey sticks, rained blows on each other, causing injuries to many. Tension prevailed on DU's North Campus today in the wake of yesterday's incident even as members of students' groups protested at many places, including at the Delhi Police headquarters, seeking action against the ABVP members. Rijiju, alumni of DU, said no one should make any statement which will harm the national interest. "India is a democratic country. We have fundamental rights but we have fundamental duties too," he said
Man behind Freedom 251 mobile phone detained for fraud
ghaZiabaD, February 23 (PTi): Mohit Goel, the Director of Noida-based company Ringing Bells which had announced Freedom 251 smartphones at an astonishingly low price of Rs 251+ apiece, was detained in Ghaziabad on Thursday on allegations of fraud, police said. Goel has been detained after owner of Ghaziabad-based Ayam Enterprises filed an FIR on Wednesday alleging that Ringing Bells "defrauded" it of Rs 16 lakh. Ghaziabad Deputy SP Manish Mishra said Goel has been detained for interrogation in the matter. In the FIR, Ayam Enterprises has claimed it was persuaded by Goel and others from Ringing Bells to take up the distributorship of the Freedom 251 phones in November 2015. "We paid Rs 30 lakh to Ringing Bells through RTGS on different occasions. But it delivered us product worth Rs 13 lakh only. Upon follow-up, we could get products plus money totaling Rs 14 lakh," it claimed in the FIR. The owners of Ayam Enterprises claim that they were threatened with life if they asked for the rest Rs 16 lakh "again and again". Ringing Bells had begun the sale of Freedom 251 handsets, touted as the world's cheapest, via its website in February last year. It landed in a controversy, however, with some alleging it was like ponzi scheme. The firm had claimed that around 30,000 customers had booked the phone despite some glitch and seven crore people registered for it.
IAF down to four C-130J Super Hercules aircraft
new DeLhi, February 23 (agencieS): In a major setback to Indian Air Force strategic airlift capability, C-130J 'Super Hercules' aircraft involved in an accident that has left it badly damaged while taxing at a high altitude Thoise airfield in Ladakh. With the accident, IAF is presently left with four of the six such super Hercules airlift, procured from the US for special operations in 2011. Earlier in March, IAF had lost a C-130J during "a tactical low-level training sortie" after it crashed near Gwalior, killing the five personnel on board. Though accident happened in December, a high-level court of inquiry is on to fix the responsibility of the mishap. In all, India has ordered 13 C-130Js from the US for over $2.1 billion. While the first six planes were inducted at the Hindon airbase in NCR, the rest are earmarked for the second C-130J squadron to be based at Panagarh in West Bengal for the eastern front with China.
(Left) Muslim girls show their fingers marked with indelible ink after casting vote at a polling station during the fourth phase Assembly elections in Allahabad on Thursday. (PTI Photo) (Right) A couple arrives to cast their vote at a polling station during the fourth phase of the state assembly election in Allahabad, India, February 23. (REUTERS)
Lucknow/new DeLhi, February 23 (ianS): Over 61 per cent voters exercised their franchise on Thursday across 53 seats in the fourth phase elections to the Uttar Pradesh assembly. The voting percentage is likely to go up. "The voting percentage was 61 per cent till 5 pm. We hope it will go up to 63 per cent," Deputy Election Commissioner Vijay Dev told reporters in New Delhi. The seats that went to the polls were spread across the Bundelkhand region apart from districts of Allahabad, Koshambi, Pratapgarh and Rae Bareli. Vijay Dev said the seats had seen 59.9 per cent polling in the 2012 assembly polls and 57.1 per
cent in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. He said the Election Commission had recovered Rs 13.49 crore in cash and liquor worth Rs 8.17 crore in the run up to the polling in the fourth phase. The voting was slow in the morning but picked up pace as the day progressed. Other places which saw brisk or high voting included Mahoba, Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Lalitpur and Rae Bareli, the Lok Sabha seat of Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Skirmishes had erupted in Pratapgarh between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) activists and in Mahoba between workers of the ruling Samajwadi Party and the BSP. Samajwadi Party candidate
Siddha Gopal Sahu's son was shot and seriously injured at Mahoba. In Bundelkhand region, people boycotted polling in some villages. Electronic Voting Machines developed snags in at least a dozen places, disrupting balloting. Residents of some villages boycotted the polls to protest lack of development and basic amenities. Among those who cast their vote were West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, BJP state chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and Union Minister Niranjan Jyoti. The main contest was between the BSP, the BJP and Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance. While the Bahujan Samaj Party contested on all 53 seats, the BJP contested 48 seats and Rashtriya
Lok Dal 39. The Samajwadi Party contested 33 and Congress 25. Samajwadi Party had done well in these constituencies in 2012 election, winning 24 of 53 seats. The Congress had won six seats in the last polls while the BSP had won 15, BJP five and Peace Party three. Over 1.84 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in the election. As many as 680 candidates were in the fray including the maximum 26 from the Allahabad North constituency. There were 61 women candidates. Prominent candidates whose electoral fate was decided on Thursday included Utkarsha Mishra, son of former Leader of Opposition in the outgoing assem-
BJP gains big in BMC polls, 3 policemen suspended over Ramjas violence finishes 3 short of Shiv Sena's tally
mumbai, February 23 (ianS): The Shiv Sena finished on the top of a hung Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday, but the BJP said it could take control of India's richest civic body with the backing of independents. Shiv Sena activists celebrated earlier in the day as it appeared it was set to take control of the BMC but it finished with just 84 of the 227 seats. The BJP came close with 81 seats. Any party or combine will need 114 corporators for a simple majority. Across Maharashtra, however, the Bharatiya Janata Party made major gains in elections held for municipal bodies. The Shiv Sena victory came in Thane. BJP Mumbai president Ashish Shelar said the party had bagged 81 seats in Mumbai and had the support of four independents and that it was in a position to claim the crucial post of mayor. "This is a historic victory for the BJP ... We are only three seats less than the Shiv Sena ... The credit goes to the development agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis," he said. An aggressive Shiv Sena had snapped ties with the BJP ahead of the municipal elections and its leader Uddhav Thackeray had expected the Sena to win at least 100 seats, if not an outright majority. The BMC, which is also the country's largest municipal
body, has an annual budget of Rs 37,000 crore in 2016-17. The Congress trailed at a distant third in Mumbai, forcing its city unit chief Sanjay Nirupam to accept moral responsibility. He has offered to resign from the post. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) of Raj Thackeray, Uddhav's estranged cousin, finished with seven seats. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) bagged nine seats and the Hyderabad-based Majlis-eIttehadul Muslimeen three. The BJP's solid gains came in other major cities of Maharashtra. The BJP raced towards victory in the Pune Municipal Corporation, pushing the ruling NCP to a poor second spot. The Shiv Sena, the MNS and the Congress fared poorly in the state's cultural and IT capital. The contest was close in Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation near Pune, with the ruling NCP leading in 27 seats and the BJP at the second place with 21 seats. The Shiv Sena was on way to retaining control over the 131-seat Thane Municipal Corporation. Nagpur appeared to be going the BJP way, with the party leading in 70 of the civic body's 151 seats, the Congress in 20 and the NCP and Shiv Sena in one seat each. In Nashik, the BJP appeared set to bag the 112-member civic body. The BJP was faring well in Amravati too, Election Commission officials said.
new DeLhi, February 23 (ianS): Delhi Police on Thursday suspended three policemen on charges of assaulting some students and journalists when two student groups clashed at the Ramjas College here a day earlier. "We have suspended two Head Constables and a Constable for assualting students and media persons," Joint Commissioner Dependra Pathak told IANS. The suspension came after Special Commissioner of Police S.B.K. Singh addressed hundreds of students protesting outside the police headquarters here and promised action against his guilty colleagues. Singh, the senior most officer in charge of the area in North Campus of Delhi University where the violence occurred on Wednesday, said he was not aware who ordered baton charge at the campus during the clashes between activists of the Leftist All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSSaffiliated Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The officer regretted the attack on journalists and students and promised a "fair probe" by the Crime Branch to "punish the guilty". "I have asked journalists to give me video footage of the lathicharge," he said. Singh also said that a desk would be set up to receive complaints and the video footage of Wednesday's incident. After the officer spoke, students and teachers called off the protest outside the police headquarters which caused traffic snarls for hours in one of the busiest parts of the capital. But AISA
said it was not satisfied with the police assurance. Its leader Kawalpreet Kaur regretted the delay in registering a case of violence against ABVP activists. "We met the Joint Commissioner who shamefully denied us our right to get the FIR filed (against ABVP) and told us to be satisfied with the police version," Kaur said. "We will not agree to the police narrative of the incident which calls the entire violence a riot between two groups of Left and Right." Another AISA leader, Rama Naga, told IANS that students would hand over evidences to police. "We have all the evidence including photographs, videos and medico-legal report of those injured." Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar said he had sought a report from the Delhi University. But the minister refused to speak about the largescale violence at the Ramjas College when
India seeks to crack down on C-section birth for profits "We have entered into an area, very sorry to say, in the last 20 years, where doctors care more about money than about patients' health"
India’s Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi meets Subarna Ghosh, petitioner on Change.org and receives her petition with almost 135,000 signatures asking for commercialisation of Caesarean deliveries to end in the country in New Delhi on Feb. 22. (REUTERS)
bly Swamy Prasad Maurya; Independent Raghuraj Pratap Singh aka Raja Bhaiyya; Aradhna Mishra, daughter of Rajya Sabha member Pramod Tiwari; and Ujjwal Raman Singh, son of senior Samajwadi Party leader, Reoti Raman Singh. Sonia Gandhi, who has not campaigned for the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls this time due to ill health, on Thursday made an appeal to the people of Amethi and Rae Bareli through a video message to vote for the Congress. Her message came a day after she sent out an appeal to voters in a letter. Uttar Pradesh is witnessing a seven-phased election to 402 of 403 seats (election on one seat has been countermanded) which will conclude on March 8.
new DeLhi, February 22 (ThomSon reuTerS FounDaTion): India's minister for women said on Wednesday she would seek to regulate Caesarean sections and "name and shame" gynaecologists who dupe women into choosing surgery over natural birth for commercial gain. Although there are no national figures on the number of C-sections performed in India, Minister for Women Maneka Gandhi said she believed it was much higher than in other countries and urged private hospitals to release their surgical data. "The normal Caesarean delivery rate in a country would not be more than 10 percent, because it is usually
done as a last resort. In this country, it is extremely high because it brings the doctor more money," said Gandhi. "We have entered into an area, very sorry to say, in the last 20 years, where doctors care more about money than about patients' health. We would like the hospitals to display data on how many Caesarean section deliveries they have done." Gandhi made the comments after being presented with a petition signed by almost 135,000 people on Change.org highlighting concerns over practice in private hospitals. The petition calls for all hospitals to declare Caesarean delivery rates, for the government to investigate those with unusually high rates and for it to issue guidelines to better safeguard the health of mother and child. World Health Organization norms prescribe that C-section deliveries should ideally be 10-15 percent of the total number of deliveries in a country. But latest government data show rates in some Indian states are much higher. The rate of C-section
deliveries in private hospitals tops 70 percent in the eastern state of West Bengal and is almost 75 percent in the southern state of Telangana. "We would like to name and shame gynaecologists who do Caesarean deliveries for no reason at all, except money," said Gandhi. "This is not correct. We will take it up with the health ministry and see how we can regulate this." The petitioner Subarna Ghosh who suffered a painful recovery and said she was given false assurances about surgery - said Caesareans had become a business in Indian hospitals. "I am not anti-Caesarean deliveries. Through my petition on Change.org, I wish to highlight the commercialisation of C-sec deliveries," Ghosh said in a statement. "The right of women to exercise informed consent is being over-ridden by this dangerous trend. Women need to be made aware of the C-section percentages of different hospitals and maternity homes, so that they can choose their hospitals carefully."
ABVP activists first foiled a seminar where a speaker was JNU student Umar Khalid, arrested last year for sedition, and then attacked students and others taking out a protest. Many journalists were also injured. AISA supporters claimed that police stood mutely when the ABVP went on the rampage. The Delhi Union of Journalists expressed anguish over the attacks on journalists "by protesters as well as police who did not wear nametags". Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas held Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh responsible for the violence and appealed to students to debate in a democratic way in case of divergence of views. The CPI-M condemned the violence by ABVP "goons" and denounced Delhi Police, describing the Ramjas incident a "shameful example of the violent intolerance backed by the state machinery of the RSS-BJP combine".
India approves 16 road projects in Nepal kaThmanDu, February 23 (ianS): India has approved 16 road projects to be undertaken through its financial assistance to the Himalayan country under the third Line of Credit. The matter was agreed upon here on Wednesday during the 5th bilateral two-day Line of Credit (LoC) Review Meeting between the two governments. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said the projects -- including the Mahakali bridge in far western Nepal -- needed to be consolidated since it was desirable to attract quality contractors. Both sides also discussed the modalities for the implementation of the Line of Credit for $750 million pledged by India for post-earthquake reconstruction in Nepal, which is now ready for operationalisation, it said. The meeting also discussed expediting of the Rahughat hydroelectricity project, Koshi and Solu corridors and Modi-Lekhnath transmission line projects. Similarly, the meeting also discussed capacity building of the National Reconstruction Authority of Nepal, the key agency responsible for undertaking reconstruction work in Nepal following the massive earthquake in April 2015. Both sides agreed to set up Joint Monitoring Teams to meet on a quarterly basis to ensure better monitoring and speedy implementation of the projects. The meeting reviewed the progress made on projects of $100 million (LoCI) and $250 million (LoC-II) -- the earlier Lines of Credit extended by India to Nepal through the Exim Bank of India. Projects approved for implementation as well as projects for which preparation of Detailed Projects Reports are under process, under the Line of Credit of $550 million (LoC-III) were also discussed.
fridAY 24•02•2017
WORLD
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
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North Korea denies it was behind the assassination at Malaysia airport SEOUL, FEbrUary 23 (aP): North Korea denied Thursday that its agents masterminded the assassination of the half brother of leader Kim Jong Un, saying a Malaysian investigation into the death of one of its nationals is full of “holes and contradictions.” The North’s response came a day after Malaysian police said they were seeking two more North Koreans, including the second secretary of North Korea’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur, in connection with the Feb. 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam at a Malaysian airport. Malaysia police have not directly pinpointed North Korea as being behind the death of Kim Jong Nam, but have already arrested a North Korean man working at a Malaysian company along with three other Southeast Asian people. They are searching for several more North Koreans. The Korean Jurists Committee, a legal body affiliated with North Korea’s rubberstamp parliament, said in a statement Thursday that the Malaysian investigation lacks fairness and was influenced by the South Korean government, which blames Pyongyang for the death. The North has not acknowledged that the dead man is Kim Jong Nam. Thursday’s statement described the man only as a North Korean citizen bearing a diplomatic passport. It said that South Korea had “kicked up a fuss” and had plotted to have North Korea blamed
Malaysia requests Interpol alert on four NKoreans over airport murder
People watch a TV screen broadcasting a news report on the assassination of Kim Jong Nam, the older half brother of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea on February 14. (REUTERS Photo)
for the killing. “The biggest responsibility for his death rests with the government of Malaysia as the citizen of the DPRK died in its land,” the statement said. The DPRK refers to the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, the country’s official name. Malaysian police said Wednesday that the two women suspected of fatally poisoning Kim Jong Nam were trained to coat their hands with toxic chemicals and then wipe them on his face. Police say the substance
used remains unknown, but it was potent enough to kill Kim before he could make it to a hospital. Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar told reporters that the women, one Vietnamese and the other Indonesian, knew they were handling poisonous materials and “were warned to take precautions.” The women and a Malaysian man, believed to be the boyfriend of the Indonesian woman, have been arrested. Surveillance video showed both women keeping their hands away from their bodies
after the attack, he said, then going to restrooms to wash. Those details are not clear in video obtained by media outlets. But the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has already ridiculed the police account and demanded the immediate release of the two “innocent women.” An embassy statement asked how the women were able to survive if they also had the deadly toxins on their hands. Malaysian police said the women washed their hands soon after poisoning Kim.
KUaLa LUMPUr, FEbrUary 23 (rEUtErS): Malaysia has requested Interpol to put an alert out to apprehend four North Korean suspects in the murder of Kim Jong Nam, Malaysia’s police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said on Thursday. The estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was killed in Kuala Lumpur’s main airport last week, in what South Korean and U.S. officials say was an assassination carried out by North Korean agents. Khalid said on Thursday that two women one Vietnamese, one Indonesian - arrested last week had been paid for carrying out the fatal assault on Kim Jong Nam using a fast-acting poison, but declined to say if they were working for a spy agency. Police are also holding one North Korean man, but are seeking another seven in connection with the murder. Three of them - a diplomat, a state airline official, and another man - are believed to still be in Malaysia. The other four are believed to have fled Malaysia on Feb. 13, the day of the killing. Khalid told reporters that a request had been made to Interpol Khalid said the women had practiced the attack at two Kuala Lumpur malls. “We strongly believe it is a planned thing and that they have been trained,” he said. Khalid couldn’t confirm whether North Korea’s government was behind Kim’s death but added, “What is clear is that those involved are North Koreans.” At least one of the women has said she was tricked into attacking Kim Jong Nam, believing she was taking part in a comedy prank TV show. The case has perplexed toxi-
to put out an alert to apprehend the four suspects, who they believe have already made their way back to North Korea. Khalid also said the police have sent an official request to the North Korean embassy requesting to interview the embassy’s second secretary and the airline official, having released their names on Wednesday. “If you have nothing to hide, you should not be afraid to cooperate, you should cooperate,” Khalid told reporters. Khalid said an arrest warrant will not be issued for the second secretary, as he has diplomatic immunity, but that “the process of the law will take place” if the airline official does not come forward. Police have still to receive DNA samples from Kim Jong Nam’s next of kin, Khalid said. He also denied that Malaysian police officers had been sent to Macau, the Chinese territory where Kim Jong Nam and his family had been living under Beijing’s protection. North Korea’s ambassador has said the Malaysian investigation cannot be trusted, and the embassy issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the 3 suspects that have been detained should be released.
cologists, who question how the two women could have walked away unscathed after handling a powerful poison. Kim had spent most of the past 15 years living in China and Southeast Asia. He is believed to have had at least three children with two women. No family members have come forward to claim the body. South Korea’s spy agency believes North Korea was behind the killing, but has produced no evidence. Analysts in Seoul said Kim Jong Un likely had his brother killed because he could be a po-
tential challenger to his rule in a country where his family ruled for three generations and where the bloodline is still extolled in the country’s founding mythology. North Korea has a long history of ordering killings of people it views as threats to its regime. While Kim Jong Nam was not thought to be seeking influence, his position as eldest son of the family that has ruled North Korea since its founding could have made him appear to be a danger. He was at the airport to fly to Macau, where he had a home.
Pope Francis suggests Thai court reduces royal insult sentence Japan’s crown prince to model tablishment magazine. “better to be atheist than himself after father as emperor The royal insult law, also known as lese-majeste, is punishhypocritical Catholic” able by a jail term of up to 15 years VatICaN CIty, FEbrUary 23 (rEUtErS): Pope Francis delivered another criticism of some members of his own Church on Thursday, suggesting it is better to be an atheist than one of “many” Catholics who he said lead a hypocritical double life. In improvised comments in the sermon of his private morning Mass in his residence, he said: “It is a scandal to say one thing and do another. That is a double life.” “There are those who say ‘I am very Catholic, I always go to Mass, I belong to this and that association’,” the head of the 1.2 billion-member Roman Catholic Church said, according to a Vatican Radio transcript. He said that some of these people should also say “’my life is not Christian, I don’t pay my employees proper salaries, I
exploit people, I do dirty business, I launder money, (I lead) a double life’.” “There are many Catholics who are like this and they cause scandal,” he said. “How many times have we all heard people say ‘if that person is a Catholic, it is better to be an atheist’.” Since his election in 2013, Francis has often told Catholics, both priests and lay people, to practice what their religion preaches. In his often impromptu sermons, he has condemned sexual abuse of children by priests as being tantamount to a “Satanic Mass”, said Catholics in the mafia excommunicate themselves, and told his own cardinals to not act as if they were “princes”. Less than two months after his election, he said Christians should see atheists as good people if they do good.
Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, editor of “Voice of the Oppressed”, a magazine devoted to self-exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, gestures as he walks near a prison cell at the criminal court in Bangkok. (REUTERS File Photo)
baNGKOK, FEbrUary 23 (rEUtErS): Thailand’s Supreme Court on Thursday reduced the sentence of a prominent former magazine editor who had been jailed for 10 years for insulting the country’s
monarchy, a legal group said. Somyot Prueksakasemsuk was found guilty of publishing two satirical articles defaming the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2010 when he was editor of an anti-es-
for each offence. Somyot was given two fiveyear jail terms for each article and one year for an unrelated defamation conviction. The Supreme Court had cut the royal insult sentences to three years each, the legal watchdog Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) said. He will still have about 14 months to serve. The case drew a lot of diplomatic attention and the original sentence had been strongly condemned by the European Union. “There is little reason to celebrate today because he should not have been in jail in the first place,” said Andrea Giorgetta of the International Federation for Human Rights. In December, Thailand’s new King Maha Vajiralongkorn pardoned or commuted the sentences of up to 150,000 prison inmates, including some convicted under the lese-majeste laws.
DISRUPTING THE DISRUPTERS: Singapore rattles sharing economy with rule change
Office workers walk to the train station during evening rush hour in the financial district of Singapore. (REUTERS File Photo)
SINGaPOrE, FEbrUary 23 (rEUtErS): Singapore, a keen early adopter of the sharing economy, has fired a warning shot across the bow of Airbnb and Uber with tighter rules that could shake up their business models and growth ambitions in Asia. The rules, some say, are a sign that even governments sympathetic to companies that allow citizens to rent out their expertise or
property have a hard time striking the right balance between encouraging disruptive technologies and keeping them in line. “I know a lot of people will give back their keys, that’s for sure,” said Lionel Ong, 33, an Uber driver, who wants to look for a less demanding part time job. As its traditional manufacturing industry has hollowed out in the past decade or so, the affluent
city-state has been quick to embrace opportunities in the digital economy, hosting the Asian headquarters of Airbnb and Uber, inviting its executives to conferences and investing in Uber’s regional rival Grab through a unit of its investment arm for Temasek. It’s too early to say what impact the new rules would have on Uber and Airbnb, but they highlight increasing scrutiny by regulators
globally and growth challenges facing these new economy businesses. April Rinne, an expert on the sharing economy who has advised companies and governments, including Singapore, says the city state’s case mirrors other early adopter countries like Denmark, where legislators are mulling laws which would require taxis to have seat sensors, video surveillance and taxi meters. “It’s a watershed that should also sound warning bells,” Rinne said. Singapore’s new rules, passed this month, will be implemented in stages from the second half of this year. They allow officials to suspend a ride-sharing company for up to a month after three or more instances of their drivers getting caught without a proper licence or insurance. The drivers themselves face fines and jail. In the case of Airbnb, officials will have the right to force their way into homes to check whether residents were renting them out illegally, adding teeth to a
rarely enforced law which and Japan, authorities have bans the renting out of pri- limited its operations. vate property for less than Jean Chia, a Singaporesix months. based academic who studies the sharing economy, HIGH GROWTH MAR- says since short-term rentKET, HURDLES ers “were previously opThe sharing economy erating in a grey area”, the business is billed for explo- tighter regulations raise sive growth, estimated by some immediate questions PricewaterhouseCoopers around the business model to reach $335 billion by of Airbnb. 2025, from around $15 bilAirbnb’s director of lion in 2016. public policy in Asia Pacific, So there’s a lot at stake Mike Orgill, echoed those for companies. And the concerns, saying there are worry, says Adrian Lee, “thousands of people earnwho runs a car-sharing ing supplemental income service called Tribecar in … so the lack of clarity is of Singapore, is that other concern for hosts.” markets might ape the city Drivers of Uber and state’s stance. Grab said a requirement for “I’m afraid other legis- all drivers to obtain a vocalators may take a leaf from tional licence would force our play book without al- out a lot of part-time drivlowing these services to get ers, while the threat of fines to critical mass.” and even jail would deter Singapore had been others. There is no compaone of the few bright spots rable measure in “the more in Asia for Uber, which has than 450 cities we operate been facing legal scrutiny in,” Uber’s Singapore genin many markets across the eral manager Warren Tseng region. Uber has suspend- said of the rule change, ed its service in Taiwan and warning it would affect tens has withdrawn from China of thousands of drivers and after selling its business “hundreds of thousands of there. And in South Korea commuters.”
Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito poses for a photo at Togu Palace in Tokyo, Japan on February 12, in this handout photo released by Imperial Household Agency of Japan. (REUTERS Photo)
tOKyO, FEbrUary 23 (rEUtErS): Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito turned 57 on Thursday saying he is ready to become emperor after his father Akihito, who could abdicate as soon as next year, and that like him, he will be an emperor who “shares the pain and joy of the people”. A government panel is debating how to allow the 83-year-old Akihito, who has had heart surgery and prostate cancer treatment, to step down after he said in August that he feared age might make it hard for him to fulfil his duties. The last time an emperor abdicated was in 1817 and current law does not allow it. In January, media reports said the government was considering steps that would allow Akihito to abdicate and for Naruhito to ascend the throne on Jan. 1, 2019. The government could submit a special abdication law to parliament as early as this spring. Naruhito told reporters he was “profoundly moved” when Akihito suggested he would like to step down. “I accept the emperor’s thinking with sincerity and will bear it in mind all the time as I carry out my duties,” Naruhito said. He added that he would continue in the footsteps of Akihito, who has worked hard to heal the wounds of World War Two, waged in the name of his father, Emperor Hirohito. “As a symbol of the state and the people of Japan, I will share their pain and their joys, praying for their happiness,” Naruhito said. The prince, who married former diplomat Masako Owada, has one daughter, 15-year-old Aiko, who is not allowed to ascend the throne because female inheritance is not permitted. Naruhito is followed in the succession by his brother, Prince Akishino, and Akishino’s 10-yearold son, Hisahito. Photos of the family released to commemorate Naruhito’s birthday show him sitting formally with Masako and Aiko, who appears to be very thin. An Imperial Household Agency spokesman said there was nothing special to announce about Aiko’s health, but the Crown Prince touched on a period last autumn when Aiko was absent from school for some six weeks. “For a time she was unwell, which caused some worry, but thanks to support from her mother, she has now returned to her usual school life,” Naruhito said.
FriDAY 24•02•2017
public discourse
10
Can the Naga Speak?
Akhum Longkumer Kohima, Nagaland
D
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
emonization of the Nagas is easy and will therefore, occur; circumstances being the way they are. Media sensationalization is just one factor amongst many. What occurred will remain a blemish on the history of the Nagas. Depending on your definition of who these protestors against the ‘women’s reservation’ bill were, these ‘protestors’ may not deserve your sympathy at all, but they do deserve your empathy, i.e. the ability to understand what, why and how these 'others' think the way they do. This has been clearly missing from most recent reports by media houses from the mainland on the protests occurring in Nagaland. Look at the actors involved, superficially stripped of identities and histories and the story would go something like this- xx and xy were opposed to each other. xx being weaker called upon w. With the balance now tipped in favour of xx, xy sought the help of z, and found that their combined weight managed to outweigh w+xx. Before the reader dismisses this ‘story’ as facile, one should ask oneself, ‘How many actors were there?’ This most rudimentary of analyses yet requires at least four actors to tell a coherent story. Why is it that some media-houses told themselves that they could pass this story off, with half the cast missing, as a two-actor storyMan vs Woman- neat and tidy though it may seem. What of w and z? Wilful ignorance, unwilled ignorance, sensationalism dictated by profit-motives, and chariness of uncomfortable issues brought up given Nagaland’s ‘disturbed’ and border area tag seem to be involved here. While the media must be lauded for performing their duty of laying bare societal hypocrisies, one must pause to consider whether a job left half-done was worth beginning.
Leaving aside normative questions, and dropping all pretence of masking the identities of the actors involved, one would be well-advised to inquire, in less cursory fashion than has been attempted, why is it that the anti-women’s reservation camp won out in the end. Scratching beneath the surface, one may find not just mere answers for why events came to pass the way they did, an exercise that has in some recent instances, served only the purpose of cultural schadenfreude, but rather, help point in the direction of a brighter and fairer future. The stage set, and actors accounted for, a simple filling-in of the details, a paint by numbers, is all that is required for a modicum of discussion to take place. Within Nagaland, clearly, there were forces rallied across two opposing sides, the pro versus the antiwomen’s reservation bill camps, all definitions being made ‘under erasure’. The one weaker than the other. But this is merely how the story starts and how it unfolded in terms of shifts in the balance of power, or rather the lack thereof, has much to reveal. That the one began as the weaker party indicates the presence of patriarchy. There is no gainsaying that straw-man arguments denying so, attempt to strike down straw men. The ULB elections have been stalled for a decade now, and in that course of time, some men in influential positions of society have made comments, on record, to the effect that women should not be allowed to contest in politics. Seeking a way out of this impasse, the High Court in Guwahati and eventually, the Supreme Court, were approached. The coterie of men that had opposed the passing of this bill thus far, now found the balance tipped against their favour, the might of the Indian Constitution stood against them. As was their wont, seeking a return to an imbalance more favourable to themselves, a counter-acting weight was sought. They managed to tap into a
powerful and still prevalent sentiment, not of misogyny but desire for self-determination amongst Nagas. It is no secret that the Centre’s National Integration project in Nagaland hasn’t nearly been successful enough. Despite it, most Nagas are still 'prickly' when it comes to incidents that make their state feel like a 'colony'. It is beside the point, for the sake of this particular argument, whether such feelings are warranted or not. The fact that the common Naga could be brought to bear to counter the Supreme Court injunction is a testament to this fact. But the mainland does seem distant. Reporting on the current imbroglio, major dailies have recently, and often, displayed random pictures of 'North-eastern' looking men who were purportedly the Chief Minister of Nagaland. Turns out, they weren’t even from the North-east. One was the picture of the current President of the People's Republic of China. A faux pas that made Nagas both chuckle and sigh. Nagas are still coming to terms with the recent years of peace and on the lookout for any threats, imagined or not, to this fragile peace. Feelings of being under the 'occupation' of Indian military forces remain, and it is a fact that the military has a large presence in the state. The Nagas want peace and stability much as any other people would, but sometimes the existence and stability of peace is questionable without concomitant justice, and the average person in Nagaland would equate 'justice' in this case, given their history of violent conflict with the Indian military, with keeping the 'spirit' of Article 371A alive. They cannot all be expected to be well-versed with the law, but they do know that Article 371A was added to the constitution, not snatched out of thin air, but after years of 'the blood and the tears' suffered as lived experience. Progressive movements are the need of the hour, but in the words of Saul Alinsky, an experienced practitio-
ner in this regard, if there ever was one, to - “start from where the world is, as it is, not as I would like it to be”, would be advice well-heeded. Easier said than done. It would seem that a shroud has been placed over our collective eyes. The interpretation of Article 371A is open. India follows the common law for the most part, which by nature of its jurisprudence relies on the doctrine of precedence failing which statutory interpretation comes into play as well as appeals to moral virtue and common sense. Unfortunately, relying on precedent is not of much help in this case. The conflicted views that emerged regarding the oil resources of Nagaland is the other solitary case in point. A paragraph to describe the entire way of life of a people would necessarily be open-ended. But therein lies the double-edged sword- Article 371A also reveals the ‘existence’ of customary law, pulled out, as it were, seemingly from a hat. Nagaland, yet again, finds itself on the margins of a discourse, this time, where the lines between the representation of law in India as following the common law or a mixedsystem is blurred. This provides one way forward and out of this morass, where older essentialist dichotomies may slip away and offer new perspectives if one permits the space. The oft-repeated statement that Urban Local Bodies do not fall under the provisions of 371A because at the time of its introduction, the concept of urban centres did not exist was popularly perceived as specious reasoning. Hindsight is 20/20 but this was arguably foreseeable. This was a crucial mistake as a strategy, and not to be misunderstood as crude criticism of an ‘ends justify the means’ argument, in which case all parties would be guilty of commission, but rather in the progressive instrumentalist sense of setting a goal and figuring out how to get there. If something more substantive than instrumentalism is desired then surely the ramifications of placing a chokepoint on the legitimacy of
institutions and customs by as crude a device as drawing a line in the historical sands at the year 1949, is self-evident. Criticisms directed at these old faltering customs and institutions for failing to keep up with the times may have been well-placed but in the same breath to prevent them from evolving to fit the times smacked of duplicity, especially since one is not just talking about any old ‘people’ but a ‘people interrupted’. Perusing the local dailies, and reading articles and opinion pieces written by locals would have revealed a prominent voice, not yet investigated by the larger media-houses. No stretch of imagination is required to find it plausible that several saner voices called for exactly what this one is driving at. We cannot deny the existence of a ‘common good’ in this scenario. That the balance of ethics, globalization, self-interest and ground level realities at the time, pointed at the equitable and viable solution to the problem being, to allow women their fair share of representation, through reservation, not nomination, until the day that such laws be no longer required, but through organically-linked institutions built from the grass-roots up. Else all it would serve to do would be to perpetuate the same corrupt, inequitable power dynamics observed at present. Imagine the coup and the message it would have represented if successfully pulled off. A milieu-relevant Praxis of the ‘art of being ungoverned’. Instead of following the old tropes of redirecting violence at our fellow native, as Franz Fanon would have bemusedly observed, we would have embraced our subaltern identities and shaken them off at the same time. For, truly, in the words of Spivak - “Who the hell wants to protect subalternity? Only extremely reactionary, dubious anthropologistic museumizers”. This is no utopian dream-in fact a dose of pragmatism would reveal several stories seemingly being brushed
under the carpet. I will identify three. One, the decade-long, and as of yet, unsuccessful, struggle of the Women striving to get their rights recognized, under the constant duress of Patriarchy, shows that this will be nigh insurmountable a task. Secondly, the Men, their sense of duty as Protectors of their culture being challenged as obsolete relics of bygone days, when in fact the onslaught of modernity, globalization and nouveau colonialism, threaten to overwhelm all they hold dear, shows the moral quandary they’re in. Thirdly, as you may well have guessed by now- the essentialism that creeps so easily into narratives, and obfuscates a reality that we’re all already grasping for meaning and expression in. Instead, a more sober assessment of the situation would be to admit that, indeed, the project ahead of us is large, and institutions all around us are failing. Social and political movements are out of sync and a ‘renaissance’ of either of them is a speck in the time horizon. This is not to throw up our hands in despair, but rather a call to rally, find new meaning through, as Temsüla Ao might have put it, “songs that try to say”. It is also time to take stock of the situation, and identify potentialities. Attention may be brought to the potentiality of the actor referred to as z previously. Not to do so would be to make an extremely unfair and untrue assessment of the gender-nonantagonistic common Naga ‘hirself’, as lumpen and wholly lost to a shared cause. Therein lies the second silver lining; we have reason to hope because our goals are congruent-Justice and Peace, and therefore the promise of an expedited ‘self-actualization’. Professing to value Peace before Justice, however, often hides its true implicit meaning of desire for passivity, the static, and therefore the fragile. I would advise that the wiser strategy would be to distil what you can of your values and greet the future. Where do the actors stand?
NAGAS AND THEIR DUTY TO Are We?...Can We?...Shouldn’t We?... GOD AND THEIR COUNTRY Longrangty Longchar
T
Kaka D. Iralu
he patriotic words “For God and Country” for which many people have laid down their lives in the defense of their countries is known to one and all. But many Naga Christians think that Naga patriotism or Naga politics has nothing to do with their Christian faith. Some even think that God’s kingdom has nothing to do with Naga politics or Naga future as a nation on earth. However, from Acts 17:26 it is clear that no nation on earth (including Nagas) can ever run away from the fact that God had created all the nations of the earth through Adam. No nation on earth had therefore, fallen from the heavens or has crept out from under the earth. And because we as a nation also have not created ourselves, we have to listen to what our creator is saying to us from his word. Coming to the Bible, we learn that before God created man, God already had a plan in His mind. This plan stands revealed in Genesis 1:26: (Quote) “And God said, let us make man in our own image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowls of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creeping things that creeps upon the earth.” (Unquote) Now there are 4 things that must be noted in this plan of God for man: 1. God created man to have dominion (ruler ship) over all of his creation. Here, the words “let them have dominion” must be clearly noted and understood. God did not say “let us create man and have joint dominion over the earth with him. The words are clearly “let us create man and let THEM have dominion… over all the earth”. Man therefore, was created to rule over the earth as God’s Regent or Ambassador. 2. We are not creatures of heaven because unlike the Angels, we were not created from heaven. We were instead created from the dust of this earth and only became living souls after God breathed his “life” into our earth formed bodies. (Gen.2:7) In other words, we are not heavenly beings but earthly beings with
flesh and blood. We are therefore, dwellers of earth and not dwellers of heaven. 3. Man was created to have dominion over the whole earth and every thing that creeps on it as already shown. But man was not created to have dominion OVER OTHER MAN. In other words, no nation of man was ever created to have dominion over any other nation, however small or big they may be. 4. Lastly, Heaven is not our territory but earth is very much our territory. As such we have a divine duty to defend our God apportioned territory here on earth. This is so because as dwellers of this earth, we must have our own dwelling place. Now the application of these truths with reference to Nagas and Nagaland is as follows: The Naga nation or Nagaland was not created by God for India or Burma to rule over it. It was also never created by God so that Manipur or Assam or Arunachal Pradesh can have a share of joint domination with the protection and authority of India. Such stupid notions harbored by Manipur, Assam or Arunachal Pradesh will be resisted with all Naga might and valor- if necessary, even in battle. Nagas want to have the best neighborly relations with all these neighbor states (including India and Burma) who are also nations in themselves. But Nagas have never been scared of these neighbors yesterday and neither will they ever be scared of them today. Also if Nagas are pushed beyond a certain degree of endurance, they can ally themselves with some other giant neighbors who are related to them and face any challenge or threat from India or any of her puppet states. Naga resistance to any such foreign rule is therefore, Biblically right and legally justified and valid. On their part, Nagas owe it to God, their obligation to defend their God given national and geographical identities. Any Naga who acts contrary to this divine duty commits treason against both God and his nation. Our Naga Yehzabo spells out this duty in the following words: “And the authority of the people to be exercised on the
territory is a sacred trust from God…” As bearers of God’s image and created to rule this earth as his representatives, we are not here on earth for a long holiday where we can yawn away our days doing nothing except to be fed by others. We are here to build ourselves a kingdom patterned after God’s own heavenly kingdom. This was clearly spelled out to us when Jesus taught us to pray –“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Let us therefore not waste our times worrying about heaven and its problems but worry and tackle our worldly problems where others have invaded our land and have been ruling over us with all their heinous laws for all these years. As a nation, our duty on earth is to build a vibrant and independent Nagaland where there will be security and prosperity for all Nagas. Remember, we were born to rule (have dominion). It is never “Born to be ruled by others.” As for the present Indian puppet state of Nagaland, this state was never what God had purposed Nagas to live under. This state is but an Indian puppet state, created by some Naga collaborators who collaborated with Indians to make Nagaland a state under India. Today, this state of Nagaland is but a corruption ridden decaying jungle way beyond any redemption. Presently, even Indian assistance funds sanctioned from Delhi for running this state seems be have been hidden away by some Ministers to use the money later, for the coming elections. But the coming elections will only in turn, produce another equally corrupted state. After all, this puppet Indian state was purchased by a few Nagas with the blood and tears of the whole Naga nation. Such a puppet state will never bring prosperity to the whole nation except for a few individual collaborators. In fact, these collaborators have divided the Naga nation and have even resorted to using uniformed Naga personnel to kill innocent Naga civilians when they agitate to live under their own Naga customary laws. Finally, God forbid that we glorify this state by praying for its Ministers from even inside the Churches.
N
ow that a semblance of normalcy has arrived after weeks of turmoil and uncertainty, it is time to make some clear headed study of what could have precipitated those emotions and upheavals that shook our society and paralyzed the government machineries for nearly a month. On the face level, the whole issue might seem as revolving around the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections and the 33 percent reservation. But, the unprecedented emotions and the unity among the different tribal bodies, the willingness to sacrifice lives, the complete shutdown of government machineries and the determination to go on till the end by the tribal bodies indicate that the recent upheavals was not only about the ULB elections or 33 percent women reservation issues. Anyway, it would be imprudent to point fingers here and there now; however it would also be equally insensible if we fail to find out ways to understand how and why the whole incident started. Many good writers have pointed out in the media, the peoples’ anger and frustration was reaching its boiling point. There were the different issues of corruption like the PDS scam, the fuel adulteration issue, the non-payment of salaries to the teachers, the 15 minutes of assembly sitting etc. etc. The pentup frustration of the public was surely going to give way one day or the other like a volcano. Therefore, it can be rightly presumed that the recent upheaval nothing but just a concentration of the peoples’ frustration at the government to address the different issues confronting the people. We can also say that the January 31 state cabinet decision to go ahead with the ULB election in some areas was just the immediate cause of the ‘peoples’ movement’; it was going to be started sooner or later, anyway. And it happened costing three lives, destruction of crores of rupees worth of property and an uncalculated but colossal loss to the economy. Therefore, one cannot help but wonder how and why the state government (here I want to imply not only the politicians and the legislators but also the bureaucracy too) could remain blind to the resentment and restlessness of the common people in the state. Is it a global trend? That’s a question that struck my mind while going through the essay ‘The fate of empires’ by Lt Gen John Glubb [you will find the
pdf file on the net]. In that essay, Glubb states that an empire lasts about 250 years or ten generations and it passes through different epochs leading to the rise, climax and eventual decline of historical empires. He says that first there is the ‘age of pioneers’, then ‘the age of conquest’, ‘the age of commerce’, ‘the age of intellect’, ‘the age of affluence’ and ‘the age of decadence’. Here the last age – the age of decadence – is quite interesting. John Glubb says that the last stage of all Empires – the age of decadence – is marked by a lowering of moral virtues and principles usually championed by the super affluent group and the middle-class. ‘The show of wealth and conspicuous consumption lifestyles of the affluent naturally leads to an uprising by the poorer sections of society to revolt’. Most Empires are destroyed from within and a sort of implosion occurs usually instigated by the less privileged members of that society. The last stage of the empire is usually marked by the following social upheavals: lowering of societal moral standards, a large and undisciplined Army, glorification of celebrities, economic meltdown brought about by a devaluation of the currency, says Glubb. Of course, we cannot call our Naga society as an Empire, but some intellectuals in the world are evaluating whether the Western civilization is going through the last stage of John Glubb’s ‘fate of empires’, that is, the age of decadence. If so, are we also being influenced? That is a troubling question that we need to seriously ponder upon. Look at our society today: years back, there was the extravagant Road Show by the government; the ongoing lavish Hornbill Festivals when people are deprived of their salaries and common people are trying to make both ends meet, the rampant corruption etc. The moral degradation, the disillusionment among the youths, the lack of truth, the ever growing gap between the rich and the poor, the lack of responsibility in the governance system etc are glaring examples that our society is going through a very dark chapter. It is for the individual to judge for himself/herself. However, the bottom-line is simply this: it is time for the society to wake up and introspect. Unless and until the common people are contented in their simple lives, then there will al-
ways be turmoil in the society. It must be remembered that almost all the world’s great revolutions started because of the frustration of the common people who saw their rulers as (and rightly so) enjoying a lavish lifestyle at their expense. The problems of our society are far from over. Who knows it might just be the starting point as the people are getting to know more and more about their rights and the working of the government due to the easy transmission of information among the masses. Thus, though the situation might seem to have subsided at the moment, yet the new government if they don’t read the writings on the wall, then they would find themselves in more trouble. In this regard, the leadership, wisdom and statesmanship of our Chief Minister Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu will be tested, which will either make or unmake his rich legacy.
Need for Statesmanship For many people, including layman like me, Dr Shurhozelie comes in as a multi-dimensional personality. There might not be many who don’t know about him. He is known as a veteran politician, a former minister, an academician and also a highly respected elder of the society. Above all, he is known as a staunch regionalist, a political stance that has earned him respect from his colleagues and even from his detractors from other political parties; and he is regarded as one of the greatest politicians in Nagaland along with the likes of Dr SC Jamir, Hokeshe Sema, Vizol etc. Surely, it was because of him only that a smooth transition of power could be initiated after the stepping down of former Chief Minister TR Zeliang. His onerous work has just begun and it will be by no means easy. But as ‘every cloud has a silver lining’, the recent turmoil presents Dr Shürhozelie with a united Naga civil society who, hopefully, would be willing to discuss the different issues with him. Here, if the Chief Minister could, with his rich political experience and academic wisdom, could play the role of an active statesman, then surely the Naga public would not say ‘no’ to what they feel is in the best interest of the people. This moment presents the best time for the state government to reach out to the common people when their thoughts are united. If the government could ask each legislator to go to their people and discuss about the ‘August 3 Framework Agreement’ as was done in 2015;
what is holding back the state government to depute its legislators to its respective constituencies to discuss about the NM Act 2001 or 33 percent reservation with the stakeholders too? It will be unwise to leave this ULB election issue in the backburner because it will crop up one day or the other. It would be good if each legislator could meet their electorates, clear their doubts, gather the diverse views and opinions and discuss it threadbare in the assembly. Surely, such discussion must take more than the usual fifteen minutes in the assembly; and what would be more better for the public to see their Honorable legislators engaged in heavy discussion in the Legislative Assembly? The works seems difficult but not impossible because the public deep in their hearts surely understand that their representatives have good meanings in their minds. For once, it is time for the Honorable legislators to reach out to the disenfranchised masses for a more harmonious society. In the same light, the Naga tribal bodies also should now focus on trying to bring the issue to an amicable long term solution through dialogue. Their determination to safeguard Article 371 A is not clearly understood by all concerned; now they should take opportunity of the unity among the different tribes try to bargain as much as possible from the state government. The time couldn’t be more ripe or advantageous as is now. It is still early to say what the days or months ahead will bring because politics is an unpredictable game which can completely change overnight. However, it is strongly hoped that under the astute leadership of Chief Minister Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu, his respect among his colleagues and the Naga people, it is hoped that he would steer the state towards the right path where every Naga, irrespective of tribe or gender, rich or poor, can heave a sigh of relief and go on with their daily works. If there is a solution for every problem, then who knows, if all the stakeholders play their cards well, then this opportunity might be a time to remove the tribalism among us, a time for reconciliation and a time for envisioning a united Naga society for posterity to come. Yes, there surely will be lot of forces involved in our endeavor for a peaceful and progressive society. Therefore, all that the public can say or do now is to pray God to grant wisdom to all the Naga leaders.
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.
Friday 24•02•2017
EntErtainmEnt
David Bowie dominates Brit Awards 2017
R
ock star David Bowie, who died in January last year, was awarded Best British male and Best British Album for "Blackstar" at the Brit Awards 2017 here. Collecting the Best Album prize, Bowie's son Duncan Jones spoke about the star's enduring legacy at the ceremony on Wednesday. "He's always been there supporting people who think they're a little bit weird or a little bit strange. He's ways been there for them. This award is for all the kooks and all the people who make the kooks," he said, referencing the song his father wrote for him as a child, from the "Hunky Dory" album, reports bbc.com. As well as honouring Bowie, the Brits paid tribute to George Michael, who died
on Christmas day in 2016. His former Wham! bandmates Andrew Ridgeley, Pepsi and Shirlie, made an emotional speech, saying: "His beautiful voice will live on forever as a gift to us all." Coldplay's Chris Martin then sang an understated but moving version of Michael's "A different corner", as a duet with a recording of the star's own voice. English artiste Skepta stole the show with a blazing performance of "Shut down". British grime star Stormzy also joined Ed Sheeran on stage for a new version of his single "Shape of you", while Emeli Sande won Best British Female, reports bbc.com. Rag 'N' Bone Man was the other big winner of the night taking home two awards -- the Critics Choice Award and Best British Breakthrough Act.
Here are the winners of BRIT Awards 2017
British Female Solo Artist: Emeli Sande British Male Solo Artist: David Bowie British Album Of The Year: Blackstar, David Bowie British Group: The 1975 British Breakthrough Act: Rag'n'Bone Man British Single: Shout Out To My Ex, Little Mix British Artist Video Of The Year: History, One Direction International Female Solo Artist: Beyonce International Male Solo Artist: Drake International Group: A Tribe Called Quest Global Success: Adele Coldplay perform at the Brit Awards. (REUTERS PhoTo)
Little Mix entered in style as they were carried above their dancers' heads on sparkling thrones. The girl band later won their first ever Brit, Best British Single for their pop song
"Shout out to my ex". Singer Katy Perry also put on a stunning performance of her new single "Chained to the rhythm", accompanied by two giant skeleton mannequins. One
was wearing the red tie favoured by US President Donald Trump -- echoing the song's lyrics which address the political upheaval in the US. Other performances
came from Emeli Sande and US dance act The Chainsmokers, who premiered a new single featuring Coldplay, "Something just like this", where Chris Martin threw himself into
the crowd. Adele was recognised with the Global Achievement Award - given to the British artiste with the biggest overseas success. The singer, on a break from her world tour, accepted the prize by video. Lifting the Zaha Hadiddesigned trophy, the singer
Chester Bennington quit Rihanna to be honoured by Harvard Stone Temple Pilots for his kids University Scholars T he rocker spent two years with Dean and Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz as Scott Weiland's replacement in the band and now admits he had to leave in 2015 because touring with the band made his children unhappy. "The only reason I'm not doing it now is because my kids would cry every time I'd go on the road with STP," Chester told radio station Q104.3. "I think they thought I was choosing to do that over being at home with them. It was just too hard on my family. "I was like, 'You know what? I've got to stop being selfish here. When I'm not doing Linkin Park, I've got to be at home with my babies'." But the Linkin Park star insists he still has dreams about being onstage with one of his favourite bands.
He said, "I have the highest respect for Stone Temple Pilots. I love Scott. I'm sad that he's gone. I've seen Stone Temple Pilots play probably 30 times. They made music that I absolutely loved, and I still love to this day. "The chance to perform those songs with those guys was very, very cool. Robert, Dean and Eric are super-talented. "I've had the privilege of being in Linkin Park, around a bunch of geniuses. I got to be in Stone Temple Pilots and be around a bunch of geniuses. I just sit back and ask myself, 'How did I get here?'" Stone Temple Pilots are still on the hunt for a permanent frontman following Bennington's departure and Weiland's death in December, 2015.
revIseD TICKeT rATes (silver) : `.120 (Gold) : `. 200 (recliner) : `. 400
Source: Contactmusic
28th. Previous subjects in the Pickin' On series include the Beatles, Bob Dylan and Metallica. Nirvana's groundbreaking album Nevermind turned 25 last year. The record established Cobain as the reluctant voice of a generation and turned the musical tide at the time, vanquishing slick popmetal bands to the bargain bin and launching a wave of grunge groups.
H
ad he not died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on April 5th, 1994, Kurt Cobain would have turned 50 years old on February 20th. And while the singer and songwriter explored the blues and folk music – most notably during the filming of
Source: IANS
Now ShowiNg
Nirvana songs get bluegrass treatment on inspired new AlBum
C M Y K
joked: "Have a great night and get a bit swervy, like her." Beyoncé Knowles won Best International Female Solo Artist and Drake bagged an award for Best International Male Artist. The awards will air on Vh1 in India on March 5.
Lee Min-ho wins top award for boosting Korea’s brand
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Here's the complete track list for Pickin' on Nirvana: 1. "All Apologies" 2. "About a Girl" 3. "In Bloom" 4. "Polly" MTV's Unplugged in 1993 Apologies," "Come As You 5. "Drain You" – he likely wouldn't have Are" and "In Bloom" into 6. "Pennyroyal Tea" 7. "Frances Farmer Will expected his own songs to bluegrass numbers. Have Her Revenge on be performed with banjos Performed by Alactor Lee Min-ho Seattle" and mandolins. A new al- bama-based quartet Iron was awarded the bum, however, does just Horse, the album will be 8. "Come As You Are" grand prize at 9. "Sappy" that. Pickin' on Nirvana: A released April 22nd on vithe 2017 NationBluegrass Tribute Featur- nyl of for this year's Record 10. "On a Plain" al Brand Awards held at the ing Iron Horse transforms Store Day, with a digital 11. "Dumb" 11 Nirvana classics like "All release to follow on April Source: RollingStone National Assembly Hall in Seoul on Wednesday. “I traveled around the globe so many times over the past few years. I was so touched to see people (overseas) trying to write or speak Korean to me,” he said at the acceptance speech. “I will further try to contribute to Korea’s brand image.” The National Brand Awards recognize indiimmy Kimmel, who has been "I think this job is a grind, and viduals and corporations hosting late-night talk show best-cast scenario, a marathon," Kimfor their contributions to "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for 14 mel said. enhancing the country’s years, is considering retiring from it. "I want to go out on my own terms. image. In 2015, actor Kim When his contract expires in the If I ever feel like we're repeating ourSoo-hyun and figure skatfall of 2019, Kimmel has thought selves, I think it's a good indication ing champion Kim Yuna about retiring from it. that it's time." won the grand prizes. "I know I will do the show for anHe added: "I will miss it when I go. Lee won the prize in the other three years," Kimmel told vari- Television is changing quickly. I get culture sector for boostety.com. a lot of offers to do a lot of different ing Korea and the Korean "It's possible that will be it. My wife's things." Wave to the world with his pregnant. At a certain point, I'd like to The 49-year-old said that when he work. He recently starred in have a little more free time. I have very leaves the show, it won't be for anothSBS drama “The Legend of little free time as it is," said Kimmel, er late night one, variety.com said. the Blue Sea” and is a goodwho rewrites his own monologues and "If there's something that excites will ambassador for the extensively researches guests. me creatively, it doesn't necessarily “2016-18 Visit Korea Year” As the executive producer and mean something in show business. I promotion. "control freak" of "Jimmy Kimmel like to draw. I like to make sculptures. Golfer Park In-bee, the Live!", Kimmel arrives in his Hol- I'd like to write a book at some point. women’s golf gold medalist lywood studios at 9 a.m., shoots at Doing the show every day doesn't at last summer’s Rio Olymaround 5 p.m., and returns to his com- leave a lot of time for that." pics, won the grand prize in puter after dinner. Source: IANS the sports sector, with pianist Paik Kun-woo winning the grand prize in the arts sector.
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Jimmy Kimmel may retire from late night show
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he singer will accept the Peter J. Gomes honour at the Boston, Massachusetts university next week (28Feb17). The Harvard Foundation’s director S. Allen Counter has revealed Rihanna will be feted for her charitable work with the Clara and Lionel Foundation Scholarship Program, named after her grandmother and grandfather, and her efforts in promoting education. "Rihanna has charitably built a state-of- the-art centre for oncology and nuclear medicine to diagnose and treat breast can-
cer at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, Barbados," he said. She will be presented with the award at a Sanders Theatre ceremony on Tuesday. The news of her latest accolade comes a day after Rihanna made chart history in the U.S. with her 30th top 10 single. Love on the Brain breaks a tie with Michael Jackson for the third most top 10 songs. She now has appeared on 30 tracks that have hit the top 10. Only Madonna and the Beatles have more, with 38 and 34, respectively. Source: Contactmusic
Source: Kpopherald
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FriDAY 24•02•2017
SPORTS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Yadav takes four as India restrict Australia
India's Umesh Yadav unsuccessfully appeals for the wicket of Australia's captain Steven Smith. (Reuters)
UMESH STRIKES Warner and Renshaw were able to put loose balls away before Kohli brought on his other paceman, Umesh, in the 28th over. Umesh needed just two deliveries to break the opening stand when Warner dragged the ball onto his stumps. Australia then took an ultra-defensive approach against a side unbeaten in their last 19 tests, but more chances eventually came India's way. Smith and Shaun Marsh added 37 for their stand in almost 20 overs before the latter was caught
down the leg side attempting to sweep Jayant. The hosts struck two quick blows when left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Peter Handscomb (22) leg before after the right-handed batsman had added 30 runs with Smith. In the next over, Ashwin lured Smith into a drive taken by Kohli at midwicket to dismiss the world's topranked test batsman for 27. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh did not last long either, out leg before to Jadeja for four. Renshaw, who had to leave the field in the morning with an upset stomach, returned to the crease to hit 68 before he was caught out at slip off Ashwin. Umesh dismissed Matthew Wade for eight before taking the wickets of Steve O'Keefe and Nathan Lyon in successive deliveries. Australia were boosted by Starc late on as the lefthander smashed five fours and three sixes to add 51 for the unbroken final wicket with number 11 batsman Josh Hazlewood, not out on one.
Unity T20 Cup from March 13 DimaPUr, FEbrUary 23 (mExN): The 2nd edition of the Unity Cup T20 Cricket Tournament will be held from March 13 to 25 at Chumukedima Town Local Ground. Organized by the Sports Ministry of the Nepali Baptist Church Chumukedima Youth Department, the tournament will be played with tennis balls, a press re-
lease informed. The champions of the tournament will be awarded Rs 20,000 while the runner-up will receive Rs 15,000. A total of Rs 7000 is also set aside for individual prizes. Entry forms for the tournaments are available at Kiran Sports, Church Road Dimapur and Plaza Bakery Chumukedima (Near Oasis Restaurant). For further details, in-
terested teams can contact the Organising Committee: Jacob Sundas @ 8413002017, Santosh Chettri @ 8794243654, or Pastor Robert Aley NBC Cmd at 80149 56809. For tournament updates, fixtures etc., one can log into the Unity Cup FB page https://m.facebook. com/Unity Cup T20 Cricket Tournament
ASA prepares for golden jubilee tournament
Manchester United's Henrikh Mkhitaryan scores their first goal. (Reuters)
Mkhitaryan to get in front of his marker and flick a low finish into the net. That left St Etienne needing five goals, a mountain they showed little inclination to climb even after Bailly was sent off in the 63rd minute after picking up two yellow cards in the space of three minutes for fouls on Romain Hamouma. Mkhitaryan departed with a hamstring problem and Carrick suffered a
calf injury, meaning both are doubtful for Sunday's Wembley clash against Southampton. Mourinho, however, believed it was the right decision not to rest more firstteam players ahead of the cup final. "You can be injured leaving your house or in the garden, you never know why, you always have the risk of it," Mourinho told BT Sport.
"If someone is missing, it is opportunity for another, although not having both for the final is complicated." Schalke were in pole position against PAOK with a 3-0 first-leg lead and tightened their grip on the tie after 23 minutes when Alessandro Schoepf scored for the second game in succession. PAOK drew level two minutes later when Matija Nastasic diverted the ball
LisbON, FEbrUary 23 (rEUtErs): Juventus edged closer to the Champions League quarter-finals after second-half goals from substitutes Marko Pjaca and Dani Alves earned them a 2-0 away win at 10-man Porto in a one-sided last 16 first-leg tie on Wednesday. Porto's downfall was partly self-inflicted after left back Alex Telles received a red card in the 27th minute following two senseless bookings in the space of 90 seconds, leaving the home side to play over an hour against the Serie A leaders
with 10 men. Despite holding Juventus at bay for 72 minutes, Porto's resolve was broken when Miguel Layun deflected Paulo Dybala's pass into the path of Pjaca who slammed a first-time effort past Iker Casillas. Dani Alves made sure of victory two minutes later when he controlled Alex Sandro's cross with his chest before finishing calmly as Juventus, who are still in the Italian Cup, boosted their hopes of a maiden treble ahead of the second leg in Turin on March 14.
"We can be happy as it's a really good result, but to be honest after the firsthalf red card, we had to win this game," Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira told BT Sport. "It's absolutely not over," he added. "We're happy with tonight but in three weeks we'll need to be careful as Porto are angry and have nothing to lose." Juventus were expected to face a stern test in Portugal, but while they imposed themselves from the early stages and controlled the first half, Porto were con-
tent to remain deep and absorb pressure. The visitors struggled to forge the clear openings that their dominance deserved, although the lively Dybala fashioned the best chance of the first half with a thumping effort from outside the box which grazed the post. Telles's minute and a half of madness quashed any lingering Porto ambition and prompted coach Nuno Espirito Santo to withdraw striker Andre Silva -- scorer of four Champions League goals this season -- in response.
maDriD, FEbrUary 23 (rEUtErs): Real Madrid suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at struggling Valencia on Wednesday as they missed the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of La Liga after losing for only the second time in the league this season. Simone Zaza, who endured an unhappy loan spell at West Ham United earlier this season, gave Valencia the lead in the fifth minute with a brilliant shot on the turn and Fabian Orellana added the second in the ninth. Cristiano Ronaldo headed Real back into contention just before halftime,
but the visitors were unable to build on their momentum after the break. Real remained top on 52 points, one ahead of Barcelona and three clear of Sevilla in third, and still have one game in hand on both of their title rivals. "The truth is we lost the game in 10 minutes. We started well with the ball, we had chances but we made two errors and they scored two goals. We had 80 minutes to rescue the game and tried but we lacked many things today," Real coach Zinedine Zidane told reporters. "We had the chance to pick up points and we
didn't do it. I hope this has no psychological effect on us. We need to be more focussed in future games because if you don't concentrate you get punished. In those 10 minutes we weren't clever or ready." Real's match at Valencia was rearranged after the original fixture was postponed in December due to Zidane's side taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup. Valencia have endured a nightmare season filled with dismal results and upheaval off the pitch, but they got off to a flying start when a long pass from
goalkeeper Diego Alves found its way to Zaza, who swivelled and fired the ball into the far top corner. Zaza, who joined Valencia in January on loan from Juventus after flopping at West Ham, scored his first goal for his new club in Sunday's 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao. He was a constant thorn in Real's side, linking up superbly with wingers Nani, Orellana and Munir El Haddadi. Real responded with a wayward shot from Toni Kroos but left themselves exposed on the break and were soon another goal down as Zaza spread the play to Nani and Orellana
Phoolbari, Kohima. It will be followed by inaugural function at the Kohima Local Ground. Minister Kiyanilie Peseyie and MLA Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire will be the chief guest and guest of honour respectively on the wrestling day on March 4. The chief patron will be Class I contractor Vilelie Khamo. Parliamentary Secretaries Er. Vikho-o Yhoshii, Khriehu Liezietsu, MLAs Er. Kropol Vitsu, Zhaleo Rio and Dr. Neiphrezo Kedistu will be the special guests during the tournament.
Meanwhile, ASA General Secretary Er. Zale Neikha requested the tournament officials from Nagaland Athletic Club, Kohima District Football Referee Association, Kohima District Volleyball Association, Nagaland Sepaktakraw Association, Kohima District Table Tennis Association, Nagaland Badminton Association, Golden Jubilee Committee members, unit office bearers and ground management team (WACU) to attend a briefing on February 25 at Kohima Local Ground at 3:00 pm.
siLVErstONE, FEbrUary 23 (rEUtErs): Force India set their sights on breaking into Formula One's top three at the launch of their new car on Wednesday and hit back at suggestions that they lack the budget to match the manufacturers in a spending 'arms race'. "If we did not dream big, we would not have finished fourth in the world championship last year," said coowner and principal Vijay Mallya, the embattled former billionaire whose extradition is sought by India. "We will always dream big," added the liquor tycoon who was charged in absentia last month by India's Central Bureau of Investigation with conspiracy and fraud over a loan to his defunct Kingfisher Airlines. He has dismissed the charges against him. "We have never had conversations, even in pri-
vate, that we cannot break into the top three. That is certainly going to be our objective. We are going to give it our best shot." Force India enjoyed their best ever season last year, finishing behind Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari. Force India's annual budget is estimated at less than half that of the teams above them and also some of those below, such as McLaren. Renault Sport F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul told reporters at the launch of his team's car on Tuesday, when he set a target of fifth overall, that he doubted Force India had the resources to compete at the very top. "I think this season will be an arms race, and I really feel for the teams who are under-resourced," the Frenchman had said. "I believe that most of the car build budget of a Force India will be gone by now, just
to cope with the new regulations." Mallya laughed at the suggestion during a stage presentation. "Good luck to him. He might have to eat his words. It's not the amount of arms you have, it's the quality of your weaponry," said the Indian. Mallya said the team planned to develop the new Mercedes-powered VJM10 throughout the season but would not a target for podium finishes or points he wanted Mexican Sergio Perez and French newcomer Esteban Ocon to achieve. "I've always said 'under promise and over deliver'," said Mallya of his approach to Formula One. "And I'm going to stick to that philosophy. "As much as people may say there is this huge barrier to breaking into the top three, I see no reason why we can't."
darted on to the Portuguese's pass to knock the ball through keeper Keylor Navas's legs. Valencia might have got a third had it not been for a decisive block from Marcelo on Munir's shot, and the Brazilian played a crucial role in giving Real a foothold in the game, sending an arcing cross into the box which Ronaldo leapt to head past Alves. Gareth Bale was brought on to help Real's push for more goals in the second half but they barely mustered a decent attempt while Munir had a strong penalty appeal waved away at the other end.
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KOhima, FEbrUary 23 (mExN): Preparations for the golden jubilee tournament of the Angami Sports Association (ASA) are ongoing at the Kohima Local Ground (Khuochiezie) and Indoor Stadium, Officers Hill, Kohima. The golden jubilee tournament is scheduled to be held from February 28 to March 4. Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio will grace the inaugural function as the chief guest at 9:00 am on February 28. He will unveil the golden jubilee monolith at Old MLA Hostel compound,
Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri left out Leonardo Bonucci from the squad, after the pair's dispute during Friday's victory over Palermo, and while Juventus were untested at the back, they missed the centre back's creativity and probing long balls. The breakthrough eventually came from the bench, as Allegri introduced Pjaca and Dani Alves to offer dynamism and directness and the pair repaid their manager with goals to end Porto's 20-game undefeated home streak.
Leaders Real stunned by struggling Valencia
Force India aim to be a top three team
ASA officials and workers at the ongoing work site of golden jubilee monolith in Kohima.
into his own net, but there was no further drama as Schalke comfortably saw the game out. Krasnodar had won 1-0 at home against Fenerbahce and doubled the aggregate advantage when Fedor Smolov scored with the visitors' first shot of night after seven minutes, before Fenerbahce drew level when Brazilian Souza poked in after a goalmouth scramble.
Juventus edge closer to Champions League quarters
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dran Ashwin, the topranked test bowler, in just the second over of the day. After four overs from paceman Ishant Sharma, Kohli opted to utilise spin from both ends when he brought on Jayant Yadav against the left-handed duo. The sparse crowd thought Jayant had bowled Warner around his legs for 20, but the off-spinner had overstepped the crease and it was called a no-ball.
LONDON, FEbrUary 23 (rEUtErs): Manchester United strolled into the Europa League last 16 despite having Eric Bailly sent off after Henrikh Mkhitaryan's first-half goal secured a resounding 4-0 aggregate victory over St Etienne on Wednesday. The only negatives in a comfortable win for United were injuries to Mkhitaryan and midfielder Michael Carrick, who could both miss Sunday's English League Cup final. United will be joined in the next round by Schalke 04, whose 1-1 draw in their last 32 second-leg tie with PAOK Salonika was enough to secure a 4-1 aggregate win, and FK Krasnodar who went through against Fenerbahce. Krasnodar drew 1-1 on the night to advance 2-1 on aggregate, with the remaining last-32 ties to be played on Thursday. United manager Jose Mourinho played a strong side including Zlatan Ibrahimovic who scored a hattrick in last week's 3-0 win over the French side and it did not take them long to effectively kill off the tie. Juan Mata was given acres of space on the left side of the pitch and the Spaniard clipped a superb low cross into the box for
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PUNE, FEbrUary 23 (rEUtErs): Paceman Umesh Yadav claimed four wickets on a pitch that offered big turn to help India restrict Australia to 256 for nine after the touring side had made a solid start on the opening day of the fourmatch series on Thursday. Paceman Mitchell Starc, who would be expected by Australia to play a role similar to that of Umesh with the ball, smashed an unbeaten 57 to frustrate the hosts and take his team past 250. Earlier, David Warner made 38 and added 82 for the first wicket with Matt Renshaw after captain Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bat against a spin-heavy India. Smith said he expected turn from the very first ball on the dry pitch at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in the Western Indian city of Pune, a venue making its debut as a test centre. India captain Virat Kohli appeared to agree with his counterpart, bringing on spin spearhead Ravichan-
Manchester United ease past St Etienne but suffer injury blows
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