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tuesDAY • februArY 09 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 37 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
o F
T R u T H
I started concentrating so hard on my vision that I lost sight — Robin Green Headley exposes Pak’s role in 26/11 terror strike
Biblical reflections on HIV/AIDS book released
PAGe 08
McCullum heads into ODI retirement with NZ victory
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security on alert as curfew remains enforced in Kiphire
• Police platoon deployed as arson reported at Pungro on Monday evening • No violent incidents reported in Kiphire Morung Express news Dimapur | February 8
A kid playfully sits on a tree branch in a village at Tobufii village under Senapati district on February 8. Photo by Caisii Mao
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
PWC to apprise central leaders on Naga issue our Correspondent Kohima | February 8
The Parliamentary Working Committee (PWC) of the Nagaland Legislators Forum on Naga Political issue in its meeting held here today unanimously passed resolution that all the members of the PWC will go to Delhi to meet the central leaders of various political parties to apprise them of the Naga political issue and seek their support for an early peaceful settlement. The meeting, held in the committee room of Nagaland Legislative Assem-
shall we take him to the hospital, he looks serious, but wait let’s take some photos first.
The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 Are religious crusades and revivals having any significant effect in Naga society? Yes
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Editor, The Morung Express
NPGs asked to refrain from clashes during exam
C M Y K
MelurI, February 8 (MexN): The Pochury Students’ Union (PSU) has appealed to all the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) to refrain from any factional clashes and misunderstanding in view of the ongoing HSLC/ HSSLC examination at Meluri center so that the exams go smoothly and peacefully without any untoward incidents. A press statement from Atsopu Pfithu, Vice President, and Luwe Joshou, Asst. Gen Secretary, further cautioned that PSU will show its resentment if any NPG fail to comply with the appeal. The Union also sought support and cooperation of the public for peaceful environment within and outside. It further appealed to the Power Department for regular supply of electricity so that students’ community in particular and public in general are not affected due to poor and irregular electricity. Meanwhile, PSU wished success to all the HSLC/HSSLC candidates and also asked the candidates to write the exams clean and fair without any malpractices.
bly (NLA), acknowledged and appreciated the joint efforts of the Naga Hoho and Eastern Naga Peoples’ Organization (ENPO), who on the request of the PWC of the Nagaland Legislators’ Forum went to Myanmar and met the authorized representative of the NSCN (K) and conveyed the desire of the state government, the Nagaland Legislators Forum and the Naga people for resumption of the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN (K). The two point resolution was signed by Chief Minister, TR Zeliang and NLA Speaker, Chotisuh Sazo.
A sense of uneasy calm returned to Kiphire town on February 8 following Sunday’s mob violence. The day passed without any untoward incidents as security was tightened, while most civilians chose to remain indoors. “As of now, the situation is under control but tense,” informed the Additional SP of Kiphire on Monday evening. The funeral of the two victims, who were shot dead on February 6 was held during the day. The DC Kiphire, Chumremo Odyuo stated that prohibitory orders enforced under Cr. PC 144 was temporarily relaxed for the duration of the funeral, which was held at 11:00 am. The order, prohibiting assembly of 5 or more people was promulgated at 3:30 pm on February 7 and will be in effect till
Vicious deeds of some must not lead to prejudice: NBCC
DIMaPur, February 8 (MexN): The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has today expressed distress at the “worsening situation in Kiphire and Shamator” following the February 6 killing of a couple. Terming the killing as “most foul,” the NBCC expressed outrage that “four children have so suddenly lost their parents forcing them to face the future unprepared.” “In addition the killer’s obvious disregard for the possible dangerous consequences of their provocative crime is deeply disturbing in the given situation of long standing unresolved conflicts. Countless families across Nagaland and beyond are carrying the four children in their thoughts and prayers that God will preserve their hearts and minds and the shock and grief they have sustained may not damage them,” it said. The NBCC, it stated is “doing all the further notice. The DC also stated that the situation was “under control, still very tense.” He further expressed apprehension of violence resurfacing in the town as incidents of arson were reported from Pungro late on Monday evening. The DC quoting the ADC Pungro informed that at least 2-3 houses were targeted in the incidents which occurred around 9:00 pm. Anticipating trouble, one platoon of armed police was deployed to Pungro
Church can do, paying the closest attention to the crisis fully conscious and the sensitive relationships that Kiphire people also contend with at all times.” It appealed to all communities to realize that “whatever our difference maybe, all of us are on the same boat and if the boat goes down all of us go down with it. Despite her limitations the Church calls upon all who care, to think and carry the task together so that our difficulties make us better human beings.” The NBCC further urged the Nagaland State Government and its district authorities to act speedily with firmness and fairness in a manner expected of them. “Vicious deeds of some must not lead to generalize prejudice and demonization of their entire tribes or communities. Nothing is more dangerous for the Nagas at this time,” the NBCC asserted.
from Kiphire earlier in the evening, while level of alertness was heightened in Kiphire town. Kiphire town had in station 4 companies of NAP (IR), out of which one platoon was sent to Pungro, the DC added. Members belonging to a community were reported to have left Kiphire town following Sunday’s violence. Confirming this, the DC said that the district administration as a precautionary measure had assisted in their evacuation and safe passage.
Meanwhile, Home Minister, Y Patton in press release received late Monday night appealed to all the communities “particularly Yimchunger and Sangtam to avoid any kind of mindless acts as it will only escalate problems and as we know that violence can never be the means to bring peace and solution.” Assuring that the state police is “on the job to nab the culprits,” he stated “this is the time we all have to play our parts to restore peace and tranquillity.”
Hotel Saramati employees demand salary; unpaid since December 2014 NPMHR against violence & intolerance Morung Express news Dimapur | February 8
The employees of Hotel Saramati, Dimapur today made an appeal to the Nagaland state government to intervene as their salaries remain unpaid since December 2014. The employees told the media on February 8 that despite the Chief Minister’s September 2015 “verbal assurance” to look into the matter there has been no positive response till date. Stating that they have been “victimized” and deprived of benefit despite working diligently, the aggrieved employees stated that the NIDC and the Nagaland State government as stakeholders of the hotel have the responsibility to look after the welfare of its employees. Reminding the authorities in concern to redress the pressing matter with utmost urgency by this month (February), the employees stated that they will have no other option but to take further course of action. Hotel Saramati as a public sector undertaking is run by the Nagaland Hotels Ltd.
(NHL) with the NIDC as the holding company. With 25 rooms, one restaurant and a banquet hall, the hotel has 60 employees at present with a few resigning over the course of the last year, due to unpaid salaries. Over-staffing and low returns have adversely affected the employees, who revealed that going by the number of rooms available and services offered Hotel Saramati requires no more than 40 staffers. Declining income and growing employee-count has tightened the purse strings, the employees said, while adding that whatever the hotel generates in revenue is barely enough to fulfil statutory tax due to the government. “While we are not getting our salaries, development works in the hotel is going on,” commented one of the employees. “It just goes to show that human resource development is being neglected. The government is neglecting the welfare of the employees.” In addition to the employees of the hotel, the employees at the NHL office in Dimapur have also not received salary for over 7 months, it was informed.
DIMaPur, February 8 (MexN): The Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) today expressed concern at the recent spurts of violence in the form of killings and opposed all forms of violence and intolerance in Nagaland state. A press note from the organization pointed out that due to efforts of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) “we have lived without deliberate violence for some time and have had respite from the almost daily occurrences of killings amongst ourselves, other than common lawlessness as is prevalent in any society.” “We looked forward to a future with hope that our present and future generations will get a life worthy of living according to God’s providence,” it said. However, it recounted with sadness the February 6 killing of a husband and wife in Shamator, the case of a dead man found hung in Jalukie, the February 2 killing of Charlie Hangsing in Dimapur and the “oth-
er cases of rapes and crimes,” which have “occurred again only to destroy whatever hopes and dreams our society have come to embrace during the last few years.” The NPMHR condemned and opposed all kinds of violence and intolerance that “denies the basic right to life and dignity of all human beings and particularly the Nagas in this case.” “We also feel sad and hang our head with shame to say that all these state of affairs are happening again despite our experiences of the past, from which all of us ought to have learnt. But the powers that be, starting from the State Governments to the grass-root social institutions have all failed in upholding their responsibilities, beside mere statements of condemnations, including us, the human rights and other civil society organizations,” it said. “So also the different Naga National groups and Governments, who are also responsible to protect the society and their people for whom
they are supposed to be fighting,” the NPMHR added. It therefore urged the Nagaland State Government and its law-enforcing agencies to perform its “minimum basic duties” to book the culprits at the earliest while also urging the Naga National groups and Governments to “reign-in their cadres, who might be running amok and letting hell loose on fellow Nagas and countrymen in the name of national freedom or cause.” The NPMHR also appealed to the “aggrieved Naga brothers and sisters” of Kiphire and Shamator towns and areas “not to take the unfortunate incident out of hand which may further aggravate the situation and endanger our own fellow communities.” It urged them to rather “join hands to collectively book the culprits and award them befitting and permissible punishments.” The NPMHR reiterated its fervent appeal to “uphold the Naga filial bond and to shun all forms of violence.”
CM moots onetime grant for churches to fight HIV/AIDS Chizokho Vero Kohima | February 8
Expressing concern at the high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nagaland, Chief Minister TR Zeliang today mooted setting a onetime grant for churches to continue carrying out awareness campaigns across Nagaland state. The CM suggested that a fixed deposit of Rs. 5 to 10 crore can be worked out in favour of Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA) Nagaland, where interest from the sum can be used for awareness campaigns. In this, he called upon the churches to formulate policy, assuring that the government will provide assistance. Apart from churches, he also encouraged that the campaigns reach out to temples and mosques. Speaking at the annual general meeting of LFA here, Zeliang also stressed on the need to increase the legislators’ contribution on HIV/AIDS. Presently, 60 members of the House
contribute Rs. 1 lakh each under LADF for advocacy programmes in their respective constituency. Zeliang, who is also chief patron of the LFA also sought the support from bureaucrats to contribute. He further requested doctors from the medical department to play a vital role to defeat HIV/AIDS, and sought active participation of every individual in achieving Zero Target by 2020. He also stressed on the need to encourage people living with HIV who come out openly in declaring themselves as HIV positive. Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Chotisuh Sazo requested the churches to continue their awareness and sensitization programmes in the villages and hoped for continuous support in the fight against HIV/AIDS. LFA consultant Dr. Vinito Chishi stressed on the need to reduce stigma and discrimination, adding that proper counselling is the need of the hour.
District
DisTriCT wisE HiV/AiDs sTATus
April 2006 to March 2015 April 2015 to Dec 2015 Tested Positive Tested Positive % Dimapur 1230336 6866 14610 561 3.48 % Kohima 88537 2382 9389 215 2.29% Tuensang 80002 2241 7834 141 1.80% Kiphire 22746 403 2527 34 1.35% Peren 31498 318 4325 49 1.13% Phek 33981 223 3584 33 0.92% Mokokchung 111406 1184 9852 70 0.71% Longleng 19402 59 1092 6 0.55% Zunheboto 47695 242 3752 19 0.51% Wokha 57501 218 5363 16 0.30% Mon 65509 141 7122 12 0.17% Total 681313 14277 69450 1156 1.66 Nagaland Baptist Kumar said that a meeting Accounts Dr. T.M. Lotha felt Church Council (NBCC) at the bureaucrat level will that awareness campaigns general secretary Rev. Dr. be convened to take stock of should be a continuous Zelhou Keyho meanwhile the situation and work out effort and also free drugs assured that the churches strategy for 2016, adding should be made available will work hard and hoped to that everything will be ex- in all the hospitals. Parsee results in few years time. amined for control of HIV/ liamentary Secretary for He also stressed on the need AIDS in the current year. Tourism C. Apok Jamir also to teach compassion and Minister for School Ed- felt the need to apply corexhibit grace and love while ucation and SCERT Yita- rect method and strategy to dealing with HIV/AIDS. chu opined that one time bring HIV to zero level. Rev. Dr. Shiwoto, Presi- fixed deposits be done with Parliamentary Secretary dent NCRC Nagaland sug- bank institutions under for Planning & Coordinator, gested that the issue of corporate social responsi- Evaluation, Monitoring Cell HIV/AIDS be included as bility to enable the church- and Taxes, Neiba Kronu; curriculum in all theologi- es to sustain their aware- Parliamentary Secretary for cal colleges of the state. ness activities. Jails, Science & Technology Chief Secretary, Pankaj Advisor, Treasuries and S Hukavi Zhimomi; Parlia-
mentary Secretary for Higher & Technical Education, Deo Nukhu and several others also joined the interaction session. Later, the meeting resolved that the LFA and churches will continue to work together and intensify its fight to tackle HIV/ AIDS. The other resolution included: churches to continue to carry out awareness campaign on mission mode, all churches to set up core group, to remove stigma and discrimination etc. 0.78 adult HIV prevalence rate in Nagaland Nagaland state has an adult HIV prevalence rate at 0.78% at present as per the NACO technical report. The general population prevalence rate (HSS) is at 0.88 %. Out of 69,450 people tested during April 2015 to December 2015, 1,156 were found positive. Out of 6, 81, 313 tested during April 2006 to March 2015, 14, 277 were found positive. AIDS related deaths in Nagaland stood at 287 during 2015.
The Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) project director, Dr. M Kire informed this during the annual general meeting of Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA) Nagaland here today. The route of HIV transmission as per SIMS (April to December 2015) shows 89% through sexual route, 6% parent to child, 3% through blood to blood and 2% through syringe & needles. Age wise distribution of HIV Positive in Nagaland shows 45.35% (25-34 years), 28.48% (35-49 years), 14.77 % (15-24 years), 5.47% (50 years), 5.94% (14 years) and below 14 years at 6%. He also highlighted the various facilities provided by NSACS. Dr. Kire requested the gathering for support and concerted effort in fight against HIV/AIDS in the state. He also sought for release of fund in time, while acknowledging that Nagaland is the first state in the NE to form an LFA, and the first NE state to form a State Council on AIDS.