C M Y K
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ThursDAY • FebruArY 09 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 37 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
Care for the land, Care for the people, Go forward Governor to reach Chennai amid PanneerselvamSasikala war
P o W e R
T R u T H
— Maori proverb
Concerned Nagas For Change appeal for peace
PAGe 08
o F
Suarez hero & villain as Barca reach Cup final
PAGE 02
PAGE 12
Demand for CM’s resignation intensifies Govt offices remain paralyzed for eighth day Withdraw support to Bandh to continue cM: Jcc urges MlAs Our Correspondent
Warns of intensifying bandh including air and train services Morung Express News Dimapur | February 8
The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) has appealed MLAs in Nagaland state to withdraw their support to the Chief Minister, TR Zeliang stating that “he is not fit to lead the Naga people.” Addressing media persons in Dimapur on Wednesday, JCC warned of intensifying bandh including air and train services if the CM did not step down within three days. Reacting to the CM’s apology to JCC and NBCC, the JCC “advised” him to behave as a responsible leader. JCC Convenor, Supu Jamir said, “the CM has tendered apology but in the same line he is alleging JCC and NBCC of not understanding which itself manifests that he is not fully aware of the meaning of apology.” According to the JCC, apology comes only when the person concerned or the authority makes mistake and that if Zeliang tendered apology then the same should come from his inward mind without any ulterior motive. “While tendering apology, there is no scope for any allegation to the other party but Zeliang is tendering apology to the NBCC and JCC coupled with unjustified and unreasonable allegation,” JCC said. The JCC maintained that at no point of time during the January 30 meeting at Chumukedima Police Complex, had it accepted or agreed upon 33% women quota. Stating that the CM should not manufacture any fabricated statement to confuse the Naga public, the JCC said that it had agreed to meet the public for consultations with regard to the women quota within two months and intimate the state government on its outcome. “And the January 30 agreement was arrived at in order to avoid bloodshed but unfortunately the agreement was undermined by the state government within no time resulting in
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
the loss of two sons of the soil and a series of injuries to other volunteers,” the JCC said. JCC said it was therefore, of the view, that the CM tendered apology since he defiled the January 30 agreement. It also said that there was no room to blame JCC or NBCC for the commission of mistakes or defilement by the state government. JCC, NTAC turn down another meet by CM It was also informed during the press conference that the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee and JCC had jointly resolved not to attend another consultative meeting called by the CM on February 9 at the State Banquet Hall at 9 am. JCC said that the two bodies decided not to attend the meet so as to “avoid another betrayal by the CM as it has bitterly experienced on January 30.” JCC consultative meet today JCC has convened a consultative meet on February 9 at 3:00pm at Chakhesang Hoho building, Dimapur near Hill Star Cinema Hall. It has requested all Dimapur based tribal hohos, GBs, chairmen, chairpersons of colonies and villages in Dimapur district to attend the meeting. It has also requested office bearers of Diphupar Village Council, Diphupar Naga Youth Organization, Youth Association of Nagaland and Western Sumi Kukami Hoho to attend the consultative meet. Meanwhile, the JCC has exempted postal department from the purview of the ongoing bandh in the interest of public. The JCC said it would intimate to all districts about the next course of action to be taken by it and NTAC. It also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the two slain youths and wished speedy recovery to those injured. DNYF candlelight service today The Dimapur Naga Youth Front will hold a candlelight memorial service in honour of the two slain youths at Naga Shopping Arcade, Super Market, Dimapur at 4:30pm. It has requested well wishers to bring a candle each in honour of the slain youths.
C M Y K
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 8 (MExN): The Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (WSBAK) has expressed concern at the recent turn of events with regard to the ULB elections, and the “adamant attitude of the state government to find solution to the said impasse.” A press note from the WSBAK stated that the government should have honored the desires of the people in bringing the situation to an amicable resolution. Instead the government refused to read the writings on the wall and went ahead with their own hidden plan leading to the loss of two precious lives, it lamented. The WSBAK mourned the deaths of the two persons and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.
The normal functioning of the government offices remained paralyzed for eight days today in the state capital Kohima following the indefinite bandh. The bandh restricted opening of government offices and also movement of government registered vehicles, mobilized by Angami Youth Organization (AYO) in Kohima. Essential services are exempted from the purview of the bandh. Mobile data services remained cut off till today since January 30. Meanwhile, AYO official informed that the bandh will continue in
NPMHR asks CM to step down specify ‘vested interests,’ DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 8 cessive state governments from ntAc asks nagaland cM (MExN): The Naga Peoples’ the beginning till today, choose Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) today stated that the Nagaland State Chief minister must take moral responsibility for the violent incidents in the state and “step down as happens in any democratic nations and societies across the world, whether one is at fault or not.” A press note from the NPMHR said that the relentless position taken by the Chief Minister refusing to own moral responsibility and to step-down over the violence in the state, “all in the midst of uproars against the holding of ULB Elections causing an unprecedented mayhem in the Naga society has become one of the most unfortunate turn of events in the present day situation.” “While issues of disagreements over the ‘imposition of undesirable alien legal systems and socio-cultural concepts and ways of life’ continue to create chaos and confusions all these while ever since Nagas declared their Independence one day before India, on the 14th of August 1947, all suc-
to defy and suppress its own people’s wishes and aspirations in the name of ‘upholding the Constitution of India,’ even when there is no need at all,” the NPMHR stated. It stated that the sufferings already caused to every household and families across Nagaland, the entire tensed atmosphere has become grimmer with the growing stand-off between the Naga Public and the State Government under the present leadership. “If situation does not normalize in the coming few days and weeks, there is an entire generation of Naga children whose career and future would be affected. And no amount of apologies or justification can undo these damages, for which the present day leadership of all shapes and sizes will be responsible,” it cautioned. The NPMHR meanwhile extended condolences to the families of those who were killed as a result of the recent violence in the state and expressed resentment over the “high-handedness of the state’s brutality.”
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 8 (MExN): The Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) today asked the Nagaland Chief Minister to clarify on his earlier statements that the present issue has gone beyond 33%, and that there are vested interest and politics in play. A press statement from the NTAC asked the CM “to clearly spell out who, which party or organisation was involved in it, so that the people we represent will clearly understand the matter.” “Since he was not thoroughly specified it amounts to making false allegation with a view to dilute the issue and to derail the ongoing movement which tantamount to misleading the public for his selfish ends,” it stated. It further questioned how the CM can claim to have acceded to the people’s demands. The NTAC reminded the CM that the first demand is for him to step down. “People’s demand is not whether or not he has the majority but purely on moral ground as he has betrayed the people leading to the killing of
two innocent young boys who had bright future and also injuring several others,” it added. The NTAC further accused the CM of demonstrating a “negative attitude towards the appeal of NBCC,” and asked him to “realise now that he is inconsistent with the interpretation of Part IX A of the Constitution of India.” “There is a suspicion that either he is devoid of legal knowledge or someone is misguiding him to jump from one position to the other. TR Zeliang should have been responsible enough to consult the people as he later confessed to do so. The JCC and NTAC, Kohima would like him to recall the fact that all the MLAs including him were elected by the people and not by the Constitution as stated by him in the local daily newspapers and as such, we would like to remind him that he is answerable to the people of Nagaland first and not the Constitution,” the NTAC said. It further stated that the Constitution of India “will not elect him but the people will.”
cM meets civil society leaders Cash withdrawal limit to be Rio hopes ‘voice and desire Rs 50,000 from February 20 of people will be respected’
KohIMA, FEBRUARY 8 (AGENCIES): Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang today held a meeting with civil society leaders on the ongoing crisis in the state arising due to announcement of reservation for women in Urban Local Bodies (ULB) polls, but the two major organisations spearheading the movement did not participate. The three-hour-long consultative meeting was attended by around 50 Naga leaders and “fruitful discussion” was held on the entire sequence leading to the present crisis, CMO officials said. The meeting, they clarified, was not called to adopt any resolution but to No government cars al- make the leaders understand the posilowed- we are going to the tion of the state government on the issue, wedding on a rickshaw. which would lead to the finding of an amicable solution. Zeliang’s cabinet colleagues also
Govt should have honoured desire of the people: WSBAK
Kohima | February 8
Kohima. Prohibitory orders promulgated by the Kohima district administration under section 144 CrPC in certain areas here continued to be in force with no reports of untoward incident. The areas where 144 CrPC continues are Old Ministers’ Hill area, Jail Colony and Raj Bhavan area, Kohima is still in place. Private and government educational institutions, banks and health centres have been exempted from the purview of the shutdown by Nagas. Speaking to IANS, Nagaland Police chief L.L. Doungel said, “No untoward incident has been reported so far. The shutdown has been peaceful. Police are keeping Volunteers carrying out a poster campaign demanding the Nagaland Chief a watch on the strike and will function accordingly.” Minister’s resignation in Kohima on February 8. (Morung Photo)
took part in the meeting which was not attended by Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) – the two bodies leading the protests. NTAC and JCC had yesterday declared they would not attend the consultative or any other meeting convened by the Chief Minister unless he steps down as demanded by them. Another meeting with apex tribal bodies has also been convened on February 9, 11:00 am at the State Banquet Hall, Kohima. Earlier on February 7, the Chief Minister at a press conference in Kohima said, “We are not going to force them (civil/tribal organizations) to pass any resolution,” but “we want to make them understand the position of the government so in consulting with people and by explaining the position of the government I think they will understand.”
No limit from March 13
MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 8 (IANS): The limits on savings bank cash withdrawals post-demonetisation are to be withdrawn in two stages, the Reserve Bank of India announced on Wednesday, with the limit slated to go up to Rs,50,000 per account from February 20 and to cease from March 13. The announcement was made by RBI Deputy Governor R. Gandhi saying it awaited data on the full impact of the government’s demonetisation drive three months ago. On January 30, the RBI had ended all curbs on withdrawals from Current Accounts, Cash Credit Accounts and Overdraft Accounts. While lifting of ATM withdrawal limits from March 13 will represent coming full circle for these machines in respect of demonetisation, it is to be seen whether the amount of cash supplied by RBI will be able to satisfy the demand of citizens in future.
WSH stand on current impasse one man Jic constituted
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 8 (MExN): The Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) and its frontal organisations, including the Western Sumi Kukami Hoho (WSKH), Western Sumi Totimi Hoho (WSTH), Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF), Western Sumi Students’ Union (WSSU) and Western Sumi Sports Association (WSSA) held a consultative meeting on February 8 and resolved to re-affirm the Sumi Hoho and CNTC decision against the ULB elections with 33% women reservation. It further appealed to the Nagaland State Government to issue an official notification nullifying the entire process of ULB elections at the earliest. The WSH appealed to the CNTC to have a consultative meeting with its federating units as no such meetings have been initiated after the formation of JCC under CNTC.
It asked the CNTC to monitor the activities of Dimapur Naga Youth Front (DNYF) which was formed in connection with the issue of ULB elections and hence co-terminus with the JCC. The WSH also urged the CNTC/JCC to see to it that “no press statements/comments are issued by the DNYF but only through CNTC/JCC in order to avoid confusion within the constituent units.” It meanwhile assured that “as and when situation arises, it will mobilize its youth.” The WSH re-affirmed that it stands strongly against holding of the ULB elections until and unless thorough amendments are made in the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 by safeguarding the powers conferred under Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution. “The WSH is not against or in favour of any other issue except Naga common issue of ULB elections,” it added.
to probe Jan 31 violence
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 8 (MExN): The Home Department of the Nagaland State Government today informed that the one man Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) on the violent incidents in the state, particularly the mob violence in Dimapur on January 31, in which two persons were killed and several injured will be headed by LN Sema, District & Session Judge (Retired). A press release from the Home Commissioner stated that the commission would look into the chain of events leading to the violent incidents which occurred in Dimapur on January 31 and the role/ involvement of groups/individuals in aiding/ abetting it. It will also look into the steps taken and the arrangements made by the district administra-
tion/ police/ security agencies for dealing with the law and order situation as it evolved in Dimapur on that day and the adequacy, or otherwise of the same. The commission will also probe the cause of the death of the two persons; late Khriesavizo Metha (Avizo) and late Bendangnungsang Longkumer and injury to others and the person or group of persons responsible for the violence. The Commission will function in Police Officers’ Mess, Chumukedima, Dimapur, and be provided with all the logistic support and the required manpower by the Home Department by issuing separate orders. The Commission is expected to finish the inquiry and submit its report in sixty (60) days from the dateofissuanceofthisnotification.
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 8 (MExN): Nagaland State MP to the Lok Sabha, Neiphiu Rio spoke during the recently held budget session in Parliament and touched on many topics including the ongoing turmoil over ULB polls in Nagaland, the Indo-Myanmar border fencing issue, connectivity issues in the state and the need for inclusive development in the region. In his speech, the Nagaland MP informed that the state is “now facing problem for about two weeks because the voice and the wishes of the Tribal Hohos are not respected and going against the spirit of Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, which give them special protection.” He further appealed that “good sense should prevail.” He further informed that the ENPO and the tribe Hohos, including Myanmar civil societies have protested against the international border fencing between India and Myanmar (Nagaland area 215 km - from Pillar no. 139-146). “I hope that voice and desire of the people will be respected to maintain good relationship with the local people in the border areas,” he urged. Regarding development, Rio stated that unless the North East is developed, India will not be developed. He urged for the Look East and Act East policies to be made into a reality, to bridge economic development with ASEAN countries. He meanwhile lamented that the original proposed
Trans Asian Highway from Guwahati- Dimapur- SenapatiImphal- Moreh- Myanmar has been diverted to Guwahati- Silchar- Jiribam- Tupul avoiding Naga areas, and appealed that the original plan should be restored. Further, the MP said that the Dimapur- Tizit 257 KM Railway Line costing 4274Cr appeared in the Pink Book of 2013-14 as “awaiting NITI AAYOG approval, completed the techno economic and included in new project.” Railways and highways, he affirmed, need to reach remote areas especially the eastern part of Nagaland. He added that the Chiethu Airport proposal in Kohima has been lying in the cold storage for one and a half decade. The MP stressed that local air strips need to be developed and regional airline set up, especially to tackle situations during emergencies and calamities. Rio also suggested top priority towards infrastructure, connectivity and human resources, while stressing on the need to set up a medical college, engineering college, tech institutes, centre of excellence for education etc. Regarding the Naga political issue, the MP said that the Naga people are still struggling to resolve the larger issue. “We all pray and hope that the present negotiation which is going on for the last 20 years will be consummated soon and peace restored,” he said.
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NAGALAND
CANSSEA appeal for an “amicable solution” Kohima, February 8 (mexN): The Confederation of all Nagaland State Services Employees Associations (CANSSEA), on behalf of all the State Services Employees has made a “sincere and fervent” appeal to both the government and the tribal hohos/civil societies involved in the ongoing affairs of the crisis for an “amicable solution” at the earliest. CANSSEA stated that “the solution should be arrived at in the interest of the general public of the state with the true spirit of reconciliation and tolerance through peaceful means rather than through violence and vandalism which is an irreparable loss to the public property.” CANSSEA, President, S.
Takatuba Aier in an appeal note requested both the government and civil societies to exercise maximum restraint and tolerance in the true spirit of Christianity so as to usher peace and harmony in the state. Keeping in view the end of the financial year and in particular, this is the time of school admission and exam season; the CANSSEA prayerfully appeals both parties to end the present conflict aiming at the social, economic and physical development of the state. The Association also added that the ongoing state of locking offices is a huge loss to the general public as the majority of the public of the state depends on government salaries.
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Concerned Nagas For Change appeal for peace
Dimapur, February 8 (mexN): The Concerned Nagas For Change (CNFC), Delhi today appeal to the Naga brethren for peace and harmony in the state while stating that it is saddened and the conscience deeply disturbed by the things that have transpired in Nagaland. CNFC in a press communiqué observed that the reasons for unrest seems caught in a quagmire of confusion, from 33% women reservation in Urban Local Bodies election culminating to single demand for stepping down of democratically elected chief minister. The collective sentiments of the people put through the platform of JCC and timely interven-
tion of the NBCC was accommodated to certainly acceptable level, whereby, the government has revoked and postponed the stated election, it has also successfully convinced to withdraw the case pending in Supreme Court. However, the matter seems still spiraling out of desirable proportion. Therefore, the CNFC is deeply appalled by the ever emanating new facet of problems in the state and appeal to find honorable pathways. “Nagas need to introspect deeply within on how issues and differences can be sorted out amicably by peaceful means and in a civilized trend of dialogue. Violence has no room for reasoning and Nagas must
renegade violence. Every citizen has the right to protest without a doubt, but should resort to lawful and peaceful means,” the CNFC Delhi, Convener, Kahorngam Zimik stated. CNFC made an earnest appeal to the public to refrain from further mob rampage on public properties and vandalizing government vehicles, stating “It will be unwise to destroy our resources for which the government has to spend huge funds in rebuilding them.” “It is an appeal to all the reasonable individual leaders and concerned Naga civil organizations to take the course of peacefully resolving the issues to bring back normalcy in the state. While the country
and the world watch destroying ourselves the Nagas must prove our sanity to the world by relying on the principle of non violence and civilized discourse of resolving issues. Our right to protest involves the exercise of numerous fundamental human rights, and is essential that no human rights are violated in the process,” CNFC added. It also stated, “We the Nagas should engage in civil resistance tools like talk, think, analyze and then act. There are ample means through which we can lodge our protest, protest free of risk, of harm, of damage. We must engage and find amicable exit rather than to aggravate the unwanted situation. “
Take right decision by using God’s wisdom, plea DCF
Dimapur, February 8 (mexN): The Dimapur Christian Forum, “having assessed and analyzed the present situation in depth” has appealed to both Government and Civil society organizations to “take right decision by using God’s wisdom and grace in order to avoid further confusion, suffering and in inconveniences caused to the public in general and the students’ community in particular especially, as they are preparing for their final examinations.” “In this context we request all the churches and individuals to pray for lasting peace and apt solution to the existing socio-political issue,” said DCF Chairman, Rev. R.P. Murry in a press note. The Forum also expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the relatives of late Thejaviza Metha and late Bendangningsang who were killed in the recent police firing.
Peace Channel calls for peaceful dialogue
Dimapur, February 8 (mexN): The Peace Channel Family, “promoting peace and harmonious living among people” fervently appeals to the Government of Nagaland, all the tribal apex bodies and the civil organizations to settle the issue amicably by respecting and recognizing views and opinions. “Let the peaceful dialogue between government and civil society organizations may bring lasting solution to the exiting issue and promote peaceful coexistence among all,” stated a press release issued by the Peace Channel desk. The Peace Channel also expressed deep sorrow to the families of late Thejaviza Metha and late Bendangningsang who were killed recently.
Students raise cancer awareness with street play
pereN, February 8 (mexN): To sensitized and educate the people on the dreadful killer disease Cancer, the Cadets of Class VIII and IX of Sainik School Punglwa organized a street play on cancer ‘The Silent Killer’ at Punglwa Village Weekly Market on February 8. The Cadets delivered a creative street play vividly depicting how Cancer can kill the human race silently. An introduction on awareness and prevention of Cancer was given by Cadet Tamar Mara and his team of cadets. “Nagaland, a tribal state in India is not free from modern diseases. Amongst these, Cancer is one of the most prevailing diseases and is spreading at a very high rate due to modern life style. Due to this dreadful killer many precious lives
cer Nasopharynx among males in Nagaland is very high (21 per lakh population) and is only next to the highest incidence in the world,” the SSP also added. The information on Cancer was provided by the cadets to all the villagers present at Punglwa. The speech was given in both English and the local language so that the message could be conveyed to the last person present. The villagers of Punglwa and nearby villages were immensely benefitted. The Chairman of the village complimented and expressed his gratitude to the school authority for organizing educative street (Left): Cadets of Sainik School Punglwa performs a street play to raise cancer awareness (right): Cadets display posters focusing on sensitizing and educating the people on Cancer at play by the cadets for the Punglwa Village Weekly Market on February 8. villagers – making them to have been lost in Nagaland,” “The disease is one of poorly understood entities lifestyle,” the report added land among men are Na- females they are Cervix, rededicate their lives and Sainik School Punglwa stat- the most confusing, com- because of the location of while informing that the sopharynx, Stomach, and Stomach, and Breast. fight for the cause of Cancer ed on a report on the event. monly misdiagnosed, and the involved area and their top 3 cancers in Naga- Oesophagus, and among “Incidence rate of Can- elimination in the society.
Rev. Dr. Kavito Zhimo elected as Prez of Senate of Serampore College
Dimapur, February 8 (mexN): The 89th Convocation programme of Senate of Serampore was held at Trinity Theological College, Thahekhu Dimapur where Rev. Dr. Kavito Zhimo, Principal Trinity Theological College was elected to be the President of Senate of Serampore College (University) for a period of three years. SBC, Director Rev. Khehovi Shohe in a press release said that the SBC Council held its meeting on the February 6 and expressed gratitude to the Senate members for electing Rev. Dr. Kavito to head
the Senate. It also informed that Dr. H. Stikhato Rotokha, a prominent leader among the Sumi Naga was conferred Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) by the Senate of Serampore University in recognition of his yeomen services to the Church and the society. Also, Hosheto Achumi Rtd Commissioner Transport was elected as the President of Sumi Baptist Convention commencing from 2017. Meanwhile, the North East India Theological Association (NEITA) wishes Rev. Dr. Kavito Zhimo for
being elected as President of Senate of Serampore College (University) to take the Senate of Serampore College (University) to greater heights. NEITA President, Rev. Dr. Yiepetso Wezah in a press release conveyed that the Association also expresses its thankful heart to the leaders of Senate of Serampore College (University) for electing one of its members to the highest post. The Association will continue to support and work together with the Senate to impart theological education South East Asian and particularly in India.
Shemrock Primary School opened
Dimapur, February 8 (mexN): The Shemrock primary school with a tag “Where young minds grow” was opened today at 4th Mile Diphupar. Sowvick Moitra, regional coordinator Shemrock & Shemford group of schools and Rev. Dr. Kenny Kapfo, director Mission International (MI) India spoke on the occasion. Nouneselhou Kire, administrator Shemrock Primary Fourthmile delivered welcome address. The function was chaired by Ahili Swu, PR, Shemrock Primary Forthmile while Rev. Vichakielie Khruomo pronounced benediction. Meanwhile, proprietor and chief administrator of the school Dr Er Vikuotuolie Angami, Ph.D, Bharat Ratna of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (Ex- President of India) Excellence Awardee acknowledged the managing chairman, his staff, school managing official of Shemrock (CBSE) from Delhi, chairman of Diphupar village and his office bearers, youth officials, parents and guardians of the students, reverends, believers and all wishers for gracing the formal opening of the school. “We shall always give our best for the education of the students,” he stated. Sowvick Moitra, regional coordinator Shemrock & Shemford group of schools speaking on the occasion.
NTAC and JCC poster campaign against Nagaland CM Our Correspondent Kohima | February 8
A yarn spinning machine and various tools used during the traditional weaving process practiced in Nagaland. Weaving, spinning and dyeing are an integral part of Naga tradition and ethnicity. The process of weaving is primitive and done in a step by step process which is slow and tedious. A complete woven shawl or wrappers consumes four to six days. (Photo by Ketholeno Neihu)
The Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) today launched poster campaign against Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang. Among the many poster reads “TR Zeliang is anti-Naga,” “TR Zeliang is enemy of Article 371 (A), “We will not rest till TR Zeliang steps down.” In the state capital, the posters are seen pasted on private vehicles, walls and at the entrance gate of Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Meanwhile, JCC and NTAC expressed sincere gratitude to all the Tribal Hohos, Organisations and individuals for their support and cooperation in the people’s move for justice for the Nagas. It stated that as resolved in the Coordination Meeting held on February 7 at APO Hall, Kohima; asking the Chief Minister T. R. Zeliang to step down on moral ground within a period of 3 (three) days with effect from Wednesday February 8, 2017; “our movement will continue till we achieve our demands within the stipulated time and further course of action shall be intimated to all in due course of time.”
A poster campaign demanding the chief minister to resign was held today February 8 organised by the NTAC and JCC. Among the many poster reads “ TR Zeliang is anti-Naga,” “ TR Zeliang is enemy of Article 371 (A), “We will not rest till T.R. Zeliang steps down.” Posters were pasted in the whole stretch of Kohima town, in vehicles, buses, shops etc. (Morung Photo)
thursday 09•02•2017
NORTH-EAST 3
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Manipur NPF’s working prez resigns SENAPATI, FEbruAry 8 (NNN): Working President of the Manipur State Unit of NPF, Solomon Veino, has tendered his resignation from the post and also from primary membership of the party today. Veino cited the party’s decision to deny him a ticket to contest in the ensuing Manipur assembly poll as the reason for his resignation. According to the resignation letter addressed to the Central NPF President, Veino stated that by denying the party ticket to contest the Manipur assembly election, his 'selfless contribution' was ignored by the party. "This, despite having proved the endorsement of my candidature by a large section of voters and also by the 5 elected Members of Autonomous District Council (ADC) from 47 Karong Assemby Constituency to the leaders of the party,” Veino lamented. “The arbitrary decision of the party in denying me the ticket had me convinced that my services are no longer required by the party," Veino stated in his resignation letter.
Blockade affects poll process in Manipur Newmai News Network Imphal | February 8
Election campaigns in Manipur have been severely affected by the United Naga Council (UNC)’s indefinite economic blockade being imposed since November 1, 2016 over the new district creation issue. Scarcity of fuel is really hitting hard on poll campaigns and even though elections are just a month away, the UNC’s economic blockade and not the assembly election is dominating household talks in Manipur these days. Usually during election rallies and meetings in Manipur, it is the political parties and the candidates that provide transports to the public. Especially in the hills, the more the number of vehicles the larger is the size of gatherings. Feasting has also come to be a must item in every political meeting or campaign programme in the hill districts. With the sky rocketing prices of com-
50 injured in Tripura, shutdown to oppose Centre's citizenship bill AGArTAlA, FEbruAry 8 (IANS): At least 50 persons were on Wednesday injured in Tripura when members of ruling and opposition parties brawled during a 12-hour shutdown jointly called by three tribal parties against the Centre's citizenship bill, police said. Three opposition tribal parties jointly called a dawn-to-dusk general strike in Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) areas to oppose the central government's Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. "Around 50 persons were injured in which four of them are critical after bandh supporters and ruling Left party members clashed in six different places in Tripura," a police official said. The injured were admitted to government hospitals, he said. "Police arrested around 1,200 picketers from different places of Tripura," the official added. Train services in Tripura were disrupted while a large number of offices, educational institutions, banks, shops and markets were closed in view of the shutdown in the TTAADC areas, which controls the northeastern state's most tribal-dominated areas. Heavy security arrangements were in place in the entire TTAADC areas, which fall in all eight districts of Tripura.
Two students detained over alleged molestation GuwAhATI, FEbruAry 8 (IANS): Police have detained two students of the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG), for allegedly molesting three students of Gauhati University, police said on Wednesday. The alleged molestation took place on February 3 but came to light only on Tuesday after the girls registered an FIR alleging molestation. The victims said the incident took place when the educational institution was celebrating its annual festival "Alcheringa". "The programme was over by 10.30 p.m and we were looking for accommodation in IITG on rent. At this stage the accused promised to help us," said one of the girl students. They were later offered some soft drink. After consuming it, they felt dizzy, the victims stated. "I could sense someone was trying to molest me. I tried to resist but lost consciousness. However, one of my friends remained conscious and she witnessed the molestation," the girl said in the FIR. A police official said the two youths had been detained.
The Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and the National Conference of Tripura (NCT) last month formed the All Tripura Indigenous Regional Parties Forum (ATIRPF) to oppose the bill introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance. The bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha last year and now under the scrutiny of a parliamentary committee, seeks to enable Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who have fled to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh without valid travel documents or those whose valid documents have expired in recent years, to acquire Indian citizenship through the process of naturalisation.
modities and the depletion of stocks due to the economic blockade election meetings have been tremendously affected. This scenario has also contributed to the slow pace of electioneering in the state this time. In the valley, the tension still simmers due to the district creation issue. Civil society organizations and pubic leaders are engaging more in dealing with the prevailing situation than on the assembly election. The February 7 decision of the ‘Presidential Council meeting’ of the UNC to continue the agitation has changed the whole mood in the valley. After the February 3 ‘tripartite talk’ in New Delhi involving the Government of India, the Manipur Government and the United Naga Council, there were speculations in the media that the UNC would lift the economic blockade after its February 7 meeting. But with the UNC determined “to continue to
fight against the insidious design of grabbing our land on the pretext of administrative convenience till the same is withdrawn,” the situation is not going to get better soon. On February 7, the UNC had resolved that “the Nagas would also reject and fight against any other moves that would affect our land and identity". It further resolved that Nagas would reject and fight against any other moves that would affect their land and identity. Given this highly charged atmosphere, one can expect for the worse even to the extent of affecting the whole process of the ongoing assembly election process if the trend is allowed to continue further. Analyst BB Sharma says that “it has become an issue now that whether or not the state government would be able to complete the election preparations in several districts”. A full-team of Election Commission of India (ECI)
headed by Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi was reportedly planning to visit poll-bound Manipur to review the electioneering process. But the proposed visit of the team is still unclear indicating that the ECI is likely to conduct the election despite the difficult situation plaguing the state. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had earlier expressed its concern over the ‘inability’ of the Okram Ibobi Singh government to end the prolonged economic blockade while seeking intervention of ECI in opening the blockade ahead of the election. UNC has imposed the blockade on the two national highways in Manipur after the Manipur government planned to grant district status to Sadar Hills and Jiribam subdivisions. But the state government went ahead with its plan and created seven new districts including Kangpokpi (Sadar Hills) and Jiribam triggering the Naga body to intensify the agitation.
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SPEAKER
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APPEAL
As the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, I am constrained to come out into the public domain and air the parliamentary practices to dispel the confusion in the minds of the public, if any, regarding the demand for the resignation of the Chief Minister made by some quarters to the society. The Chief Minister is not elected by the people, but by the representatives of the people and is considered the First among Equals as long as he enjoys the confidence and support of the majority of the total number of Legislators in the Assembly. The Chief Minister then selects the members of his Cabinet, 12 including himself in the case of Nagaland, and is bound by the collective decision of the Cabinet. In the instant case where some people are demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister, it should be kept in mind that till this point of time, I have not received any letter from a single Hon’ble MLA withdrawing his support to the leadership of the present Chief Minister. As such, as far as the Assembly is concerned, the full House, that is, all the 59 Hon’ble MLAs unanimously support the leadership of the Leader of the House Shri TR Zeliang. Moreover, it has come to my attention through news reports that calls are being made by social organisations to the Hon’ble MLAs belonging to their social groups to withdraw their support to the Chief Minister. Now, whereas the Hon’ble MLAs are elected by their respective constituents for a period of five years but are free to tender their resignations and/ or withdraw their support to the Leader of the House of their own volition, choice or conscience; it would amount to an illegal or criminal act if any Hon’ble MLA is coerced, forced or threatened to tender their resignation, or withdraw their support by any one, group or organisation. And at this juncture when normal functioning of the Government offices have been affected by some organisations who are demanding the resignation of the legally, Constitutionally elected Leader of the House, I would like to appeal to the agitating parties to refrain from making such unconstitutional demands and start the process of dialogue to arrive at an amicable solution.
Dated February 8, 2017 Chotisuh Sazo
Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly
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wife of late Vihoshi Ayemi of Kiyeto Village Time: 11:00am Date: February 9, 2017 Venue: At her residence, Kiyeto Village
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NAGALAND PUBLIC sERVICE COMMIssION KOHIMA
NO.NPSC/ADVT/EDS-2012
Dated Kohima, the 8th Feburary,2017
AddENdUM In continuation to the Nagaland Public Service Commission’s Advt NO. NPSC -1/2016 dt.20.06.2016 and Corrigendum / Addendum dt. 24.10.2016, the number of post of PGT- Computer Science under the Department of School Education at Item No. 23, has been increased from 2(two) to 4 (four). Sd/- KHRUPI SOTHU, Secretary, Nagaland Public Service Commission, Kohima
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ThursDAY 09•02•2017
Business
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
‘Prof’ Raghuram Rajan loves riding his bike to work in Chicago ChiCago, February 8 (PTi): After completing his three-year stint at the RBI, Rajan returned to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Having returned to academia after a controversy-ridden stint at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), former Governor Raghuram Rajan feels "great to be back" riding his bike in Chicago and hopes to "do it as long as" he can. "Taking my bike out and riding the bike path along Lake Shore Drive, that's one of the great experiences in my life. And I hope to do it as long as I can. It's great to be back," Rajan said in an interview with the media team of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Lake Shore Drive is an expressway running along the shoreline of Lake Michigan through Chicago, Illinois. "This (Booth School of Business) has been my home for 25 years. It's a
great city. I have great colleagues. And it's a wonderful school. "It's different every time you come back. If it wasn't different, it wouldn't be doing its job," Rajan said. Rajan was governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 2013 to September 2016. His tenure was marked by both bouquets and brickbats but saw severe criticism from some political quarters
towards the end, including personal attacks. He was accused of refusing to lower rates to boost growth, though Rajan often cited data to the contrary. Previously, he served as the chief economist and director of research at the International Monetary Fund (from 2003 to 2006). He is currently Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished
Service Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, which he joined in 1991. Asked what he is looking forward to most after returning to academic life, the former RBI Governor noted that one of the difficulties of a job in the "real world" is that one does not really get time to shut oneself off in a room and think. "Now in academia,...
if you are careful, you can spend four days in a room, sit looking at a piece of paper and struggling with a thought that refuses to come out. "At the end of those four days, sometimes, you say, 'Oh my God, how did I miss this?' and it dawns on you. And that's as close to bliss as you can get," Rajan said. Talking about focus of his research, he said, "Research never really leaves you... While I was at the Reserve Bank, I published some papers, but you don't get time to really reflect." Referring to the global financial crisis, Rajan pointed out that the crisis essentially gave us research topics for the next 30 years. "If you look at what happened, there are about 15 to 20 different stories now emerging," he observed. He also argued that more liquidity means more leverage, which in turn means more financial fragility.
Happy Net to be available in all gram panchayats by next year: Govt Delhi, February 8 tions Manoj Sinha who was not pres- ers, e-governance services are not Birthday New accessible to them," said a written (PTi): Internet services are expected ent in the House.
HUVE SOHO
to be provided to all the 2.5 lakh gram panchayats by the end of next year, government told Lok Sabha today, adding that the net connectivity is being strengthened to promote "less cash economy". One lakh gram panchayats are to be connected by underground Optical Fibre Cable by March this year under the first phase of BharatNet project, Minister P P Chaudhary said while replying to questions on behalf of Minister of State for Communica-
dear Huve soho!!!
On this Day the 9th February 2017 (13th Birth Anniversary) you have successfully travelled against all odds and obstacles. We really felt glad and proud while watching you in your 13 years journey that you have been keeping yourself like a blooming Rose even in the midst of the thorns. Your entry in to our family has brought Love, Peace, Oneness, Trustworthy etc that we deserve for a long time. May you continue to live like a blooming flower that generously feeds insects with its enlightened fragrance at all free. “A very Happy Birth Day Huve Soho”. -Lots of Love from loving Parents, Bros & Sis.
Under the second phase of BharatNet project, remaining 1.5 lakh gram panchayats are to be provided connectivity by December 2018, Chaudhary said. This would be done through a mix of underground fibre cables, fibre over power lines, radio and satellite media. "Internet connectivity is being strengthened for less cash economy. Low internet penetration can affect Digital India initiatives. In the absence of internet facility to the us-
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leisure
CROSSWORD # 3852
SUDOKU
reply by Sinha. As on January 29, 2017, Optical Fibre Cable has been laid to 76,089 gram panchayats with a total length of 1,72,257 kilometres. As many as 16,355 gram panchayats have been provided with broadband connectivity. In his written reply, Sinha also said that augmentation of telecom infrastructure to provide internet services in cities and towns is left to the telecom service providers for their commercial decision.
Answer Number # 3846
New Delhi, February 8 (iaNS): With more Indian millennials aggressively migrating to videoon-demand (VOD) platforms to watch premium content, JustWatch -- a Berlin based start-up -- offers a search engine to help viewers find where to legally watch their favourite movies and television series online. But, for an international over-the-top (OTT) content player vying to create a space and make it big in the Indian market, providing local content is equally important, said David Croye, Founder and CEO at JustWatch, told IANS in an email interview. "If an OTT player wants to get big in India, providing Hollywood content alone can only be the start... local content is more important in India than in most other countries," Croye said. "When we looked at our visitors, we were pretty amazed to see that we already had over 500,000 visits from India. They were mostly coming from search engines and were trying to find where they could watch a movie or TV show online," Croye added. With JustWatch, viewers in India can easily compare the different legal OTT catastd code: 03862
DiMaPUR ACROSS 1. Sheriff’s group 6. Vipers 10. An exchange involving money 14. Ignominy 15. Anagram of “Ties” 16. Auspices 17. French for “Our” 18. Kind of school 19. Dikes 20. A type of laurel tree 22. Dogfish 23. “Phooey!” 24. Being 26. “Darn!” 30. Henpeck 31. Foot digit 32. Margarine 33. Goulash 35. Metal bar 39. Daytime performance 41. Before the expected time 43. Delete 44. Arid 46. Faux pas 47. Before, poetically 49. “Eureka!” 50. Rational 51. Stocky burrowing rodent 54. Anagram of “Note” 56. Region 57. Grief 63. Journey 64. Apprehends 65. Carried 66. Overhang 67. Small island 68. Keen 69. One who colors cloth 70. C C C C 71. Submerge DOWN 1. Ping-___ 2. Smell 3. Location 4. Certain
Simple Rules - Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.
Game Number # 3847
JustWatch can help you find where to legally watch movies
TaHaMZaM
streaming movies is huge and we want to bring more transparency to the market... our business model is to help movie studios advertise their content to the right audience," Croye said. In order to do this, JustWatch collects anonymous user data on movie taste and purchase behaviour through its website justwatch.com and apps in many countries worldwide. The corresponding anonymous user profiles are used to run highly targeted and efficient video advertising campaigns on mainly YouTube and Facebook for movie releases in cinemas, home entertainment and VOD. "We always try to have a good mix between international VOD platforms like Netflix, Amazon Video and iTunes as well as local providers like Hotstar, Hooq and Voot," Croye said. "We already have a long list of smaller Indian providers we want to show on JustWatch in the future. In the weeks after the launch we will listen to user feedback and look at the data to decide which providers we will add next. We plan to add at least 5-10 additional OTT providers over the coming months," Croye added.
std code: 03871
(formerly senapati)
Police station Fire Brigade
222246 222491
5. Make improvements 6. Roughens 7. Weird 8. Jetty 9. 7 member group 10. Solemnity 11. A long-legged S. American bird 12. Circumscribe 13. An analytic literary composition 21. A German medieval guild 25. French for “Black” 26. A hemispherical roof 27. Winglike 28. Anagram of “Meat” 29. Horn 34. Veterans 36. Big party 37. Norse god 38. Sort 40. Roman emperor 42. Inclined 45. Palatable 48. Cultural 51. Joined together 52. Apparel 53. Late actor Christopher 55. Subsided 58. Leisure 59. Lion sound 60. Therefore 61. Again 62. Composer Jerome ____
Civil Hospital emer
232224
MH Hospital
227930 231081
Fire Brigade
2222952
Faith Hospital
228846
naga Hospital
2222916
shamrock Hospital
228254
oking Hospital
2243339
Zion Hospital
231864 224117 227337
Bethel nursing Home
2224202
northeast shuttles
08974997923
Police Control room
228400
KoHIMA Ps/oCs Contact numbers
Police Traffic Control
232106
north Ps
railway
131/228404
Answer to Crossword 3851
Airport Indian Airlines
229366 242441 225212
229529 229474
KOHiMa
W
O
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LAss MIss oneroUs orGAn PIts ProPer PUrse seen sHUt sPeCIes sPooK steeP stILL sUnsHIne tIssUe wArs wHere wItHoUt YeAs
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east Police station
227607
west Police station
232181
south Ps
CIHsr (referral Hospital)
242555 242533
Zubza Ps
dimapur Hospital
224041 248011
Officer-in-Charge 8575045516 tseminyu Ps
8575045507
Officer-in-Charge 8575045517 8575045505
Officer-in-Charge 8575045515
248302, 09856006026
eden Medical Centre
248288
C
Chiephobozou Ps 8575045506
Kezocha Ps
nagaland Multispecialty Health & research Centre
R
8575045508
Khuzama Ps
232032, 231031
A
8575045502
Officer-in-Charge 8575045518
nikos Hospital and research Centre
E
8575045501
Officer-in-Charge 8575045520
Apollo Hospital Info Centre 230695/ 9402435652
S
std code: 0370
Officer-in-Charge 8575045510
Chumukedima Fire Brigade 282777
AGAVe APPendAGe BLeACH CensUs CHeddAr CHeese CLAsH CLeAr deMAnd deVIL dIseAse eXCIse Green HAPPen HeAP HoIst IMAGInAtIon IMPort IVorY
logs, such as Netflix, Hotstar, among others, as well as choose which service provider would be best for them. However, internet infrastructure may prove to be a major challenge for JustWatch to establish business in the Indian market, according to the JustWatch CEO. "The internet infrastructure is still not fast enough when it comes to broadband access. So it will take a few years more until most people will be able to stream in high definition (HD) format," Croye said. "Thus, temporary downloads of streams and optimisation of the content for mobile devices is really important. JustWatch is built mobile-first and optimised for loading speed," Croye noted. JustWatch app, which is currently online in 25 countries and has over 25 million users since its launch last year, is available on both Google Playstore and Apple store. While JustWatch aims to make viewing content less annoying and more valuable for users, as an international aggregator it also aims to make movie marketing a lot more efficient for advertisers. "As the demand for
8575045549
Officer-in-Charge 8575045538
H
women Cell
8575045509
Officer-in-Charge 8575045519 Control room
8575045500 (Emergency No. – 100)
FiRE STaTiONS
KoHIMA soUtH: 0370-2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC) KoHIMA nortH: 7085924114 (O) dIMAPUr: 03862-232201/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC) CHUMUKedIMA: 7085982102 (O) 8732810051 (OC) woKHA: 03860-242215/101 (O) 8974322879 (OC) MoKoKCHUnG: 0369-2226225/ 101 (O) 8415830232 (OC) PHeK: 8414853765 (O) 8413822476(OC) ZUnHeBoto: 03867-280304/ 101 (O) 9436422730 (OC) tUensAnG: 8414853766 (O) 9856163601 (OC) Mon: 03869-251222/ 101 (O) 9862130954 (OC) Kiphire: 8414853767 (O) 9436261577 (OC) Peren: 7085189932 (O) 9856311205 (OC) LonGLenG: 7085924113 (O) 9862414264 (OC) we4 woMen HeLPLIne 08822911011 WOMEN HeLPLIne 181 CHiLD weLFAre CoMMIttee Toll free No. 1098 childline
MOKOKCHUNG
std code: 0369
Police station 1 Police station 2 Police station Kobulong Police station tuli Police station Changtongya Police station Mangkolemba Civil Hospital
9485232688 9485232689 9485232690 9485232693 9485232694 9485232695 2226216
woodland nursing Home
2226263
Hotel Metsüpen (tourist Lodge) 2226373/ 2229343
CURRENCY NOTES BUY (rs) seLL (rs)
Us dollars sterling Pound Hong Kong dollar Australian dollar singapore dollar Canadian dollar Japanese Yen euro thai Baht Korean won UAe dirham (Aed) Chinese Yuan
65.72 81.99 8.2 50.29 46.6 50.42 58.17 70.77 1.82 0.0559 17.31 9.35
68.68 85.95 9.13 52.77 48.87 52.89 61.44 74.20 2.02 0.0622 19.29 10.41
Thursday 09•02•2017
NAGALAND
ulbs Poll issue: Nagaland to miss out on central grants to the tune of Rs 140 crore
New Delhi, February 8 (hiNDustaN times): Nagaland stands to lose almost Rs 140 crore in grants from the Centre to modernize its decrepit urban infrastructure after the state government surrendered to tribal customs and failed to hold elections to urban local bodies (ULBs). This includes Rs 127 crore under the 14th Finance Commission (FFC) and another Rs 10 crore as incentive under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the union urban development ministry’s programme to upgrade urban amenities in 500 cities. According to the FFC recommendation, which had been accepted by the government in 2015, the total grants to ULBs across India over a five year period (2015-2020) is to the tune of Rs 87, 143 crore. Nagaland’s share is Rs 127 crore that is to be used by the municipalities to augment basic services such as water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, main-
tenance of roads, etc. However, the recommendation, which was accepted by the government in 2015 mandates that the grants will be given to only those states, which have a “duly constituted ULBs.” The last time municipal elections were held in the state was 16 years ago. Besides Nagaland, Meghalaya and Jammu & Kashmir have also missed out the first installment of funds because of their inability to constitute ULBs. “If Nagaland foregoes its share of the FFC grants, the planned development of fast growing urban centres such as Dimapur will suffer. Such cities are regional economic hubs but deficiencies in municipal infrastructure and services expose their citizens to a variety of risks,” said Jagan Shah, director, National Institute of Urban Affairs. Besides, the state will also miss out on 10% incentive from the Rs 108 crore allocated to it under AMRUT
for not improving the levy and collection of user charges for basic services. Article 243 (T) of the Constitution that provides for reserving 33% seat for women in ULB’s also empowers them to collect tax. But tribal bodies have opposed this too. “AMRUT grants incentives to state, which carry out reforms like municipal tax and fee improvement,” said an official. Nagaland and Meghalaya have cited Article 371 (A) that gives them special status and exempts them from following central laws for not holding municipal polls. Shah says it’s a conundrum in all states that have protected areas. “It is natural that indigenous communities see urbanization as a threat to ancient customs. However, traditional practices are authentic to a specific geography, whereas civic laws and ethos are applicable in urban areas, where development of infra and delivery of basic services must be a priority,” he said.
SPFDD, SUK condemn attendance of USLP president in meeting called by CM; call for his impeachment USLP Athah Throzi convenor clarifies
Dimapur, February 8 (mexN): The Sangtam People's Forum Dimapur District (SPFDD) along with Sangtam Union Kohima (SUK) has condemned the attendance of Yonghopi, President, United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) in the consultative meeting called by the Chief Minister on February 8, 2017 in Kohima. A press release from L. Bitong, President, SPFDD said that as per confirmed reports, the USLP President did not consult any of the office bearers nor the Executive Committee of USLP before attending the meeting. “Therefore, his attendance in the consultative meet on 08/02/2017 at Kohima was purely on his own individual capacity and not representing
USLP,” SPFDD asserted. Further, it pointed out that according to the Resolution No-4 of the NTAC & JCC meet on February 7, he was advised by various office bearers, advisors and elders of Sangtam tribe not
to attend the meet called by the Chief Minister on February 8. The SPFDD and SUK through the press release have requested the Convenor of Executive Committee, USLP to im-
mediately initiate the impeachment of Yonghopi from the post of President, USLP “on the ground of selling out the prestige of Sangtam community and as per the provisions of USLP constitution.”
Dimapur, February 8 (mexN): The Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) today extended “wholehearted support” to the party President, Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu and Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang. A press
note from the NPF media and press bureau stated that the “people are stakeholders of the NPF, and at the same time, people are the assets and strength of this grand old regional political party.” Its stand to support
the present leadership, the NPF stated, has been made “keeping alive the fire of relentless endeavor to work for the preservation of traditional values and culture with a view to retain the heritage of our society as hand-
ed down from our ancestors in which every Naga is responsible for one another, and keeping in mind, the responsibility to uphold the principles of non-violence for resolving all conflicts through peaceful means.”
Kiphire, February 8 (mexN): Convenor of the Athah Throzi (Executive Committee) of United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) today clarified to “all concerned Nagas” that the incumbent President of USLP attended the meeting called by the Chief Minister on February 8 without consultation with any of the office bearers and Athah Throzi of USLP. “Therefore, his attendance in the meeting on 08/02/2017 at Kohima was in his individual capacity and did not at all represent the Sangtam Community.” The convenor of Athah Throzi of USLP, Vekheho in a clarification stated, the “au-
thorized representatives of United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) attended the meeting called by NTAC and JCC on February 7/02/2017 at Kohima, wherein the resolutions of NTAC & JCC were clearly informed in detail to Yonghopi Sangtam, the incumbent President of USLP and was asked not to attend the consultative meet called by the Chief Minister on 08/02/17 and cautioned him the consequences if he attend the meet.” The clarification asserted that USLP fully supports and stands by the resolution of NTAC and JCC made on February 7 in Kohima.
Public SPace
Pride as well as prejudice Monalisa Changkija
ervation in ULBs. Early in January, Unconstitutional demand What is even more alarming, the State government announced that elections to the ULBs would be and preposterous, is that the Nall-male tribal bodies have held on February 1. galand government has decided to been against the 33% reservawrite to the Centre demanding that tion for women in urban lo- Tribal threats Nagaland be exempted from Part IX cal bodies (ULBs) in Nagaland right The tribal bodies protested loud- A of the Constitution. “If the State from the time the Nagaland govern- ly as soon as the elections were an- Government and all the stakeholdment enacted the Nagaland Munici- nounced and threatened candidates ers cannot arrive at an amicable pal (First Amendment) Act in 2006, who intended to file nominations resolution of this issue at the earlion the grounds that reservation for that they would be ex-communicat- est, the best option appears to be to women in ULBs would violate Ar- ed from their respective tribes. Com- seek exemption of Nagaland from ticle 371(A) of the Constitution and ing under pressure, some candidates Part IX A of the Constitution, which infringe on Naga culture, traditions didn’t file nominations and some contains a mandatory provision and customary laws. Faced with ve- others withdrew their papers. Those under Article 243T for 33% womhement opposition, the Nagaland who refused to withdraw from the en reservation in ULBs, which will government did not conduct elec- fray were ex-communicated, ranging put to rest the issue and avoid furtions to civic bodies for over 10 years. from 10 to 30 years. ther misunderstanding among the Spearheaded by the Naga MothThrough all this, the State gov- people,” the Chief Minister’s office ers’ Association (NMA), Naga wom- ernment remained a silent spectator explained in a release. en filed a writ petition challenging and failed to assert the rule of law, esClearly, to rescue itself, the Nagathe State government’s refusal to pecially because these tribal bodies land government is doing a Pontius hold municipal elections before the are not traditional institutions rec- Pilate by washing its hands of the Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High ognised by Article 371(A). The ULBs reservation issue and sacrificing the Court on June 26, 2011. In October too are not traditional Naga institu- rights of Naga women at the altar of 2011, a single-judge bench of the tions but constitutional bodies un- Naga males’ primeval tribal ego. If court upheld the Naga women’s peti- der Part IX of the Constitution over Nagaland is exempted from the purtion and directed the government to which Naga traditional bodies have view of Part IX of the Constitution, hold elections to municipal councils no mandate. Naga women will have absolutely no and town councils on or before JanuWhen the State government re- hope of entering into and participatary 20, 2012. But before the deadline, fused to call off the elections, the ing in decision-making bodies. the Nagaland government filed an tribal bodies announced a bandh Reservation for women is necesappeal before a Division Bench of from January 28 to February 1. They sary in patriarchal societies like Naga the Gauhati High Court, which stayed enforced the bandh across Nagaland society, for instance, where there is a the previous ruling. One of the argu- although elections took place in sev- historical culture of inequalities even ments put forward by the Nagaland eral places on February 1. Clearly, though Nagas don’t practise sati, fegovernment was the claim that im- some towns did not agree with these male foeticide and infanticide, and plementing such a law would ‘upset tribal bodies. do not believe in dowry or the caste the peace’ in Nagaland. On SeptemMeanwhile, on January 31, two system. But Naga customs, culture ber 22, 2012, the Nagaland State As- persons were killed in Dimapur, and traditions preclude women from sembly adopted a resolution reject- the commercial capital of the State. inheriting land and participating in ing women’s reservation in ULBs on Things soon took an ugly turn, and the the decision-making process, which the ground that it infringes on the Nagaland government declared the is exactly what Article 371(A) protects. social and customary practices of elections ‘null and void’. Since then, The other deeply worrying issue the Nagas, which Article 371(A) safe- tribal bodies have begun clamouring is that because the government at the guards. for more, seeking the resignation of Centre appears to be misinformed The Joint Action Committee on the Chief Minister, no less. Though about ground realities in Nagaland, Women Reservation (JACWR) then life is limping back to normal, there it is possible that the State governmoved a Special Leave Petition in is still a bandh on government offic- ment’s claim that the reservation isthe Supreme Court in September es and a restriction on movement of sue may ‘upset the peace’ in the state 2012. On April 20, 2016, the Supreme government vehicles. could cloud its judgment. Court upheld the single-judge ruling Undeniably, the constitutionally But it must be said that even beof the Gauhati High Court of October fore the bandh call, the focus had guaranteed rights of Naga women 2011. So, the Nagaland government started shifting from women’s res- now depend on the Centre, as much enacted the Nagaland Municipal ervation to issues of taxes and land as on the gender sensitised public of (Third Amendment) Bill 2016, which ownership contained in the Naga- India. revoked the September 2012 resolu- land Municipal (Third Amendment) Monalisa Changkija is a journalist, poet tion, paving the way for women’s res- Bill 2016. and editor of Nagaland Page.
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The Hindu
Of The Nagaland Bar Association NPF extends support to party President and CM Clarification he Nagaland Bar Association authority, cannot exercise despotic wrong assumption of law in as much
AR interact with GBs of Chukitong range
Assam Rifles officials with the GBs of Chukitong range during the interaction programme held on February 8.
woKha, February 8 (mexN): 28 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) organised an interaction programme with the GBs of all villages of
Chukitong range at Chukitong Town in Wokha district on February 8, 2017. A total of 19 GBs and 10 locals participated in the interaction, informed a press release from Assam Rifles. The meeting
Meetings & AppointMents WYH emergency meeting today Western Yimchungru Hoho (WYH) has convened an emergency meeting on February 9, 2:00 pm at its treasurer’s residence. Hence, WYH President, PKF Tochu has requested the Western Yimchungrü Women Organisation (WYWO), Western Yimchungrü Students’ Union (WYSU), Yimchungrü Gazzette Officers’ Association (YGOA), village councils and the hoho’s federating units’ representatives to YTC, ENPO, YWO, ENPUD, ENPUK, ENPUC, ENPUM to attend the meeting positively.
focused on interaction between the locals and Assam Rifles to increase cooperation between both and working together to bring peace and harmony in Chukitong region, the release added.
MEx FILE
Medical camp in Satoi Town ZuNheboto, February 8 (mexN): The Satoi Town Youth Organisation (STYO) is organizing a free medical camp at Satoi Town on February 14. Therefore, citizens of Satoi area have been requested to avail the free medical camp. Meanwhile, there will be a joint meeting of STYO and Satoi PHC workers on February 15; hence, all the employees under Satoi PHC have been requested to be in station without fail. For further queries, one may contact Huka V Awomi, President, STYO at 8132810396.
PNTMK general assembly
SUK meeting postponed
Poumai Students’ Union Kohima (PNTMK) will hold its general assembly on February 11, 1:00 pm at the premises of Poumai Catholic Church Naga Bazaar, Kohima. A press release issued by PNTMK President, Khopunü Bümai has requested all the students, youth, advisors and senior members to attend the assembly.
Kohima, February 8 (mexN): The general meeting of Sangtam Union Kohima (SUK), which was scheduled to be held on February 11 has been postponed “due to some unavoidable circumstances”, informed a press release from Sepithrong Annar, Joint Secretary, SUK. The date for the meeting will be intimated shortly, it added.
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(NBA) feels constrained to issue this press release in response to the challenges against the Bar which were published in some of the local English dailies during the recent past. Despite clarification issued through a rejoinder published in some of the local print media on 28.01.2017, there were continuing attacks challenging the integrity of the Bar and the professional rights of the legal fraternity. At the outset, we would like to re-clarify that verbal briefing to the media was conducted in group discussion when the media persons approached the NBA office on 24.01.2017. Therefore, it was neither a press statement issued by Tali Ao nor by the NBA. The NBA cannot bluntly shun away from the approach of the print media persons and such verbal briefing to the press men cannot be taken to have assumed any authority of law. As such, the question of formulating a decision on interpretation of any constitutional legal provision does not arise. The allegation of Yitachu, Minister, issuing the press statement under the colour of his Government authority that “the interpretation of law only rest with the court. Any practising lawyer cannot interpret the law.The Attorney General for the Centre and the Advocate General or Additional Advocate General in the State can only make a statement on behalf of the Government to the extent of legislative intent meaning the purposes for which the Act is enacted and cannot interpret any law not to mention of the Constitution” is absolutely false so far as the practising lawyers are concerned. In fact, by profession, the lawyers are interpreters of the law including the Constitutional provisions. The only binding force of interpretation is the decision of the competent courts of law in the case of ambiguity of law or disputed questions on interpretation of law. Every citizen in the country has the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression and can interpret the law according to his own understanding, wisdom and knowledge. Even the interpretation of statutes (law) is a subject in the academic study of law. Therefore, the press statement of Yitachu is a serious challenge and highly detrimental to the legal fraternity. Yitachu howsoever high he may be under the colour of the Government
authority over the legal fraternity. He should know that the appointment of Additional Advocate General is outside the Constitutional provision and his assumption to the contrary is a fallacy which may rightly to be attributed to the present social commotion in the State. The press statement given by Yitachu is a serious case of curtailment of the fundamental right tofreedom of speech and expression for the citizens and more particularly members of the legal fraternity in discharge of their lawful duty in legal practice. Hence, Yitachu should withdraw his press statement to the extent it encroaches against the rights of the citizens and the lawyers, and also must tender unconditional apology to the legal fraternity. As regards the press statement issued by Kakheto Sema, Senior Advocate and Senior Additional Advocate General, Nagaland, expressing his regret that “a few members of the Bar, including some office bearers, have resorted to publishing their individual opinion in the collective name of the NBA”, we have to clarify that the executive body of the NBA headed by its office bearers has already clarified the matter in the print media by issuing appropriate rejoinder. However, it appears that in utter disregard of our rejoinder in the print media, he has gone to the extent that “I can only assume that the members have taken the course adopted for their personal agenda. The bottom line is that the opinion expressed in the name of the NBA is not the opinion of the NBA”. We have esteemed regard in the person of Kakheto Sema, a respected designated Sr. Advocate who is also presently holding the Sr. Additional Advocate General of the State though such assignments are extra-Constitutional. However, we express deep regret for his prompt rush to the print media questioning the integrity and solidarity of the NBA. This situation would have been avoided had he approached the Bar before rushing to the press in as much as we have so much regard in him as an Associate Member of the NBA till date. With regard to the press briefing of the Chief Minister published in some of the local English dailies reacting to the NBA’s interaction with the print media published in some of the local dailies, the understanding of T. R. Zeliang, Chief Minister of Nagaland, appears to have acted on
as the NBA has never claimed that the view verbally tendered to the print media has any Constitutional and legal binding. No doubt, that he may consider the opinion tendered by the Advocate General, however, his rebuttal of the correctness of the NBA briefing published in some of the local dailies appears to be absolutely erroneous in as much as we have never assumed the authority of law. Considering the present scenario leading to the diminution of the independence of local self government for tribal States like Nagaland appears to be lack of knowledge in understanding the law by reading together the entire Constitutional and legal provisions by which the State of Nagaland is empowered. Thus the authorities in the State are acting in confusion leading to the State Cabinet to approach the Prime Minister for exemption of Nagaland from Part IX-A of the Constitution. Needless to reiterate that the present State of Nagaland enjoys enormous autonomy in local self-government including Urban Local Bodies right since we were under the Sixth Schedule. Becoming a full-fledged State does not in any way diminish the autonomy enjoyed by the State including the ULBs. Barely looking at the Seventh Schedule, List II, Item 5, is sufficient enough for the State Legislature to legislate for the ULBs. The State Government therefore enacted the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001, without any reference to Part IX-A. However, reliance to Part IX-A of the Constitution in its 1st Amendment Act, 2006, and notifications issued thereunder appears to have given rise to the present situation. In fact, Part IX-A - Municipalities has been incorporated in the Constitution by the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992, which has been enforced w.e.f. 24.04.1993. However, if at all these provisions are mandatory as claimed by the Chief Minister, how the State Government was sleeping over the mandatory provisions of the Constitution for the last more than 20 years. In other words, we may reiterate that Nagaland requires a municipal law befitting to the social and economic conditions of the people of Nagaland and the powers to enact such law is squarely within the parameters of the powers of the State Government. Imkong Jamir, Vice President, NBA V. Hukavi Zhimomi, General Secretary, NBA
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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THURSDAY 09•02•2017
IN FOCUS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
The Power of Truth
The Morung Express VOLUME XII ISSUE 37 By Aheli Moitra
The Long Friday
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n October 2005, the DAN government at the helm of Nagaland State turned down a proposal to set up a Nagaland State Women’s Commission. In a letter to the Editor of The Morung Express, a reader felt “necessitated” to thank the DAN government. “…such a Commission is highly necessary only in a Hindu society (or a Muslim society sometimes)… the equality and the uniformity that are found in Nagaland had nothing to do with the Caste system/Hindu culture or other systems which discriminate women and other weaker sections of the society.” By 2007, the State Women’s Commission was set up with considerable effort from the women. Though it continues to be ignored by the State machinery at large, the Commission has organized gender sensitization programs in all districts of Nagaland State as well as several colleges, set up institutionalized documentation of the political, economic and social status of women in Naga society, and even got some women to start speaking up, or take action, against domestic violence— that all but rare occurrence that is far too accepted in the name of peace and unity of the family. But none of this has amounted to much as a decade later, men are still repeating the mantra of imagined equality, using the same old traditional and customary crutch. What are women to do in a situation where standing up for gender justice amounts to getting hounded and humiliated ? Perhaps, the women could look beyond the Indian Constitution. With all its equity driven progressive laws, the Constitution has made slow progress in eliminating social prejudices and inherent violence against women in the Indian Union. For instance, while the 33% women’s reservation in panchayats (Indian village assemblies) has brought the voices of many rural women into village level decision making, gender equity is far from achieved. A proposed direction to look at, then, would be the Naga socio-political set up. Time and again, the State and the “rule of law” have been looked on as an intrusion into the independently functioning political decision making communes among the Nagas that did not need a State to dictate functionality—the State has been used as a tool for lopsided global integration but little as means to bring progressive social change. There is no real faith in the processes of the State. The independent Naga communes, on the other hand, continue to influence the way the Naga male mind interprets the world, which could explain why we see a fresh crop of urban “social organizations” every day (that ironically behave more like the State in their rejection of inclusive participation). Women were and are a central part of upholding the sovereignty of Naga communes. From the sowing and harvest of local food to taking care of the human, home and honour, women have been the backbone of such independently functioning ‘libertarian municipalities’ (a political formation proposed by libertarian socialist Murray Bookchin in the mid 20th century as both a means and an end, rendering the State meaningless). What makes the Naga communes different, and rapidly weakening, from these municipalities is the absence of women from decision making processes in the local assembly. Activism for gender justice should be aimed at saving the Naga commune. Women in Iceland help us with further direction. In October 1975, fed up by low wages and dismissal of domestic work as wage labour, the women went on a strike from homes and offices. In what became ‘the Long Friday’ for the men of the sparsely populated country, 90% of the women left their work to protest—not by burning down buildings but stirring each other up with songs and speeches. The impact on young women, the polity and the whole economy was so dramatic, five years later Iceland became the first in the world to democratically elect a female president. Iceland has had its ups and downs over the years, but determined its political course independently. Once they soak in the significance of self determining rights, for themselves and their communes, what would happen if Naga women went on a strike (even for a day) from fields, granaries, rituals, homes, schools, colleges, hospitals, government and private offices to establish an equitable distribution of labour and responsibility in politics, economy and society? Easier asked than answered, perhaps an exercise spanning another decade, but may contribute to a more localized progression of the Naga polity. Shared public decision making, and playing osmotic roles (men make great tea too), will only strengthen the functional aspect of the Naga commune thereby reducing State dependence, possibly ushering an era where women (and men) shape the sovereignty that Naga ‘people’ have aspired for. Other propositions may be mailed to moitramail@yahoo.com
LEFT WING |
Stephanie Nebehay Reuters
UN seeks $2.1 billion to avert famine in Yemen
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he United Nations appealed on Wednesday for $2.1 billion to provide food and other life-saving assistance to 12 million people in Yemen who face the threat of famine after two years of war. "The situation in Yemen is catastrophic and rapidly deteriorating," Jamie McGoldrick, U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, said in the appeal document. "Nearly 3.3 million people - including 2.1 million children - are acutely malnourished." Yemen has been divided by nearly two years of civil war that pits the Iran-allied Houthi group against a Sunni Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia. At least 10,000 people have been killed in the fighting, which has unleashed a humanitarian crisis in the desperately poor Arabian Peninsula country. In all, nearly 19 million Yemenis - more than two-thirds of the population - need assistance and protection, the U.N. said. "Ongoing air strikes and fighting continue to inflict heavy casualties, damage public and private infrastructure, and impede delivery of humanitarian assistance," it said. "The Yemeni economy is being wilfully destroyed," it added, saying that ports, roads, bridges, factories and markets have been hit. An estimated 63,000 Yemeni children died last year of preventable causes often linked to malnutrition, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) said last week. “In Yemen, if bombs don’t kill you, a slow and painful death by starvation is now an increasing threat,” Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said in a separate statement as the U.N. plan was launched. A military coalition led by Saudi Arabia entered Yemen's civil war in March 2015 to try to reinstate President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after he was ousted from the capital Sanaa by the tribal Houthis, who are fighting in an alliance with troops loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The United States has sent the Navy destroyer USS Cole to patrol off Yemen's coast to protect waterways from Houthi militia aligned with Iran, U.S. officials last week, amid rising tension between Washington and Tehran. Oxfam accused Britain and other powers backing the Saudi-led coalition of "political complicity" in the Yemen conflict.
C O M M E N T A R Y
Garga Chatterjee
Union government is not superior to state governments
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he 2017 Union budget presented by Indian Union government’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has many aspects. His speech touched upon some of them. I will not discuss all of them as there is nothing transformative or game-changing there. But from the standpoint of federalism, the Union budget speech represented many grave dangers, both in intention and implementation. This has serious implications for the UnionState relation in a scenario where a series of unwarranted intrusions by the Union government into State government affairs have already made the relation very fragile and strained. Let me touch upon a few basic points that were apparent in the Union budget speech itself. In his speech, Mr. Jaitley mentioned model acts regarding contract farming aspect of Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) as well as Shops and Establishments. He said that the model laws for these two subjects will be circulated among the states for adoption. This is wrong at multiple levels. First of all, changing of acts has nothing to do with Union budget. Secondly, on what subject is this ‘model law’? It is about a state subject. This means, the constitution of India empowers the State governments exclusive power on this subject and this matter does not fall into the purview of the Union government. Why does the Union government think that it has the power and the license to “advice” State governments on how to frame State subject laws? Did all State governments collectively petition to the Union government that they need advice from Delhi on this subject? Why then this clear encroachment of the Union government in exclusively State government matters? Does any State government similarly advice the Union government of how the Union government should frame its laws on Union list subjects? The Union government is not in charge of the country but only in charge exclusively of those functions that are in the Union list. Matters in the concurrent list comprise subjects that both the state and the Union can legislate upon, and they do so in the spirit of cooperation. Thus, the Union government is not superior to the state governments, and the Union and states do not have a parent-child relationship. Rather, they work on the principle of division of power, more like siblings with different household responsibilities, with mutual non-encroachment
the Finance Minister of Kerala and many others would say thanks, but no thanks. This is because this claim of all relevant issues having been resolved in GST council is patently untrue. The truth is that the negotiations in the GST council are in a deadlock due to the intransigent attitude of the Centre of dual control on service tax, taxes on coastal seas and various other unresolved issues. Either Mr. Jaitley thinks that these issues are not ‘relevant’ or he just misled the citizens of the Indian Union on the matter.
being the guarantee of preservation of the federal structure and part of the unchangeable basic structure of the Constitution. On the APMC issue and various other issues, Union government’s unelected body of technocrats called NitiAyog has been lecturing State governments about how they should manage their affairs. From which article of the constitution of India does the NitiAyog get its powers to interfere, lecture and demand accountability from State governments? From nowhere, since the NitiAyog itself is a body that does not figure anywhere in the constitution. It is not a constitutionally mandated body. Why did the Union government’s Finance Minister waste precious Lok Sabha time and people’s time by deliberating on State list matters? The Union Finance Minister will be presenting two more budgets before 2019. He will do well to stick to matters regarding the Union and matters regarding budget, so that when he presents the Union budget, he does just that. Mischief against States This mischief against States continues in the Union budget. Those individuals who have taxable income over Rs 50 lakh up to Rs 1 crore will be paying a flat surcharge of 10% on the total tax payable by them. And individuals with income over Rs 1 crore would pay the surcharge at the rate of 15% on the income over and above 1 crore. So, in short those at various levels of income over Rs 50 lakh per year
would have to pay a larger amount out of their income. However, this amount has not been put in as an increased rate of tax on their income but as surcharge. It did not increase the tax rate but decided to extract a surcharge from the income tax payer. There is no difference from the standpoint of the payer since they pay out of their pocket but this classification of tax or surcharge matters as far as the Union government is concerned. What is the difference? If it were included as a higher rate of income tax, then this money would have to be shared with States. A surcharge on the other hand is something that the Union government does not have to share with the States. Thus, this extra revenue is something that the Union government has decided to cheat the States out of, by taking the surcharge route. In the proposed GST slabs, the Union government has done the same mischief by taking the cess route in the highest tax slab category. The mischief is predictable and has the stamp of the same set of brains. The States are not fools and they have seen through this fraud called cooperative federalism, which is nothing by centralization with sugar-coated rhetoric about cooperation. That’s good for PR but not good for Centre-State relations. Early in his speech, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, “I also thank the State Governments for resolving all relevant issues in the GST Council.” Surely Amit Mitra, the Finance Minister of West Bengal and Thomas Isaac,
Language matters Finally, in the Union budget speech, Indian Union's Finance Minister declared that learning foreign languages is a skill that gives rise to economic and employment opportunities. He said that Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKK) ‘would offer advanced training and also courses in foreign languages. This will help those of our youth who seek job opportunities outside the country’. This is an extraordinary statement coming from the Finance Minister of a government that actually pays cash to people who learn Hindi but pays nothing to anyone to learn Bangla or Kannada or Tamil or any other language. Huge internal migration has threatened to destabilize the social and political fabric in various states of the Indian Union. Before going abroad, shouldn’t the Union government solve domestic linguistic problems, that is, provide local language training to internal migrant jobseekers? Does the learning of Kannada not increase the economic and employment opportunities of a migrant to Karnataka? Yes, it does. The Hindi imposing Union government hates this state of affairs. Hence, it has been working overtime since 1947 to do social, cultural and political engineering to impose its Hindi on non Hindi peoples of the Indian Union. This present Union government has accelerated the process. It considers our languages as irritants at best and national security threat at worse. The Union government would do well to remember that the Union belongs not only to Delhi and Hindi, but to all languages and States. Whether he likes it or not, Indian Union is a Union of States, with States formed largely on the basis of language. Let’s get real and respect State rights and the linguistic rights of all ethno-linguistic groups that comprise the Indian Union.
Want to Prevent Stroke, Diabetes, and Cancer? Get Moving … NOW! Baher Kamal
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Inter Press Service
ired, lazy, bored, laying down long hours watching TV or seated checking your email? Wrong. And dangerous: not enough exercise contributes to cancer, diabetes, depression and other noncommunicable diseases. The warning is bold and comes from the United Nations top health organisation, which is urging people to get up and get active. And the risks of inactivity are expanding alarmingly: according to a new document by the World Health Organization (WHO), less and less people are active in many countries – with nearly a quarter of all adults and more than 80 per cent of adolescents being too sedentary. WHO’s Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs [NonCommunicable Diseases] 2013-2020 recommends that inactive people start with “small amounts of physical activity” and then gradually increase duration, frequency and intensity over time. “Physical activity can be any activity –not just sport– that uses energy… from playing and doing household chores to gardening and dancing… Any activity, be it for work, to walk or cycle to and from places, or as part of leisure time, has a health benefit,” according to the Geneva-based UN agency. Not really sure? See these 10 facts that the United Nations top health agency has prepared: Fact 1: Physical Activity Reduces Risk of Disease Physical activity reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, diabetes, hypertension, various types of cancer including colon cancer and
breast cancer, as well as depression. Physical activity is also fundamental to energy balance and weight control. Globally, about 23 per cent of adults and 81 per cent of school-going adolescents are not active enough. Generally, women and girls are less active than men and boys, and older adults are less active than younger adults.
Depending on an individual’s relative level of fitness, examples of moderate physical activity could include: brisk walking, dancing, or household chores. Examples of vigorous physical activity could be: running, fast cycling, fast swimming, or moving heavy loads.
indicate the contrary, WHO’s recommendations apply to all people – irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity, or income level. These recommendations also apply to individuals with chronic noncommunicable conditions, not related to mobility, such as hypertension or diabetes. Adults with disabilities should also follow WHO’s recommendations.
Fact 5: 60 Minutes a Day for People 5–17 Years Old People aged 5–17 should have at Fact 2: It Helps to least 60 minutes of moderate to vigor- Fact 9: Some Physical Maintain a Healthy Body ous physical activity daily. More than Activity Is Better than None People who are physically active: * improve their muscular and car- 60 minutes of physical activity a day Inactive people should start with brings additional health benefits. dio-respiratory fitness; small amounts of physical activity and * improve their bone and functiongradually increase duration, frequenFact 6: 150 Minutes al health; cy, and intensity over time. Inactive * have lower rates of coronary heart a Week for People 18–64 Years Old adults, older adults, and those with Adults aged 18–64 should do at disease limitations will have added disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, cancer (includ- least 150 minutes of moderately in- health benefits when they become tense physical activity each week, or more active. ing colon and at least 75 minutes breast cancer), Pregnant women, postpartum of vigorous activand depression; women, and persons with cardiac conity throughout the * have a lower risk ditions may need to take extra precauweek, or an equivaof falling and of tions and seek medical advice before lent combination of moderate and vighip or vertebral fractures; and striving to achieve the recommended * are more likely to maintain their orous activity. In order to be beneficial for cardio- levels of physical activity. weight. respiratory health, all activity should Fact 10: Supportive Environments, Fact 3: It Is Not the Same as Sport be performed in bouts of at least 10 Communities Help People Be PhysiPhysical activity is any bodily move- minutes duration. cally Active ment produced by the skeletal muscles Urban and environmental policies that uses energy. This includes sports, Fact 7: Adults Aged 65 and Above have huge potential to increase levThe main recommendations for exercise, and other activities such as els of physical activity. These policies playing, walking, household chores, adults and older adults are the same. should ensure that: In addition, older adults with poor gardening, and dancing. * walking, cycling and other forms Any activity, be it for work, to walk mobility should do physical activity to of active transportation are accesor cycle to and from places, or as part of enhance balance and prevent falls 3 or sible and safe for all; more days per week. leisure time, has a health benefit. * labour and workplace policies enWhen older adults cannot do the courage physical activity; Fact 4: Moderate, Vigorous recommended amount of physical * schools have safe spaces and faPhysical Activity Bring Benefits activity due to health conditions, they cilities for students to spend their Intensity refers to the rate at which should be as physically active as their free time actively; and the activity is being performed. It can abilities and conditions allow. * sports and recreation facilities be thought of as how hard a person provide opportunities for everyworks to do an activity. The intensity of Fact 8: All Healthy Adults one to be physically active. different forms of physical activity var- Need to Be Physically Active Unless specific medical conditions Still there? Get up! Move… now! ies between people.
WRITE-WING
Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The Morung Express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender. 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.
THURSDAY 09•02•2017
PERSPECTIVE
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
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The Very Heart of the Matter Khrietuonyü Noudi
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hen God created man and woman and placed them in the garden, God’s intention was to let them complement each other and not to contradict each other. Yes, both of them were similar and the same in the sense that both were created in the moral image of God. But they were also different in that they were specifically endowed with different physical features as well as different behavioral and sentimental natures with the intention to blend them together perfectly. While the male was designed to lead and be rough, outgoing, brave and dominating, the female was designed to follow and be supportive, submissive, gentle, polite and placid. It is obvious that even their physical features like their voices, heights and figures completely correspond to these wishes and desires of their maker. In other words they were intentionally created by the creator in this manner so that they could blend together perfectly and not only be a source of joy and happiness to God but also fulfill God’s ultimate purpose for their lives. This is why it is needed that a man should think, act and behave like a man and a woman should also think, act and behave as per the designs for which they were created in the first place. Frankly speaking, there is nothing more dishonorable and disgusting than a man thinking and behaving like a woman or a woman thinking and behaving like a man. Both have their specific roles and obligations to perform and fulfill at home as well as in the society. Therefore the question of comparing man and woman on any scale or by any standard is absurd and uncalled for. Some people are very fond of bringing up the issue of equality between man and woman and these people are ever ready to challenge so-called male chauvinism at the drop of a hat because according to them, women have always been dominated and mistreated by men throughout the ages and in all societies. But here, what is the logic behind the equality issue of men and women? There is absolutely no doubt that man and woman are equal because both are created as perfectly equal entities by the same creator. The very fact that both the man and the woman were created in the image of God establishes the fact that both are equal and of equal importance to God. But even though they were created as equal entities, they were created and designed differently to meet and cater to different needs and requirements so that they could complement one another. It is totally absurd to bring up the is-
sue of equality between a bus and a truck because trucks and buses are designed and manufactured for different purposes and to meet different needs and requirements. While a bus is intended to ferry people from one place to another, a truck is intended to ferry loads of heavy goods, materials and commodities. Thus it is absolutely absurd to say ‘a truck is not equal to a bus or a bus is inferior or superior to a truck’. Such is the absolute absurdity of bringing up the equality issue between man and woman. To make my point clearer and explicit, let me also take the example of airplane and ship. It is also sheer stupidity to make a comparison between an airplane and a ship simply because they are designed and manufactured for different purposes and to fulfill different needs and callings. While a plane is designed to fly in the air, a ship is designed to flow in waters and each has potentials that can meet needs which the other cannot fulfill. A plane has speed and it can fly in the air…… but it cannot flow in waters. Similarly, ships can be much more gigantic than planes and can ferry much more heavier and multiple things…… even though it is slow and cannot fly in the air. But each has its own plus-points and can meet different needs and requirements under different circumstances and can prove to be quite complementary to one another. Such is also the case with man and woman. So why do some people always bring up this absurd issue of equality between man and woman? By doing so, they make a mockery of themselves. By all these allegations, I don’t mean to say that a woman’s place is only at home
or in the kitchen and bedroom or to play a supplementary or supportive role to man. I don’t mean this because there can be exceptions. Indeed, there have been many instances where women have splendidly outdone, outshone and led the men-folk in all areas. History is a testimony to this phenomenon and history can certainly repeat itself anytime anywhere (even here in Nagaland). There are many women out there who are actually much smarter and doing much better than their male counterparts in every areas of life and it is a joy to witness that we live in an age and society where women are given equal opportunities to fulfill their dreams and aspirations. And these women deserve all our support and encouragement. Yes, these equal opportunities should continue unabated so that our womenfolk can work and walk shoulder to shoulder with the men in all possible fields. Today in our society, a woman can become a doctor, an engineer, a bureaucrat, a scientist, a legislator, a minister, a chief minister or even a prime minister if she has the caliber in her. If one day the government were to come out with a law banning women from becoming a bureaucrat, legislator or a minister, I would be among the first persons to protest against such a law. Yes, I would protest against such an unjust law because there may be women who have greater potentials and who can fare better than most men in these fields. And in our democratic set-up, it is indeed a joy to see that the doors to these professions are already wide open for any women to come and prove themselves
before the whole society. So why do they need a special door and special reservation again to enter these fields? This is the million dollar question. I guess these women are demanding this special door and special reservation because they have the wrong conception that they are being mistreated and sidelined and because they feel they need to go out and compete with the men in every field without realizing that men and women are supposed to play complementary roles to one another rather than competing and contradicting one another simply on grounds of ego and prejudice. Here let me also add a note from my diary. I taught in a govt. school in a remote Ao village some years back. During this time, I was once made the class teacher of a class and given the prerogative to select a class captain. Without any second thought, I straightaway chose a girl to be the class captain much to the surprise of the students and the teachers. I chose this girl to be the class captain because she was smart, outspoken, outgoing, more of an extrovert and had good communication skills in comparison to her classmates. In my opinion, she was the one most suited to be the class captain and the fact that she was a girl (and not a boy) did not at all bother me. This is the view with which I see the present imbroglio over women reservation. If a woman has the potential and caliber to enter and shine in any field, she can definitely do so even if there is no special women reservation. And if the door is already wide open (as in our system today) …where is the need for a special door or special reservation again? Yes, if there is any Naga woman out there who has the caliber in her and has been destined by God Himself to become a legislator, a minister, an MP or even a chief minister, she can definitely do so even if there is no special door or special reservation for women. But let us also recall here that everybody (whether man or woman) is not destined to become a cult figure or a political icon. Therefore one should not fool oneself or make a laughing stock of oneself by trying to become one such figure. This is not an article for or against women reservation. This is also not an article written by a sexist or women-hater. Rather this is a write-up coming out from the mind of a person who believes that we look the best and the most beautiful only when we are playing the roles and the responsibilities which our Creator Himself has bestowed upon us…….. And Yes, I feel the happiest only when I see things around me in their right orders…
Was Chennai Oil Spill Underreported By ‘Big Media’?
The oil spill at the Ennore port in Chennai didn’t get as much media attention as it deserved for days. Even when it did, did the media ask the right questions? Shruti Menon
I
newslaundry.com
t was only a few weeks ago that Chennai saw Marina beach choked with people over the Jallikattu saga. Today, the Marina shoreline is even more chaotic. Only now, they are volunteers clad in orange jumpsuits, the Coast Guard, and local fisherman manually mopping oil, and dead marine life. As of yesterday, members of the Navy are also involved. On January 28, two ships had collided near Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) at Ennore in Chennai. There were no human casualties when the MT BW Maple, carrying liquefied petroleum gas and the crude oil carrying MT Dawn Kanchipuram collided with each other. On Saturday, Tamil Nadu fisheries minister D Jayakumar claimed that merely a tonne of oil had leaked, but there would be “no damage to environment like oil pollution”. As of now 600 tonnes of sludge have been collected from the coastline according to an India Today report, as opposed to 60 tonnes NDTV had claimed in a report. This is just one of the many inconsistencies in the media reports. The spill had reached the Marina beach lighthouse by Wednesday, but it wasn’t until the next day that it reached North India’s television channels. Local channels had been covering the spill extensively, and most dailies across the country had reported it, but it wasn’t until Thursday that India Today’s decision to cover the story brought out the many official discrepancies regarding the extent of the spill and its lasting effect. Environmental Impact Coast Guard IG S Paramesh told India Today that the ships involved in collision had initially downplayed the scale of the spill. "The spill is 10 times than what was reported…we were informed at 5.15 am and told that about two metric tonnes of bunker oil had been spilt. However, our estimate is that 20 metric tonnes came out and the ship wasn't being very truthful in its communication with us." This happens to be the peak nesting season for the Olive Ridley turtles, whose numbers are declining, and the oil spill is likely to be deadly for them. Although AFP put out a photo that went viral of a dead Olive Ridley, there are no confirmed figures of how many may have been killed.
Indian Coast Guard personnel work to clear the slick after an oil spill polluted the Ennore beach on the Bay of Bengal coast near Chennai, India. According to local news reports a collision between two ships caused the spill. (AP Photo)
man as saying, “The net does not get into the water as the oil floats on the surface. How do we catch fish?" There are still conflicting reports on the status of the clean-up drive. One of Times Now reports suggests that the oil spill is spreading southwards and would take an additional two days to clean up the entire coastline, another report by India Today suggests that it could take up to take seven days. The environment ministry deployed a team of officials to visit Chennai yesterday to assess the environmental damage. Political Mileage The muck raking wasn’t just on the coastline. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leaders raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha yesterday. “The government should have acted on a war-footing. Instead of taking out oil with buckets, they (government) should have used technology to clean the sea," DMK Members of Parliament Tiruchi Siva and TKS Elangovan said while addressing the media outside the parliament. DMK MP Kanimozhi pointed out the lack of coordination between nodal agencies in the clean-up process and sought a probe into the collision that caused the spill. DMK working president MK Stalin wanted the government to detail the steps it had taken to tackle the situation and assure that the livelihood of the local fishing would not be affected. Jayakumar re-
come from the Centre" and gave assurancIt also provides for direct compensaes that the livelihood of the fishing com- tion against insurance that a shipping munity would not be disrupted, but did merchant with a gross tonnage above not elaborate on how. 1,000 is supposed to maintain. The ships in question here, MT Maple and MT Who is accountable? While the focus has been the clean up, Dawn Kanchipuram had gross tonnages not many people are looking into the legal of 47,386 and 29,141 respectively. A probe ramifications. Times Now suggests that the has been ordered by the Directorate Gencollision might have been due to speeding eral of Shipping into the collision. Authoriby the captain of the MT Maple. The story ties have issued detention notices followdoes not clarify if both ships had all safety ing which, the two ships can't leave the port till the probe is over. measures in place in the event of a spill. One of the worst maritime accidents Question Hour in the country was the collision of the MV What compensation is there for the Khalijia III and the MSC Chitra in August volunteers toiling at the beach and where 2010 near Mumbai harbour. Not only did will it come from? Additionally, owners of the MSC Chitra sink, but it caused damage the MT Dawn Kanchipuram allege that the to the environment and ecology to the tune of Rs 515 crore, according to the National ship had to wait for two days in the outer Environmental Engineering Research In- harbour despite pleas to the port authoristitute. Consequently, the Ministry of Ship- ties to permit it inside to discharge the oil ping decided to accede to an international that transformed the crisis into the enviconvention to ensure compensation in ronmental disaster that it is. “Had Kamacases of damages and pollution caused rajar Port reacted immediately, we could by oil spills. This proposed amendment have averted the disaster. The delay resultwas to be made to the Merchant Shipping ed in oil from the ship seep into the sea,” Act,1958, but has not come into effect yet. Captain Sowresh Gon, senior vice-presiThis was called the International Conven- dent Corporate Affairs of Darya Shipping tion on Civil Liability for bunker oil pol- Solutions told the New Indian Express. If lution damage, 2001 of the International true, this complicates matters and raises Maritime Organisation (IMO). This con- further questions. vention provides for “adequate, prompt And as TRP-rich the visuals of an oiland effective compensation” by the ship- slicked sea are, the media also needs to ping merchants involved in the oil spill. look into what the fallout of such a disaster
Setting Up an Upper House via Article 371A
A
t a meeting with some of the most trusted senior leaders of the Angami and Chakhasang tribes on December 19, 2016, I made a presentation on our society’s need to have a statewide mandated body of elders serving as advisors or councilors to the Executive Branch of our Government. Of course, we were under no illusion that we could make that to happen on our own. At the same time, we also knew that we Nagas are in the habit of playing catch-up -- that is, slowly moving behind the fast-unfolding events within our society. Consequently, we are often left with only one option: to respond to situations after they have already occurred, instead of preparing ourselves ahead of time to shape future events the way we would want them to happen. Like all other societies, Nagas are not without wise and matured elders. If we were to have a system in which some of these elders could be used to provide guidance for our society as in the past, I have no doubt in my mind that they would have prevented the recent tragic event from happening. Maybe, they would have put some sense into the heads of our State politicians from going against the public outcry or rushing into things. But all is not lost as long as we learn from our past mistakes and resolve to handle things the right way in the future. As the recent social crisis has clearly revealed, many of our State politicians have a real disconnect with the public, because they have been living in their own “bubble of power” for too long. Hence, they are unable to understand the various undercurrent hotbeds and cultural issues facing our civil society today. Sure, they have advisors from the bureaucracy for guidance on governmental procedures and protocols. However, in regards to civil society issues, even these government officers are often very ignorant, if not clueless. For all these reasons, it is critical that we Nagas restore one of our fast-dying Naga customary practices, namely, the governance of our society under the guidance of a plurality of trusted elders. Since the Nagas of Nagaland are given a special provision in Article 371A of the Indian Constitution, we may as well make the best use of it by adopting a bicameral system, which, in our case, could be a supreme council of wise elders representing all recognized tribes serving as in an “Upper House” (UH) alongside the Members of our Legislative Assembly. This, by the way, should not be understood as a replacement of our current Gaon Buras system which is designed to be grassroots-focused and subservient to the government, because they act as assistants to the Deputy Commissioners in village administration. Put it another way, Gaon Buras are appointed by law of the State government and not by the traditional institutions. According to our Naga customary practices, statesmen-like elders were vested with authority by their own community members to govern the affairs of their villages; they alone could make decisions for the whole community; they alone had the right to determine punishment for erring community members; they had the exclusive privilege to make treaties with outsiders. Some of these traditional practices may still be worth emulating even today. Or, in today’s context, perhaps we could use some of our highly regarded elders, who have no symptoms of partisanship or tribalism in their bones, to serve as members in an UH to perform the following functions: First, they could assume the patriarchal role in protecting our Naga nationhood, homeland, and birthrights. Second, they could serve as liaisons and negotiators for the various parties, especially when conflicts arise between the Naga customary laws and the Indian constitutional laws as in the recent case of ULB controversy. Third, they could be the spokespersons of our various tribes and help the civil societies to serve in sync with the various government agencies. Fourth, they could assist the Executive Head in determining the right candidates to be assigned the right portfolios, give regular inputs to the Members of our Assembly, and serve as checks by providing some sort of filters or breaks in all policy-making decisions, except on matters of the budget and the implementation of policies. This take-over of some responsibilities by the UH could immensely relieve the elected Representatives to focus on development and on the overall direction of the Naga people in our race for progress with the rest of the peoples in the world. How are we going to choose the members of the UH? It could be, for example, through the use of an appointive system in which the potential candidates are selected by the representative leaders of the various sections within our tribes, instead of using a direct election method. Or, there could be still some other more suitable method(s) of selection or election which we may need to figure out. But whatever it is, may we turn our present crisis of institutional clashes into an opportune time for the building up of our social and political structures for a stronger and better soci-
8
ThursDAY 09•02•2017
INDIA
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Suspects in burglary at Satyarthi's house identified: Police
new Delhi, February 8 (ianS): Three to four suspects involved in a burglary at child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi's house here, wherein his Nobel Prize citation and medal replica were stolen, have been identified and will be arrested soon, a police officer said on Wednesday. Following the Monday night burglary at Satyarthi's south Delhi residence, the police have questioned local criminals, security guards and vendors but are yet to make any breakthrough. "From the closedcircuit television footage, we have unidentified 3-4 people involved in the crime. They will be arrested soon," Deputy Commissioner of Police Romil Baniya told IANS. Besides the Nobel citation and the medal replica, gifts and awards received from various international organisations and heads of states, ancestral jewellery and electronic items were also stolen. Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 along with Pakistani education campaigner Malala Yousafzai.
JNU rubbishes news claiming 'reduction' in seats new Delhi, February 8 (ianS): Rubbishing media reports claiming a massive cut in admission intake, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Wednesday asserted that there is no reduction in academic seats in any school or department of the premier education institution. "There has been no such announcement from the university. We have effected no reduction in the admission intake for students. All the news which are circulating in the media are false," university Rector Chintamani Mahapatra told IANS. A number of media organisations on Wednesday reported that JNU made an "official" announcement on its website about reduction by hundreds in seats for several schools. According to a media report, the university "announced massive reduction in student intake in M.Phil and Ph.D courses and scrapped fresh admission in some departments for the upcoming academic session". On the other hand, Mahapatra said: "We haven't made any such cuts. The decision is pending in this matter and will be taken in near future."
Prosecution withdraws plea against Marans
Governor to reach Chennai amid Panneerselvam-Sasikala war
Chennai, February 8 (ianS): Tamil Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao is set to reach here on Thursday amid a bitter war between AIADMK General Secretary V.K. Sasikala and acting Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, both of whom claimed majority support in the ruling party. Maharashtra Governor Rao, who holds additional charge of Tamil Nadu, would be in Chennai on Thursday afternoon, official sources in Mumbai said. Amid criticism from Sasikala's backers that Rao was seemingly avoiding coming to Chennai, Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said Rao was studying the situation in the state. Naidu denied speculation that the Modi government had a role to play in the political crisis in Tamil Nadu. Panneerselvam, who on Tuesday night dramatically revolted against Sasikala and alleged he was forced to quit as Chief Minister on Sunday, said on Wednesday that he would prove his majority in the 234-seat assembly. Addressing supporters at his residence, Panneerselvam said: "A government expected by you will be formed soon." But Sasikala supporters said as many as 130 of the 134 AIADMK MLAs were with her, a long-
Panneerselvam and Sasikala (File Photo)
time confidante of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa who died on December 5. On Wednesday, Sasikala accused Panneerselvam of "betrayal" after he refused to back her plans to head the government. She was earlier elected by party legislators as their house leader. On his part, Panneerselvam announced that a Supreme Court judge will head a Commission of Inquiry to probe Jayalalithaa's
undermine the ruling party. "Nobody will believe that I forced him to resign as Chief Minister. Not the people, nor the (AIADMK) cadres. "This is a deceitful plan of the DMK," she said. "For two months, Panneerselvam has been collaborating with opposition forces but I ignored all that." Referring to his revolt of Tuesday night, Sasikala asked: "Why did he keep quiet all these
Only Manmohan Singh can teach In a first, SC issues contempt how to bathe with raincoat on: Modi notice to Calcutta HC judge
new Delhi, February 8 (ianS): Special Public Prosecutor Anand Grover on Wednesday withdrew his plea before the Supreme Court that the assets of the Maran brothers should not be released after their discharge in the Aircel-Maxis case. Dayanidhi and Kalanithi Maran were discharged by the Special CBI Court on February 2. Allowing withdrawal of the plea as Grover sought direction whether he could approach Delhi High Court, the bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and others said: "Do your job. Go wherever you have to go. Do we tell you where to go." Grover is leading the prosecution by the CBI and Directorate of Enforcement before the Special CBI Court trying the 2G cases. Grover had moved the top court on February 3 urging the court to stop the release of the Marans' assets which were attached by the ED in the alleged money laundering case in the Aircel-Maxis deal. The assets which were attached by the ED were ordered to be released by the trial court on February 2 after it dropped charges against the Marans and others in the alleged kickback of Rs 742 crore in the deal. The court in its order then said that the "perception of suspicion was new Delhi, February 8 (ianS): Prime Minister not backed by concrete evidence". Narendra Modi on Wednesday said former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh knew the "art of bathing wearing a rain coat", creating a huge uproar in the Congress benches bengaluru, February 8 (PTi): In a major jolt to in Rajya Sabha. The Congress liquor baron Vijay Mallya, the Karnataka High Court to- reacted sharply to the comday ordered the winding up of United Breweries (Hold- ment and staged a walk out ings) Ltd (UBHL), the parent company of UB Group, for from the House. Modi made the comment recovering dues payable by the UBHL-promoted dewhile responding to the defunct Kingfisher Airlines Limited. "This court has come bate on the motion of thanks to a conclusion that the respondent company UBHL deserves to be wound up for failure to discharge their duties to the President's address. Modi said that Manmoto pay up their creditors," Justice Vineet Kothari said in han Singh was an economist his order allowing petitions by banks and aircaft lessors. who has been at the helm of Justice Kothari of the Dharwad Bench of the High Court affairs for around 30-35 years. pronounced the order through video conferencing. The "For the last 30-35 years, creditors including BNP Paribas, the lead petitioner, State he has been directly involved Bank of India and aircraft lessors and engine makers such with India's economic afas Rolls Royce and IAE had moved the court to get back fairs in a decisive capacity... their dues of Rs 146 crore. The judge said the assets of the There might not be another respondent company cannot be left under the control person, in 70 years post Indeof UBHL and could be handed over to official liquida- pendence, he has been at the tor to achieve the winding up process as per the law. The helm of affairs for half of the lenders to Kingfisher Airlines filed the case against UBHL time," Modi said. seeking dues from the now defunct airline. UBHL had "There is a lot for us politigiven corporate guarantees for loans to run Kingfisher, cians to learn... so much hapwhich has virtually caused the collapse of Mallya's liquor pened he did not get even empire. Mallya owns a 52.34 per cent in United Breweries a taint. Only Doctor Sahab (Manmohan Singh) knows Holdings Limited.
Big blow to Mallya, K'tk HC orders UBHL's winding up
the art of bathing wearing a rain coat," he said in a jibe, resulting to a huge uproar from Congress benches. As Congress members protested, Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said: "The Prime Minister has been called Hitler and Mussolini... Don't teach us." Angry Congress lawmakers then staged a walkout from the Upper House. Singh was the Prime Minister for 10 years and headed UPA-I and UPA-II governments. During the Winter Session, he made a speech in the Rajya Sabha in which he called demonetisation a "monumental failure" and "organised loot".
Congress condemns Modi, demands apology for his raincoat barb
The Congress on Wednesday strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "raincoat" barb against his predecessor Manmohan Singh and demanded an apology for it. The party said the remark was in extremely
One in three kids finds schools unsafe: Survey
new Delhi, February 8 (ianS): A survey in which at least 6,000 children across the globe participated has revealed that nearly one in every three children in India has concerns about their safety at school. The "Small Voices, Big Dreams" survey, conducted by ChildFund International, captures the views of children, aged between 10 to 12 years, on education and safety at school in various countries. The participating countries include India, Afghanistan, Cambodia and Zambia amongst others. The findings highlight striking similarities and differences between children in different parts of the world. "While children almost universally agree that education is important, a third of respondents in India (28 per cent) expressed their school is safe only sometimes, citing deficient infrastructure and lack of toilets as their concerns," the survey said. Besides boundary walls, first aid facilities and toilets, children also spoke of corporal punish-
demise after a 75-day stay in hospital. He said there were many questions over the death. The MLAs backing Sasikala were ferried to secret locations, party sources said, amid speculation that they may fly to New Delhi to be paraded before President Pranab Mukherjee. Addressing AIADMK MLAs at the party headquarters, Sasikala accused Panneerselvam of covertly aligning with the DMK to
days? Was he being backed by the DMK? "I faced so many betrayals in the 33 years I have lived with Amma," she said, referring to the iconic Jayalalithaa. "I have overcome all those and we will overcome this one too. The AIADMK won't break, nor will I." Panneerselvam said Sasikala, whom he called an interim General Secretary, had no right to sack him as the AIADMK Treasurer. AIADMK's K. Manickam on Wednesday became the first party MLA to openly side with Panneerselvam. "There is no need for a change in the Chief Minister's post," Manickam told IANS. He pointed that Jayalalithaa had chosen him as the acting Chief Minister twice in the past. AIADMK leaders preferring anonymity told IANS that the mood among party cadres and the public was against Sasikala and that legislators and others may switch loyalties towards Panneerselvam over time. Meanwhile, former AIADMK MP K.C. Palaniswamy said party activists would unleash a movement to retrieve the AIADMK headquarters, Jaya TV as well as the Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa from the "occupiers". "Panneerselvam will become the Chief Minister again," Palaniswamy told IANS.
ment and bullying, among their main concerns. In developing countries, 21 per cent of children said that being safe at school meant clean school buildings and facilities. This response has been highest amongst children surveyed in India (58 per cent), Ethiopia (55 per cent) and Bangladesh (54 per cent). In India, children defined safety at school as having a clean and safe building (58 per cent), having proper preventive security measures in place (46 per cent) ranging from "out of bound" areas, to protection from strangers and supervision by teachers. About 23 per cent of children described feeling safe as not being the target of physical, emotional abuse or violence, including, as many children said, corporal punishment and "no bullying". Almost two-thirds of children in developed countries (64 per cent) said education is important compared to 40 per cent in developing countries and 45 per cent of respondents in India.
"This survey tells us that children in India are passionate about bringing in a more interactive approach to learning and subjects that would prepare them for real life, like technology. But it is alarming to know that safety in their institutions is a grey area," National Director of ChildFund India Neelam Makhijani said in a statement released on Wednesday. "We can't lose sight of the fact that every child has the right to learn in a safe environment and a collective intervention is our moral responsibility," she said. According to the survey, children also have many ideas about how they would improve the education system in their country if they were in charge. Children in India are interested in creating high quality learning environment, modernising class curriculums to widen the range of subjects available, and make learning more interactive and fun by including sports and creative arts, and greater student participation.
poor taste. Congress leader Kapil Sibal said the opposition party will not allow Modi to speak in Parliament unless he apologised. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Modi said only Manmohan Singh knew the art of bathing while wearing a raincoat, prompting the Congress members, including Manmohan Singh, to walk out. "Modi chooses to speak when everyone else is done with and then makes unsubstantiated allegations. We cannot tolerate this. We will not let him speak until he apologises for his remarks," Sibal said while likening Modi's remarks to a "chieftain addressing a local crowd". Former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said the remarks were in "extremely poor taste and unbecoming of a Prime Minister". "I have never seen a Prime Minister making such derogatory remarks about a former Prime Minister. The kind of words that he has used are unacceptable," said Congress leader Digvijaya Singh. Congress leader Renuka Chowdhary was also scathing in her criticism. "This is what the country is coming to that you have the Prime Minister coming to Parliament and not even giving respect to a former Prime Minister," she said. "He can say what he wants to, we cannot stoop to that level. And that is why we walked out (of the Rajya Sabha). Our self-respect is intact, let the Prime Minister prove his," she added.
new Delhi, February 8 (ianS): Supreme Court Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar on Wednesday issued a contempt notice to Calcutta High Court judge Justice C.S. Karnan for writing letters casting aspersions on several judges. Asking Justice Karnan to appear in person on February 13, a constitution bench comprising Khehar and six other judges directed that Justice Karnan would not discharge any judicial and administrative functions during the pendency of the proceedings. It also directed Karnan to hand over all files relating to his judicial and administrative functions to the Registrar General of the High Court. The issuance of contempt notice to Justice Karnan assumes significance as it is for the first time in the history of the Supreme Court that
it has invoked powers to initiate contempt proceedings against a sitting judge of a High Court. At the outset of the hearing, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the court that the nature of various communications by Justice Karnan were "very very scandalous" and "embarrassing" and the "time has come for this court to act". He urged the court to act so that a clear message should go to the citizens that the top court will not hesitate in taking action against its own judge in the High Court. However, Chief Justice Khehar said that it was happening for the first time and "We have to be very careful in going about it." "We must be as careful as we can be. We have to see what we can so, what we can't do.. it is a vital issue. We have to see cause and effect," said Chief Justice Khehar.
Try suffocating kittens, Indian textbook tells kids
new Delhi, February 8 (aFP): An Indian publisher has caused a furore with a school textbook that encourages children to suffocate. The book, which is used in hundreds of private schools in India, includes an experiment in which two kittens were placed in separate boxes -- only one of which had airholes. "Put a small kitten in each box. Close the boxes. After some time open the boxes. What do you see? The kitten inside the box without holes has died," read the text. Animal rights activists said several schools had already pulled the offending page from the book, entitled "Our Green World". They have also secured a promise from the publisher that it will not be included in the next edition. "It might be stupid, but they were
Rajya Sabha passes Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2017 new Delhi, February 8 (ianS): The Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2017, which enables employers to pay wages through cheque or by crediting it to bank accounts, was passed by Parliament, with the Rajya Sabha too clearing it on Wednesday. The Bill was passed by the Upper House by voice vote, while the Lok Sabha cleared it on Tuesday. The Bill removes the requirement of obtaining written authorisation for payment of wages by cheque or through a bank account from the labourer concerned. However, the existing provision of payment in current coins or currency notes will remain in place. The Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2017, was passed by the House after the reply of Bandaru Dattatreya, Minister of State for Labour and Employment. The Minister, replying to over two-hour long debate on the bill, said that his government was "very sensitive" towards the issues related to workers. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 15 last year but could not be taken up for discussion. Later, the President issued an ordinance on December 28.
endangering the lives of the children and animals by citing such an experiment," Vidhi Matta, spokeswoman for the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations, told AFP on Wednesday. Matta said she was unaware of any student actually conducting the experiment. Indian textbooks frequently make the headlines for their glaring mistakes and controversial content. Last week a passage from a textbook in Maharashtra state caused outrage over its assertion that "ugly" and "handicapped" women had led to a rise in dowries claimed by the groom's family. One government textbook in central Chhattisgarh state blamed women for a rise in unemployment, while another claimed that Japan had dropped nuclear bombs on the US during World War II.
Gujarat becomes 1st state to establish cashless PDS system new Delhi, February 8 (ianS): Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan on Wednesday congratulated Gujarat on becoming the first state in the country for establishing cashless distribution of food grain. According to a release, the minister also lauded the efforts of the Gujarat government for installing Aadhaar Enabled Payment System in 17,250 Fair Price Shops (FPS) much before the target, March 31. "The beneficiaries under NFSA (National Food Security Act) will need to carry only Aadhaar cards for getting their food grain in Gujarat. This will help in establishing the identity of beneficiaries, help in stopping the leakages of grain at shop level and above all eradicate corruption in the Public Distribution System (PDS)," reads the release. In a meeting with Paswan
in January, state food ministers agreed to make arrangements to establish cashless system in the PDS by March 31. According to the ministry, Gujarat has taken a step ahead by partnering with common service centres, a Special Purpose Vehicle of Ministry of Electronics and IT, by offering 30-odd digital services through the FPSs. "Now a consumer will also be able to get his Rail, air and bus ticket reserved at the FPS itself. A beneficiary can pay his mobile bill, a farmer can deposit crop insurance premium, LIC premium etc. at these centres," reads the release. "A farmer can get the Soil Health Card and registration for Centrally Sponsored Schemes." The release said that Gujarat government was also trying to make provision for monthly bus travel pass for students and payment of electricity bill through these shops.
THURSDAY 09•02•2017
WORLD
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
9
Prez Trump weighs designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a terrorist group
WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 8 (REUTERS): U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is considering a proposal that could lead to potentially designating Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter. The officials said several U.S. government agencies have been consulted about such a proposal, which if implemented would add to measures the United States has already imposed on individuals and entities linked to the IRGC. The IRGC is by far Iran’s most powerful security entity, which also has control over large stakes in Iran’s economy and huge influence in its political system. Reuters has not seen a copy of the proposal, which could come in the form of an executive order directing the State Department to consider designating the IRGC as a terrorist group. It is unclear whether Trump would sign such an order. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Iran denies any involvement in terrorism. Several draft orders on other topics have been circulated among U.S. agencies, only to be rejected or postponed by the Trump administration. Reuters reported last week that officials were debating whether to declare the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization, but that decision appears to have been indefinitely postponed. Naming Iran's single most powerful military and political institution as a terrorist group could have potentially destabilising ef-
Members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force salute at an underground missile base with launcher units in an undisclosed location in this undated handout photo courtesy of Fars News. (Reuters Photo)
fects, including further inflaming regional conflicts in which the United States and regional arch-rivals blame Iran for interference. Iran denies those allegations. It would also likely complicate the U.S. fight against Islamic State in Iraq, where Shi’ite militias backed by Iran and advised by IRGC fighters are battling the Sunni jihadist group. Some of Trump’s more hawkish advisors in the White House have been urging him to increase sanctions on Iran since his administration began to take shape. After tightening sanctions against Iran last week in response to a ballistic missile test, White House officials said the measures were an “initial” step. U.S. Gulf allies have long favored a tougher U.S. stance against Iran, whom they blame for regional interference. But officials said the process for issuing potentially controversial orders has slowed considerably in the wake of the politi-
Pope issues stinging criticism of Myanmar's treatment of Rohingya VATICAN CITY, FEBRUARY 8 (REUTERS): Pope Francis issued a stinging criticism of atrocities against Myanmar's Rohingya minority on Wednesday, saying they had been tortured and killed simply because they wanted to live their culture and Muslim faith. The pope's remarks at his weekly audience followed last week's U.N. report that said security forces in the north of the country had carried out mass killings, gang rapes and had burned villages. "They have been suffering for years, they have been tortured, killed simply because they wanted to live their culture and their Muslim faith," the pope said. "They have been thrown out of Myanmar, moved from one place to the other because no one wants them. But they are good people, peaceful people. They are not Christian. They are good people. They are our brothers and sisters," he said. After the report was issued on Friday, the United Nations' High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, said Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi had promised to investigate the allegations. Myanmar, a mostly Buddhist country, had previously denied almost all allegations of human rights abuses against Muslims in the north. The pope is expected to visit neighbouring Bangladesh later this year. Witnesses cited in the U.N. report testified to "the killing of babies, toddlers, children, women and elderly; opening fire at people fleeing; burning of entire villages; massive detention; massive and systematic rape and sexual violence; deliberate destruction of food and sources of food".
UN says Israel settlement bill goes against international law UNITED NATIONS, FEBRUARY 8 (REUTERS): The Israeli parliament's move to legalize thousands of settler homes in the occupied West Bank goes against international law and will have legal consequences for Israel, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was quoted as saying on Tuesday. Palestinians have condemned the legislation approved by Israeli lawmakers on Monday as a blow to their hopes of statehood, but its passage may only be largely symbolic as it contravenes Israeli Supreme Court rulings on property rights. The legislation retroactively legalizes about 4,000 settler homes built on privately owned Palestinian land. "The Secretary-General deeply regrets the adoption of the (bill) ... This bill is in contravention of international law and will have far-reaching legal consequences for Israel," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres, said in a statement. "The Secretary-General insists on the need to avoid any actions that would derail the two-state solution," said Dujarric, referring to longstanding international efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel's attorney-general has said the law is unconstitutional and that he will not defend it at the Supreme Court.
cal and legal uproar over Trump’s order to ban entry to the United States from seven majority-Muslim countries, which is now the focus of a federal appeals court battle. The United States has already blacklisted dozens of entities and people for affiliations with the IRGC. In 2007, the U.S. Treasury designated the IRGC’s Quds Force, its elite unit in charge of its operations abroad, “for its support of terrorism,” and has said it is Iran’s “primary arm for executing its policy of supporting terrorist and insurgent groups.” A designation of the entire IRGC as a terrorist group would potentially have much broader implications, including for the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated between Iran and the United States and other major world powers. The nuclear deal, which has been harshly criticized by Republicans in Congress and Trump for giving Iran too much and not placing tight enough re-
strictions on the country, granted Iran relief from most Western sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear program. Reuters reported last week that the IRGC designation is among the proposals being considered as part of an Iran policy review in the Trump administration. The objective would be to dissuade foreign investment in Iran’s economy, because of the IRGC’s involvement in major sectors including transportation and oil. In many cases, that involvement is hidden behind layers of opaque ownership. “The new administration regards Iran as the clearest danger to U.S. interests, and they've been looking for ways to turn up the heat," said a senior U.S. official who has been involved in what he called a broad review of Iran policy. The official said that rather than tearing up the nuclear agreement, a step he said even Israel and Saudi Arabia oppose, the White House might turn instead
toward punishing Iran for its support for Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and some Shiite forces in Iraq, as well as covert support for Shiites who oppose the Sunni regime in Bahrain, and cyber attacks on Saudi and other Gulf Arab targets. But sanctioning the IRGC could backfire, this official warned. It could strengthen the hardliners and undercut more moderate leaders such as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, and encourage Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria to curtail any action against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq and perhaps even sponsor actions against U.S.-backed or even American forces battling Islamic State in Iraq. The Revolutionary Guards answer to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose power far surpasses that of Rouhani. "The Iranians will not take any U.S. action lying down," said the official. "They may not act quickly or in the open, but there is a danger of an escalating conflict." Current U.S. sanctions include penalties for foreign companies which knowingly conducting “significant” transactions with the Revolutionary Guards, or other sanctioned Iranian entities. However, many companies in which the Revolutionary Guards have an interest in or own are not blacklisted, and have been able to sign foreign deals. Sanctions lawyers say the fine print of existing U.S. sanctions allows foreign companies to continue to deal with some IRGCheld firms indirectly.
Appeals court presses Trump administration on travel ban
SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 8 (REUTERS): President Donald Trump's order temporarily banning U.S. entry to people from seven Muslim-majority countries came under intense scrutiny on Tuesday from a federal appeals court that questioned whether the ban unfairly targeted people over their religion. During a more than hour-long oral argument, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals pressed a government lawyer whether the Trump administration's national security argument was backed by evidence that people from the seven countries posed a danger. Judge Richard Clifton, a George W. Bush appointee, posed equally tough questions for an attorney representing Minnesota and Washington states, which are challenging the ban. Clifton asked if a Seattle judge's suspension of Trump's policy was "overbroad." The 9th Circuit said at the end of the session it would issue a ruling as soon as possible. Earlier on Tuesday, the court said it would likely rule this week but would not issue a same-day ruling. The matter will ultimately likely go to the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump's Jan. 27 order barred travelers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering for 90 days and all refugees for 120 days, except refugees from Syria, whom he would ban indefinitely. Trump, who took office on Jan. 20, has defended the measure, the most divisive act of his young presidency, as necessary for national security. The order sparked protests and chaos at U.S. and overseas airports. Opponents also assailed it as discriminatory against Muslims in violation of the U.S. Constitution and applicable laws. A federal judge in Seattle suspended the order last Friday and many travelers who had been waylaid by the ban quickly moved to travel to the United States while it was in limbo. August Flentje, representing the Trump administration as special counsel for the U.S. Justice Department, told the appellate panel that "Congress has
expressly authorized the president to suspend entry of categories of aliens" for national security reasons. "That’s what the president did here," Flentje said at the start of the oral argument conducted by telephone and livestreamed on the internet. TOUGH QUESTIONING When the 9th Circuit asked Flentje what evidence the executive order had used to connect the seven countries affected by the order with terrorism in the United States, Flentje said the "proceedings have been moving very fast," without giving specific examples. He said both Congress and the previous administration of Democrat Barack Obama had determined that those seven countries posed the greatest risk of terrorism and had in the past put stricter visa requirements on them. "I'm not sure I'm convincing the court," Flentje said at one point. Noah Purcell, solicitor general for the state of Washington, began his argument urging the court to serve "as a check on executive abuses." "The president is asking this court to abdicate that role here," Purcell said. "The court should decline that invitation." The judges pummeled both sides with questions. Clifton pushed both attorneys about whether there was evidence the ban was intended to discriminate against Muslims. "I don't think allegations cut it at this stage," Clifton told Purcell. Clifton later questioned Flentje after the attorney argued the Seattle judge had second-guessed Trump's order "based on some newspaper articles." The judge referred to recent televised statements by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who advised Trump during his campaign and transition, that the president had asked him for advice about implementing a legal Muslim ban. "Do you deny that in fact the statements attributed to then candidate Trump and to his political advisers and most recently Mr. Giuliani," Clifton asked. "Do you deny that those statements were made?"
Amnesty says Syria executes, tortures thousands; govt denies BEIRUT/GENEVA, FEBRUARY 8 (REUTERS): The Syrian government executed up to 13,000 prisoners in mass hangings and carried out systematic torture at a military jail near Damascus, rights watchdog Amnesty International said on Tuesday. The Syrian Justice Ministry denied the Amnesty report, calling it completely "devoid of truth", Syrian state news agency SANA
reported late on Tuesday. Amnesty said the executions took place between 2011 and 2015, but were probably still being carried out and amounted to war crimes. It called for a further investigation by the United Nations, which produced a report last year with similar accusations also based on extensive witness testimonies. The Amnesty report said an average of 20-50
people were hanged each week at the Sednaya military prison north of Damascus. Between 5,000 and 13,000 people were executed at Sednaya in the four years after a popular uprising descended into war, it said. "The victims are overwhelmingly civilians who are thought to oppose the government," the report said. "Many other detainees at Sednaya Military Prison
have been killed after being repeatedly tortured and systematically deprived of food, water, medicine and medical care." The prisoners, who included former military personnel suspected of disloyalty and people involved in unrest, underwent sham trials before military courts and were sometimes forced to make confessions under torture, Amnesty said. SANA quoted the jus-
tice ministry as saying Amnesty's accusations were not based on real evidence but rather on "personal emotions aimed at achieving known political goals". The ministry also accused rebel groups fighting to unseat Assad of executing and kidnapping civilians, SANA said. The justice ministry described the report as an attempt at "harming Syria's reputation on the international stage especially
after the victories of the Syrian army". The executions were carried out secretly and those killed were buried in mass graves outside the capital, with families not informed of their fate, Amnesty said. The report was based on interviews with 84 witnesses including former guards and officials, detainees, judges and lawyers, as well as experts.
‘Scotland headed to new independence vote’
EDINBURGH, FEBRUARY 8 (REUTERS): Scotland is almost certainly headed towards a new independence referendum after the UK triggers the process to leave the European Union, according to a lawmaker for the Scottish Greens, who back the devolved nationalist government on independence. "I'm 85 or 90 percent sure at least that we're heading towards another referendum," Ross Greer, 22, told Reuters on Monday. He thought a decision would be made in the Spring. Greer was a key figure in the 2014 independence campaign in which Scots voted to stick with the UK by a 10 point margin. His party's six seats in the Scottish parliament complete the 65 seats for a majority needed by Nicola Sturgeon's Scottish government. He said the UK government had been unwilling even to consider what compromise options might be open for Scotland, where voters opted to stay inside the EU at last June's referendum. "That leaves us in a position of polar opposites: we can either be part of hard Brexit which tilts towards (President) Trump's America or we can be part
Independent Scotland would not be in the European Union Reuters
Motorcyclists drive past a pro-Independence rally held outside the SNP conference in Glasgow, Scotland. (Reuters File Photo)
of the European family as an independent state," he added. British Prime Minister Theresa May has said she plans to trigger the process of leaving the EU by the end of March. Sturgeon's government presented an alternative plan for Scotland, including continued membership of the EU single market, in December. A source at the Scottish government noted Greer was speaking for his own party, and said the Edinburgh administration was concentrated on getting progress on that plan. The Scottish government has insisted, how-
ever, that Scots must have all options open to them as Brexit takes shape. The British parliament, which is sovereign, could block another referendum on independence in the national parliament. But to do so would likely provoke a constitutional crisis if opinion polls were to show most Scots favouring a ballot, or may even win over some Scots to the cause of independence. SPRING DECISION Greer believes the decision on a new referendum will be taken this spring, in order to give time for a campaign to be prepared and a vote to take place
within the two-year leaving window. "If the vote itself is to occur ahead of Brexit ... that (campaign) process all needs to start quite soon or it becomes very, very tight," he added. Polls, however, do not indicate that there is support for another potentially divisive vote on Scotland's future so soon after the last one and after the Brexit vote, even though most Scots are unhappy about leaving the EU. But Greer, Scotland's youngest-ever lawmaker, argues that the vote can be won because of the new circumstances after Brexit. He noted the 2014 inde-
An independent Scotland would not be part of the European Union, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday. A majority of Scots backed staying in the EU in last year's referendum and the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP), which lost a bid for independence in 2014, has said there should be another vote on the issue if its views on Brexit are rejected in upcoming divorce negotiations with Brussels. On Tuesday, Scotland's devolved parliament rejected May's Brexit plans in a symbolic, non-binding vote. Asked by an SNP lawmaker whether she would go ahead and trigger Britain's divorce from the EU without agreeing a UK-wide negotiating position, May said: "He constantly rependence campaign started out with support for secession at below 30 percent but rose to 45 percent by the time the vote took place.
fers to the interests of Scotland inside the European Union - an independent Scotland would not be in the European Union." Support for Scottish independence rising Support for Scottish independence rose after the British Prime Minister came out in favor of the UK making a clean break with the European Union, a BMG survey for Herald Scotland showed. The survey indicated 49 percent of Scots support independence with 51 percent opposing it, after "don't know" votes are removed, the newspaper said. A similar survey conducted last month showed roughly the same result as the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, with 45.5 percent in favour of independence and 54.5 percent against, the newspaper said. "For us to be starting from 45 pct this time is miles ahead of last time and puts us in a much stronger position."
10
T
THURSDAY 09•02•2017
PUBLIC DISCOURSE
A. Zhimomi
he events of the past few weeks have been keenly observed by the citizens of the State. Varied opinions have been expressed about the issue of womens’ reservation in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The expression of diverse opinions is a healthy sign of democracy. However, there is an inherent risk in espousing the cause of democracy i.e., the suppression of the opinions of the marginalised and the minority. The course of human democracy is replete with examples of individuals who have influenced mass movements. Some have been positive and many have been horrifyingly negative and harmful. It is in this context that I pen this article with my perspective on the issue of womens’ reservation and other issues arising thereform. There can be no doubt that Part IX A of the Constitution which includes Article 243T was incorporated in the Constitution of India in the year 1993. The incorporation of this part in the Constitution of India came about through the powers of Parliament exercised under Article 368 and the procedure prescribed therein. This would mean that this amendment of the Constitution and the inclusion of Part IXA thereof, was ratified by the States. This amendment of the Constitution stands on a different footing vis-a-vis the power of Parliament to enact laws as contemplated by Article 246. The State of Nagaland took its first steps to implement Part IX A of the Constitution by enacting the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 (hereinafter referred to as the Act of 2001). The said Act was notifiedintheNagalandGazetteon18.10.01. Pursuant thereto, the first election to the Municipal Councils and Town Councils was held in December 2004. The Act of 2001 did not provide for the reservation of seats for women as contemplated by Article 243T. Based on the election, Municipal Councils and Town Councils were constituted throughout the State. One lady Khetoli challenged the constitution of the DMC, inter-alia, alleging violation of Article 243T in the Act of 2001 and consequent elections thereon, by filling W.P.( C) No.638(K)/05. The writ petition ultimately came to be disposed off by the High Court on the undertaking of the Government that necessary amendments would be made to the Act of 2001 to give effect to Part IX A of the Constitution of India and Article 243T thereof. The State of Nagaland thereafter enacted the Nagaland Municipal ( First Amendment ) Act, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as the Act of 2006). In relation to Article 243T, certain sections of the Act of 2006 are relevant and the same are quoted hereunder: “Section 10. After the existing section 23 in the principal Act, the following shall be inserted, namely: “23A. Reservation of seats in Municipalities (1) Seats in every Municipality shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes,
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
CRISIS IN THE STATE
the Scheduled Tribes and women, including women from the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, in accordance with the provisions contained in clauses (1) to (3) of article 243T of the Constitution. Section 12. After the existing section 484 in the principal Act, the following shall be inserted, namely: “Within a year of commencement of this Amendment Act, the Government shall review the Act so as to bring its provisions in complete harmony with Part IX-A of the Constitution”. Consequent upon the said amendment, acting in terms of the provisions thereof, the Government of Nagaland issued Notification No. MAC/Home9/2006 dated 23.3.07 notifying the wards reserved for women in the Municipal Councils and Town Councils in the State. Elected members of the notified wards were deemed to have vacated their seats to make way for women who would, through a circuitous process, be appointed to these seats. Resultantly, the affected Councillors across the State filed Writ Petitions challenging the amendment Act of 2006. The Writ Petitions were numbered as W P (C) No. 46(k)/07, W P (C) No. 58(k)/07, W P (C) No. 59(k)/07, W P (C) No. 60(k)/17, W P (C) No. 61(k)/07, W P (C) No. 63(k)/07, W P (C) No. 64(k)/07, W P (C) No. 65(k)/07 and W P (C) No. 68(k)/07. The challenge in these petitions was on the ground that the reservation for women as sought to be implemented was not in terms of Article 243T of the Constitution. Article 243T prescribes that 1/3rd of the total seats meant for direct election should be reserved for women. The Act of 2006 chose a different approach. During the pendency of these petitions, the tenure of the Municipals Councils and Town Councils expired and the petitions were disposed off as not pressed. The pertinent point of note is that there was no protest whatsoever from any individual or organisation when the reservation for women was introduced in 2006/2007. It was the affected Councillors themselves who approached the High Court seeking legal redress. This fact begs the question, what are the changed circumstances now? All the State Governments in the Indian Union are obligated to carry out Constitutional mandates. There can be no gainsaying the fact that Part IXA of The Constitution of India and Article 243T thereof is a constitutional mandate. When the State Government recently initiated its duty of setting up the ULBs, various organizations began voicing their protests. The objection was that womens’ reservation in ULBs violated Naga customary practices protected under Article 371A of the Constitution of India. The stand taken was that no laws passed by Parliament affecting Naga customary practice would apply as envisaged by Article 371A. The provisions of law must be carefully interpreted. In the scheme of the Constitution of India, Article 243T and Article 371A operate in different fields.
Also, Article 243T is not a law framed by Parliament as contemplated by Article 371A. It is a constitutional provision. Students of law and adherents of law must distinguish between a constitutional provision and a statutory enactment made under constitutional provisions. Another stand taken was that the Act of 2001 contains provisions with regard to taxation on land and its resources. This objection was accepted by the Government and by the Nagaland Municipal (Amendment) Act, 2016, the provisions relating to taxation on land and its resources was omitted. This would mean that there is now no question of taxation on land and its resources by the Municipal Councils and Town Councils. Surprisingly, individuals and organizations continue to harp on taxation on land and its resources saying that instead of the word “omitted”, the word “deleted” should have been used in the Act of 2016. In statutory language, the word omit and delete have the same effect. The point of note is that by the Act of 2016, the State Government has removed the provisions relating to taxation on land and its resources. An opinion has also been expressed to the effect that by virtue of the exemption mentioned in Article 243 ZC, Part IXA does not apply to the State of Nagaland. The rationale in support thereof is that the State of Nagaland is inhabited by Schedule Tribes. Article 243ZC is in relation to Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas mentioned in Article 244. Article 244 itself, falls under Part X of the Constitution of India and is in relation to Scheduled Areas contemplated in the Vth Schedule and the Tribal Areas contemplated in the VIth Schedule. The State of Nagaland is not a State which falls either under the V th or VIth Schedules. It is a full fledged State in the Indian Union and outside the purview of the Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas in the States, contemplated by Article 244 and Schedules V and VI of the Constitution. It also appears from reports in the newspapers as well as the social media that the State Government is accused of being the first in the Country to hold elections to the ULBs in terms of Part IXA of the Constitution. This allegation is absolutely without any basis. Net savvy citizens can easily ascertain from the internet the application of Part IXA of the Constitution of India from 1993 onwards. Infact, some States have even taken steps to enhance the reservation for women in ULBs above the prescription of 1/3rd contemplated by Article 243T. Also, in the State of Nagaland, women reservation was implemented without demur from individuals and organisations in 2006/2007 and the process initiated in the year 2017 is the second such election. The inaction of the State Government in holding civic elections and complying with Part IXA of the Constitution, prompted the Naga Mothers Association to approach the High Court in the year 2011. A Single Bench of the High Court directed the implementa-
tion of Part IXA of the Constitution of India holding that reliance on Article 371A in not implementing Article 243T is misplaced. In appeal by the State, the Division Bench of the High Court allowed some time to the State Government to examine the issues raised. The matter then went up to the Supreme Court. With the announcement of the civic polls and the steps taken by the State Government to implement Part IXA of the Constitution, the appeal filed by the women was agreed to be withdrawn. Pertinently, in the year 2012, the State Assembly passed a resolution exempting the State from the purview of the Part IXA of the Constitution of India. This glaringly apparent act of legislative incompetence was corrected by the State Assembly in the year 2016. In the scheme of the Constitution of India, Parliament alone is competent to provide exemption from any part or provision of the Constitution of India. In this conspectus, can the women in Naga society be blamed or faulted for seeking to enforce their constitutional rights. I would dare to presume that those spearheading the protest against reservation for women in ULBs realised that they were barking up the wrong tree. This inference is drawn from the agreement between the leaders of the JCC, the NBCC and the representatives of the Government on 30.1.17. On the part of the JCC, it clearly recognizes that the reservation for women in ULBs is a constitutional obligation. What the JCC however desired was the postponement of the election for a period of two months, to educate the people on this issue. These developments happened simultaneously with the filing of a petition in the Honble High Court with regard to the conduct of the elections. The Hon’ble High Court directed the State Government to ensure free and fair elections as notified. In this scenario, the decision of the State Government to go ahead with the elections in some areas as notified evoked huge protests. The masses took to the streets. Public and private properties across the State were destroyed and damaged. In the process, unfortunately, two young men lost their lives. These developments then added a new dimension to the crisis. Bandhs were enforced throughout the State. Government vehicles were prevented from plying and Government offices closed down. The organisations now demand the stepping down of the Chief Minister and his Cabinet as well as the resignation of the President of the NPF Party. A new organisation in the name and style of NTAC has recently been formed. Reacting to the decision of the State Government to approach the Central Government for exemption from Part IXA of the Constitution, the NTAC alleges a “sell out” of Article 371A of the Constitution of India. They further state that the State can frame its own laws under Article 371A, as it has done in the Nagaland Municipal Act of 2001 and other laws. Both the Central as
well as State Governments derive their legislative powers under the provisions of Article 246 of the Constitution of India. It is therefore, erroneous to state that the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 and other laws have been framed under Article 371A of the Constitution of India. Digressing for a moment, Article 371A of the Constitution has been directly called into question in the PIL filed by the Lotha Hoho in relation to the oil issue. In this case, by an interim Order dated 8.10.15 in P.I.L. No. 4(K)/15, the Hon’ble High Court has observed that the State Assembly does not have the competence to legislate on the subject by taking recourse to Article 371A. This order though interim nullifies the argument that the State Assembly can legislate by taking recourse to Article 371A. As a corollary, the stand that the decision of the Government to approach the Central Government to exempt the State from Part IXA of the Constitution is a “sell out”, also necessarily falls flat. It is true that both Parliament and the State can enact their own laws with regard to subjects within their competence. However, as earlier stated, Parliament alone is competent to exempt any State from the purview of the provisions of the Constitution. Therefore, though belated and an attempt to correct the acts of omission/commission of the past, to accede to the demands of the organisations with regard to womens’ reservation, the only recourse for the State Government is to approach the Central Government as contemplated. For individuals and organisations opposed to Part IXA of the Constitution and Article 243T thereof, the door to challenge the same has always been open and is still open. The conclusions that can be arrived at are as under: 1. Part IXA is in force throughout the States in the Indian Union since 1993. 2. The State of Nagaland first gave effect to Part IXA and Article 243T thereof through the Act of 2006 and sought to implement the same in the year 2007. No one protested then. 3. The protest to the notified elections in January – February, 2017 took shape on the ground that the State Government has for the very first time sought to implement Part IXA of the Constitution of India and the same is in violation of Article 371A. 4. The various organisations came together and formed the JCC which began spearheading the protest. Ultimately, on 30-01-17 the JCC acknowledged the constitutional obligation of the State to implement Part IXA of the Constitution of India and sought postponement of the elections for a period of two months, to educate the people on the issue. 5. Simultaneously, a petition was filed by a lady in the Principal Seat of the High Court. The High Court directed holding of the elections as notified. 6. The State Government decided to hold elections in certain areas. This was met with widespread protests. Public and private properties were
damaged and destroyed. Two young men lost their lives. 7. An organisation in the name and style of NTAC then came into being. This organisation demanded the declaration of the elections as null and void and the resignation of the Chief Minister and the cabinet. 8. Various organisations began enforcing bandhs and lockdowns of Government offices throughout the State. 9. The State Government acceded to the demands of declaring the notified elections as null and void. 10. The State Government decided to approach the Central Government for an amendment of the Constitution, exempting the State from Part IXA of the Constitution of India. The NTAC has termed this as a “sell out”. It claims that by virtue of Article 371A, the State is empowered to pass necessary laws and the decision of the State Government displays complete lack of competence. 11. The NTAC continues with its demand for the resignation of the Chief Minister and the cabinet. From the events that transpired as above referred, further conclusions can be drawn: 1. The JCC expressly acknowledged that the holding of the civic elections in terms of Part IXA of the Constitution of India did not infringe Article 371A. 2. In terms of the Order of the High Court dated 8.10.15 in P.I.L. No. 4(K)/15, the State Assembly lacks competence to legislate on any subject under Article 371A. 3. The State Government has attempted to carry out its constitutional duty. Organisations opposed to women’s reservation have prevented the Government from doing so. They now demand the resignation of the Chief Minister and the cabinet. I did not wish to express my opinion on the situation that has engulfed us. However, as a lawyer involved in the litigation from the very beginning, i.e., 2005, I would be failing in my duties as an Officer of the Court, if the correct facts are not placed for the people to appreciate the nature of the issues involved. As a citizen of the State, I am also concerned with the direction in which our society is driving itself. There are those who have mislead and the huge majority who have been mislead. As citizens, it is incumbent upon each and everyone of us to re-visit our respective stands. It is our duty either as members or designated leaders of the various organisations, to educate, empower and lead, correctly and truthfully. At the same time, we must also respect the rule of law. Democracy is for the people but democracy should not be reduced to mobocracy and the suppression of diverse or dissenting opinions through threats and intimidation. The democratic process and the rule of law provides effective representation for the people. It is for the people to take recourse to such processes. Any other process would lead to anarchy and such circumstances would not bode well for Naga society.
Is Naga Society really Patriarchal? Charles Chasie
(Because impression has been created that ULB elections were about a gender struggle with Naga men using archaic customs to suppress Naga women rights, this discussion has been included to the earlier part already published).
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aga society has always been painted as patriarchal where women did not count and their rights were suppressed. This is more actively propagated by Naga women themselves without a thought to the veracity of what they were saying and if such impression may be to the detriment of the Naga image as a whole. People from the rest of India, and beyond, whose societies have experienced gender discriminations have only been too willing to accept whatever has been dished out. And hardly any Naga has bothered to oppose or contradict such views although now there are enough educated Nagas with doctoral degrees in sociology, anthropology, political science etc. Why has this been so? There could be different reasons. Because Naga society is mostly male-dominated, which is why Naga society is vulnerable to the above view-point, there is a certain section of men that adopts a disdainful attitude of “eh! Maiki manu!”, without rhyme or reason even if the “maiki manu” (women) may be doing so much better than them. Or there could be other reasons. With all the prolonged fighting and violence that Naga society has undergone, there is often a willingness, even desire, to stay out of any kind of “trouble” or not to become embroiled in any fight or argument with anyone so long as the argument or fight does not touch you personally. Indifference has become a general Naga attitude, together with the practise of “make hay while the sun shines” in all its permutations – is it corruption, so be it! We must now ask whether our silence on the women issue has led to the tragic events of January 31 and February 2, 2017? Similarly, on oth-
er issues, we must ask what our silence may have cost our people and society. Is Naga society really patriarchal? Are Naga tribe or village communities ruled by patriarchs who decide everything and the rest just silently obey? Personally, I think not. I don’t know about those tribes with chiefships. I am of the opinion that most Naga tribes are not patriarchal but, I cannot speak for other tribes. I can only share my views on the Angami, and Tenyimia to some extent. We never had a patriarch who decided everything, not even at the family or clan level. Indeed, Angami culture and traditions would not allow it. In our village community, traditionally everything was decided by consensus, not even by majority. Respect was given to elders but every member had the right to voice his opinion. Once the clan, khel or community had made a decision on an issue that decision was final and binding on everyone of its members. Even then, there was still an exception which was available to the individual. He could always decide to go against the decision where he himself was concerned; the majority could not impose its will on him. This was the “veto” power of the Angami individual. But no one actually exercised this veto power because the consequences would be social stigma, ostracism and even exile. And for a Naga, if he is not part of his village community, he becomes a “non-person” and a non-entity. Because of such decision making processes, and other practices, people like John Butler wrote about the “pure democracy” of the Angamis. We need not give too much importance to what others have said about us. The point is that our customs and cultural practices make no room for the presence of an all-arching Patriarch. So, there was no question of our community being patriarchal. So, if we are not a patriarchal society, what are we? Angami society, within the village republic, is patrilineal. The dictionary defines it as, “Relating to, based on, or tracing descent through the male line”.Gender-wise, the opposite is true of “matrilineal”, as in the case of the Khasis and Garos. Yes, our Family Tree is based
Naga Society lies wounded… Part 2 on the male line of descent. In any case, every people have to have a line of descent, patrilineal or matrilineal, or else questions of race, identity, history etc will no longer matter but as we know they do matter and this is what differentiates human beings from animals. This brings us to the issue of property distribution because some of today’s Naga women leaders seem quite bitter on this issue. The distribution of property, or legacy, from father to son is only regarding ancestral landed property which would safeguard the Family Tree or the line of descent. But, these ancestral lands could not be sold or disposed of. The beneficiaries were meant to make use of them during their life time, improve upon them and, in turn, bequeath to their sons. Even when ancestral property was given to the male children, the eldest and youngest sons were usually given the best fields and ancestral home. If the family happened to be a poor one with many children, the sons in the middle sometimes did not get their share or had to do with less prime lands. Those who received the ancestral lands were expected to take care of the others, including sisters and their aged parents. On the other hand, whatever the couple acquired during their life time, they were free to do with them whatever they liked. They could give it to anyone. For example, I have cousins who received landed property from grandmothers who were from my Family Tree. These landed properties were purchased from out of their own personal earnings while married. One of these beneficiaries was a former Naga wrestling champion who, sadly, is no more but his children are still there living on this plot of their great grandmother. In recent times, most parents make sure that their daughters also are gifted with properties, including landed properties, which they have purchased or built during the life of their marriage. So, if there was/is a woman in the Angami com-
munity who did not receive anything, outside of ancestral properties, it was probably more an individual family issue than a tribe issue or a gender issue. Those who are so bitter about Naga society being a patrilineal society and think it has suppressed Naga women may do well to study Khasi and Garo societies as well and compare if a matrilineal society would have served the Nagas better. In any case, as mentioned above, a human society has to be either matrilineal or patrilineal; there is no other way. And just imagine if ancestral landed property were to be distributed equally to male and female descendants, the colossal chaos that would result! Some symptoms of this we have seen in Khasi society. The women get married outside their communities, which cannot be stopped, and their husbands begin to inherit/claim these ancestral landed properties but their original communities could not allow this! Do these Naga women leaders want the same thing to happen to Naga society? I must, of course, clarify that the traditional Naga democracy I have described above, to show it was not possible to have a patriarch, was basically about the male members of the community. This was in keeping with the situation in those days. Now, husbands and wives usually consult before the Man (is allowed to?) speaks! Today, things have changed and Naga women must be included in decision-making. If we do not include the women, we will not only exclude half the population. This will be to our cost. But the women too must be clear about their role in society and not be affected by happenings elsewhere or try to implement those ideas here without proper reflection. Everyone knows that Naga society is where the female children are the least discriminated against. A main philosophy of feminism is to prove that women are equal, if not more equal and better, than men. Antagonism is usually the engine that drives
the feminists in their fight against men who are seen as the enemy. In Naga traditions and society, men and women have always mattered. It was not about men versus women. It was a partnership and both complemented each other. One could not do the other’s job and the one without the other was not complete. One felt very sad that the Naga women leaders refused the offer of nomination for not just 33% but even up to 40% or 50% that the tribe Hoho leaders proposed. Obviously the tribe leaders supported inclusion of women in decision-making. Nomination would also ensure women presence as they would be “uncontested”. They would have avoided the problems associated with elections, including financial costs and enmities always involved in electioneering. They could also choose women of ability they know and place them where these women could make a difference, with more representation than they were asking! Why did the women leaders refuse? It would seem that the women leaders were more interested in making a political statement instead of having women’s welfare in their minds. The women reservation leaders, it seemed, only wanted 33% reservation for Naga women, good, bad or ugly. And Nagas be damned if they get a bad reputation in the process or if there was more rift in society! Well, it led to tragedy for all. The women leaders certainly failed to see the hand of friendship that was extended to them by the tribe leaders. The tribe leaders threatening ex-communication was unprecedented and not heard of. Personally, I do not support such steps in our times. But they were saying they were deadly serious and would not back down. It fell on deaf ears. It became apparent that apart from drumming up an issue that was popular elsewhere in India, and the world, the Naga women leaders had not done proper homework and had no plan how best to promote women of ability and put them in decision-making positions so that the women could make a difference. This is where the Naga Mothers Association lost their footing and also
failed to read the ground realities. But because of this obvious lacuna, local men election touts were going about setting up their own women candidates who would obey them and do what they want after getting elected. In at least one colony of Kohima, I have full knowledge where a woman candidate was unanimously chosen by the women of the colony but another woman was set up by some men and that candidate of the men, from all indications, was going to be given the party ticket. Why did the Naga women leaders decide to go political and choose the politics of confrontation, quite contrary to what they have been doing all these years? If they want politics and confrontation, any Naga can do it! Nagas won’t need the Naga mothers or Naga women to do it. The Naga women, particularly the Naga Mothers Association (NMA), had built up a unique niche in Naga society after over 30 years of hard work. The NMA was non-political, worked to bring healing in Naga homes and in the larger Naga society. All Nagas had come to respect them and to listen when they said something. Even when people did not agree, they stayed silent because no one else could play their role. Sadly this time, instead of bringing healing, they have managed to bring division among Nagas and destroy their own years of hard work. Some tribe leaders have asked their women bodies to withdraw from the NMA. This surely is a sign of displeasure at the present leadership. But we must not act too emotionally. As I have mentioned above, the Naga Mothers/women’s role cannot be played by anyone and should be promoted by all. Sure, there may need to be a lot of changes starting with transparent processes and with no politics. The mandate of the new NMA must be made clear-cut and there should be no areas of confusion. But the details we can leave to the women to manage. They will do a far better job than the men. One has made comments here only because this organisation is so important for Naga society. The main question, as I asked in the first part of this article, is who will pick up the pieces?
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.
Thursday 09•02•2017
EntErtainmEnt
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alawi's High Court on Tuesday granted Madonna permission to adopt twins from the Southern African country, a judiciary spokesman said. The U.S. singer has previously adopted two children from Malawi, stirring anger among some Malawians who accused the government of allowing her to skirt laws that ban non-residents from adopting. Madonna was inside the courtroom when the approval ruling was delivered, judiciary spokesman Mlenga Mvula said. Reuters could not reach representatives for Madonna for comment. "Madonna has demonstrated over the years that she has passion for Malawi and her children and therefore the court was satisfied and could not stop the adoption of the twins," Titus Mvalo, a lawyer for Madonna in Malawi, told Reuters. Mvula said that one of the conditions of the adoption was that Madonna should provide a report showing that the home in which they lived was suitable. He could not provide details on the children she will be adopting, saying it was against the law to divulge such particulars at this stage. Madonna, 58, adopted Malawian children David Banda and Mercy James in 2006 and 2009. She has two other children, Lourdes and Rocco, from previous relationships. Madonna denied reports that she wanted to adopt again after she visited Malawi last month, at the time saying her trip was for her charity work. She established the non-profit Raising Malawi in 2006 to provide health and education programs, particularly for girls. The organization is currently building a children's unit at a hospital in Blantyre, Malawi's second-largest city, and has built 10 schools, according to its website.
Madonna granted permission to adopt twins from Malawi
Now ShowiNg revIseD TICKeT rATes (silver) : `.120 (Gold) : `. 200 (recliner) : `. 400
GiGi Hadid to get her own Barbie doll First South Korean blockbuster show to premiere in India Source: Reuters
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odel Gigi Hadid is getting her own Barbie doll just in time for Tommy Hilfiger's fashion show. As Hadid prepares to celebrate her second collection with Tommy Hilfiger, Mattel is giving fans a sneak peek at a new special doll, reports eonline.com. The toy company has released photos where Barbie and Hadid are taking on Los Angeles in their own Tommy looks. "Can't believe that's me!" Hadid shared on
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indagi, India's one of the top premium entertainment channels, has decided to launch the blockbuster South Korean drama 'Descendants of the Sun' on Indian television. After successfully introducing handpicked shows from Turkey and Ukraine, the channel would be broadcasting a South Korean drama for the first time. The series will premiere on Indian television on 8 February 2017 at 8 pm. The drama portrays a Source: IANS heart-warming love story
Instagram. "Thank you for this honour Mattel. Tommy Hilfiger, can't wait to have Barbie join us at the TOMMY x GIGI show." The doll isn't for sale to the public. The runway show on Wednesday is expected to be a special event for both fashion and pop culture lovers. Venice Beach will be transformed into "Tommyland" and feature amusement rides, local food trucks, musical performances and plenty of must-see fashion.
that revolves around Special Force Officer (Song Joong Ki) and a surgeon (Song Hye Kyo) whose destinies are bound to be together. The two fall in love at first sight, but eventually shy away from one another. Destiny plays an interesting role and they meet again at the war zone 'Uruk' after almost a year. The military themed series witnessed a massive success in South Korea and garnered immense popularity and top ratings across Asia. South Korean heartthrob
Series will premiere on Indian television on 8 February 2017 at 8 pm
Song Joong Ki, who plays the lead character in the series, also received fame overnight. His cute character as an Army Captain has charmed the viewers across the globe. He started receiving offers for a number of projects and endorsements after this and gradually he has become one of the highestpaid South Korean actors. Thus, all the drama lovers out there in India gearup to witness the record breaking love story from South Korea. Source: Ibtimes
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Manish Arora invited for special reception at Buckingham Palace
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eteran designer Manish Arora will visit the Buckingham Palace in London for a special reception being held to mark the beginning of the UK-India Year of Culture. The designer, who has been bestowed with the prestigious Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur by France, will visit the palace of Queen Elizabeth II on February 27. Arora says it's an honour for him to represent India. "It is such an honour and privilege to be chosen by Her Majesty to represent India at the reception celebrating a wonderful initiative. India and the UK have such a deep history and this cultural exchange is a great way to strengthen the relationship between our homelands," Arora said in a statement. This year, India and Britain are celebrating a major bilateral year of cultural exchange. The veteran designer added that "this is definitely a dream come true and I couldn't have asked CD cover of Morning Premier League (MPL) 2017 Season 3 promo video which was re- for a better start to the year". leased in Kohima recently. This Premier League will start from March 6 till July 7 in Kohima.
Hillstar NOW SHOWING Kaabil
Source: IANS
To be racist goes against my existence: Zayn Kushal saves Jennifer from fire on 'Beyhadh' set
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inger Zayn Malik, whose father is British-Pakistani, has defended girlfriend Gigi Hadid after she was accused of racism for a controversial video. The former One Direction star said the model "likes Asians" and that to be a racist goes against his "very existence". The Victoria's Secret model was seen in her sister Bella's 'story' on the photo and video sharing website Instagram during a meal out as she held up
what looked to be a Buddha cookie and squinted her eyes to impersonate the face. Fans weren't pleased
One fan tweeted to the singer, saying: "Being of Asian descent, how do you feel about your girlfriend making fun of Asian people?" "Trust me... she likes Asians," the singer wrote back. And he added: "People's nerve to call me ignorant, when any chance they get I'm a terrorist! To after the clip was shared be a racist goes against online. my very existence. So, Zayn insisted that Had- please don't try to eduid "likes Asians", reports cate me." mirror.co.uk. Source: IANS
Kareena Kapoor is 'Feel Alive' ambassador for Sony BBC Earth
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ctress Kareena Kapoor Khan has come on board as a 'Feel Alive' ambassador for soonto-be launched factual entertainment channel Sony BBC Earth. Kareena has been chosen as she is known to have a spirited, 'full-of-life' personality both on and off screen, said a statement issued on behalf of the channel. Her vibrant persona coupled with her love for the natural world were the key factors in opting for Kareena to represent the most awaited channel of 2017, the statement added.
Saurabh Yagnik, Executive Vice President and Business Head, English Cluster, Sony Pictures Networks India, said: ""We are excited to have Kareena Kapoor Khan as the 'Feel Alive' Ambassador for Sony BBC Earth. "Her personality perfectly resonates with our brand proposition and channel content, which will be revealed soon. I am confident that this unique association will take the factual entertainment experience to a whole new level for our viewers in India." Source: IANS
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ctor Kushan Tandon saved his co-actor Jennifer Winget on "Beyhadh" set which caught fire while they were shooting a scene. Kushal and Jennifer were into a marriage sequence when a blaze at the 'mandap' went out of control. The actor, who plays the role of Arjun in the Sony channel show, uploaded a video of the incident where he is seen saving Jennifer
Resident evil Final chapteR )3d from the fire. "It's actually so cliched... You save a girl from fire... Have always Watched and imagined as a scene. But it actually happened... the way I ran both the times... I am laughing watching this while I am on my way back home. But was terrified that time," Kushal captioned the video. "Thank you god for giving me strength and the ability to think at that time to run and get her first because she just froze... And
the day ends... much love to all," he added. Kushal also shared with his fans and followers that he suffered burns on his neck and legs. Jennifer, who plays the role of Maya in the show, said she got a minor back burn. "Last evening on 'Beyhadh' was completely unforeseen; just a minor back burn, healing soon. Thank you for your best wishes," she tweeted. Source: IANS
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THURSDAY 09•02•2017
SPORTS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Bayern captain Lahm to retire at end of season BERLIN, FEBRUARY 8 (AFP): Germany's World Cup winning captain Philipp Lahm on Tuesday confirmed he will retire at the end of the season and leave Bayern Munich, having rejected a role as sports director. "I have decided to stop playing football at the end of the season," Lahm said after Bayern's 1-0 win over Wolfsburg in the third round of the German Cup. "I am sure I can keep putting in the performances until the end of the season, but not after that," added the Bayern captain, confirming an earlier press report. "I first thought about the decision over a year ago and have been constantly checking it. "I love football and it has given me a lot, but everything has to eventually come to an end and I wanted to decide that myself." Lahm explained why he has turned down the vacant sports director role, which would not have included a place on Bayern's board fol-
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Bayern Munich's Philipp Lahm receives flowers before his match against VFL Wolfsburg. (Reuters Photo)
lowing recent restructuring at the club. "There were discussions and at the end of those I decided that it's not the right time for me to step up with FC Bayern," he said. "I'll be a private person again in the summer, then I'll have time to take care of other things and to have a few conversations."
The 33-year-old made his 500th appearance for Bayern last Saturday and will hang up his boots in June despite having a year left on his contract. Lahm retired from international football after captaining Germany to the 2014 World Cup title in Brazil and making 113 appearances for die Mannschaft. He joined Bayern as an
11-year-old in 1995 and, apart from a two-year loan spell at VfB Stuttgart, he has spent his entire career at the Bavarian giants. He became club captain after Dutch hardman midfielder Mark van Bommel stood down in January 2011. Lahm then skippered the Bayern to their 2013 Champions League victory at Wemb-
ley when they beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the final. That season, they became the first German club to complete the treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup. With Bayern currently four points clear in the Bundesliga and through to the Cup quarter-finals, Lahm is well set to go out on a high and add to his seven league titles and six Cup victories. With Lahm now out of the running, Borussia Moenchengladbach's Max Eberl is now favourite to take over as Bayern's director of sport after Matthias Sammer quit last year. "We talked to Philipp Lahm, but there is no plan A, B or C," Bayern's president Uli Hoeness told broadcaster ARD. "We have not talked to anyone else, but there will be a sports director starting on July 1. "It is not about the power you have in that position, but about the responsibility."
Bayern caught out by timing of Lahm retirement announcement BERLIN, FEBRUARY 8 (REUTERS): Bayern Munich were surprised by the timing of captain Philipp Lahm's announcement that he planned to retire at the end of the season, club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Wednesday. The 33-year-old full back, who captained Germany to the 2014 World Cup title, said on Tuesday he would retire one year before his contract ends at the end of next season. He made the announcement after Bayern's German Cup last 16 win over VfL Wolfsburg and also said he had informed the club he would not take over the sports director role as widely expected. Only minutes earlier Bayern president Uli Hoeness had told reporters he knew nothing of Lahm's retirement and said any announcement would be a joint one with the club. "Bayern Munich are surprised
by the actions of Philipp Lahm and his advisor," Rummenigge said in a statement. "Until yesterday we were expecting to issue a joint statement from Philipp Lahm and Bayern Munich. "Uli Hoeness and myself had honest, intensive talks in the past months with Philipp about a potential involvement in the management of our club. "Last week he informed us he was currently not available for the sports director position and that he wants to end his contract early." Lahm, who retired from international football after Germany's World Cup triumph in Brazil, had been seen as the perfect successor to Matthias Sammer as Bayern sports director but said the time was not right for such a move. "We want to make it clear that the doors at Bayern Munich will remain open for Philipp," Rummenigge added.
ASA to launch website on Feb 10 Lee Chong Wei mulling quitting Badminton Association of Malaysia KOHIMA, FEBRUARY 8 (MExN): The Angami Sports’ Association (ASA) will be launching its website on February 10 at LCS Building, Kohima at 5:00 pm. Er. Krosii Rhetso, Chief Engineer (R&B) Nagaland will be the special guest and will formally launch the website.
Cook admits Pietersen's axing not handled properly LONDON, FEBRUARY 8 (IANS): Former England skipper Alastair Cook has expressed regret over the decision to sideline all-rounder Kevin Pietersen from the national squad in 2014. Pietersen was axed from the squad with England director of cricket Andrew Strauss citing a "massive trust issue", following their 0-5 Ashes series loss to Australia. Now, Cook, who quit the captaincy on Monday, put the blame on the England Cricket Board (ECB) saying that the whole issue was not properly handled. "I do wish it had been done differently. I felt it wasn't handled particularly well by the ECB. I know I was the lightning rod for it, every person thought it was my decision. I felt I bore the brunt of that, unfairly in my opinion," Cook was quoted as saying by dailymail.co.uk on Tuesday. "I felt a little bit let down by the ECB
in that one period, where they kind of let me out to dry a little bit. But that's all gone now," he added. "I think we all have regrets over the way it was handled, but when Andrew Strauss came on board and made the final decision (Pietersen) wasn't coming back, it made it a little easier." Commenting on the decision to quit as the Test captain after being in the role for more than four years, he said: "It was a tough decision but in one sense easier than I expected. The hard bit was giving it away and telling myself it was time to go, because it is such a brilliant job, but it was easy because I felt I was done. "I'd been to the well a couple of times as England captain and I couldn't go again. I've looked back a bit over the last couple of weeks knowing this was the end and I'm quite proud of what I've achieved," he added.
Suarez hero & villain as Barca reach Cup final BARCELONA, FEBRUARY 8 (REUTERS): Luis Suarez scored and was sent off as holders Barcelona reached a fourth successive King's Cup final after drawing 1-1 with a resilient Atletico Madrid in an actionpacked semi-final second leg on Tuesday. Suarez was one of three players dismissed and will now miss the final after Barcelona edged through 3-2 on aggregate. The Uruguayan tapped in from close range in the 43rd minute after an inspired run and shot from Lionel Messi to deliver a sucker punch to Atletico, who had dominated the first half at the Nou Camp but failed to take their chances. Kevin Gameiro blazed a penalty over the bar with 10 minutes remaining but the French striker still made for a tense finale by tapping in an Antoine Griezmann cross moments later. Barca defender Sergi Roberto will also be suspended for the final after being sent off for a second booking in the second half and Atletico winger Yannick Carrasco was dismissed as well for a second yellow card. Suarez was then sent off in the 90th minute for an elbow on Atletico midfielder Koke. Atletico had five minutes of stoppage time to snatch a winner and force extra time, but Barca withstood the pressure.
Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring their first goal. (Reuters Photo)
Barca, the 28-times winners, will meet either Alaves or Celta Vigo in the final in May, seeking a third successive Cup triumph under coach Luis Enrique. "We had to suffer, so did our supporters, perhaps we didn't deserve to go through on this display but given what we've done in the Cup I think we're worthy finalists," the Barca coach said. Atletico had not won at the Nou Camp in any competition since 2006 and had to take the initiative if they were to stand any chance of going through. They started the second leg as they had ended the first, putting Barca under intense pressure. After a few forays into the hosts' area came to nothing, Carrasco cut inside and crashed a shot down Jasper Cillessen's throat which the Dutchman punched clear, while the goalkeeper later held a stinging header from Diego Godin.
Barca struggled to maintain possession and a Suarez shot into the side netting had been their only dangerous moment until Messi skipped clear on the break. He held off four players and fired at Miguel Angel Moya, with Suarez pouncing on the rebound after the goalkeeper could only parry the shot. Atletico looked beaten at the start of the second half but showed grit and determination to get back into the game, even after Griezmann had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside and Carrasco was sent off. "Barca were only better than us in goals scored, although that's what counts the most in football," Atletico coach Diego Simeone told reporters. "I leave here with a sensation of pride. We played the tie with passion which is what you should always do."
Lee Chong Wei
KUALA LUMPUR, FEBRUARY 8 (IANS): Superstar shuttler Lee Chong Wei is said to be considering quitting the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) because of a frosty relationship with technical director Morten Frost of
Denmark, local media reported on Wednesday. The tension between the two has been long-standing, and the last straw that broke the camel's back was a knee injury that Lee suffered on Saturday when he slipped and fell at the new-
ly-opened Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara, Xinhua news agency reported citing The Star. "This injury could have been avoided," Lee said. "I told my coach Hendrawan about the slippery condition after Chong Yee Han fell last week. I wasn't comfortable playing on it and so did the other players." Lee added that he had told Hendrawan to inform Frost and BAM general manager Lawrence Chew about the slippery mat at the new court, but nothing was done. The 34-year-old tore the medial collateral ligament on his left knee and will miss the All England Championship slated from
March 7 to 12. According to the report from The Star, the World No.1 was angry about Frost after the unexpected injury. "I've lost my patience with Morten. This injury is the last straw," said Lee. "What's even more hurtful was the way Morten handled my injury. Instead of asking about my condition, he asked my coach (Hendrawan) whether I would retire ... why? "Doesn't he want me to play on? I'm hurt." In addition, the report said the unhappiness between the duo was unveiled during the build-up to the Rio Olympic Games when Frost stopped the junior players from sparring
with Lee. The three-time Olympic runner-up questioned the rationale behind the Dane's decision to divide the men's singles players into two groups. "Morten does not want me to spar with the juniors ... why? When I was a junior, I sparred with my seniors. He did this even before the Olympic Games," said Lee. "And why break the team into two? Won't the juniors benefit by sparring with the seniors? "Now, I've lost my patience and I'm angry ... if there's no solution, I'll quit BAM." On his part, Frost said "It's best that I don't comment" when he was contacted.
Triple ton not enough for Nair, Rahane to return CHENNAI, FEBRUARY 8 (REUTERS): Karun Nair's triple century in his previous test was not enough to secure his place in the India team for their one-off test against Bangladesh beginning at Hyderabad on Thursday. Replacing an injured Ajinkya Rahane, Nair smashed 303 not out in India's last test match in Chennai to help secure the team's 4-0 series victory against England in December. With Rahane having recovered from the finger injury that kept him out of the last two tests against England, Nair will now have to wait at least until the home series against Australia to play his fourth test. "I feel one game does not overshadow two years
Fifth Test cricket match - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Karun Nair celebrates his triple century. (Reuters Photo)
of hard work from another player," India captain Virat Kohli said on Wednesday. "You need to understand what Jinks (Rahane) has done for the team over the past two years. He averages almost 50 in this format and is probably the
most solid batsman in the team in the test format. We look at him from that point of view certainly. "Karun was stepping into his shoes and what he did was remarkable... but you can't overlook two years of hard work from
Ajinkya. He deserved to walk back into the team whenever he got fit." Currently the top test team with a formidable home record, India are overwhelming favourites in the one-off match against a side eight rungs lower in the official rankings. Bangladesh are particularly handicapped by their limited test exposure and the team managed to lose a test match in Wellington last month despite scoring almost 600 in their first innings. It was yet another instance of their batting inconsistency but Kohli refused to be complacent. "It's an equal battle, you can't discount Bangladesh batting," said the 28-year-old. "They did really well
in New Zealand ... Scoring more than 350 runs in one day was phenomenal and going at four-and-half throughout the day was something very special. "We can't take any aspect of their team lightly. We need to play the same way that we played against any other team in the world. Bangladesh do have many quality players." Bangladesh enjoyed an unbeaten run in six bilateral ODI series at home until England ended it last year. With more test exposure, they can replicate their limited-overs success in the longest format, said Kohli. "They have the skill, it's just that they don't play that many test matches to gain confidence as a squad."
Harden's double-double powers Rockets over Magic
WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 8 (AFP): James Harden scored 25 points and passed off 12 assists to spark the Houston Rockets over visiting Orlando 128104 in one of only three NBA games played on Tuesday. Harden, who ranks third in NBA scoring with 28.9 points a game and first in assists with 11.4 per contest, achieved his 43rd double double of the season as the Rockets cracked 100 points for the 41st consecutive game, third-longest run in NBA history. Houston's Trevor Ariza scored 20 points, 14 of them in the first quarter, and Eric Gordon finished with 18 off the bench while Patrick Beverley added 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists as six Rockets scored in double figures. Forward Serge Ibaka scored a game-high 28 points and guard Evan
Houston Rockets guard James Harden drives with the ball against the Orlando Magic during first half of NBA game action at Toyota Center Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, in Houston. (Houston Chronicle Photo)
Fournier added 21 for the The Rockets improved Magic while Orlando cen- to 38-17, third in the Westter Nikola Vucevic had 14 ern Conference and fourth points and 19 rebounds. overall in the NBA, while
Orlando fell to 20-34, 13th in the Eastern Conference and five games out of the last playoff berth. Portland's C.J. McCollum scored the last of his game-high 32 points on a last-second jumper to give the Trail Blazers a 114-113 victory at Dallas. McCollum scored Portland's last seven points to secure the victory. Dallas star Dirk Nowitzki sank a 3-pointer to put the Mavericks ahead 108-107 but McCollum answered with a jumper to put Portland back in front. Devin Harris answered with a basket but a threepoint play by McCollum with 12 seconds remaining put the Trail Blazers ahead 112-110. Nowitzki followed with another 3-pointer to lift Dallas in front only to have McCollum swipe the victory with his last-second heroics.
Portland's Damian Lillard added 29 points while Harrison Barnes led Dallas with 26, Nowitzki added 25 and Wesley Matthews contributed 23. US guard Kemba Walker, Italian swingman Marco Belinelli and French forward Nicolas Batum scored 17 points each as the Charlotte Hornets snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 111107 victory over the visiting Brooklyn Nets. The Hornets took advantage of the NBA's worst team, delivering the Nets a 10th consecutive loss. Charlotte, which lost 12 of the past 15 games, seized a 17-point halftime lead and never trailed from there, but shut down a Brooklyn rally that got he Nets within two points in the final minute before four Belinelli free throws in the last 15 seconds sealed the victory.
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