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tuesDAY • JAnuArY 10 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 08 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
o F
Our life is composed greatly from dreams, from the unconscious, and they must be brought into connection with action
In the search for new ideas, city-state Singapore eases obsession with grades
— Anais Nin
Cavs hold off Suns, Warriors rebound from loss
Youth are agents of change in modern society: Y Patton
PAGe 09
T R u T H
PAGE 02
PAGE 12
Bandhs prevent nominations to UlB election Morung Express News Dimapur/Mokokchung/Kohima | January 9
With bandhs imposed by respective tribal hohos as a stricture against the extension of date for filing of nominations in Mokokchung, Tuensang, Kohima, Medziphema and Changtongya municipal and town councils, there was no fresh nomination filed on Monday, the last day of the extended deadline afforded by the State Election Commission. In Mon town, though there was no bandh, the Chi and Mon landowners, who are protesting against the non-implementation of a 1964 agreement inked between the Anghs of the two villages and the State Government have been boycotting the election process since day one. No candidates could file nomination with volunteers keeping vigil outside the DC’s office. With nil nominations on Monday, the total number of candidates to contest for the ULB election remained at 567 including 174 women from 27 municipal and town election councils. Out of these, there are 277 candidates from the NPF, 180 Independent, 79 BJP and 31 Congress. In Mokokchung town, the total bandh by the Ao Senden passed peacefully with no report of any untoward incident. The 8 am- 3 pm bandh was imposed “in protest against the state government’s extension of dateline for filing of nominations to the Nagaland Municipal and Town Councils elections.” Several hundreds of Ao Senden volunteers assembled at the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Mokokchung to register their protest. Meanwhile, no intending candidate (s) came forward to file their nomination papers to contest in the elections to the Mokokchung Municipal Council. In Changtongya subdivision, although there was no bandh in place, volunteers made sure that no candidate came near to the office of the ADC to file nominations. Owing to this, an attempt was reportedly made by the aspiring candidates of Changtongya town council to have their nominations filed in the office of ADC,
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Tuli subdivision. Minister for National Highway, Nuklotoshi and his entourage, reportedly escorted the candidates to Tuli. ADC Tuli when contacted said the attempt to file nominations in Tuli, which was opted as an alternative due to obstruction in Changtongya was met with stiff opposition by the landowners and therefore nomination could not be filed. On the report that candidates from Mokokchung had also reached Tuli, purportedly to file their nominations, the ADC said he had heard the report, however, did not meet them. The ADC also said he was not informed of any arrangement being made for Mokokchung candidates to file nomination in Tuli. The Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS) and Tuensang Village Citizens Union (TVCU) bandh in Tuensang town, which had came into force since Sunday, continued till 6pm on Monday. Despite 47 nomination forms collected from the DC’s office, no candidates dared to file their nomination papers as CKS volunteers kept tight vigil of the DC’s office. In Kohima, thousands of Angami Public Organization (APO) volunteers spearheaded by the Angami Youth Organization (AYO) poured out into the streets from TCP Gate to North PS junction including D Block area. Normal life was crippled as the public preferred to remain indoors and business establishment downed their shutters. Meanwhile, a military surveillance drone flying overhead was destroyed by the volunteers from TCP gate. The damaged drone was retrieved by the Assam Rifles later, a police soucre informed. The ADC & Returning Officer, KMC Lothrongla Tongpi said nil nomination was recorded till 3pm on January 9, the extended date for filing nomination. In Medziphema, volunteers secured the perimeters leading to office of the ADC and also kept vigil along the National Highway.
CBSE postpones board exams to March 9
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New Delhi, JaNuary 9 (iaNS): The Board exams for the students of class 10 and 12 have been postponed by a week, due to the elections in five states, and will now start from March 9, Central Board of Secondary Exams (CBSE) announced on Monday. The exams were earlier scheduled to commence from March 1 and the decision was taken keeping in mind the upcoming assembly elections in five states, during which many teachers will remain occupied with the election duty. “The board has given careful consideration to the situation before postponing the exams by a week which will now allow the students to get more time for the preparation and ensure uninterrupted sequence of examinations,” CBSE said in a statement. The exams for class 10 will be held between March 9 and April 10, while for class 12 they will take place between March 9 and April 29.
Dimapur, JaNuary 9 (mexN): The Ao Senden on Monday served a quit notice to Minister for National Highways, Nuklotoshi from Ao territory with immediate effect. According to a declaration, the Ao Senden said the initiative and action of Nuklotoshi towards Ao community was beyond “tolerance and unacceptable.” The apex civil body of the Ao community however did not specify in particular the action (s) of the Minister that warranted his exclusion from the Ao territory. The Senden also cautioned that it will not take any responsibility if any untoward incidences or incident occur to Nuklotoshi or his parties during and after “this notification.” The debarment from entering Ao territory will remain until the Minister CKS and TVCU volunteers keeping vigil outside the DC’s office Tuensang to prevent can- “acknowledge his misdeed and tender unconditional didates from filing nominations on Monday apology” to the Ao Senden, the resolution stated.
Women reservation can be settled within our own community: APO Our Correspondent Kohima | January 9
“Women reservation can be settled within our own community, and in our own kitchen. It is not necessary to go to the Supreme Court,” Dr. Vilhousa Seleyi, president, Angami Public Organisation said on Monday during the closing of the bandh by the Angami Public Organisation in Kohima. The bandh protesting against the recently amended Nagaland Municipal Act, which included the 33 percent reservation for women, has been wrongly interpreted as being discriminatory towards women, Dr. Seleyi claimed. With the Indian Government’s policy of implementing ‘One Nation, One Law and One Tax’, Dr. Sewas of the view that such poliSumi Hoho urges leyi cies are dangerous for the survival candidates to withdraw of indigenous communities such ULB nominations as the Nagas. on page 5 Therefore, the Municipal Act
infringes on the Article 371A which provides full authority to the Nagas to decide for themselves, for their welfare. “If we protect the power of 371 A, no law of India can come and disturb us,” Dr. Seleyi observed. Just as women are prepared to help the menfolk, Dr. Seleyi sought to reassure that the menfolk are also prepared to support the women and said, “If anybody is there, thinking themselves to be deprived of something, I think they should come up to the people, and also to the Government of Nagaland. In that way, any kind of issue can be addressed amicably.” Prior to launching the agitation, most tribes were prepared ‘but money speaks and everywhere people could not overrule or overcome the money power’, Dr Seleyi alleged. Meanwhile, the APO in a message to the Nagaland Chief Minister said it remains committed to their earlier position on the munic-
ipal and town council election and women reservation. “Our position remain unchanged. We stand as such in the true spirit of Naga welfare and interest. We concur that the government is merely interested in implementing its agenda defying and denying the democratic voice of her people. It is unfortunate, deeply hurtful,” the APO said.
‘To be a progressive society, provide space to women through reservation’ Holding a different opinion, Mezivolu T. Therieh, NJS, who is currently the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kohima & Secretary, KDLSA viewed that the 33 percent reservation for women does not in any way impinge upon the Article 371A as per the Single Bench Judgment and order (JAWCR) as mentioned under the Para 28 of the Judgment. “Therefore not holding municipal elections with 33 percent reser-
vation for women is discriminatory and in fact impinges upon the rights of the women,” Therieh maintained. Debunking the illusion of equality in Naga society, Therieh pointed out that reservation for women has been granted by the Constitution of India under Art 243 T (30) because “the society limits women.” Despite 50 years of Statehood, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly does not have a single women representation till date, which Therieh terms as ‘massive political injustice taking place in the State’. Therefore, unless women are provided with some kind of space such as reservations, which can push them forward, where they have to apply, an equal and progressive Naga society might take another 50 years “If we are to look at a progressive society, then definitely women should be given some space through reservation. Traditions, customs do change with time,” opined Therieh.
Withdraw nominations before Jan 12: CPO feline express: nagaland
Dimapur, JaNuary 9 (mexN): The Chakhesang Public Organisation has directed all the candidates within its jurisdiction who have filled nomination to the Municipal/Town Council election to withdraw their nomination papers on or before January 12, 2017. The decision for the same was taken at its 35th Executive Council Meeting held in Yoruba Village on January 9 where the house “unanimously” re-affirmed Thanks to the bandh, our traf- a resolution adopted in its fic problems have improved a lot. Accha, can the bandh stay after all this is over?
Nuklotoshi served with quit notice by Ao Senden
emergency general meeting on January 3, said the CPO in a press statement issued by its President Kekhwengulo Lea and General Secretary Mutsivoy Kotsoi. “In the event of their non compliance with the said directions the defaulters shall be ex-communicated as adopted at Pfutsero for a period of seven years as per the Chakhesang Customary Law as deem fit,” it added. The CPO further directed respective village
council chairman, colony chairman and GB’s to coordinate with the CYF to ensure the withdrawal of nominations by and complete the process on or before the stipulated time. The House further appealed that the State Government to review its decision and defer the election. It also appealed the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation to “consider the repeated appeals” made to them by various Tribal Organisations to
withdraw the Special Leave Petition filed before the Supreme Court in the “greater interest of the Naga people.” The CPO further applauded the steadfastness of APO, Ao Senden and other Tribal Hohos on Urban Local Bodies election issue and extended its solidarity to work together till the “demand is fulfilled.” Call for consultative meeting with the Naga Tribal Hohos in Nagaland at the earliest, CPO appealed the State Government.
indo-Myanmar border fencing opposed on both sides of border Morung Express News Dimapur | January 9
Opposition to the border fencing work at the Indo-Myanmar international boundary grew today as Naga civil society organizations based in Myanmar objected to the ongoing fencing project as “direct violation against the rights of the indigenous people.” The protest comes days after several organisations based in Nagaland also conveyed their strong resentment to fencing project arguing that it was an attempt to divide the Nagas living on either side of border. Nagaland Political Groups (NPGs) have also their expressed similar sentiment. A ‘Statement of Objection’ against the fencing project undertaking along the Indo-Burma borderland, specifically in Naga Territories was issued today by 9 Naga civil society organizations based in Myanmar “The Naga Nationals (Myanmar) outrageously oppose the fencing project undertaking by two governments of Myanmar and India along the Indo-Burma borderland, specifically in the homeland of the Naga nationals,” it said. Stating that the Naga Nationals have been divided and put under two different administrations “without any consent” of both sides during the 1950s
by the two governments – India and Myanmar, it expressed grave apprehension over the project. “We perceive the currently undertaking fencing project in the Naga territories by the concern authorities as an act of insult against all Nagas on earth and direct violation against the rights of the indigenous people,” it said. In this connection, the organisations strongly demanded to immediate stoppage of “all the ongoing fencing activities” along the Indo-Burma borderland (specifically in Naga territories) saying it would “escalate military tensions between the governments and the Naga armed groups effecting regional peace.” The joint statement was issued by Council of Naga Affairs; Naga Student and Youth’s Federation-Yangon) (NSYF-Y); SHANAH; Naga Community Resource Center (NCRC); Makury Naga Youth Federation (MNYF); Eastern Naga Students’ Association (ENSA); Naga Social Relief Team (NSRT); Tangshang Naga Literature Committee (TNLC); and Naga Baptist Convention (NBC). Meanwhile, the NSCN (R) also derided the “proposed imaginary international boundary” fencing between India and Myanmar stating that it would “infringe Naga people inhabiting across artificial boundaries.”
“The move of the two countries to construct the fencing dividing the Naga family is another ploy to further divide the Naga which is highly ‘questionable and unacceptable,” asserted MIP NSCN (R) in press statement. The Naga people settled down in the location thousands year ago before India and Myanmar government came into being and artificial boundary has been fenced by India and Myanmar without consulting the Naga peoples, it added. The NSCN (R) further appealed both side of the Nagas to stand up against “devilish plan” of the two countries. According to Ministry of Home Affairs, India and Myanmar shares an unfenced border of 1643 Km adjoining the North-Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398km) and Mizoram (510 km). A similar project to fence area between boundary pillars (BP) No.79 to 81 at Moreh, Manipur along IndoMyanmar border covering approximately 10km was “suspended for the time being” after completing 4.00 km fencing work on protest from locals, NGO, political parties and Government of Manipur alleging that “fencing is being done deep inside Indian Territory.”
receives two Bengal tigers
One of the two tigers that reached Dimapur on January 9 as a part of exchange between Thiruvananthapuram Zoo Zoo, Kerala and Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar Dimapur.
Morung Express News
least two weeks for them to “acclimatise” with the Nagaland weather condition. Dimapur | January 9 “The enclosure has been put under After traversing for nearly four days, Na- round the clock surveillance to avoid any galand today received two Royal Bengal accidents, Aier said. Feline lovers can visit them after 15 Tigers - namely Karthika (Female) and Manikantan (Male) – with much fanfare days, he added. In exchange for the feline visitors, the Nagaland Zoological Park will and curiosity. The two tigers travelled by Kanyaku- be sending two healthy Black Asiatic Bears mari - Dibrugarh Vivek Express, which - namely Kohima (Male) and Dimapur (Fecover a distance of approximately 3880 Ki- male) to the Thiruvananthanpuram Zoo. The Director further informed that anlometers between Thiruvananthanpuram and Dimapur Train Station according to other two White Tigers are expected to arrive in the NZP after few months. the Indian Railways route schedule. According to a Curious onTimes of India relookers thronged • Visitors can see the port, the two big cats both the station Tigers after 15 days were ensconced in upon their departheir special coachture and arrival. • Two White Tigers es and probably the According to expected in few months first wild animals the Director of Naever to travel on an galand Zoological Park, Sentichuba Aier the two new mem- Indian train on a confirmed ticket. The Southern Railway officials have bers joined the park after “persistent efensured that the `historic’ journey goes off fort” for the last two years. The Tigers safely reached Nagaland ac- well, providing them with amenities even companied by 10 staffs from Thiruvana- better than what regular passengers and nthanpuram Zoo, he said in a statement. veterinarians travelling with the animals The Tigers are healthy and have un- got in AC coaches, it added. “Train is also more comfortable for the dergone all protocol requirements before animals. It is a safer and quicker mode of reaching here, he added. Presently under close observation, transport,” a railway official told the nathey will be kept under quarantine for at tional daily.