January 19th, 2015

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The Morung Express

Dimapur Vol. X issuE 17

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“

Accept money from BJP, Congress but vote for AAP: Arvind Kejriwal

The brighter you are, the more you have to learn Britney Spears’ ex-boyfriend killed

”

Monday, January 19, 2015 12 pages Rs. 4 – Don Herold

Nagaland launches Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization [ PAGE 2]

Record 6 million turn out for Pope in Manila

[ PAGE 11]

[ PAGE 9]

[ PAGE 8]

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ThE TRAffIC JAMS

World Record Villiers blasts 31ball 100 [ PAGE 12]

Eastern Nagaland: No Tax on teaching community Easing Traffic woes: where lies the solution? zone No Nation can imkong Walling

be built without imparting good education today

Dimapur | January 18

While many cities successfully manage to streamline smooth and organized vehicular movement, there are many where traffic snarls have become an affliction. In this aspect, Kohima and Dimapur top the list for Nagaland.

Nagaland’s two major urban townships, Dimapur and Kohima, put together, are said to possess more than two-thirds of the total number of vehicles in Nagaland. According to data maintained by the Transport department, almost 40 percent of the vehicles registered in Nagaland are in Dimapur, with Kohima not far behind at around 30 percent. Mokokchung is catching up with around 20 percent.

The State has witnessed exponential growth in vehicle population in the past two decades with no corresponding and visible expansion in the width of roads, resulting in congested roads. The existing carriageway or width of urban roads in Nagaland ranges from 3 to 5.5 metres, statistics state. According to the standard followed in India, the desirable width of roads is 3.75m for single lane, while it is 5.5m for intermediate lane. It is 7m for two lanes without raised kerb and 7.5m for two lanes with raised kerb.

Increase in vehicle population, flouting of traffic rules, like random parking of vehicles on busy streets, compounded by vendors setting up shop by roadsides, has further decreased the available space for vehicular movement.

Probable remedies to the traf-

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

completed in three months, he said.

In comparison, he said that the existing flyover spanning 775 metres took a decade to complete.

Road etiquette is another major factor that needs to be inculcated.

“We refuse to obey rules,” he said, while adding that “the departments in concern should seriously enlighten the public, vehicle owners in particular, on the importance of road rules.”

“Changing attitude” and popularising bicycles for travelling short distances would ease congestion, feels Dr. PS Lorin, principal of Tetso College. “We cannot expand the roads now because the town is not planned.”

Introducing public transport (buses) and reducing dependence on autorickshaws would, to some extent, remedy the problem, Dr. Lo-

rin said, while adding that a bus can carry 30-40 people. While there is an existing restriction on issuing fresh permits to autorickshaws to ply, still, many find their way to the road.

According to A. Chenithung Lotha, Secretary, Development Authority of Nagaland, remedying the problem will not come at a “snap of the fingers.” As a person associated with urban planning, Lotha said that there are various “thresholds” or barriers coming in the way of expansion, which needs to be dealt “through professional intervention.”

Effective implementation of road rules together with healthy civic discernment is one of the many facets that set apart a well-managed urban settlement from an ill-managed one.

Until such professional interventions, its traffic jams all the way!

rio provided a stable and sustainable govt: imchen

Dimapur, January 18 (mExn): Spokesperson for Noke led Naga People’s Front Legislature Party, Imkong L Imchen, has stated today that Neiphiu Rio has provided a “stable and sustainable” government to the people of Nagaland from 2003 till 2013. It was under his leadership, he said, that the people of Nagaland have “accepted the NPF party as a dependable and trustworthy political party in the state.” Rio, stated Imchen, has “delivered My, my .. Think of the money all round developmenting that Rio’s decision to start we`d save if we had a car! another political inning as Member of Lok Sabha was well endorsed by the NPF Party as well as DAN partAll press statements, ners and the people of Namemorandums, arti- galand, Imchen maintained cles, reports and news in a press release today that related documents as a result of his election to the Lok Sabha, a leadershould be sent to the ship issue had cropped up official email address: requiring change of guard, morung@gmail.com which was amicably setPress releases will be tled in favour of TR Zeliang accepted only till 8:00 pm because of Neiphiu Rio’s “personal intervention.”

Editor, Imchen found it “painful The Morung Express and condemnable” to observe that Dr. Shurhozelie and TR Zeliang are “makThe Morung Express ing personalized attacks Neiphiu Rio due to their Poll QuEsTion on sheer frustration, which is Vote on www.morungexpress.com unacceptable to the people sMs your answer to 9862574165 of Nagaland.”

Imchen alleged that Are Nagas committed under the leadership of Dr. and prepared to Shurhozelie as President of overcome family NPF and TR Zeliang as the and tribal relations in the fight against Chief Minister, party MLAs corruption? were discriminated against “despite several advises rendered to them against such ill-motivated designs.”

Yes no others “A large section of the Is political interest party legislature and rank affecting good governance in and file of the party have Nagaland? suggested for initiating genYes uine reconciliation so as to 51% safeguard the conscience 23% no and unity of the party which 26% others were flatly rejected under Details on page 7 these two persons’ leader-

Public Information

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narrow roads, many cars: one of the major intersections of Dimapur on a normal day. (Morung File Photo)

fic woes have hogged the limelight time and again with rarely a solution in sight. Overhead flyovers in Dimapur and ‘ring road’ for Kohima are the commonly heard refrain.

While these multi-crore proposals seem far-fetched in a cashcrunched State like Nagaland, “looking for cost effective and realistic alternatives” will greatly ease traffic congestion in Dimapur, feels Savi Liegise, former president of the Naga Council Dimapur. Building a route parallel to Nyamo Lotha Road using the open drain leading from Popular Bakery to Friends Talkies at MST Road was and is a viable alternative, Liegise maintains. In this regard, the NCD had put up a proposal to the government in 2010. If put into action, the project would have cost not more than Rs. 3 Crore and could be

New CEC apprised of NPF’s ‘internal issue’

Morung Express news

Retired Chief Secretary, and advisor to the Noke Wangnao-led NPF, Alemtemshi Jamir, and former Nagaland Home Minister, Thenucho, met the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Hari Shankar Brahma in Delhi to apprise him of the current political imbroglio among NPF legislators over the chief ministerial chair.

The duo called on the CEC and his legal advisor Friday. When contacted, Jamir, who is still in Delhi affirmed of the meeting.

He however refused to divulge any details about the meeting. “It was a courtesy call. We apprised him of the situation in our State, but I cannot divulge what he said as of now,” said Jamir.

The retired bureaucrat informed that in his opinion, normally the Election Commission would be compelled to hear from both the contending parties in order to decide which leader has the clear majority of elected members in support of them.

He also reiterated that the current imbroglio was basically an internal issue among the NPF led party members and therefore has to be decided among its members.

When queried about the demand for a ‘voting of strength’ in the Assembly by the Dr. Shurhozelie led NPF, Jamir maintained that since the issue was an internal one it was therefore not eligible - ‘until and unless the party splits and the two groups are recognised as two different parties.’

ship,” accused Imchen.

He further informed that G. Kaito Aye, as leader of the majority of NPF Legislators and party rank and file, had discussed about the prevalence of internal democracy and change of leadership with Dr. Shurhozelie several times. The latter, according to Imchen, had assured Kaityo Aye and others that he would allow inner democracy to prevail and would respect the majority view of the legislators. However, Dr. Shurhozelie “has started committing massive violation of party constitution by suspending several NPF MLAs from the membership of the party. It is a fact that the MLAs were elected by the people but not by Dr. Shurhozelie alone,” said Imchen. “As a democrat,” Imchen expected TR Zeliang to

have “honourably” stepped down from his support “after having lost the majority support and confidence of the party MLAs.” While this has not happened, Imchen stated that “It seems TR Zeliang and Dr. Shurhozelie are drunk with power and have lost all their moral senses and are exhibiting disrespect to the people of the state and also of established democratic norms.”

Under the given circumstances, the spokesperson reaffirmed that the “majority of the NPF Legislators along with DAN partners have no option but to stand steadfast against the leadership of Dr. Shurhozelie and TR Zeliang for their acts of massive omission and commission.”

Questions minority CM on page 5

Dimapur | January 18

TuEnsang, January 18 (mExn): The apex civil organizations of Eastern Nagaland have declared the districts of Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, and Kiphire as “No tax zone on teaching community” on account of “the poor educational stagnancy and economic condition” of Eastern Nagaland region.

In a press statement, Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) appealed to all the Naga political groups (NPGs) not to misunderstand the concept of freeing the teaching community from paying tax. “It is never a deviation from our political demand and vision. Neither is it a force to restrain or abstain from collecting tax. Rather it is a heralding call to all the NPGs to come forward in building a strong Naga nation by imparting good education today.”

Opining that “No Nation can be built without imparting good education today,” the ENSF appreciated all the NPGs for extending full cooperation to the cause of the Nagas for the past two years (2013-14) with a vision to build a strong nation.

The declaration was made by ENSF, Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and Eastern Nagaland Women’s Organisation (ENWO) along with six tribal apex bodies (KU, USLB, YTC, CKS, PPC and KTC) during the Eastern Frontal Organisations’ meeting held in Longleng on January 12, informed the

statement appended by ENSF president, Shahsha L Menhahu and general secretary, Honang M Jessuhu.

Meanwhile, ENSF maintained, “such initiation not only aims in freeing the burden of taxation upon the teaching community but it should also be accounted that all the teaching community should foster on with its assigned duty sincerely and regularly.”

The declaration also states any teacher (including VEC) will be terminated if they do not perform their duties efficiently. “The initiation does not lie with the Federation alone. Be it over ground or underground, it is a social obligation for all Naga citizens,” ENSF stated, while urging all to join efforts in building a strong Naga nation.

The statement further said that the motive behind the “initiation” is to “rebuild for our educational future that stagnant us today.” Stating that one should not misunderstand or consider such move as an offence step against “our” political goal, i.e., “sovereignty”, ENSF affirmed that “the quest/blood for sovereignty shall not be shaken as long as we uphold truth and walk in the light. We are Nagas and we shall all fight for our future.” It was noted that prior to 2012, both ENSF and NSF had visited and apprised all the NPGs with regard to not collecting tax from the teaching community. The second round of meeting with all the NPGs was initiated in the year 2013.

The Federation, as resolved and declared during the joint NSF-ENSF Presidential meet on May 1, 2013, further urged all the NPGs and individuals not to create “unwanted situation or harass/ threaten any individual/ teachers/ leaders on this matter.”

Crisis is not merely an internal problem

It concerns the fate of the Chief Minister of the DAN alliance: Yitachu Morung Express news Dimapur | January 18

Spokesperson of the Dr. Shurhozelie-led Naga People’s Front (NPF), Yitachu, on Sunday said the ongoing political crisis in the State cannot be termed as merely an internal problem of the NPF party but is ultimately concerned with the fate of the chief minister of the DAN alliance.

“The issue is no longer an NPF internal problem but the issue of chief minister of the DAN alliance, whether he (TR Zeliang) has lost the support of the majority of 60 MLAs in the assembly and being reduced to a minority,” the NPF spokesperson said.

Yitachu who returned from Delhi today along with chief minister TR Zeliang, NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie and working president, Apok Pongener, said the floor of the assembly, not even the Raj Bhavan, is the only place to prove whether Zeliang enjoys the support of majority of the house or not.

Stating that the ball in now in the court of the Governor, Yitachu said it is ‘obligatory and mandatory’ on the part of the Governor to fulfill the constitutional obligations by calling for a test of strength in the assembly.

‘ECI will never flout its rules’ Kohima, January 18 (mExn): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) led by Dr Shurhozielie Liezetsu has stated today that right from the day of its inception till date, as the ‘oldest regional political party of the North East India,’ NPF has maintained all its records with the Election Commission of India (ECI), and the party is “confident” that the ECI will “never flout its own laid down rules and never stoop to any cheap, misleading practices that could be indulged into by any of the over 700 Political Parties registered and recognized by the ECI.” Reminiscing the history of the NPF, a press release from NPF Press Bureau in Kohima stated that the ‘Cock party is no ordinary party.’ It was first registered with the ECI as the ‘Democratic Party of Nagaland’ with the chosen ‘Cock’ symbol to contest General Elections in 1964.

The party resolved to work on “constitutional line for the rights of the people” and to “strive to set up a pattern of administration best suited to the tribes so as to pave the way for permanent internal peace and lasting good relation with the Government of India.” The ‘Democratic Party of Nagaland’ is today’s NPF, it informed; the party that Dr. Shurhozielie Liezetsu heads as its President with its headquarters at Kohima.

“The trust and support of our people that the party enjoys today is because of our principle, ideology, our approach and commitment of selfless sacrifices for the cause of the people,”

“If he (Zeliang) loses the support of the majority in the house, then he resigns but if he wins, then he should continue as the chief minister,” Yitachu argued.

The NPF spokesperson said the present crisis can be grouped into two stages. He said the first

stated the NPF Press Bureau. It reiterated that “we want to see a political settlement during our time and therefore, the NPF led DAN partners, including the opposition Congress of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly have declared our full support to the ongoing peace process. We have also declared that we will vacate our chairs and pave the way for any alternative arrangement to come and stay any time an acceptable and honorable solution is arrived at. We assure that the NPF stands faithful to the people.”

Despite these facts, the Shurhozeilie led NPF maintained that it is “unfortunate and painful” that “some of the party’s own Legislators and Parliamentarians who were elected (with the Cock symbol) by the people with all expectations, are blinded by personal greed and their vested interests, forgetting their commitments to serve the people and work towards meeting their needs and desires.”

The Party remembered and felt that “for the leaders (Noke Wangnao, G. Kaito Aye and group) who have drifted away from the mainstream NPF, and who are indulging in misleading acts and waging paper war against the very authentic and legal leadership of the NPF party and the Chief Minister with ulterior motives is regrettable. For the sake of our people who have voted and given us the mandate and for our posterity, even at this juncture, we wish that good sense prevail upon them,” it stated.

stage was electing a leader within the NPF legislature party after Rio vacated the chief minister’s seat and left for Delhi. In the first stage, TR Zeliang was able to muster majority of the NPF legislators and was elected as leader to lead the party, Yitachu said.

The NPF spokesperson said the second, or present, stage is for the Governor to fulfill his constitutional obligations by heeding to the voice of the cabinet and call for a special assembly session for a “confidence motion.”

Zeliang govt is not a minority government on page 5

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Nagaland launches Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization

Kohima, January 18 (mExn): Nagaland state today launched the first round of Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) along with the rest of the country. In Kohima, Sentiyanger Imchen (IAS), Commissioner & Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, administered the first polio drops in the premises of the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK).

Welcoming the officials and parents gathered at NHAK, Dr. I. Chubatoshi, State Programme Officer (UIP), Health & Family Welfare, stated that IPPI has been a regular activity with a goal to eradicate polio in the country. He stated the country would be completely polio free if people maintained and sustained their level of dedication and support.

Mobile Polio teams on IPPI would be visiting Transit Points, especially bus, railway stations and taxi stands all over the State for the next two days.

The first round of IPPI campaign will commence with the house to house visitation from January 19 to 20, informed a press release issued by IEC Bureau, Di-

House to House vIsItatIoN oN JaNuary 19 aNd 20

Sentiyanger Imchen, Commissioner & Secretary (H & FW) administering the first polio drops in the State capital Kohima on January 18.

A health worker administers polio drops to a child on Sunday, January 18 in Dimapur. (Photo by Caisii Mao)

rectorate of Health Family Welfare, Nagaland.

Tuensang: The Tuensang District Health Society also conducted the first round of IPPI in the district on January 18. The Health department has mobilised 920 vaccinators and supervisors and 276 booths in all the eight blocks of the district and Tuensang

the chief guest; he administered the first polio drops in the presence of Dr. N. Bendang Jamir (CMO), Dr. Kongyan (Dy. CMO) and all the programme officers, nurses and staffs of Medical Department. Altogether, 70 booths were set up across the district manned by 280 vaccinators to cover the target of 7083 children in the

town to cover over 27,522 estimated children below 5 years, according to a press release from Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Tuensang, Dr. T Pangjung Sangtam.

The release informed that intensive house to house coverage will be carried out on January 19 and 20 to immunise missed out children in all the blocks of the

district.

Longleng: The first round of Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization for 2015 was also conducted in Longleng district on January 18.

A press release from Media Officer, District Health Society, Longleng, Asangla Imchen informed that Nikashe Sema, Deputy Commissioner, Longleng was

Liquor seized; three arrested C M Y K

Men adorned in traditional attire perform during the 25th anniversary of Jakhama Village Day on January 16. (Morung Photo)

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AKG and Yamaha Brand Ambassador Nise Meruno received the prestigious Jugal Kishore Chowdhury National Award 2015 initiated by Dalmia cement in Guwahati on Saturday evening. The award included a cheque, certificate, memento along with gift hampers. Nise’s certificate stated, "In appreciation and recognition of his immense creativity and talent. He has been a true and vibrant ambassador of music and his brilliant performances have placed the North-East and the country as a whole on the music map of the world." Seen here is Nise with his father, family members and Thunglamo from Zowe Madrigal (right).

Kohima, January 18 (mExn): The District Intelligence Branch (DIB) of DEF Kohima today, around 1:30 am, seized IMFL from two vehicles intercepted at Peducha (Wokha road) in Kohima district and arrested three persons ferrying the liquor.

A press release from Atu Zumvü, Sub–Divisional Police Officer & PRO, Kohima informed that a total of 1320 bottles of IMFL consisting 768 bottles of MC Rum (64 cases), 480 bottles of Kingfisher beer (20 cases) and 72 bottles of foster beer (3 cases) were seized from the possession of Kato Sema (31), A. Bari (31), and Aboli Zhimo (40).

The two vehicles intercepted were Scorpio bearing registration number NL-01/8347 and one Tata Sumo bearing registration number AS11-E-6591, the release said. On the strength of suo-motu, an FIR has been lodged at Sechü (Zubza) Police Station, and a regular case vide Sechü (Z) P.S case No. 0004/2015 U/S 44 NLTP Act has been registered against the accused, who are remanded into judicial custody, the release added.

age group of 0-5 years.

Dimapur: The Dimapur District IPPI Polio Sunday 2015 was launched at District Hospital Dimapur on January 18 by Wezope Kenye, Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur. The DC also administered the first polio drops to a new born baby at the Hospital. A press release informed that 517

polio booths were set up in Dimapur district to give coverage to a target population of 53,168 children.

Peren: In Peren, the first round of IPPI was conducted at District Hospital with Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Kadambari Bhagat as the chief guest, administering the first polio drops. Dr. Bhagat high-

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lighted the importance of IPPI and requested everyone to extend their full contribution and support in eradicating polio.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Tiala, Deputy CMO, mentioned that India was certified Polio Free on May 24, 2014 by World Health Organization, however, IPPI is continued to be implemented as a precautionary measure as there is chance of transmission from the neighbouring countries like Pakistan, which is the most polio endemic region in the world.

According to a release, 440 volunteers and 21 supervisors in 140 booths are involved in carrying out the first round of IPPI in Peren district. With the motive to reach out to every household, teams were divided; health workers, Police department, Anganwadi worker, ASHA’s of every village were sent out to every part of the district ensuring that no child is missed out, the release said. The target population (0-5 years) for Peren district is 13,294, while booth coverage on January 18 was 6763.

‘Nagaland: A way forward’- Seminar on Jan 21 Kohima, January 18 (mExn): A one day seminar titled “Nagaland: A way forward” under the aegis of HQ IGAR (N) will take place on January 21 at Kenguruse Hall, Kohima.

The idea behind the seminar is to provide an intellectual forum to promote and foster a closer interaction amongst all the stakehold-

ers towards evolving a partnership aimed at seeking “a way forward” for the state, informed a press release.

The seminar, to be inaugurated by Nagaland’s governor PB Acharya, will witness speakers like Banuo Haralu, KN Chishi and Alemtemshi Jamir.

The topics for the seminar include, “Conflict man-

agement- A Precursor to peace and stability,” “Prevailing environmental societal perspective,” “Women perspective towards progress and integration of Pan tribal affiliations in Nagaland and interface with state government,” “Naga youthpillars of change,” “Legal provisions for effective governance in prevailing secu-

rity situation and measures to facilitate development,” “Contours for promoting economic development in Nagaland- its impact in the security situation,” “An integrated approach to peace process in Nagaland.”

The seminar would also entail an open house discussion on the various issues being covered.

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Anakiyimsen Baptist Church celebrates Silver Jubilee moKoKchung, January 18 (DiPr): The Anakiyimsen Baptist Church celebrated its Silver Jubilee from January 16–18 under the theme ‘Liberty through Christ’. The main speakers of the event were Executive Secretary ABAM, Rev. Dr Mar Atsongchanger and Missionary, Cross Road International, Olem Jamir.

MLA & Chairman NBDA & NPCB, Amenba Yaden, who was supposed to be the chief guest, sent his greetings, in which he congratulated the church on its 25 years of existence and called upon the gathering to retrospect on how God has blessed the village.

Thanking God for bringing the people of the village thus far, he conveyed that jubilee is a time for forgiveness and to surge ahead to the future with optimism, dedication, and hard work.

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Executive Secretary ABAM, Rev. Dr Mar Atsongchanger, releasing the Anakiyimsen Baptist Arogo jubilee souvenir.

Executive Secretary ABAM, Rev. Dr Mar Atsongchanger, in his discourses, shared about how the society has changed through the arrival of Dr Clark. He attributed the

progress made by the Nagas, especially the Aos, to the introduction of Christianity by the American missionaries and urged upon all concerned to move forward while keeping “our”

humble origins in mind.

Meanwhile, Missionary Olem Jamir spoke on moving forward with Chirst, duties of the Church towards the society, and walking in the footprints of Christ.

Zisaji Presidency College SASU 65th general prepares for NaaC assessment conference at Kidima

Principal, faculty members, and staff of ZPC with resource person.

Our Correspondent Kiphire | January 18

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The Zisaji Presidency College in Kiphire held a consultation meet on National Assessment Accreditation Council (NAAC) with Assistant Professor AG Samuel, HoD (Political Science) of Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) and steering committee member of the college NAAC, as resource person on January 17.

Dealing on various aspects

of NAAC, Samuel highlighted the role of students in NAAC assessment. To make NAAC assessment or any developmental activities happen in the college, he stated, everyone should know how to work in team, adding, differences of opinion may come up in any organization, but the differences should be for the progress of the institution and one should not take it personally.

Speaking at the introductory session, Dr Anungla Aier, prin-

cipal, Zisaji Presidency College (ZPC) thanked the resource person for sparing his time for ZPC to be prepared for NAAC assessment. She expressed hope that the consultation meet will immensely help the faculty and staffs of ZPC in the assessment.

Proposing vote of thanks, Ketoukhireu, Co-ordinator for NAAC ZPC, requested the resource person to give suggestions and thoughts to ZPC on NAAC assessment even in the days to come.

Kohima, January 18 (mExn): The 65th general conference of the Southern Angami Students’ Union (SASU) will be held from January 23 to 25 at Kidima village under the theme “Adapt, Improvise, Achieve.” Viketol Sakhrie, commissioner & secretary for rural development will be the chief guest while Dr. Vilhousa Seleyi, retired joint director, veterinary and animal husbandry, will be the guest of honour.

Kezhazer Angami, former president, Angami Students’ Union, will be the introductory guest on January 23 at 4:30 pm.

The session guests include; Southern Angami Women Organization, Southern Angami Public Organization, Southern Angami Board of Trustee and Southern Angami Gazetted Officers Krotho.

The inaugural function will take place on January 24. It will be led by Kedovi Zhotso while SASU president Vilboto Hibo will deliver presidential note.

A career guidance seminar will take place on January 24 at 1:00 pm, in which Dr. Vizovol Mekro, Asst. Prof. (Geology) and Dr. Visakhonü Hibo, principal, Japfii Christian College, will speak. Academic session will also be conducted on the same day at 4:30 pm with Dr. K. Sophie, Deputy CMO Kohima, as the speaker.

Rev. Neivotso Neikha, mission director, Outreach NEICRC, will be the speaker of the gospel service scheduled on January 25 at 10:00 am.

Extempore speech, debate competition on “Gender inequality still persist in Naga society,” introduction of SASU new team, SASU night, etc will also mark the occasion.

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The Morung Express

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19 January 2015

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Ignorance leads to TB spreading in Assam's tea gardens Tezpur, January 18 (IanS): Tuberculosis (TB) has become a major problem in Assam's tea gardens, often leading to the death of workers. Experts say ignorance among workers and poor management response are to blame.

The disease affects nearly 40 percent of the tea workers and doctors say the situation is going from bad to worse.

According to R.N. Roy, district TB officer (under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme) in Sonitpur, there has been no significant improvement in the status of TB among the tea garden workers over the years mainly because of "ignorance" and "no management support".

"TB is a big problem (in the tea gardens). But there has been no significant improvement in the situation over the years.

From 2005 until today, the data has been more or less the same.

There has been no control over

the spread of infection because proper preventive measures are not taken," Roy told IANS. Of the 8.6 million cases globally, 2.2 million cases are in India - the country with the world's highest TB burden.

According to Roy, if one looks at the numbers of registered cases in the tea gardens, 30-40 percent of the workers in every tea estate are affected by TB. "But what is even more worrisome is that drug resistant TB is now becoming common. Almost 80 percent of all drug resistant TB cases come from the tea estates," Raoy pointed out.

Although the WHO-recommended Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS) programme, relaunched as the Revised National TB Control Programme, has achieved success, leading to a slight decline in numbers, experts say that HIV co-infection and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) are adding a new di-

mension and keeping the numbers high.

Mintu Phukan, a doctor in one of Sonitpur district's tea estates, told IANS: "TB is a serious health concern and despite being curable, people continue to die because of it."

"Since it is highly contagious it is difficult for family members of a patient to escape it unless they are very careful.

In tea garden workers' colonies, overcrowding and unhygienic living condition aid the spread of the infection, and ignorance further fuels it."

Rajeev Sharma, another doctor, agreed.

"Overcrowding is a major factor for the spread of infection. The workers live in onebedroom houses with big families...since TB is contagious, family members of a patient immediately become vulnerable. Plus the level of awareness is low, so the patient is not isolated," Sharma told IANS.

Phukan said that while most tea garden hospitals are equipped to provide treatment, the management can do more to control the problem.

Another doctor said: "Better housing facilities, proper drainage and better living conditions can go a long way in improving the situation in the tea gardens."

"But not enough is being done. There is pressure on plantation managers to increase productivity and cut costs, and in the bargain, medical expenditure always get the axe first."

Most of the tea garden workers in Assam are adivasis, or tribals, who hail from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal, whose ancestors were brought to work in the plantations by the British more than a century ago.

Hardly anything has changed ever since as far as the lifestyle of those living in the plantations is concerned the estate executives continue

to lead luxurious lives in British-style bungalows, while the workers continue to live in poor conditions in their well demarcated "labour lines" (colonies), where diseases thrive.

A healthy workforce, however, brings better productivity and Roy said TB hits the productive age-group the hardest. Women, especially, are amongst the most vulnerable lot.

According to a study conducted by Unicef, almost 96 percent women workers in tea gardens are anaemic. Malnourishment, also among children, is high - all of which makes them specially vulnerable to infections.

"Half of all TB cases from the gardens are women," Roy said.

Another study concluded that the female reproductive system is very vulnerable to the TB infection, causing infertility, menstrual irregularity, pregnancy loss - and increased risk

of morbidity of both mother and child in pregnant women.

Richa Misra, research associate at CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, said women are more at risk in their productive years.

"Although biological mechanisms may account for more men being affected in low-income countries, socio-economic and cultural factors leading to barriers in accessing health care may cause under-notification in women," Misra told IANS in an email interaction.

"Tuberculosis control programmes should be sensitive to the constraints faced by women in accessing health care in order to empower women to commence and complete treatment. The fear and stigma associated with tuberculosis have a greater impact on women than on men, often leaving them in a more precarious social and economic position," she added.

The disease, however, is not

just a health problem. Since it hits the productive age group the most, absenteeism from work because of ailing health is high, putting stress on the meagre family income of the daily wage earners.

Then again, with one or both parents ill, many-a-times children drop out of school to work and supplement the family income.

"There have been heart breaking cases in which families have been wiped out because of TB. In one such case, the father got the infection first, then his wife, and then both their sons," Roy said.

"Treatment in the garden hospital is free of cost, but detection of the disease was late. Over a short span of time the whole family was dead," Roy said.

"The situation can be improved, the disease can be controlled, but concrete steps at the community level and by the management need to be taken for that," he added.

‘High-risk NE faces Hepatitis scourge’

GuWaHaTI, January 18 (Tnn): The incidence of liver diseases in the northeast is thrice that of the national average, said Naimish Mehta, a senior liver transplant surgeon at New Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, on Saturday.

He said the northeast requires around 300 liver transplants, a hugely expensive procedure, every year. While the country falls under an 'intermediate' Hepatitis B prevalence zone, the northeast is surrounded by a 'high-risk' zone. India's Hepatitis B prevalence rate varies be-

Alobo Naga & the Band perform during a concert at Kapaam in Chandel, Manipur.

tween two and seven percent, but countries bordering the northeast, like China and the South East Asian nations, have a prevalence rate of more than eight percent.

Mehta said about onefourth of patients from the northeast who underwent emergency liver transplants at the institute were found to be afflicted by the Hepatitis B virus.

"The incidence of Hepatitis B-induced liver problems in the region is three times the national average. About 25% of the patients from the north-

Large arms haul along Assam daily faces 'boycott' for Assam-Arunachal border carrying Charlie Hebdo cartoon

Tezpur, January 18 (pTI): A huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from forest area along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border by a joint team of Army, Assam Police and NIA. "In a joint operation, troops of Red Horns Division along with Assam Police and NIA team recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from forests on the border of Assam-Arunachal Pradesh in Sonitpur District on January 17," a Defence spokesperson said in a statement today. Based on inputs from intelligence agencies, the arms and ammunition were recovered from a hideout, he added. "The recoveries include two AK-56, one HK 5.56 rifle, one pistol and two grenades along with large quantity of different types of ammunition," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Biswanath Chariali police district SP Manobendra Devroy said it was big success to security forces.

"The apprehended militant Buhume, who was arrested three days ago, guided the forces to find out the place where the arms and ammunition were stored," he added.

He said the arms and ammunition were suspected to be stored by the terrorists of NDFB(S) for the serial attacks by the group in Lower Assam last month.

GuWaHaTI, January 18 (enS): A leading Assamese daily has invited the wrath of the state Jamiat Ulama for carrying a Charlie Hebdo cartoon, with the organization asking the daily to tender an apology.

Asomiya Pratidin, the largest selling newspaper, had on January 14 carried a front page news of the revival of Charlie Hebdo, putting up with it a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad that the French satirical weekly had printed in its first edition after the January 7 terrorist attack.

Reacting to this, the Assam State Jamiat Ulama headed by Lok Sabha member Badruddin Ajmal hit out at the newspaper for carrying the cartoon

'Road linking Tripura with Bangladesh to be developed'

aGarTala, January 18 (IanS): A 51-km fourlane road will be developed to enable carriage of people and material for northeast India via Bangladesh, a visiting Bangladeshi minister said here Sunday.

According to Bangladesh Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, the road, to be built as a jointly-funded project, will link Tripura's capital city of Agartala with Bangladesh's Ashuganj river port.

"Bangladesh has undertaken an ambitious Rs.1,608 crore project to develop the highways between Agartala and Ashuganj port," the minister told reporters, adding that "of the Rs.1,608 crore, Rs.1,578 crore would be provided by the Indian government to expand and improve the highways". "The 51-km road would have four lanes to carry heavy cargo and passenger vehicles bound for Agartala and other northeastern states."

There is only a narrow land corridor connecting the northeastern region to the rest of India through Assam and West Bengal but this route passes through hilly terrain with steep gradients and multiple hairpin bends, making plying of vehicles -- especially loaded trucks -- very difficult.

Agartala via Guwahati is 1,650 km from Kolkata

by road and 2,637 km from New Delhi. But the distance between Agartala and Kolkata via Bangladesh is just about 350 km. The minister, accompanied by Indian high commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran and other Bangladeshi officials, visited Agartala to review the road development project.

Quader also held a meeting with the Tripura Transport Minister Manik Dey here. India has spent millions of rupees to develop the Ashuganj port over the Meghna river in eastern Bangladesh.

Carrying heavy machinery, goods and essentials from various parts of India and abroad to mountainous northeastern states via Bangladesh holds significance.

To meet the demands of Tripura, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) recently ferried 10,000 tonnes of rice in two phases from Visakhapatnam port in Andhra Pradesh via Bangladesh.

Several ships carried the rice from Visakhapatnam port to Kolkata port, then to Ashuganj port in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi trucks then ferried the rice to the FCI warehouses from Ashuganj port to Nandannagar near Agartala.

The Indian government is also holding talks with Bangladesh to transport another 35,000 tonnes of rice for Tripura via Bangladesh.

showing the Prophet and also sought an unconditional apology. “Assam State Jamiat Ulama takes strong exception to publication of cartoon showing Prophet Muhammad by some newspapers of Assam. The Jamiat will not tolerate such acts and would resort to strong protest programmes against such newspapers,” a statement from its secretary Maulana Qasimi said on January 14.

While the Assam State Jamiat Ulama did not specifically mention the name of Asomiya Pratidin, its editor Nitya Bora said another organization called Jamate-Islami particularly targeted the newspaper and asked the Muslim people to boycott the newspaper.

Editor Bora however said that the cartoon in question was not intended at denigrating the Prophet as alleged. “We had only reprinted the cartoon Charlie Hebdo had carried in its first issue after resumption since the January 7 terrorist attack in which 12 persons including its editor were killed. The Jamiat leaders probably are not aware of the fact that the first issue of Charlie Hebdo after the attack ran into over 30 lakh copies in 16 different languages. Moreover, the cartoons for which terrorists had attacked Charlie Hedo’s office were carried by numerous newspapers across the world including many in India,” Bora said.

OFFICE OF THE

NAGA PEOPLE'S FRONT PEREN DIVISION: NAGALAND

PRESS RELEASE

17/02/15

The Senior most NPF Party Leaders under 6-Tening A/C held its Emergency Meeting at Jalukie Town on 15th January 2015, affirmed our stand and passed the resolution unanimously to support the majority Legislator party in electing G. Kaito Aye as DAN leader and further extend our fullest support to the leadership of G. Kaito Aye and Shri. Namri Nchang MLA 6-Tening A/C for integrity and upliftment of the poor and down trodden in the area.

1. Mr. Ziekuidi Zeliang

:

Vice President Peren Div.

2. Mr. Seijalam Hangsingh

:

Gen.Secty. Peren Div.

3. Mr. D.Atong

:

C.E.C

4. Mr. Kusap

:

Secretary (Central)

5. Mr. Kanang

:

Active Member-Ngam Vill.

6. Mr. Gwangku

:

Active Member-Upper Sinjol.

7. Mr. Levi

:

Active Member-Nsong Town.

8. Mr. Ramchiliak

:

Active Member-Nsong.

9. Mr. Nihu

:

Active member - Nsong.

10. Mr. Handang

:

Unit President - Nchan.

11. Mr. Ramdun

:

Unit President - Ngam.

12. Mr. Kiatad

:

Active member - Lalong.

13. Mr. Guikuang

:

Unit President - Lalong.

14.Mr. Paurangaing

:

Active member - Nchan

15.Mr. Ramtanlung

:

Active member - Nchangram.

16. Mr. Pauka

:

Unit President - Bamsiakilwa.

17. Mr. Daurigiug

:

Head G.B - Tening.

18. Mr. Daungam

:

Active member -Tening.

19. Mr. Thanglun

:

Active member – Phaijol.

20. Mr. Namhut

:

Unit President - Nkio.

21. Mr. Kimvibo

:

Active member - Tening.

22. Mr. Kesutlungbo

:

Active member - Old Nkio.

23. Mr.Ramzankam

:

Active member- Old Nzau.

Sd/-

(ZIEKUIDI ZELIANG)

Vice President Peren Division

east had to undergo emergency liver transplants. In all these cases, the Hepatitis B virus was the causative factor," he said.

According to rough estimates, around 1.8% of the region's population is afflicted by the Hepatitis C virus and 2% with the Hepatitis B virus. Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs), people with multiple sexual partners, healthcare professionals and hemophiliacs fall in the

high-risk category.

A ticking bomb, Hepatitis C is widely prevalent among IDUs. Manipur's Churachandpur and Bishnupur have the highest number of people carrying the Hepatitis C virus. The prevalence rate is close to 90% among IDUs there.

In Nagaland's Wokha and Phek districts, the prevalence rate, according

to an Integrated Bio Behavioural Assessment Round 2 Testing conducted in 2009 by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and others, was 20.8% and 8.7%, respectively.

Prior studies showed that, in Manipur, the prevalence rate of HCV was 55-80% among IDUs. The HIV rate among them was 22-33%.

FOR URGENT SALE AT DIMAPUR M-HAWK SCORPIO VLX 2WD, BSIII MICRO HYBRID 2013, KMS DONE 21,000 WHITE COLOUR DMP REGD WITH VALID DOCUMENTS COMPANY TYRES PRICE RS.8.1 LACS CALL : 9436802130 / 8731013171

NAGALAND BIBLE COLLEGE Artang Ward, Mokokchung – 798601. P.O. Box No. 2; Nagaland, India Govt. Registration NO.EDS/HTE/5-1/2001 (Vol-1).

Dated Kohima, the 17th April 2013, Government of Nagaland ACCREDITED BY: Asia Theological Association (ATA)

ANNOUNCEMENT One Month Intensive Missionary Training Course in Nagaland Bible College, Mokokchung Good News for Theological Graduates who are called to serve God in the mission fields and have been praying for a confirmation and an opportunity to serve God. The purpose of this Programme: 1. To fulfil the urgent need in giving proper training and also help prepare mentally and spiritually against any challenge that may arise in missions. Unpreparedness leads to frustrations and failures. Thus, this programme is designed to holistically prepare the missionaries to develop awareness and be equipped for different challenges.

2. To give an opportunity to the many theological graduates who are not in full time ministry.

This programme is designed to help realise that the field is vast and that there is no such understanding as unemployment in God’s Kingdom for those who are called to serve Him. 3. To cover all the necessary areas that is needed for a person to understand missions and its demands.

Dates: 23rd February to 22nd March 2015 Venue: Nagaland Bible College, Mokokchung The college is situated at the outskirt of the town, away from the hustle of the town, with a wonderful view facing the mountain ranges. It is an ideal quiet place to retreat, meditate and listen to God’s voice.

Eligibility: Theological background, holding B.Th. degree and above.

Registration fee: - Boarders: ` 5000/-; Day scholars: ` 2500/-.

Arrival and Reporting: On 21st February @ 10:00 a.m. along with all necessary Documents/Certificates.

For reservation of seats contact the office on or before 14th of February 2015.

Important note: At the end of this course a selected number of committed and dedicated candidates will be picked who will then be eligible to receive sponsorship from the college to work in the mission fields in the neighbouring states and countries.

Resource Persons: 1. Rev. Dr. S. D. Ponraj, Senior Pastor, Bihar Christian Church Rev. Dr. S.D. Ponraj and his wife Sheila have been working as cross-cultural missionaries for more than 40 years. He has also authored many well known books on missions to his credit.

2. Rev. Dr. Imchayanger Ao, Senior Pastor Revival Church, Dimapur Rev. Dr. Imchayangyer Ao is a well known Motivational Speaker and a skilled communicator all over North East of India, crossing all denominational lines. With more than 40 years of experience in ministry, he also serves as the Mission Director of NCRC. 3. Rev. Dr. Basant Shrestha, Dean of SABC, Director of Doctoral Programmes, Southern Asia Bible College, Bangalore.

Rev. Dr. Basant Shrestha is a very learned and humble man of God with many years of experience in teaching ministry with a heart for missions.

4. Mr. and Mrs. Martin and Jane Poole, Missionaries, UK A humble and lovely couple with two children dedicated and committed to spreading the Word of God and mission works.

Since 1977 Nagaland Bible College has been training students for ministry and has been carrying the burden and vision to evangelize places where Gospel has not been preached. We invite one and all to join with us to serve God. “How can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14, 15) Mrs. Sentila Ao Principal +919436607340

Academic Dean +91 8575783528

4

Dimapur

public discoursE

Monday 19 January 2015

The Morung Express

A little reflection on last (April-May, 2014) Indian General Election

T

he last Indian general election of AprilMay, 2014 was unprecedented and long stretched one in which every candidate/party got more than sufficient time to win or loss.

This election resulted in the enthronement, a little famed, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as Prime Minister of India. In my opinion, the BJP perhaps did not really expect Modi to become the Prime Minister of the great nation at this time. They (BJP) might have thought to put up a formidable force with Narendra Modi at the head against the strong Indian National Congress.

As a yogi, Narendra Modi no doubt has some positive traits. He is energetic, resourceful, shrewd and hardworking. His party, the BJP is also big and a strong party with many important leaders.

But his (Modi) elevation to the present position had not been only/by his merits and the efforts of the BJP. There were

greater factors which ensured his victory. There are two main factors which proved big advantages for Modi. (1) The Indian population consists of more than 80% Hindus. Narendra Modi is an ardent Hindu. We do not know what actually Modi has in his mind, the Hindus in India found Modi as a champion or redeemer for them. The more the other parties or rivals shouted for secularism or accused Modi as a Hindu extremist, the more the Hindus in India united in support of Modi. (2) The greater part of Indian population consists of relatively poor people. Therefore, the more his rivals shouted for his poor or humble background, the more the poor people rallied around Modi. The more his rivals insulted Modi, the more the more he was blessed. The more he (Modi) was daunted the more he was strengthened.

There are many funny parts also. Congress leader Mani Shankar Aier said, Narendra

Modi would never be Prime Minister of India and that He (Modi) would not be allowed to become the PM. Perhaps he (Modi) thought that the destiny of a man or a nation was in his hand. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said, his objective was to defeat Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi. Perhaps Kejriwal failed to understand that there were so many senior and competent leaders in the BJP who could be Prime Minister of India if the party could win the election. Again, he (Kejriwal) failed to understand that besides Rahul, there were so many senior and expert leaders in the Congress for PM if the party wins. Arvind Kejriwal would have been a good and strong activist of rights, had he not tried to become the PM of India overnight. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar severed ties with the BJP because of Narendra Modi.

Perhaps Nitish thought that the BJP and Narendra Modi could not do anything without him.

The most funny part was that

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav said, Modi’s balloon had been punctured in Bihar. But instead his balloon and Nitish’s ballon were punctured. Now hectic efforts are on to repair the punctured balloons with adhesive solutions.

It is worth mentioning here that, Narendra Modi has taken up many economic and administrative measures for the benefit of the people of India and also to raise the status of India in the comity of nations.

His government may last long if he does not support the religious discriminations and persecutions of the Indian majority Hindus. If he (Modi) advocates and supports religious discriminations and persecutions, that will be the end of the road for him and the BJP. Modi should not ignore the minority Muslims and Christians. They are forces to be reckoned with.

He must take them into confidence. Any wrong policy will ruin his career and also the future of a united India.

Napoleon Bonaparte was once the master of Europe.

Many historians had given him brilliant attributes. The historians wrote, the word “impossible” was not found in Napoleon’s dictionary. “Great as a conqueror Napoleon was equally great as administrator”. “The long record of his astounding victories bears unmistakable testimony to his wonderful military genius” etc.

But Napoleon as a human being faced many impossibilities and disgraceful end. So it is for everyone.

Now coming to Indo-Naga cease-fire and political dialogue, I would like to say that it is unusually a long stretched dialogue. It should have been settled many years before. But it is still languishing in Indian’s court. Naga Chief Negotiator had told the Indian leaders what was to be told. The successive India government delayed the settlement under the pretext of having no two-thirds majority in parliament. This

‘HDFC Bank among world’s 50 most valued banks in 2014’ In the top 50 list compiled

by Relbanks, SBI has been ranked at 51th with market capitalisation of USD 36.40 while ICICI Bank with USD 33.42 billion is 55th.

With more than 70 million customers and over 9,000 locations and a market cap of USD 284.39 billion, Well Fargo of the USA is the largest bank in the world based on market capitalisation. It is the second largest

bank in the US by deposits and debit cards.

Well Fargo is followed by the Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) with the market capitalisation of USD 269.70 billion.

It is followed by JP Morgan Chase of again the USA with the market capitalisation of USD 233.94 billion. Top 10 banks of the world include 4 from the USA, 4 from China and one each from the UK

and Australia.

For the second quarter ended September 2014, HDFC Bank had reported a 20% rise in net profit at Rs 2,381.5 crore as compared to Rs 1,982.32 crore. However, this was the fifth consecutive quarter the private sector bank posted a sub30% increase in quarterly profits. For 37 straight quarters, the bank had posted at least 30% profit growth.

Govt to spend Rs 500 cr on tech training to 540,000 people New Delhi, JaNuary 18 (PTi): Government will allocate Rs 400 crore more to a scheme that aims to train about 540,000 people in next five years to cater to the demand of skilled manpower in electronics manufacturing sector.

The government has already approved Rs 100 crore for the first phase of the skill development scheme launched in November 2013. The scheme has been started in 8 states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

“Communications and IT Minister (Ravi Shankar Prasad) has approved second phase of scheme for

skill development in electronics system design and manufacturing sector having outlay of over Rs 400 crore,” an official source told PTI. “The second phase of the scheme will be rolled out across all states and government aims to train about 5.4 lakh persons cumulatively under both the phases of scheme in next 5 years,” the source said. The Department of Electronics and Information Technology is expected to share details of the second phase within a week, the official added.

Under the first phase, government has set a target of training 90,000 people through institutes affiliated to Electronic Sector Skill Council, Telecom Sector Skill Council and

National Institutes of Electronics and Information Technology.

There are about 24 courses, including high level electronics system design like embedded systems, electronic packaging to mobile and other electronic product repairs, that have been approved under the scheme.

The official said that only about 6 months have gone since the roll out of the first phase. The government is funding100%trainingfeeforscheduledcaste and scheduled tribe students and 75% for students from economically weaker section. “Institutes imparting training have to guarantee 70% employment of training batches to get the benefit of the scheme,” the official said.

_

LEISURE

Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.”

SUDOKU Game Number # 3113

acceptable to both India and the Nagas. Otherwise, “a spark neglected may burn the entire house”. The NSCN had already conceded what was to be conceded in conformity with the present world scenario. The government of India should not expect the Nagas to go further.

The history of the Nagas is very clear and vivid. The Naga movement is neither a separatist movement nor a challenge to the Indian government and its leaders. It is a resistance movement against forced occupation and forced administration amounting to cultural invasion by the Indians. Let any assistants and intermediary persons or bodies that mislead the Hon’ble Prime Minister by misrepresenting the Naga case be accursed of Almighty God who inspired, guided and strengthened the Nagas to preserve and protect their homeland.

A. Z Jami Naga Nationalist & Senior Citizen, Nagalim

NPF Imbroglio

businEss New Delhi, JaNuary 18 (PTi): HDFC Bank is the lone Indian entity among the world’s 50 most valued lenders in 2014 with a market capitalisation of close to USD 41 billion.

Ranked at the 45th position, the private sector bank is ahead of global majors Credit Suisse, DBS Group, and Standard Chartered with a market capitalisation of USD 40.58 billion.

time, the NDA has more than two-thirds majority in the parliament. And Narendra Modi has guts to take bold and major decisions. If the Prime Minister of India ignores or belittles the Naga issue, it will be very unfortunate for him and India.

The current Prime Minister of India should be reminded that the present IndoNaga cease-fire and political dialogue was not initiated by NSCN nor any other person or government. It was very enthusiastically initiated by the India leaders and the Indian government. Therefore, they should acknowledge their obligations and responsibilities whichever party comes to power. The NSCN under the leadership of Issac Swu and Th. Muivah was given full mandate by all different sections of the Nagas. This mandate is a proven fact, no doubt whatsoever.

Therefore, the government of India should take the Naga case seriously and settle the issue politically honourable and

O

f late we have witnessed a spate of accusations and counter-accusations emanating from the 2 NPF camps, and laced with a liberal dose of criticism by the public, who are at the receiving end of the excesses of the warring groups.

Not surprisingly, our so-called elected members are so thick-skinned that they are impervious to all the insults hurled at them by the long suffering public. Rather they continue to give us all the crap of trying to clean the system. Sometimes we wonder if they were really elected, or tens of crores of rupees in most constituencies did the trick. We also wonder if they were really elected or guns of criminals brought the votes in some instances.

It is also common knowledge that the NPG’s are hyperactive during every election, where their sovereignty issues are temporarily (?) on the back burner.

Who do they think they are fooling? We all know that the recent spate of problems is because all of them could not be accommodated into the Cabinet, nor could all get lucrative portfolios. We also wonder if they have been injected with a generous dose of trickery by someone longing to return home. The sole aim is to abuse power and loot more funds for their bottomless pits. It was partially satisfying that at least a proven offender was sidelined by the present regime. However, one fails to under-

stand how the likes of Shri Imkong L. Imchen are still scot-free, when he should actually be behind ‘you know where’. This tells us a lot as to what extent part of the DAN establishment is willing to go to protect its kind. With such persons at the helm of affairs and that too the spokesperson for the dissident camp, a person who has honestly confessed in public just a few years back of suffering from the dreaded “Foot-In-Mouth” disease, we are heading straight for hell in the days to come.

The Hon’ble Governor of Nagaland had succinctly pointed out a few weeks back that the root cause of all Nagaland’s problems is the massive corruption indulged in by the elected representatives. Nagaland was immediately filled with the rumbling of GRINDING TEETH. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly took it on himself to protest and criticize this unusual statement of the Governor.

Though least expected we at last have someone who has the guts to call a spade a spade. We all know that the development funds and resources of the state have been looted with impunity by these DAN politicians in the last decade. Much has been said on the matter, which has now flowed into the Bay of Bengal without any impact.

Now corruption charges have been levelled against the Chief Minister by the Rebels, the former inviting

an investigation into the matter. The statement of the Governor too was flayed. Therefore, in the interest of all, the Hon’ble Governor should initiate for a thorough probe by the CBI. The Agency should investigate into all details of the last 12 years of the ruling DAN ministry without fear or favour.

All their assets and cash hoarded everywhere should be brought to light.

In this regard we need another mass movement in the likeness of the ACAUT, exclusively for a corruption check into the assets, moveable and unmoveable, of these politicians; the sooner the better. It is the responsibility of the Youth. These people have, besides others, also appointed or protected Bogus Teachers who give students Bogus Education, thereby destroying many generations. Their students will soon join the legion of criminals mushrooming in our society, if unchecked now. Most of your jobs have been sold to the highest bidder and grants for self employment looted or sanctioned to their relatives and friends. Your future is indeed very dim. To repeat what everyone is saying to the point of boredom, we are the cause the same politicians keep coming back into power by selling our votes to the highest bidder. Start where the NBCC stopped.

But .... YOUTH, WHERE ARE YOU? Prof. G.T. Thong Nagaland University

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.

DAILY CROSS WORD

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STD CODE: 03862 232224; Emergency229529, 229474

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ACROSS 1. Constellation bear 5. Young sheep 9. Trees of the genus Quercus 13. Newbie (slang) 14. Honor 16. 1 less than 10 17. A swinging barrier 18. Hospitality to strangers (Ancient Greece) 19. Tall woody plant 20. Aquatic mammal 22. Diminishes 24. Salute 26. To scour 27. Double-reed instrument 30. Written version of a play 33. Slaughterhouse 35. French for “Sister” 37. Cheer 38. A clumsy dolt 41. Ribonucleic acid 42. Water vapor 45. Laminated metamorphic rocks 48. Shorttail weasel 51. Sully 52. Petitions 54. Foliage 55. Respiratory disease

59. Water balloon sound 62. Storage cylinder 63. Watchful 65. Piece of glass 66. Winglike 67. Tether 68. Prima donna problems 69. Forearm bone 70. 3 71. Lease

DOWN 1. Annul 2. Part of a plant 3. Seer 4. Side by side 5. Lenient 6. Blown away 7. Flowing tresses 8. Rectangular blocks of clay 9. One of the Great Lakes 10. Haughtiness 11. Leg joint 12. Views 15. Ancient Persian coin 21. Violent disturbance 23. Makes a mistake 25. Search 27. Large coves 28. Decrease 29. Zero

31. Light teasing 32. Melodies 34. Carpet 36. Impetuous 39. Explosive 40. Ardor 43. An ancient jar 44. Like a bog 46. Angers 47. Australian food fish 49. Twangy, as a voice 50. Shoelace hole 53. Besmirch 55. Brother of Jacob 56. Foundry 57. Scheme 58. Backside 60. Nameless 61. Exam 64. Your (archaic) Ans to CrossWord 3121

Police Control Room: North Police Station: South Police Station: Fire Brigade: Naga Hospital: Oking Hospital: Bethel Nursing Home: Northeast Shuttles

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LOCAL

The Morung Express

NPF Youth Wing accuses Rio of instigating “crack" within NPF Kohima, January 18 (mExn): The Naga People's Front (NPF) under the leadership of Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu today alleged that it was the former chief minister, Neiphiu Rio who “instigated” the crack within the NPF legislators and the party workers because he tried to choose his successor by “bypassing” the wish of NPF Party workers.

“If Neiphiu Rio has not initiated the dissident amongst the NPF party legislators right from the inception of the change of guard after he was elected to Lok Sabha, why did he instigated some legislators to succeed him in total disregards of the NPF core committee recommendation?”, asked a press statement issued by its youth-wing president, N Vihoshe Swu and working president, Bendangtoshi Longchar Ridiculing G Kaito Aye

and Imkong L Imchen defence of Neiphiu Rio and Khekiho Zhimomi, the press note maintained that their whole game plan was “already exposed” and is now in the public domain.

If the intention of two MPs is not to create dissent within the NPF party, why Rio is confining the legislators in his own villa at Sovima, the press note charged.

Continuing its barrages, it faulted the two MPs for taking the “dissident members” to Delhi to meet central BJP leaders and facilitating the “illegitimate” NPF party meeting at Dimapur and electing new sets of leaders. When there are legally instated central offices bearers with the approval of all NPF duly recognise by the Election Commission of India, what is their motive, posits the press note.

“It is very clear that their motives are only a desper-

ate attempt to usurp power by tearing the party into pieces and through undemocratic and unconstitutional means,” alleged the NPF youth wing.

Meanwhile, refuting the accusation from the other side that it was the Chief Minister and the NPF party president who created “rift” between in the BJP and NPF alliance, the press note maintained that instead, Neiphiu Rio brought misunderstanding when he started “campaigning" against BJP not only in the state but all over North Eastern states in the last Lok Sabha election in the name of North East regional political forum (NERPF).

“In the by-election of Northen Angami -II A/C, the NPF party President Dr. Shurhozelie and the Chief Minister T.R.Zeliang clearly stated that the contest between that the NPF and BJP candidates was a

friendly contest…However, Neiphiu Rio contradicted this statement during the official launched of NPF election campaign at Chechama village…because of which the BJP was totally hurt, and thereby, he was denied ministerial berth” asserted the press note.

How BJP unit can keep forgetting all “this back stabbing” and rally behind him while ignoring the directives of the central BJP leaders, it wondered.

Further, accusing the dissidents group for asking the Chief Minister to step down without proof of strength in the Legislative assembly, the press note maintained that he had already appealed the Governor to convene special assembly session for strength test. “The dissident group is scare to move for nonconfident motion knowing fully they will not stand the test, as such, there is no

reason why Chief Minister should step down unless proven minority in the Legislative Assembly.”

Consequently, NPF youth wing asserted that dissident are adopting all “unfair and illegal” means to topple the Government on pretext changing leadership within the party without any respect for constitutional procedures and will push the state into “total anarchy”. Even MLA Azo had admitted that present crisis the creation of their “dissident group”, added the press note.

Again, accusing G Kaito Aye and Imkong L Imchen of raking up “silly allegations” against the Chief Minister through “false rumors and cheap propaganda”, the NPF youth wing advise them to remember the maxim that, “A person who lives in glass house should not throw stone at other.”

Monday 19 January 2015

W

ister resigns from the post, the press note argued, “no person or authority” can take away the chair from him, except through a no confidence motion in the House, which will need to have the support of the majority of the House.

It further maintained that if the 22 NPF MLAs in the “dissident camp” conveys in writing their withdrawal of support, even then, the Governor cannot legally ask him to step down or sack him. He can at best ask the Chief Minister to move a motion of confidence on his own Government in the State Assembly. Alternatively, a no confidence motion can be moved against his Government by any group of MLAs, supported by not less than 10 in numbers. Only if he loses the confidence of the House through either of such motions, then can he be removed from office. Therefore, it stick to the position that once the Chief Minister is in office, he need to enjoy the confidence of the House, and not the majority of the

ith a view to educating motor vehicle users about their right to check the quality and quantity of fuel they pay for, I want to share the little knowledge I have through this article.

It is our right to know if the quantity of fuel dispensed to us is correct and the quality of the fuel is pure; unadulterated/ undiluted. Consumer Rights and the duties of the oil companies are contained in the Citizen’s Charter issued by the oil companies and endorsed by the Union Petroleum Ministry. The basic objective of the Citizens Charter is to empower the citizens in relation to public service delivery. Each station is required to keep a five litre Calibrated measure (certified by the Weights and Measures Department) and we can demand that the measure be filled up in our presence to know if the pump is dispensing accurately or not. Also the oil stations are mandated to keep Filter Papers and Hydrometers to check the purity of the fuel.

The quantum of petroleum product utilization in our state is increasing due to increase in population, urbanization, development activities and changes in life style, which leads to widespread pollution in the environment. Thus tailpipe emissions from low level public transport such as auto rickshaw is a menace and become a serious problem due to their contribution in pollution and bypassing the subsi-

parliamentary party that elected him.

Again, it added that the ruling party will “invariably issue” a whip on all the NPF MLAs, and whosoever had officially withdrawn their support to the Chief Minister, or moved no confidence motion against him, or vote in the House “will, in all certainty, be disqualified from the membership of the House as per the provisions of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution”.

“Mere public utterances or press statements are not enough to change the official and legal position” claimed the press note adding that if any group or individual MLAs want to withdraw their support, they can do so by sending a formal letter of withdrawal of support to the Speaker with a copy to Raj Bhawan.

Unless, there is such writing the press note stated, the claims of minority government and call for resignation is/are “hollow, unjustified and undemocratic and unconstitutional.

5

Noke led NPF condemns cM pressurizing ‘efforts’ DimaPur, January 18 (mExn): The Naga People's Front (NPF) under the leadership of Noke Wangnao NPF today condemned and rejected the “efforts” of the Chief Minister, TR Zeliang to convene a special session of the Assembly by pressurizing the governor through leaders of the civil societies and mass based organizations.

“He has even been sending text messages to civil society leaders to go and meet and pressurize the Honorable Governor from his personal mobile number,” a press note issued by NPF Press and Media Cell alleged.

Maintaining its persistent stance that the ongoing problem is an “internal matter”, the press note argued that the NPF does not need any session of the assembly at this juncture but rather,

“the minority chief minister should immediately step down as he has lost the popular support of the majority of the NPF and DAN

nority Chief Minister should not undermine the Naga organizations in his own personal interest” it added.

Meanwhile, the press note further maintained that the “minority” Chief Minister, TR Zeliang has returned from Delhi “red faced” and without any answers after assuring his supporters that he would meet the Prime Minister and the union Home Minister in order to get the support of the Government of India. The stand of the BJP had already been disseminated through news media but he went pleading for their support, the press note quipped.

After being denied the appointment, the chief minister sounded more like a “BJP spokesperson” giving telephonic information to sections of the local media over phone according to the NPF Press and Media Cell.

'The minority Chief Minister should not undermine the Naga organizations in his own personal interest' MLAs.” Why is he stooping to such “low levels of politics” and undermining the civil society leaders of Naga society, wondered the NPF Press and Media Cell.

However, it expressed confident that the leaders of Naga civil society and the mass based organizations will not undertake any such action in the greater interest of “neutrality” and remains apolitical”.

“It is indeed unfortunate that he has tried to politicize the civil societies…The mi-

Zeliang government is not a Support for Dr. Shurhozelie leadership minority government: Yitachu NPF Kohima division Kohima, January 18 (mExn): The Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) under the leadership of Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu today refuted the claim that TR Zeliang is running a minority Government. The NPF dissidents camping at Sovima have been repeatedly demanding the resignation of TR Zeliang, asserting that he is running a minority Government and has lost his right to continue in office.

Justifying its position, the Spokesman of NPF Party, Yitachu in a press note claimed that after the elected leader of the party commanding a majority in the House is sworn in as the Chief Minister, he only needs to enjoy the majority of the House. “Therefore, a distinction has to be made between the majority of the parliamentary party, (on the basis of which the Chief Minister is chosen, and sworn into office), and the majority of the House, (on the basis of which, his continuation in office legitimised),” it added.

Unless the Chief Min-

Dimapur

CM congratulates Mhonbeni Ezung

and also resolved to steadfastly support the leadership of President Dr. Shurhozelie.

Kohima, January 18 (mExn): The Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang today conveyed NPF 35- Zunheboto A/C his heartiest congratulations to Mhonbeni Ezung The 35- Zunheboto A/C today “reaffirmed” of Orchid Colony, Wokha who was selected for the to support the leadership of NPF president, Dr. National Bravery Awards this year. It is indeed a Shurhozelie Liezietsu, whom it consider as the matter of great pride for all Nagas that a young girl “legitimately elected” as per the constitution of 8 (eight) years rescued her grandmother from and convention of NPF. Stating its endorse- drowning disregarding the risk to her own life, statment in a press note, the president of NPF ed a press note from the Chief Minister’s Office.

Complimenting her praiseworthy effort as “most 35- Zunheboto A/C, Ghokuto Zhimomi and deserving” for the coveted and prestigious Nationgeneral secretary, Holuvi Yipthomi further al Bravery Award, the CM added that, “The couracondemned the “dissidents group” for totally geous act of this young girl will surely be an inspiraviolating the norms and constitution of the tion for not only other children but also all Nagas."

NPF party. “Thereby, the 35- Zunheboto A/C He further extended his heart felt congratulations to don’t recognized the so called NPF (Noke the proud parents of Mhonbeni Ezung, and wished group),” the press note maintained. her all success and a bright future.

The NPF Kohima Division at its meeting at the Central Office on January 17 has rubbishes the claims of “the Self-Style” NPF Kohima Division resolution published on local papers on January 17. In a press note, the Press Secretary of NPF Kohima Division, Alo Yakhro denied the claim that a meeting on January 14 has removed its “duly elected” president, Guonei-u and appointed Avio Tetso as Division president. “It is a total mockery and un constitutional. The Division had never authorised and called any such meeting"stated the press note. It further added that the Kohima NPF division at its meeting on January 17 has decided to “strictly adhere” with its party constitution

CondolenCe Messages NPF Central Office condoles The members of the Naga People's Front (NPF) expressed it deep sadness over the sudden B L Damani, a prominent citizen of Dimapur and father of NPF Dimapur general secretary, Basu Damani, at Dimapur on January 17.

In a condolences message, the general secretary of Central Office, Abu Metha described Late Damani as an active social worker who had contributed immensely to the society.

“His demise has created a big vacuum in the family…The Dimapurians have lost a true friend who always stood for the welfare of the people,” it added. The general secretary, on his own behalf and on the behalf of the party further conveyed their deepest condolences to Basu Damani and all the members of the

bereaved family and offered prayers of eternal being of the society will be remembered for a peace for the departed soul. long time.

“At this hour of sorrow and grief, my wife joins me in conveying our deepest condolencNeiphiu Rio es to you and all the members of the bereaved The Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and family. May the departed soul rest in eternal former Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio peace,” the press note stated. has expressed his great pain to hear the sad demise of BL Damani, the father of NPF Dimapur DGU general secretary, Basu Damani. In a condoThe Dimapur Gorkha Union (DGU) deeply lence message addressed to the Basu Damani, Rio described Late. B L Damani as a person of mourned the demise of BL.Damani, father of “good repute” who will be remembered for his Basu Damani, a prominent citizen of Dimapur, simplicity and readiness to serve the people. and a social worker holding various post under The former chief minister added that his de- different capacities. In a press note, The DGU mise has created a “huge vacuum” particularly conveyed its condolences to the bereaved famamong the children, grand children, relatives ily members and prayers of solace in the hour and dear ones but his contributions for the well of grief and eternal peace for the departed soul.

Public SPace

are We Getting What We Pay For? dized kerosene to adulteration market. The public transport driver cuts costs by blending the cheaper hydrocarbon into highly taxed hydrocarbon. The blending may be as much as 80-90%. Fuel adulteration is essentially an unintended consequence of tax policies and the attempt to control fuel prices, in the name of fairness. Air pollution is the ultimate result.

Just yesterday I read an article titled “Air Pollution in Kohima from city buses” by Dr. Sao Tunyi in the Morung Express where he brings out the various diseases caused due to air pollution and the old blue city buses smoking out black fumes all the way towards PR Hill. No doubt vehicles emit out harmful gases into the atmosphere but the amount of un-burnt hydrocarbons or pollutants given out by burning Adulterated Fuel is twice more harmful than without.

Adulteration is defined as the illegal or unauthorized introduction of foreign substance into gasoline or similar substance, with the result that the product does not conform to the requirements and specifications of the product.

The foreign substances are also called adulterants, which when introduced alter and degrade the quality of the base transport fuels. Gasoline/petrol is a major transport fuel in Nagaland. Adulteration of the fuel at the point of sale and dur-

ing transportation has become an acute problem in the country. Transport fuels (gasoline and diesel) are often adulterated with other cheaper products or by-product or waste hydrocarbon stream for monetary gains. For example, gasoline is widely adulterated with kerosene. With large number of adulterants available in the market, both indigenous and imported, the magnitude of the problem of fuel adulterations has grown into alarming proportions in the past few years. Financial incentives arising from differential taxes are generally the primary cause of fuel adulteration. Fuel Adulteration of transport fuel, which is currently a very flourishing business in our state, leads to increased emissions & deterioration of performance and parts of engines using the adulterated fuels.

All of us love our cars and it is important that we stay loyal to it as we are ought to stay loyal to our fiancées. Almost all the cars of today are run by EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) engines and the car owners might not have experienced knocking problems at the initial stages.

EFI System is a great means of delivering fuel to an engine. EFI improves cold starting, reduces emission, improve fuel economy and performance. But as the years go by, adulterated fuel takes its toll on the engine; misfire, hesitation, poor perfor-

mance, etc. As for the rest of us owning carburetted engines, we are bound to face these problems every time we refuel adulterated gasoline.

We have not yet established a monitoring regime and system of fines that can act as a strong deterrent to fuel adulteration. Yes, it is the duty of the District Administration to check all these acts of corruption and mal- practices but often we hear rumours of the Oil Delivery Companies bribing them not to conduct inspection. How far it is true only God knows?

There are number of reasons as to why this practice is going on. Poor governance, a lack of political will, lack of public awareness, weak regulatory agencies and a shortage or even absence of technical staff and equipment for designing and conducting monitoring.

Given these limitations, identifying and dealing with this abuse will require addressing problems on multiple fronts.

The primary factors encouraging the practice of adulteration particularly in our state are: 1. Lack of monitoring and consumer awareness.

2. Lack of transparency and uncontrolled regulations in the production-supply and marketing chain for intermediates and by products of refineries.

3. Non-availability of mecha-

nism and instruments for spot-checking the quality of fuels.

Here are some steps to conduct an elementary quality and quantity check of petrol and diesel at retail outlets: A. For Petrol: We will require “Whatman 2 Quality Filter Papers” (the retail outlets are mandated to provide to the costumers as and when asked for). We are to put a drop of petrol on the filter paper. If the petrol is unadulterated, it will evaporate quickly without leaving any stain. If it is adulterated, it will evaporate slowly, leaving a stain on the filter paper. I have personally conducted some tests on some oil gas stations and it is very saddening to know that many oil stations fail the test miserably.

B. For both petrol and diesel: 1. We will need a 500ml jar, thermometer and ASTM(American Society for Testing of Materials) conversion charts. A hydrometer is a very simple instrument for measuring the density of any liquid. (All these should be made available to the customers at the retail outlets according to the Citizen’s Charter) 2. We need to fill about 3/4th of the jar (i.e 375ml) with the fuel through the nozzle of the dispensing unit.

3. Then dip the thermometer and the hydrometer in the jar and record the temperature

and density as indicated.

4. Convert the density recorded at 15 degree Centigrade with help of the conversion chart. This converted density is then compared with the density shown by the records maintained at the retail outlet on the basis of the density recorded on delivery challans. (Density at 15 degree centigrade is mentioned on each delivery challan issued by the supplying depot for every load sent to the retail outlets) C. For quantity check: All Retail outlets should have a 5-Litre standard measure duly stamped by the Weights and Measure Department. Customers should test the quantity using this 5-L measure.

I suppose NRL Dimapur is one of the best retail outlets in the State in terms of quality of fuel dispensed. More over it has erected an information banner citing the methods of “Check and Refuel”. I believe every oil stations should erect such information notice boards.

Fuel adulterators are not just cheating consumers. The impure fuel is turning our cities and towns to gas chambers and reducing engine efficiency and on top, making us fools. So it is the duty of District Administration or the General Public to give a check on these mal-practices. The different adventure clubs in our state like the NAC, Attitude, Motorcycle Club of

Nagaland, etc can also take the initiative to inspect and conduct tests on the different Gas Stations across the state.

Apart from that I would also like supplement this article on a simple method to “Checking our Car’s Mileage.” Often we ask to our friends owning a new car, “Hey how much mileage does your car give?” “Umm.. I don’t know. May be 12-13km/l”. That is the answer we get most of the time. Well here is a simple method to determine the exact mileage your car is giving.

I call it the “Top-up” method.

First thing to do is to fill the tank of your car up to the brim.

It is best that you get the fill up from a pump that has an auto cut-off nozzle.

The moment the nozzle cuts off the fuel supply, stop filling up at that point. Note your car’s odometer reading. Let’s suppose that the odometer reading is 8,000km. After a few days, come back to the same pump and again fill up using the auto cut off nozzle. Note the odometer reading again. If the odometer reads 8500km(assumption) and on the second turn you bought 30 Litres before the pump nozzle cut off, then your car has given a per litre mileage of (8500-8000)/30 = 16.6 Km/ Litre.

You should repeat the same exercise at other stations that gives your car the best mileage per litre and the station that gives the best mileage is the best station for you.

Atoba A Longkumer Duncan, Dimapur

The Morung Express is introducing “Public Space” as part of our intention to provide deliberate space for the opinions of the people to be expressed and heard through this newspaper. Nonetheless, The Morung Express points out that the opinions expressed in the contents published in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper or the editor.

6

IN-FOCUS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express MonDAy 19 JAnuAry 2015 voluME X IssuE 21

Along Longkumer Consulting Editor

Reconcile or face the people

Shurhozelie, Rio must restore Collective Leadership

P

olitical parties in a democracy have never been immune from internal dissension. It is but natural to have difference of opinion, including supporters loyal to one leader or the other. Nevertheless, for any dispute or conflict that may arise, there is always the party forum where all issues, however difficult it may be, has to be addressed. This is perhaps where the Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) as a party failed. Better sense should have prevailed amongst its leadership, especially party President Dr Shurhozelie and former Chief Minister, present Lok Sabha Member of Parliament, Neiphiu Rio, its two tallest leaders. It is quite clear that differences had cropped up between Shurhozelie and Rio after the latter decided to quit as CM and move to Delhi as a Lok Sabha MP. Both of them will agree with this writer that for more than a decade, it was their collective leadership, which had successfully kept the NPF united and giving stability to the government it headed. This is the starting point from where we should analyse the present state of affairs within the NPF. Meanwhile, the current political crisis in Nagaland continues unabated with no sign of understanding between the two warring groups of the NPF. In fact ever since the demand was made by the group led by G. Kaito Aye for change in leadership of the NPF Legislature Party, currently held by incumbent Chief Minister TR Zeliang, things have only gotten worse to the extent that another parallel NPF has been formed challenging the NPF led

by Dr Shurhozelie. The present crisis in the NPF was bound to happen ever since Rio decided to quit as CM. To refresh public memory, at first both the NPF party along with its DAN alliance partners had opposed Rio’s decision to move to Delhi and pleading with him to carry on with the mantle of the State and to keep the NPF alliance intact. The former CM should have known better about the genuine apprehension about the unity of the party and stability of the government. At the time of Rio getting elected as the Lok Sabha MP and before his resignation as CM, this column had given the forecast that the “the biggest challenge for the ruling NPF party and the next CM will be on how to sustain the unity of the party and the stability of the government”.

Enough damage has now been done to NPF unity and the government’s stability. So is there a way out of this imbroglio for the NPF? Yes perhaps but only if both sides agree to reconcile in the larger interest of the party and the State. The starting point to resolve the present crisis will require Shurhozelie and Rio to restore things to where it was and for this both leaders will have to give and take. Both should sit down and work out an arrangement that will be best suited to ensure the unity of the party and the stability of the government. This writer had even suggested earlier that the former CM (Neiphiu Rio) “will have to don the role of a mentor in order to ensure some sort of continuity…” Further at the time of TR Zeliang taking office, this column had stated that “a fine balance will have to be formulated by the party leadership so that there is as little disturbance in the existing power arrangement while also giving the new CM his full due as the head of the government”. Obviously nothing of this sort happened and the new CM and the party had to face regular dissension from within, which finally burst into the present political crisis. If required, as already suggested in one of our earlier column, the party can also work out an arrangement for rotating the post of the CM with Rio playing the role of a mentor and Shurhozelie continuing as party President; after all it was under their leadership that the NPF won a landslide mandate during the last Assembly Elections.

And therefore, it is becoming obviously clear that unless the two factions of the NPF party reconcile and start to govern the State based on the huge trust and mandate it had received during the last elections, the Governor will have no other option but to suggest President’s Rule or for the NPF to face elections by going to the people. The Governor would have hopefully conveyed this message to both the groups. While a trust vote in the Assembly, as demanded by one of the group, is constitutionally the correct course of action if required, the last time this was done ended in a controversial confidence vote leading to the dismissal of the Rio government and imposition of President’s Rule on January 3, 2008. One possibility is for the Governor to keep the Assembly under suspended animation without dissolving it. Such an arrangement can remain for a minimum possible period, during which time the NPF can work out a political roadmap towards government formation by reconciling the present conflict in the party. This is the only a way-out to save the situation. Reconciliation is the only viable alternative to President’s rule or a fresh election. Time is running out.

(Feedback can be sent to consultingeditormex@gmail.com)

lEfT WING |

Mazie Nakhro, Ph.D

Day 10: Being Guided by the Constitution What do you think?

Many nations have borrowed God's laws from Exodus and Deuteronomy to include in the writing of their constitutions, but they did take out the Author (God) who gave these laws.

What does God say? Read Deuteronomy 28: 1-1 5 Here Moses was addressing the younger generation of Israel who were encamped on the outskirts of the Promised Land, which they were yet to enter. As he would not be with the Israelites much longer, he wrote down for them the religious, political, social and economic laws which should govern their lives when they get into the land. And he arranged all these laws in a literary form reflecting the structure of an ancient suzerainvassal treaty, a political document like a constitution.

What are the subjects covered in the "constitutional document" of Israel? Quite secular topics really—qualifications of leaders, governance, judges, courts, fair trial, punishments, property, inheritance, employees, labor, wages, debt, equity, fairness, exploitation, human dignity, marriage, women, aliens, animals, war, and peace—the stuff of politics. In the book, God is presented as the Great King who demanded complete allegiance from the people for whom He had done so much. And they are His subjects. If they would obey His laws with diligence, they would be rewarded with the enjoyment of His blessings. But if they were to violate His laws, they would face His curses. In short, the laws that God gave to Israel is an amazing model of how justice, compassion for the oppressed and poor, and genuine holiness of life can work out in daily life. As such, Moses said to the people of Israel, "And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?" (4:8).

Okay, so now what?

The Word of God is like our Constitution. It tells us what we need to know about God and how He wants us to live. It is the manual for our life. God has given us the Nagas two choices: Obey God's commands and be blessed or disobey them and pay a heavy price. So, which will we choose?

Prayer: O Lord our Governor, we beseech You to guide our leaders so they may enact such laws as shall please You, to the glory of Your name and the welfare of our people. Amen.

Taken from the book “Breakfast with the King: The 100-Day Devotional” by Mazie Nakhro

THE EDIT PAGE

C O M M E N T A R Y

John Feffer Foreign Policy in Focus

Europe’s Coming Battle I n the first Crusade, on their way to fight the Muslim infidels in Jerusalem, the armed pilgrims asked themselves a provocative question: Why should we trek so far to kill people we barely know when we can just as well massacre infidels closer to home?

And thus the crusaders of the 11th century embarked on some of Europe’s first pogroms against Jews. These anti-Semitic rampages in the heart of the continent had the added advantage of helping to finance that first Crusade, as the pilgrims expropriated the wealth of the Jews they killed.

Europe is once again witnessing the collateral damage of conflicts in the Middle East. Extremists who are involved in a modern-day crusade in the Middle East — or have been thwarted from making the journey to Iraq or Syria — have asked themselves a question very similar to that of their 11th-century counterparts: Why not kill the infidel at hand rather than the infidel afar?

The question — and the answer as it played out last week in the offices of Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket in Paris — is as ugly today as it was more than 900 years ago. In both cases, the crusaders believed that their actions were of world-historical importance. In the 11th century, it was Pope Urban II who issued the call to arms that turned sedentary Christians into global marauders. Today, it is the Islamic State and al-Qaeda who are calling for their followers to slay the ungodly.

But as with those initial pogroms — not to mention the 2011 massacre by Anders Breivik in Norway or the serial murders of ethnic Turks in Germany by neo-Nazis between 2000 and 2007 — the recent atrocities in France are nothing but criminal acts. This is not, in other words, a showdown between the forces of Enlightenment and the forces of barbarism. I have nothing but sorrow for the victims and nothing but rage at the perpetrators. But we must resist the temptation to confer the status of combatant on the murderers or the status of defenders of civilization on Charlie Hebdo.

The Real Battle If these murders do not constitute a war, they nonetheless point to a deep conflict inside Europe.

This conflict is not over whose religion is the one true religion. It is about the very identity of Europe.

In the 11th century, what animated the crusaders was not just the status of Jerusalem but the fear that Islam was lapping at the shores of Europe itself (and indeed, Islam already had a firm foothold on the Iberian peninsula). Today, a similar fear animates the Islamophobes and immigrant-bashers of the continent.

They fear that their old-fashioned vision of an overwhelmingly white, Christian Europe — with reassuring borders that define who is French and who is German and who doesn’t belong in the cozy culture of “Western civilization” — is fast disappearing.

They disapprove as much of the border-erasing trajectory of European integration as of the demographic transformations of European immigration. They desperately stick their fingers in the civilizational dike to preserve the Christian heritage of the continent.

But the Europe of their imaginations, to the limited extent that it ever existed in reality, has already passed into history.

Immigration to Europe is nothing new, of course.

Particularly after World War II, colonial connections diversified the continent as Indonesians came to Holland, Algerians to France, and Trinidadians to the UK. During the labor shortages of the 1960s and 1970s, guest workers from the Balkans, Turkey, and North Africa poured into countries like Germany and Switzerland, which had little or no colonial con-

T

here are two key requirements for a truly representative democracy: First, that anyone of good character can run for election, without regard to income, gender or social status; and second, that voters determine which qualities are most important in those they elect.

The Indian state of Rajasthan has struck a blow against both of these freedoms. Last month, the governor issued an executive order barring citizens with less than eight years of formal education from running for election for village council head. The rationale was to create more effective and less corrupt administrations. The effect, however, will be to disempower the historically disadvantaged — women and the poor. Upward of half the state’s adult male population and three-quarters of its adult female population have been disqualified from running in the elections that begin this week.

There are some 250,000 village councils, or Gram Panchayats, in India.

Elections are held every five years, and voter turnout regularly surpasses that in state and national elections. The demographic makeup of those elected is also more diverse, in large part a result of the constitutional requirement that a certain fraction of council head positions, or Pradhans, be reserved for women, lower castes and tribal groups. As of 2009, only 11 percent of India’s national legislators were women, compared with 40 percent of village council heads.

The councils choose which public goods to invest in — from drinkingwater facilities to roads — and where to put them. They implement welfare schemes and public jobs programs, and decide who will benefit. Over the last decade, as India has expanded its social safety net and increased investments in rural infrastructure, the financial stakes of village elections have risen. The politicians behind the education requirement have argued that

core of extremists associated with football clubs and motorcycle gangs. But make no mistake: anti-immigrant and Islamophobic sentiment is very popular even among the so-called respectable elements in Germany.

Thilo Sarrazin was a prominent member of the Social Democratic Party when he published Germany Abolishing Itself, which described immigration as the weapon by which the country was committing suicide. The screed became a bestseller, and it was not because racist skinheads suddenly became avid book-buyers. In a German poll last month, half of the respondents declared their sympathy with Pegida and its anti-Muslim agenda.

In England, meanwhile, anti-immigrant fervor has catapulted the UK Independence Party into third place in the polls. In the wake of the tragedies in France, UKIP leader Nigel Farage spoke of a “fifth column” inside European countries “holding our passports, who hate us,” a sentiment that led to an uptick in his popularity.

(Of course, Farage is an equal-opportunity bigot. In the spring, after new labor regulations went into force that allowed Romanians the right to work anywhere in the EU, he said, “Any normal and fair-minded person would have a perfect right to be concerned if a group of Romanian people suddenly moved in next door.”)

But the organization best positioned to leverage the Islamophobia welling up in Europe is France’s National Front. Before the recent killings, Marine Le Pen was already leading early polling for the 2017 presidential contest, and her party was on top of the polls for local elections in March. Le Pen has called for a reinstatement of both border controls and the death penalty, which would put France at odds with the rest of Europe. She is the face of the new extremism: sufficiently liberal in some respects (divorced, pro-choice) to reach out to the mainstream but just as aggressively intolerant as her predecessors to appeal to the base.

The Islamophobia of these far-right movements is largely incidental. They traffic in anti-Islamic sentiment because it is both popular and more palatable than, say, racism or run-of-the-mill xenophobia.

Charlie Hebdo, after all, wasn’t running cartoons that made fun of black people or Roma. But it’s open season, intolerance-wise, on Muslims. This Islamophobia, however, is the tip of the spear. The real thrust of the far right is to keep out immigrants of all stripes.

nections, to supply surplus labor. Many guest workers returned home, but some stayed to raise families and create multiculturalism avant la lettre.

Those changes prompted the first wave of anti-immigrant sentiment. In 1968, Enoch Powell gave his infamous “rivers of blood” speech to his fellow British Conservatives in which he predicted future violence because of the influx of Commonwealth immigrants. The National Front began mobilizing anti-immigrant sentiment in France as early as 1970. The similarly xenophobic Republican Party in Germany started up in 1983.

Although Powell’s “rivers of blood” did not come to pass, the anti-immigrant strain in European politics has only grown more virulent. And Europe has continued to change. The wars of the post-Cold War era — in Bosnia, Kosovo, across North Africa, and in the Middle East — brought in refugees and migrants, and the attractions of a unified Europe drew people from all over the world. The demographic shifts in Europe over the last decade have been dramatic.

Between 2005 and 2013, according to UN population surveys, the immigrant population in Switzerland jumped from 22.9 to 28.9 percent, in Spain from 10.7 to 13.8 percent, in Italy from 4.2 to 9.8 percent, in Sweden from 12.3 to 15.9 percent, in Denmark from 7.2 to 9.9 percent, in Finland from 2.9 to 5.4 percent, and in the UK from 8.9 to 12.4 percent.

Such rapid increases in a short period of time Preventing the Rivers of Blood have created anxiety in populations that do not conThe first Crusade “liberated” Jerusalem in 1099 in sider their countries to be “immigrant societies” like a great outpouring of blood as the crusaders slaughthe United States or Australia. tered Muslims and Jews alike in the great city.

It was but the first of a half-dozen crusades that An Islamophobia of Convenience raged across Europe and across the next couple cenIn the German heartland, the organization Patri- turies. The victims of later Crusades included pagans, otic Europeans against the Islamization of the West Orthodox Christians, Albigensian heretics, and even, (Pegida) has proven to be both enormously popular during the fourth Crusade, the Catholic population of and an embarrassment to top German politicians.

Zara in present-day Croatia. The cycle of violence iniThis week, Pegida organizers went ahead with a tiated by Pope Urban II’s call to religious arms claimed rally in Dresden in the wake of the French killings victims of all faiths and backgrounds, and produced a and attracted 25,000 people despite calls by German good deal of European-on-European violence as well.

Premier Angela Merkel and other leading political Extremists on all sides would love to see the return figures for people to stay home. Although a counter- of the Crusades. The Islamic State and al-Qaeda would demonstration in Dresden attracted 35,000 people, like to see rivers of blood in the streets of Europe. And Pegida is on a roll, with more rallies planned in other the far right understands that an all-out war with a committed enemy is one path to political power. Once German cities and even in other countries.

The leaders of Pegida grew up in East Germany, in charge, they will recreate their own 9/11 moment in and their Monday marches recall the Monday dem- order to reverse European integration, build up a huge onstrations that took place in Leipzig in 1989. Some fence around Europe, and begin deportations.

Forget the false frame of the West versus Islam. It’s of Pegida’s rhetoric mirrors the chants of the East Germany democracy movement — such as “We are not historically or conceptually accurate, and the two are basically on the same side against the crimes of althe People” — but with a more sinister slant.

Not surprisingly, given its anti-immigrant and Qaeda and the Islamic State. The real battle is over the anti-Muslim message, the group has attracted a hard soul of Europe. And the far right is rallying like it’s 1099.

The Power of a Powerful Woman rohini Pande NYT less educated leaders failed to be effective administrators and were less able to resist corruption and negotiate with district officials.

There is some evidence that supports this position. However, it may also reflect a less enlightened agenda. The election of villagers from historically disadvantaged groups poses a major challenge to the traditional elite, who are used to controlling council resources.

The recent order is only the latest example of Rajasthan’s limiting voters’ choices. Earlier in December, the governor issued another ordinance requiring candidates to have a functional toilet, effectively eliminating many of the poor. And unfortunately, other states tend to follow Rajasthan’s example. Back in 1992, it became the first state to require that candidates for village council positions have no more than two children — a rule that particularly hurts lower castes and tribal groups, where fertility rates are highest. Since then, 10 other states have passed fertility limits on local leaders (though four have since revoked the law). A recent paper found that these limits increased the incidence of sex-selective abortions, and a qualitative study in Northern India from 2005 reported that men got around the law by disowning later-

born children and occasionally deserting their wives.

Rajasthan has a terrible record on women’s education and female empowerment. The state has the country’s second-lowest female literacy rate: 52 percent. And it has some of the most skewed child sex ratios, as a result of sex-selective abortion and reduced parental investment in daughters. According to the 2011 census, there were 883 girls for every 1,000 boys under age 6.

Village councils headed by women can catalyze change. In research published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics in 2009 and in Science magazine in 2012, my colleagues and I showed that living in a village that had elected a female leader caused villagers to report lower bias against female leaders. By creating empowered female role models, it led villagers to state more equal aspirations for their teenage sons and daughters and to reduce their daughters’ domestic chores and increase their schooling.

In 2010, my colleagues and I surveyed newly elected village chiefs in 247 village councils, in regions where women have historically faced significant discrimination. Our sample included 34 women who had defeated male candidates for the council head position. These women, who had successfully challenged the

WRITE-WING

traditional village male elite, were the aspirational symbols for new India. But this year, 82 percent of them have been disqualified from running.

The governor’s order won’t hurt only women who want to run for office; it will have negative consequences for all women living in these villages.

The governor issued the education requirement when the state legislature was out of session. As a result, it is open to a legal challenge, and a case is being heard in the state’s High Court. Unfortunately, any change will most likely come too late for this election.

Education is, of course, vital. In surveys, including ones we conducted in Rajasthan in 2010, voters consistently report a strong preference for educated leaders. Requiring a benchmark for education, however, will discriminate against able leaders who have been denied schooling because of gender, poverty or caste, and who have nevertheless worked to educate themselves.

There are better ways of ensuring that elected politicians are competent and effective. In the month before the 2010 election, we worked with a local nonprofit group in Rajasthan on a voter awareness campaign involving theater shows and the distribution of posters and calendars. The campaign caused more literate villagers to enter the fray as candidates, and these candidates gained a higher fraction of the vote. And if the state government is truly worried about the increasing administrative demands on council heads, it could simply provide them with better support.

Voters, not distant state officials, are likely to make the best choices as to who will most effectively represent them. A de facto handing over of local political control to the better off will not help solve Rajasthan’s gap between rich and poor, or stark gender inequality.

Rohini Pande, a professor of public policy at Harvard, co-directs the Evidence for Policy Design Initiative.

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.

7

Monday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

19 January 2015

PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

Mystery kidney disease killing lankan farmers

K

Margie Mason AP Medical Writer

arunawathie isn't hungry for breakfast. She rarely is these days, but she forces herself to choke down a few bites of rice, dried fish and a simple coconut mix. The doctors say it's better to have something in her stomach before the four-hour dialysis treatments.

She's going for her second session of the week, dressed all in pink, right down to her flip-flops. Her fingers and toes are fat with fluid, and her spongy arms feel like soft water balloons. Since she can no longer pass liquids on her own, doctors have told her to drink only 500 milliliters a day — equal to less than a can and a half of soda. As she walks unsteadily to the door, her two youngest children, 16 and 11, kneel before her and place their heads at her feet in a traditional show of respect.

V.G. Karunawathie is only 40 years old, but she is dying, and no one knows why. Her kidneys have stopped working, and now she's kept alive by a pump that filters waste from her blood twice a week through a snorkellike tube implanted into her neck.

The cause of her disease, which affects an estimated 70,000 to 400,000 people in Sri Lanka's rice basket, has baffled doctors and researchers for two decades. Even the World Health Organization hasn't been able to pinpoint what's killing as many as 10 people a month in Karunawathie's village — ravaging one house while sparing the next — as it creeps farther and farther into neighboring areas.

The disease mirrors equally confounding conditions plaguing thousands of farmworkers in parts of India, Egypt and Central America. Suspected causes include chronic dehydration and the heavy use and misuse of agrochemicals. In Sri Lanka, fertilizer use is among the heaviest in the world. No one cause has been identified, but theories abound. Many believe a combination of factors could be at play — from toxic algae and hard ground water to heavy metal exposure and high fluoride in drinking water. But to Karunawathie, there is no mystery at all. She understands more about this so-called chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology than anyone should.

It killed her father, mother and five brothers. Three other siblings have been sickened.

As the youngest of a dozen children, Karunawathie was diagnosed with the disease 12 years ago in her impoverished farming village. Since then, she's been told to stop eating fish and lotus root and to abandon her aluminum pots and pans for clay cooking utensils.

She's heard arsenic is to blame along with cadmium, lead and even home-brewed alcohol. Like most, she believes there's something in the water. But she has long given up trying to determine the source of her family's killer. Instead, she lives day to day at the mercy of a machine. And even that's not a sure thing.

Dialysis is supposed to be given three times a week, but most Sri Lankan patients get it only twice since just 183 machines exist nationwide — even though 2,000 new patients are in need annually. Critics say it's just one area where the government is failing the sick. Clean drinking water still isn't available in all affected areas, only a handful of kidney specialists practice in public hospitals and there's no national donor transplant program. With few options, many desperate patients are forced to burn through their meager savings, traveling hours every week by bus for treatment only to be too exhausted afterward to return home. Instead, they sprawl out on hospital grounds or in hallways for the night. Or they simply stay home and wait to die.

Karunawathie is fortunate to live only 10 kilometers (6 miles) from basic care. But the ride on the back of her son's motorbike is a torturous trip across scabbed pavement framed by a tangle of trees alive with monkeys and peacocks. When she reaches the hospital on this day, there's bad news: All the dialysis units are being used.

Karunawathie is told to come back later. But with each step, her strength is dying. More than a half-century ago, after Sri Lanka gained independence from Britain, farmers were encouraged to move to the hot, dusty North Central province with offers of free land.

Driven by the Green Revolution of the 1960s, the teardrop-shaped island south of India abandoned ancient farming practices for modern techniques and adopted chemicals that promised the dream of self-sufficiency.

Rice paddies and vegetable fields soon dotted the vast, flat land irrigated by large reservoirs. And today, Sri Lanka produces enough rice to feed its 20 million people.

Karunawathie's father was among those who moved from the cool, airy mountains to claim a piece of this harsh ground. He earned good money farming tobacco when she was a child, and the whole family helped harvest and handle the pesticide-coated leaves often stacked in a bedroom to dry. Then in 1987, her father died after his kidneys suddenly gave out. He was one of the first in Konketiyawa village to succumb.

The unexplained disease wasn't noticed by doctors

In this July 24, 2014, photo, Sri Lankans collect purified water distributed by a government supplier in Padaviya, Sri Lanka. A chronic kidney disease that has already killed up to 20,000 people over the past two decades and affects anywhere from 70,000 to 400,000 more in the country's North Central rice basket, remains an enigma without a name, baffling doctors, researchers and even the World Health Organization for two decades. A WHO report did find raised levels of cadmium and lead in certain plants and vegetables, such as lotus root and tobacco but water, the source widely suspected as the culprit, came up clean. However, the WHO study's Geneva-based author, Shanthi Mendis, said water could still be playing a key role when combined with other factors. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

until a few years later, after it started popping up elsewhere in the area. Unlike most kidney cases, there was no link to diabetes or hypertension. Instead, patients arrived at hospitals complaining of fatigue, loss of appetite, joint pain and difficulty passing water. Within months, they were dead. Many were men in their 30s and 40s who had labored in the paddy fields from the time the searing sun awoke until it faded red in 100-plus degree temperatures. No cases were detected outside the so-called dry zone, even though farming is practiced across the island famous for its teas.

By 2003, Dr. Tilak Abeysekera was alarmed by the growing number of patients he was seeing, including family clusters. He began traveling to affected areas to screen entire villages. A telltale protein was found in about 10 percent of the urine samples, and biopsies later revealed that something was destroying tissue that supports the kidney's filters, causing the organ to shrink. He diagnosed Karunawathie that same year. But more than a decade later, he is no closer to understanding the cause. "That type of disease you get in response to toxin exposure," says the aging, bespectacled doctor, who heads the kidney department at the Teaching Hospital in Kandy. "That's what led us to think this is an environmental disease from exposure to a toxin. How it gets into the human body is still debatable."

While the death rate has climbed to as many as 20,000, the source continues to baffle, just as it does along Central America's Pacific coast. A similar number of mostly sugarcane farmers have died there during the past two decades.

The problem has become so dire in one part of Nicaragua, it's been dubbed the "island of widows." Two areas in India and a pocket of Egypt have also been hit. Despite millions spent on numerous studies in Sri Lanka — some led by distinguished local researchers and others conducted using questionable methodology — new cases continue to emerge. The media have reported voraciously on all probable causes, including one group's claim that a vision from God led them to discover arsenic as the source.

The latest paper blames glyphosate, the country's top weed killer that's well-known worldwide as Roundup. That hypothesis, published in a little-known open access journal last February, suggests the agrochemical, introduced by U.S.-based Monsanto, forms a bond with heavy metals in food and drinking water that eventually destroys the kidneys. Glyphosate has been detected by the WHO in 65 percent of those sickened by the mystery kidney disease.

Although the theory has never been proven and Monsanto dismisses the claim, a minister announced in March that after seeing the report, then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa decided to ban the herbicide. The order was never enforced following industry protests and the chemical wasn't even officially outlawed until last month, in what was seen largely as a political move to win votes ahead of January's election. Glyphosate is still being sold in Sri Lanka.

Everyone is in agreement about one thing: Farmers living in the affected area douse their fields with too many chemicals, mixing up concoctions that sometimes include kerosene and multiple poisons. Most workers rarely, if ever, wear protective gear.

"You would think that this is such a major health issue that there would be a tremendous outpouring of sympathy and support, but instead there is all these political and economic interests behind the scenes that is sort of blocking addressing this issue," says Asoka Bandarage, a Sri Lankan academic in the U.S. who has written about the problem. "Even if it's not a definitive link, I think there's enough evidence or suspicion that they should really try to find alternatives to such heavy use of pesticides."

The nonstop swirl of confusing information has fueled fear, especially since the affected area has expanded from two districts to seven.

At the first sign of a simple backache or stomach cramp, villagers worry they've got "the kidney disease."

Some try to drink as little from their wells as possible and give the only bottled water they can afford to their children, leading to chronic dehydration that exacerbates the condition.

Others living in the hard-hit area of Padaviya, where Karunawathie's village is located, are concerned about marriage prospects due to growing stigma. Women are wary of moving there, and in some places, young men are fleeing to cities in hopes of escaping their family medical histories. "They are the farmers who have fed the nation for the last three or four decades," says Hemantha Withanage, head of the nonprofit Center for Environmental Justice. "Now they are dying, and the country is not looking after them."

The health ministry is expanding screening to try to figure out just how many people are affected and to improve early detection. It also plans to supply more medicine and dialysis machines, adding nearly a third of the country's units in 2013. But the kidney disease is already gobbling up to 5 percent of the health budget.

Newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena is a former health minister who hails from one of the hardest-hit areas. As part of his campaign, he donated money received for election posters to a fund set up for kidney patients. He also has promised to do more to address the problem.

The WHO report published two years ago is seen as the most credible research so far.

It found disease in 15 percent of adults in three affected districts, hitting male farmers over 39 years old the hardest even though more women with less-advanced disease were seen overall. Elevated cadmium and pesticide residues were detected in urine, leading the authors to surmise that they may be damaging patients' kidneys over time, in combination with other factors such as arsenic.

Water — the source widely suspected as the culprit — came up clean. However, the WHO study's Geneva-based author, Shanthi Mendis, says it could still be playing a key role when combined with other factors. She adds that the government must provide safe drinking water and regulate the use of agrochemicals. Pesticide bans and plans to truck in water are not solutions. "This drinking water should have been put right years ago," she says. "Nobody's really taking any real action. They're just talking."

Fertilizer is another issue. For years, the government has heavily subsidized imports coming mostly from China. Rice farmers currently only pay about $2.70 for each 50-kilogram bag. If that suddenly stopped, protests would likely follow.

The Morung Express

Although the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization ranked Sri Lanka among the world's top 30 users of fertilizer per hectare in 2011, the Agriculture Ministry has slowly started decreasing how many bags it distributes — amounting to about 750,000 metric tons annually at a cost over $300 million. It says it's pushing for a gradual return to the old ways of chemical-free cultivation.

But farmers, worried about their yields and meager bottom lines, aren't keen to go back. They say agrochemicals are far cheaper and easier than manual labor and produce just enough output for their families to survive, especially during a recent drought that turned once-verdant fields into endless acres of abandoned brown stalks.

Karunawathie's husband and brother, who has early stage kidney disease, both work seasonally on farms, earning about $150 a month. They never used to wear masks or gloves when spraying chemicals, but take precautions now.

Her brother says the poisons cause people to lose their appetite, and he sometimes vomits into the dirt.

As a result, he never eats or drinks while spraying.

Like everyone else in the village, the family has always relied on foul-tasting well water, heavy with calcium and magnesium that turn the water hard. They gladly abandoned it last year, when the government set up a filtration plant just down the road.

Karunawathie says it tastes much better, but she doesn't know if it's the answer. She's sure it's too late for her and many neighbors who are already sick, but she hopes the clean water will keep her three children from becoming the next generation to suffer. "I don't feel any different since I started drinking the filtered water," she says. "I've seen a lot of deaths in the family, and I also think I will go through the same thing."

Despite recently emerging from a quarter-century of civil war, Sri Lanka has managed to build and maintain a strong health system that's the envy of its neighbors. Child and maternal survival rates are among the best in Asia, and most care is free.

The Buddhist-dominated country also has a long history of eye donation through a local nonprofit that's made it one of the world's top cornea providers, yet no national kidney cadaver transplant program exists to help save lives.

It's a frustration that overwhelms doctors who say until the cause of the mystery is found, the government's focus must switch from searching for the reason to providing the only long-term solution available. Less than 50 transplants have been performed at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, the affected area's main health facility, while desperate patients post daily newspaper ads with their photos and blood types, pleading for someone to help. "Four or five people are added every week to dialysis, a minimum of three a week," says Dr. Charitha Weesasinghe, a kidney surgeon at the hospital. "But without transplant, you just wait for them to die."

Karunawathie's brother is the only family member lucky enough to get a kidney after a well-off man in their village came forward. As a police officer, he was well cared for in a special hospital until he recovered.

Karunawathie herself is not even hoping for a donor, and says she would refuse even if someone offered such a precious gift. The person would need to be properly cared for after surgery, and she has no money to offer.

Instead, she weakly straddles the motorbike at dusk and rests her head on her son's shoulder after her second trip to the hospital for treatment today.

As the oldest child, 21-year-old B.R. Pradeep Nuwan Weerawansa says he is treasuring whatever time he has left with his mother. But it's hard to watch her strength wither, with each lifesaving treatment leaving her weak.

"I want to give her whatever I can while she's still living," he says. "She's gone beyond the stage of recovery."

On this day, she finally gets her time with the machine, but all has not gone well. Karunawathie's skin is clammy, and she complains it's so hot, she feels as if steam is coming out of her body. Pinches of electric shock pulse through her arms.

By the time she gets home, her eyelids are heavy, and she's breathing hard through her mouth. Her mother-inlaw, who's been losing weight lately from her own advancing kidney disease, helps drag her into the house, where she collapses onto a bed by the front door. She whimpers and calls for a fan to try to move the suffocating air, but there is no relief. Her children kneel and stroke her head, trying to offer the only comfort they can.

Karunawathie knows it won't be long now. She's seen this disease enter her village too many times, always with the same cruel ending. "When the call comes, we have to be prepared to go," she says, softly. "We can't run away and escape."

That night, she's rushed back to the hospital where doctors work to stabilize her. She fights through the pain only to wake the next morning to learn that death has found someone else.

Another neighbor is gone. She wonders if she'll be next.

POLL RESuLTS

Is polItIcal Interest affectIng good governance In nagaland?

Some of those who voted YES had this to say: • No legislative. No government • Yes that has always been the case. For Naga Politicians leadership and office is a business.

• Yes very much. But our public have become so lazy that we do not want to shout anymore. The politicians are getting a free ride. This will only end in disaster.

• Yes. It is greed only • Yes. Ever since Nagaland statehood the leaders have become selfish and have been driven by their own personal political interest. This has affected the development and growth of Nagaland.

• Rio wants to return to state politics to increase his assets after he was denied ministerial berth under modi government at the centre.

• Yes, if it weren't for political interest two groups would not have arisen. It's purely self interest & power. The political leaders are not concerned for welfare of the public but they are at the top level just for their gain, if they are so much in concern and honestly working for the people of Nagaland, this imbroglio would not have taken place instead all the legislatures would be in unity today.

Some of those who voted no had this to say: • I say NO because the personal political interest of politicians and bureaucrats have become a diseases because good and honest people have kept quiet and are not willing to speak out against them. This is the bigger problem we are facing.

• At present the political party are corrupt. Government and want to get selfish style of politic.

Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say: • Depends upon the leaders whether to choose for the common people or for personal gains in the name of Nagas.

• I'm sorry.. What rights? What Church? Money talks.. It is the public's fault that a good governance has become a joke.. You sell your vote for a thousand quid.. Tribalism prevails over Democracy..

Such a sad state of affair..

Church leaders wanting donations.. Youth leaders wanting the next top post..

NPG's with their palatial palaces'.. And "Yes".. Our politics/political leaders are a joke..

• Political interest? If so why split NPF party, aren't they elected with NPF ticket? I see more personal (selfcentric) interest on the part of NPF (K) faction influenced by Rio to hold remote control over the afYES no fairs of the state.

• Get the public educated on their rights and by that I don't mean the ABCD kind of education but awareness.

• There is chance for good governance if Clean election

51%

23%

that should ensure that they should not be allowed prevails, to have good governance, the top leaders must be honest. And in this matter, everyone; be it poto represent the people ever again? - (afterall errors litical figure, layman, should be educated about clean which any layman can say is wrong without a second thought should not be tolerated, specially on whose election & I strongly believe that Church should be the shoulders many villages and their thousand citizens, major initiator & condemn lives and reputations depends!!) what is the prove of unfairness openly. their contribution? all this vital factors, i believed were • Let us insist for One person not clearly understood or given proper access to the one vote...let the spirit of the people be it the campaigning or the media, or in the true democracy be followed. present context, have been bought with money. but if • this is just my personal we the people dig and clearly presented in the open opinion, what influence us point by point, i guess this would help a great deal in in finalising our decision influencing the conscience of each and every individfor voting for our respective ual while they go to vote. no doubt there will be some candidate is a vital factor. people, who, with all the points very clear to them will Before, proper informations still be corrupted and be bought by those undeservof the contesting candidate ing candidates. but i am sure, the right conscience will were limited - what is their prevail with the majority of the people. the most imporbackground? what have tant thing everyone of us needs to remember and be they achieved to be considencouraged is that we are all moving towards an era ered a good candidate to where access to information is much easier (to be inrepresent us? what is their formed about far and near regions taking the right and qualification? what is the exemplary step for all to follow) and the self realization potential of this candidate? of one's potential to earn a respectable, decent and what is their limitation? for comfortable livelihood and not being lured by money veteran candidates - what or promised backdoor jobs is gaining fast.. have they been able to achieved in the past, where • Isnt governance the basic principle on which the entire OTHERS structure of politics is built. Shouldn’t political interest imply is the prove and the feedpublic welfare. When leaders become selfish and self-cenback of the people effected tered the people suffer. We are passing through a critical by it? where have they failed? how have they conductperiod. The present ‘political drama’ of our poor legislators ed themselves as a responsible citizen? irrespective is deplorable and laughable. May God grant us Wisdom! of their financial position, what actions have they done

26%

Readers may please note that, the contents of the articles published on this page do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

8

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Monday 19 January 2015

Fake PMO website busted, mastermind arrested NEW DELHI, JaNuary 18 (IaNS): Delhi Police has busted a fake website of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) under the name “Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Yojna” and arrested the mastermind for cheating several people on the pretext of providing them government loans, officials said Sunday.

In a joint operation by Delhi and West Bengal Police, Sudipta Chatterjee, the 43-year-old mastermind of the racket, was arrested Saturday from Howrah, where the network had its base. “The fake website was created with the aim of cheating people of their money on the pretext of providing them loans for various projects and schemes,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Ravindra Yadav.

Twenty mobile phones, hard disks, internet dongles, cheques related to 43 bank accounts, fake project reports, some incriminating documents along with 16 rubber stamps of government offices were recovered from his possession.

Details of the server were obtained on the basis of the fake URL -- www.pmay-gov.in. Chatterjee was produced in a court in Bengal and was brought on transit remand to Delhi. According to the police official, Chatterjee created the fake website, projected it as a government one and hosted it on a server based in the US. “To confuse the users, the URL had the reflection of a government website and it was listed on priority with Google. Whenever, any online surfer would search this website would figure in the top hits,” the official said.

There were sufficient reasons to believe it was a government website, he said.

Chatterjee had employed 17 tele-callers to contact prospective clients and give them the registration number of their application form. The tele-callers were specially trained by him and scripts were provided to them which were prepared with great care and caution, so that the prospective client had no idea of being cheated.

There were a few clauses about the banking transactions, in which the client would be persuaded that he has to maintain a specified amount in his account as security. The mastermind would also obtain signed cheques, ATM cards, PIN number of the accounts and would direct the client that he should not avail any telebanking or net banking facility on that account.

Once these steps were completed, he would withdraw the security amount from the client’s account.

Chatterjee also disclosed that his associate was a web designer who helped him create other domains by the name of bharat-sarkar.in, govindia.in, CGTMSE-govt. in, CGTMSE-gov.in. He also created similar e-mails by the name of goi@developmentofindia.in and project@ developmentofindia.in.

The Morung Express

Unprecedented seven-layer security ring for Obama’s visit NEW DELHI, JaNuary 18 (PTI): A seven-layer security ring will be thrown around the VVIP enclosure on Rajpath for the Republic Day parade to be witnessed by US President Barack Obama and the airspace over the area would be monitored by a radar to be specially set up.

This will form part of the planned unprecedented groundto-air security drill that will turn the national capital into an impregnable fortress during the visit of Obama as chief guest for the main Republic Day celebrations on January 26 — the first by any American president.

A multi-agency control room will monitor the surveillance operations in every area of the national capital which has been put on the highest alert because of the visit of the US President.

Obama is arriving here on January 25 on a three-day visit to the country.

Threat perception is the highest for the event but there is no specific intelligence input about a possible terror strike, officials engaged with the preparations said pn Sunday while giving a broad overview of the security drill.

American Secret Service personnel, who have landed in the capital and Agra, have already conducted a preliminary survey of the routes to be taken by the US President and Rajpath where Obama will be seated along with President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hosts of other VVIPs to watch

1,600 US men to cover Obama on R-Day visit NEW DELHI, JaNuary 18 (TNN): Almost 1,600 American personnel, mostly from security agencies, are expected to be in India for the visit of President Barack Obama for the Republic Day. This is double the number of US officials who came to India during the US President’s last visit in 2010.

US security delegations have been landing in India for the past few weeks, since the time Obama’s visit was confirmed in November. An advance American delegation that was in India this week to prepare for the President’s visit has told their Indian counterparts that almost 1,600 personnel would be involved in Obama’s visit. Most of them would be security and intelligence personnel from agencies such as the US secret service and CIA. In 2010, during Obama’s visit to India the total number of officials involved were around 800.

“This time President’s engagements are significantly outdoors and more complex than his past visit,” one official explained. Last time, some 40 aircraft were involved in ferrying officials and secure vehicles for the President’s visit. the annual parade.

There is a possibility that the chief guest, for the first time, will arrive at the venue separately rather than with the President in his bulletproof limousine. If he does come with the President, he will be possibly the first US president not to travel in his own highly-secured ‘Beast’.

A seven-layer security ring will be thrown around the VVIP enclosure with elite Special Protection Group and Secret Services personnel forming a part of the Close Proximity ring, official sources said, adding a radar has

Obama would be spending almost two hours in the open at the Republic Day parade along Rajpath on January 26. An advance security team of the US that visited Rajpath had expressed serious concerns about the vulnerability of the arena.

However, the Indian side assured them that its years of practiced drill is foolproof, and that they have also started installing several CCTV cameras along the stretch.

Further tightening the security for the parade, the government is also expected to reduce the number of passes issued to public.

According to officials, the US side has also been suggesting several other measures to further sanitize the venues of Obama’s visit. Among the steps would be to keep stray dogs away from those areas to be accessed by the US President.

The American side is also believed to have suggested that the fly-past for the Republic Day parade be abandoned, but it was turned down by the Indians. Also, the US officials have suggested that eateries and hotels along the route that Obama would take from the Agra hotel to Taj Mahal be closed during the period of his visit.

been exclusively kept for monitoring air space over the VVIP enclosure.

Central Security agencies have brought in their Concealed Anti-Terrorists (CAT) squads to the national capital who form part of teams that carry out surprise checks at hotels, guest houses and vulnerable localities.

The ITC Maurya hotel, where the US president will be staying, has been taken over by the Secret Services personnel and multifrequency control room manned by the US officials have been set up.

American security personnel will also be part of the teams manning the control rooms set up to watch footage of nearly 15,000 CCTVs installed in the capital.

A power-point presentation of the Republic Day was given to the US officials about the events of the day including the cultural programme that will be performed by various artists before the VVIPs at Rajpath.

Besides the 80,000-member strong Delhi Police, additional 20,000 paramilitary personnel and armed police forces from

neighbouring states including Haryana, Rajasthan and India Reserve Battalions have been pressed into service to ensure fool-proof security in the capital especially around Rajpath where the main Republic day function will be held.

Anti-aircraft guns have been placed at strategic locations to thwart attempts to violate the air space over the venue, which has been traditionally a no-fly zone.

Metro underground and offices around the Rajpath area will be taken over 72 hours in advance at the request of the US security personnel. Snipers will take up positions at vantage points while Indian Air Force(IAF) will provide air cover to the parade area and the VVIPs on the ground.

Guest list for the ‘At-Home’ function hosted by the President is being pruned this time because of security considerations, the sources said. The American security officials will be part of every rehearsal drill.

US and Indian security agencies are taking extra care for Obama as he will be on an open air platform at Rajpath for more than two hours witnessing the Republic day parade. There is a possibility of putting up a bulletproof shield in and around the VVIP enclosure.

Unlike in previous years, access to Rajpath has already been closed while roads criss-crossing Rajpath like Rafi Marg, Janpath and Man Singh Road will be shut for general public a day or two before January 26.

‘Govt plans to appoint 6-7 Governors in coming weeks’ NEW DELHI, JaNuary 18 (PTI): The government is planning to appoint new Governors in at least six states in the next 15-20 days, with Bihar, Punjab and Assam likely among these. “We are planning to appoint 6-7 new Governors in the next 15-20 days,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh said.

There are vacancies in Governors’ posts in Bihar, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura. While Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil will retire on January 21, Himachal Pradesh Governor Urmila Singh will complete her five-year tenure on January 24.

West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi is holding additional charge of Bihar and Meghalaya, while Nagaland Governor P B Acharya holds additional charge of Assam and Tripura. Also, Uttarakhand Governor K K Paul is holding additional charge of Manipur.

Governor of Tamil Nadu, K Ro-

saiah, and his Odisha counterpart, S C Jamir, both retire in the next few months and are among the few Governors who were appointed by the previous UPA government and continue to hold office after the NDA dispensation came to power.

Aziz Qureshi, who had moved Supreme Court objecting to Union Home Secretary’s nudging Governors to quit office, was shifted to Mizoram Raj Bhavan from Uttarakhand early this month.

A controversy erupted a few weeks after the Narendra Modi government took charge when Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami called a number of Governors and conveyed to them the new government’s desire that they relinquish office.

UPA-appointed Governors Sheila Dikshit (Kerala), M K Narayanan (West Bengal), Ashwani Kumar (Nagaland), B L Joshi (UP), B V Wanchoo (Goa),

Shekhar Dutt (Chhattisgarh) and V K Duggal (Manipur) had to resign after the NDA government came to power.

V Purushothaman, Governor of Mizoram, had resigned after he was transferred to Nagaland, while Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan tendered his resignation as he was being shifted to Mizoram.

Kamla Beniwal, who had a running battle with Narendra Modi when he was the Gujarat Chief Minister and she the Governor of the state, was sacked after being transferred to Mizoram.

Among those shown the door was also the Lt Governor of Puducherry, Virendra Kataria, a former Congress leader. The NDA government has so far appointed Governors in states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Nagaland and Goa.

Hindu devotees cross a temporary pontoon bridge at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati during the annual traditional fair of “Magh Mela” in Allahabad on Sunday, January 18. Hundreds of thousands of devout Hindus are expected to take holy dips at the confluence during the astronomically auspicious period of over 45 days celebrated as Magh Mela. (AP Photo)

Avoid parallel trial on subjudice Mother and child care just an SMS away matters: Jaitley urges the media NEW DELHI, JaNuary 18 (IaNS): Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday asked the media to avoid conducting parallel trials while reporting subjudice matters. Delivering the first Justice J.S. Verma memorial lecture on “Freedom and responsibility of media” here, Jaitley said contours of censorship have been defied by technological developments.

“Technological developments have defied the contours of censorship and the challenges for the media lie within, in the context of ownership patterns, financial sustainability and financial models which lead to aberrations such as paid news,” he said. “...constructive deliberations on all issues relating to media freedom and responsibility need to be initiated amongst all stakeholders,” he said.

Talking about challenges the media faces these days, the minister said that in the last two decades, the conventional contours of issues pertaining to freedom and responsibility of media had changed “due to changes in the nature and content of media and the definition of news”. “The challenge before the media is to ensure quality and credibility along with the responsibility to play the role of an educator in handling sensitive issues,” he said.

Jaitley said the challenge for the media also lay in maintaining high ethical standards on the issue of conflict of interest “where it needs to be very careful”. Media responsibility was critical in addressing matters related to security, social tension, privacy of the individual and issues that involved subjudice connotation, he said.

NEW DELHI, JaNuary 18 (IaNS): A beep on your mobile phone tells you that your two-yearold is due for a flu shot, or even reminds you that you have completed six months of your pregnancy and need to go for a scheduled check-up. All this and more might come true with the union health ministry’s new ‘Kilkari’ scheme on mother and child care in August.

“Messages will be sent on the mobile phones of the woman or her husband or some other close relative,” C.K. Mishra, additional secretary in the health ministry, told IANS. For pregnant women, messages would include reminders about routine check-ups, blood tests, tetanus vaccinations and a host of other things. “Women would also be given tips on a healthy pregnan-

cy like food items to be eaten and avoided and what kinds of exercise they can undertake,” he said.

Young mothers would be sent alerts on the vaccination schedule, age and weight ratio of the child and tips on what to feed the child at what age.

The government also plans to expand the scheme to include adolescent girls in the future. “Tips on how to combat anaemia and on personal hygiene would be part of this,” Mishra added.

At the beginning, messages would be sent in six languages -four north Indian and two south Indian. “Later more languages can be added as the programme expands.”

“The SMS alerts would be appropriate to the stage of pregnancy or the age of the child,” Mishra

explained, adding, “There will be nothing general about the alerts.”

A total of 78 specific messages have been identified as of now and more will be added. He said that all stakeholders - like doctors, midwives, state health officials and service providers - are in the loop and technical issues are being worked out.

“The only problem we are facing is organising a proper database, a job which would be done by the ground level workers of the state governments,” he said. The project is inspired by a similar programme being run in Chhattisgarh under which the state government has provided computer tablets to nearly 380 auxiliary nurses and midwives.

The tablet-based information system enables quick and accurate reporting. The system has turned

out to be extremely beneficial as it helps in collection of health information about an entire family under one umbrella, based on which effective steps can be taken to improve their health parameters.

Despite major progress in some other fields, India has lagged behind as far as maternal and child health indicators are concerned.

According to the UNICEF, approximately 2 million children under-five die in India every year due to malnutrition and diseases.

This represents about one-fourth of the global burden of infant and child deaths. According to the UN Millennium Development Goals, India faces the challenge of reducing infant mortality from 53 per 1,000 live births to less than 30, and maternal mortality from 254 per 100,000 to less than 100.

Tibetan community in India at variance over citizenship rights NEW DELHI, JaNuary 18 (PTI): The Election Commission’s recent directive allowing Tibetan refugees to register for voter identity card for Delhi Assembly elections, which will help them acquire Indian citizenship, has not been welcomed by all and created a deep chasm within the exiled community.

Those against acquiring citizenship rights argue that the Tibetans living in India must remain refugees as becoming an Indian citizen would “dilute the struggle” for a free Tibet.

N K Trikha, national convenor of Core Group for Tibetan Cause, a pan-India group which advocates Tibet’s independence from Chinese rule,

said, “Acquiring Indian citizenship will knock the bottom out of their reason for living in exile with a determination to return to their motherland or see her become free at some point in time.”

He said that by taking any other country’s citizenship in search of greener pastures, the exiled community would lose its sovereign identity as Tibetans for a few “mundane” advantages. “The cost will be too heavy for the overall Tibetan cause,” he warned.

Tenzin Tsundue, a wellknown Tibetan activist and writer, thanked the Indian Government for granting voting rights to his compatriots living in India but said, “it dilutes the

struggle for a free Tibet because it naturally sets in complacency in the life of people and the urgency is lost in the process.”

He said the moment Tibetans give up their nationality and swear loyalty to another country, they lose their authority to speak as a Tibetan. “Of course they can continue to be culturally Tibetan, but now they can be supporters not claimants for Tibet,” he said.

What claim will citizens of other countries have on Tibet when it would be a free nation, he asked. Tenzin Lekshay, a media coordinator in the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, said that according to the ‘Demographic Survey of Tibetans in Exile’ by planning com-

mission of Central Tibetan Administration, a total number of 94,203 Tibetans reside in India.

When asked how many of them have been accorded citizenship by the Indian government, he said that he did not have an exact number in this regard. “I presume it would be very less,” he said. According to Indian citizenship laws, anyone born in India between 26 January 1950 and 1 July 1987 can be its citizen. As such, a large section of the estimated 1,00,000 Tibetans living here and their children can claim citizenship.

Tsundue rejected the theory that Tibetans born in India between 1950 and 1987 are natural citizens of the country.

“Tibetans living in India are recognized as foreigners. All of us have been procedurally issued registration certificates (RCs) which is our stay permit in India.”

The RCs have to be renewed, and an Identity Card (IC) is required while travelling overseas. As foreigners in India, Tibetans are not permitted to own land and cannot avail of most job opportunities. The Tibetan government-in-exile (TGIE) issues each Tibetan a Green Book as a proof of their original nationality.

“And unless the RCs are submitted and citizenship claimed at the court individually, the one lakh Tibetans in India cannot legally vote in In-

dia. And examples of Namgyal Dolkar has shown that the process takes one and a half years,” Tsundue said.

Namgyal Dolkar is a Tibetan princess and a descendant of the great Dharma kings of Tibet, whose empire in ancient history extended from parts of Bengal in the south to Mongolia in the north. She was born in Dehradun in 1986. Namgyal had applied for an Indian passport but was denied. Later, she took the matter to the Delhi High Court, which eventually ruled in her favour in December 2010.

Some of Tibetans in India are now using this case as a precedent to apply for Indian citizenship. Many believe that

given the uncertainty about India’s policy about TGIE after the present incarnation of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, asserting Indian citizenship may provide for secure status and safer ground in India.

Loden Phuntsok, a young Tibetan poet and author, says that seeking Indian citizenship was a matter of individual discretion. “Central Tibetan Administration has categorically put forward to the Tibetans in exile that it is a matter of individual discretion,” he said.

“The issue will not effect the Tibetan cause. Tibet is no longer a matter of Tibetans only but has wide implications on the whole world, particularly on Asia,” he added.

InternatIonal

the Morung express

Monday 19 January 2015

Dimapur

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Record 6 million turn out for Pope in Manila MaNILa, JaNuary 18 (aP): A record 6 million people poured into Manila’s rain-soaked streets and its biggest park Sunday as Pope Francis ended his Asian pilgrimage with an appeal for Filipinos to protect their young from sin and vice so they can instead become missionaries of the faith.

The crowd estimate included people who attended the pope’s final Mass in Rizal Park and surrounding areas, and lined his motorcade route, said the chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Francis Tolentino.

The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the Vatican had received the figure officially from local authorities and that it was a record, surpassing the 5 million who turned out for St. John Paul II’s final Mass in the same park in 1995.

Francis marked an important feast day honoring the infant Jesus by dedicating the final homily of his weeklong Asian trip, which began in Sri Lanka, to children. It was a reflection of the importance that the Vatican places on Asia as the future of the church since it’s one of the few places where Catholic numbers are growing — and on the Philippines as the largest Catholic nation in the region.

“We need to see each child as a gift to be welcomed, cherished and protected,” Francis said in his homily. “And we need to care for our young people, not allowing them to be robbed of hope and condemned to a life on the streets.”

Pope Francis gestures as he delivers a message during his meeting with the youth at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines on Sunday, January 18. Millions filled Manila’s main park and surrounding areas for Pope Francis’ final Mass in the Philippines on Sunday, braving a steady rain to hear the pontiff’s message of hope and consolation for the Southeast Asian country’s most downtrodden and destitute. (AP Photo)

Francis made a triumphant entry into Rizal Park riding on a popemobile based on the design of a jeepney, the modified U.S. Army World War II jeep that is a common means of public transport here.

He wore the same cheap, plastic yellow rain poncho handed out to the masses during his visit to the typhoon-hit eastern city of Tacloban a day earlier.

The crowd — a sea of humanity in colorful rain

ponchos spread out across the 60 hectares (148 acres) of parkland and boulevards surrounding it — erupted in shrieks of joy when he drove by, a reflection of the incredible resonance Francis’ message about caring for society’s youngest and most marginal has had in a country where about a quarter of its 100 million people lives in poverty.

Francis has dedicated his four-day trip to the Philippines to the poor and

marginal. He denounced the corruption that has robbed them of a dignified life, visited with street children and traveled to Tacloban to offer prayers for survivors of the deadly 2013 Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated one of the Philippines’ poorest regions.

Earlier Sunday, Francis drew a huge crowd to Manila’s Catholic university, where he came close to tears himself hearing two rescued street children

Indonesia rejects appeals, executes six drug convicts JaKarta, JaNuary 18 (aP): Indonesia brushed aside last-minute appeals by foreign leaders and executed by firing squad six people, including five foreigners, convicted of drug trafficking, sending a message that the new government will not compromise its tough approach to narcotics.

Four men from Brazil, Malawi, Nigeria and the Netherlands and an Indonesian woman were shot to death simultaneously in pairs just after midnight Saturday, several kilometers (miles) from a high security prison on Nusakambangan island. The other woman from Vietnam was executed in Boyolali, according to Attorney General Office’s spokesman Tony Spontana. Both areas are in Central Java province.

Their bodies were brought from the island by ambulances early Sunday either for burial or cremation, as requested by relatives and representatives of their embassies. President Joko Widodo in December rejected their clemency requests.

He also refused a last-minute appeal by Brazilian President

Dilma Rousseff and the Dutch government to spare their countrymen - Brazilian Marco Archer Cardoso Moreira, 53, and Ang Kiem Soe, 52, who was born in Papua but whose nationality is Dutch.

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said in a statement late Saturday he had temporarily recalled the country’s ambassador to Indonesia and summoned Indonesia’s representative in The Hague to protest Ang’s execution. He said it was carried out despite King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Mark Rutte personally contacting Widodo. He called the execution “a cruel and inhumane punishment ... an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity.”

Amnesty International said the first executions under the new president, who took office in November, were “a retrograde step” for human rights. Indonesia’s Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo has said there is no excuse for drug dealers and, “hopefully, this will have a deterrent effect.” Prasetyo said the new

government had a firm commitment to fight against drugs.

Widodo has said he would not grant clemency to 64 drug convicts on death row.

“What we do is merely aimed at protecting our nation from the danger of drugs,” Prasetyo told reporters Thursday. He said figures from the National Anti-Narcotic Agency showed 40 to 50 people die each day from drugs in Indonesia. He said that drug trafficking rings have spread to many places, including remote villages where most victims are youngsters of productive age. Indonesia has become the largest drug market in Southeast Asia with 45 percent of the region’s drugs in circulation.

A second batch of executions would be held later this year and also target drug smugglers, he warned.

Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago of 250 million people, has extremely strict drug laws and often executes smugglers. More than 138 people are on death row, mostly for drug crimes. About a third of them are foreigners.

speak of their lives growing up poor and abandoned.

The pope ditched his prepared remarks and spoke off the cuff in his native Spanish to respond to 12-year-old Glyzelle Palomar, who wept as she asked Francis why children suffer so much. Palomar, a former street child rescued by a church-run foundation, told him of children who are abandoned or neglected by their parents and end up on the streets using

drugs or in prostitution.

“Why is God allowing something like this to happen, even to innocent children?” Palomar said through tears. “And why are there so few who are helping us?” A visibly moved Francis said he had no answer. “Only when we are able to cry are we able to come close to responding to your question,” he said.

“Those on the margins cry. Those who have fallen by the wayside cry. Those

who are discarded cry,” he said. “But those who are living a life that is more or less without need, we don’t know how to cry.” And he added: “There are some realities that you can only see through eyes that have been cleansed by tears.”

A steady rain from the same tropical storm that forced Francis to cut short his visit to Tacloban on Saturday fell on the crowd, but it didn’t seem to dampen spirits of Filipinos who streamed into the capital for Francis’ final day. “I am not satisfied just seeing him on TV,” said Rosalinda Kho, a devout Catholic who arrived before dawn outside Rizal Park with her daughter, Rosana, to score a place for the Mass.

“This is a once in a lifetime chance to see him in the flesh, even from afar.”

By the time the gates opened, the roads leading to the park were mostly closed. Many people camped out on tarpaulins on the ground where they had spent the night, surrounded by bags of food.

Some pilgrims carried images of the infant Jesus to mark the feast day.

In his homily, Francis urged the crowd to protect their children from sin, alcohol and gambling, saying the devil “distracts us with the promise of ephemeral pleasures, superficial pastimes.”

“Filipinos are called to be outstanding missionaries of the faith in Asia,” he said.

Bracing for huge crowds, the government put out a public service announcement warning the elderly, pregnant women and children against coming to the event. They urged the crowd to carry

their things in transparent plastic bags since they’d be easier to inspect. An appeal to use raincoats rather than umbrellas went unheeded.

Earlier, officials had suggested Mass-goers consider using adult diapers since access to public toilets would be limited. As it was, traffic cops were given diapers since they couldn’t leave their posts, though authorities backed off an initial order to use them.

Rommel Monton, a 28-year-old call center agent, said he was struck

by Francis’ willingness to practice what he preaches, particularly as it concerns the poor. “He doesn’t want to be treated as someone special. Look at his vehicles, they are not bulletproof: He wanted them to be open so that he can feel he is close to the people,” he said. “How will you be able to protect your followers if you are not with them, if you are afraid to show yourself, to stand behind them or stand before them?”

Francis sought to stand with one Filipino family struck by tragedy during his visit: He spent 20 minutes Sunday meeting with the father of Kristel Padasas, a volunteer with Catholic Relief Services, who died Saturday in Tacloban when scaffolding fell on her. Witnesses said a sudden gust of wind toppled the structure, which had served as a platform for a large loudspeaker during the Mass. The father was overwhelmed by the loss but was “consoled thinking that she had helped prepare the meeting of the people with the pope,” said Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman.

Q&A on mystery kidney disease Margie Mason AP Medical Writer

A mystery kidney disease is killing Sri Lankan farmers. The first cases surfaced some two decades ago in the country’s North Central province, the main riceproducing area. Since then, the disease has killed up to an estimated 20,000 people on the Indian Ocean island nation. As researchers work to unravel the cause, and doctors continue to diagnose new patients, here are a few questions and answers about the illness.

Q: What’s the cause of the disease?

A: A World Health Organization study pointed to cadmium, pesticides and other factors, such as arsenic, as possible causes, but there was no clear link to any specific source. Water came back clean, though it has not been ruled out, and many suspect it is connected. Tobacco and certain vegetables, such as lotus root, were found to contain elevated levels of cadmium and lead.

disease progress?

A: An estimated 70,000 to 400,000 people are believed to be affected. Kidney disease is typically caused by diabetes or hypertension, but not in Sri Lanka, where people in their 30s and 40s are stricken by the mystery version.

The so-called chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology, or CKDu, acts like a toxin, destroying the tissue and causing the kidneys to shrink. Once the disease reaches the end stage, the only way to survive is by undergoing regular dialysis or getting a transplant. Often, several members of one family fall ill, and men are more severely sickened than women.

Q: Do agrochemicals play a role?

A: Sri Lanka is among the world’s top fertilizer-using countries, and some question whether heavy metals could be leaching into the soil and groundwater, though the government says regularly tested samples are within permitted limits. Last year, one scientist hypothesized that the popular weed killer glyphosate Q: Who’s sick and how does the may be to blame. He suggested

In this July 24, 2014, photo, a Sri Lankan farmer walks past an advertisement promoting agrochemicals in Padaviya, Sri Lanka. A chronic kidney disease that has already killed up to 20,000 people over the past two decades and affects anywhere from 70,000 to 400,000 more in the country’s North Central rice basket, remains an enigma without a name. Many in Sri Lanka, including the World Health Organization, have pointed to heavy use and misuse of agrochemicals as a possible culprit in a country that’s among the world’s top fertilizer users. (AP File Photo)

that the chemical, first introduced in Monsanto’s Roundup, forms a bond with heavy metals that persists in food and drinking water until reaching the kidneys, slowly destroying them.

This has not been proven, and Monsanto denies the allegations, but Sri Lanka has officially banned the herbicide — though it’s still being sold.

Q: How is Sri Lanka coping with the problem?

A: The onslaught of patients has left Sri Lanka struggling to care for them. There are only 183 di-

alysis machines nationwide, forcing many to get treatment twice a week — or less — instead of the recommended three times. There’s also a shortage of trained specialists, with only six transplant surgeons and 10 nephrologists at public hospitals in the country. There is no national transplant program that uses cadaver kidneys, leaving desperate patients to rely on relatives or altruistic donors. Since many die at home, their deaths are often not recorded as a result of kidney disease, masking the scope of the problem.

India’s RAW role alleged in Rajapaksa’s defeat

Mahinda Rajapaksa reacts during his final rally ahead of presidential election in Piliyandala January 5, 2015. (REUTERS Photo)

COLOMBO/NEW DELHI, JaNuary 18 (rEutErs): Sri Lanka expelled the Colombo station chief of India’s spy agency in the run-up to this month’s presidential election, political and intelligence sources said, accusing him of helping the opposition oust President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

An Indian foreign ministry spokesman denied any expulsion and said that transfers were routine decisions.

Rajapaksa, voted out of office in the Jan 8 election, told Reuters he did not know all the facts while the new government in Colombo has said it is aware of the reports but can-

not confirm them.

But several sources in both Colombo and New Delhi said India was asked to recall the agent in December for helping gather support for joint opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena after persuading him to ditch Rajapaksa’s cabinet.

A sketchy report in Sri Lanka’s Sunday Times newspaper on December 28 said that “links with the common opposition” had cost India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) station chief his job in Colombo.

India has often been involved in the internal politics of the small island nation off its southern coast - it sent troops there in 1987 in a botched effort to broker peace between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels.

Rajapaksa’s unexpected defeat after two terms in office coincided with growing concern in India that it was losing influence in Sri Lanka because of the former president’s tilt toward regional rival China.

The concern turned to alarm late last year when Rajapaksa allowed two Chinese submarines to dock in Sri Lanka without warning New Delhi as he should have under a standing agreement, the sources said.

Sirisena, the new president, has said he will visit New Delhi on his first foreign trip next month and has said India is the “first, main concern” of his foreign policy. An Indian official said the RAW agent was recalled after complaints that he had worked with Sri Lanka’s usually fractious opposition parties to agree on a joint contender for the election. Then, he was accused of facilitating meetings to encourage several lawmakers, among them Sirisena, to defect from Rajapaksa’s party, the official said.

The agent was accused of playing a role in convincing the main leader of the opposition and former prime minister Ranil Wickremasinghe not to contest against Rajapaksa in the election and stand aside for someone

who could be sure of winning, said the officer and a Sri Lankan lawmaker who also maintains close contacts with India.

The agent was also in touch with former president Chandrika Kumaratunga, who was a key player in convincing Sirisena to stand, said the officer and the lawmaker, who also confirmed that the agent had been asked to leave. “They actively were involved, talking to Ranil, getting those things organised, talking to Chandrika,” the lawmaker told Reuters. “Certain things you don’t talk about” Wickremasinghe, who is now prime minister again in Sirisena’s government, met “two or three times” with the man identified as the agent in the months before the vote, as well as with the Indian high commissioner, or ambassador, the prime minister’s spokesman said.

“They discussed the current political situation,” Wickremasinghe’s spokesman said, but he denied that the Indians had advised him. “He does not know if

he advised other politicians.”It was not clear if Wickremasinghe was aware at the time that he was meeting with an intelligence official. India’s RAW officers are usually given diplomatic posts when assigned to foreign missions.

Former president Kumaratunga did not respond to requests for comment. Rajapaksa declined to confirm the involvement of India in the campaign against him. “I don’t know, I won’t suspect anybody until I get my real facts,” he said at his party headquarters.

“There are certain things you don’t talk about,” a close associate of the Rajapaksa family said, but added that “there were clear signs of a deep campaign by foreign elements.” Sri Lanka’s then defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa - a brother of the former president - complained about the agent’s activities to Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in November when Doval was visiting the island nation for a defence semi-

nar, the Indian official said.

Another Indian official, who monitors the region for security threats, said New Delhi had been watching Beijing’s growing influence and heavy investments in Sri Lanka under Rajapaksa, who visited China 7 times since becoming president in 2005.

But India was stunned and angry last year when the Chinese submarines docked in Sri Lanka on two separate occasions, a step New Delhi saw as part of Beijing’s “string of pearls” strategy to secure a foothold in South Asia and maritime access through the Indian Ocean. “The turning point in the relationship was the submarines. There was real anger,” the Indian security official said.

Indian military officials said that New Delhi reminded Sri Lanka it was obliged to inform its neighbours about such port calls under a maritime pact, and Indian PM Narendra Modi raised the issue with Rajapaksa at a meeting in New York.

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SPORTS

Monday 19 January 2015

NBA: Curry, Thompson help Warriors win over Houston

HOUSTON, JaNUary 18 (aP): Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson scored 27 points each and the Golden State Warriors used a huge third quarter to roll to a 131-106 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.

The Warriors led by five at halftime and used a 38-point third quarter, with 15 points from Curry, to take a 22-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Dwight Howard, who missed the first two games against the Warriors, led Houston with 23 points and 10 rebounds on a night when the NBA's leading scorer James Harden scored just 11.

The Rockets got five straight points from Kostas Papanikolaou to cut the lead to 110-94 with seven minutes left, but Golden State scored nine quick points after that, led by Curry's five, to make it 11994 and cruise to its NBAleading 24th double-digit victory.

Harden made just two of his first 12 shots and got his fourth foul on a charge with 1:44 left in the third.

He was 4 of 15, including 0 of 4 on 3s, to finish well below his average of 27 points a game. Kyle Korver made a season-high seven 3-pointers on his way to 24 points, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Chicago Bulls 107-99 for its 12th straight victory.

Al Horford added 22 points and nine rebounds as the Hawks matched the second-longest win streak in franchise history. Paul Millsap scored 16 and Jeff Teague had 17 points and 11 assists.

The Hawks have won 26 of 28 since a 7-6 start, surg-

The Morung Express

Dimasa-Kachari Bishu Sports Meet concludes

DimaPUr, JaNUary 18 (mExN): The An exhibition match of Under-14 marked two-day Bishu Sports Meet 2015 of the Di- the closing ceremony. Ramesh Hasnu, Vice masa-Kacharis of Dimapur concluded on President, Kachari Tribal Council, NagaBlazers 102-98.

Sunday. The Meet was held at the Kachari land, graced the occasion as the chief guest.

Memphis won its fourth Sports Complex, Darogajan-Khushiabill. A press release received here informed. straight and led by as many as 20 in the second half. But WinnerS: : Alex Jingdong it saw the lead dwindle to 1) Reemin Nelaiyaba (Traditional Game) 95-93 when Damian Lillard : Bamunpukhri-II connected on a 3-point- 2) Duyung Siklaiba (Tug-of-war) Men er with 1:06 left. Udrih's 3) Duyung Siklaiba (Tug-of-war) Women : Darogajan Team-A : Bamunpukhri-II (Winner) 20-footer as the shot clock 4) Women’s Football Final Bamunpukhri-I (Runners-up) expired on the next pos: Bamunpukhri-II (Winner) session helped Memphis 5) Men’s Football Final Bamunpukhri-II (Runners-up) maintain the lead.

Lillard connected on another 3-pointer with 27 seconds left, but Udrih made a 22-footer with 8.7 seconds for the win.

Jeff Green and Courtney Lee matched Udrih's 17 points, and Marc Gasol finished with 15.

LaMarcus Aldridge led Portland with 32 points.

Blake Griffin scored 18 of his 30 points in the second half, Matt Barnes had 26 points and the Los Angeles Clippers pulled away in the third quarter to beat the Sacramento Kings 117-108.

Chris Paul added 12 points and nine assists, J.J. Redick had 18 points and Jamal Crawford scored 13 off the bench for the Clippers, who bounced back from a sluggish first half to win for the fourth straight time at Sacramento.

Griffin had 13 points in the third quarter and then scored five over the final 3 1/2 minutes of the game to help Los Angeles to its fourth win in six games.

Jason Thompson had 23 points and a career-high 22 rebounds for the Kings.

Also Saturday, the Detroit Pistons routed the Philadelphia 76ers 10789, the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 80-71 in overtime and the Washington Wizards downed the Brooklyn Nest West Ham's Andy Carroll, right, competes for the ball with Hull City's Curtis Davies during 99-90.

West Ham beats Hull in EPL

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) looks to pass around Houston Rockets' Donatas Motiejunas in the first half of an NBA basketball game on January 17, in Houston. (AP Photo)

ing to the top of the Eastern Conference with one of the NBA's most efficient offenses and a stingy defense.

Derrick Rose had 23 points, 10 assists and eight

rebounds for Chicago, which has dropped five of seven. Pau Gasol had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and Jimmy Butler scored 15. Zach Randolph had 20

points and 15 rebounds, Beno Udrih added 17 points, including two key buckets in the final minute as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Portland Trail

Dimapur Premier League T20 Dimapur Royals, Flamingoz, Blue Star, Wiskers in Semis

DimaPUr, JaNUary 18 (mExN): In the final league matches of the 4th Edition of the Dimapur Premier League T20 being played at the DDSC under the aegis of the Dimapur District Cricket Association, Dimapur Royals CC defeated Super Caps CC by 52 runs while Dimapur Knights defeated Blue Icons CC by 4 wickets.

In the first match of the day, Dimapur Royals, put into bat, posted 150/9 in 20 overs. More than half of the runs came from Lucky Chauhan’s bat. Chauhan was unlucky not to get a century as he missed the century mark by just 5 runs.

His 95, which came off 66 deliveries, was later deemed worthy of the man of the match award.

Sedezhale (11) and Ronseo (10) were the only other batsmen who got to double figures. For Super Caps, Babu Deka picked 3 wickets while conceding 22 runs. Sudama and Nayan Hazarika both picked two wickets each.

Chasing a target of 151 at a little over 7.5 runs per over, the pressure got the better of Super Caps as they were bowled out for 98 in 17.2 overs. Only Govin Yadav provided any resistance to the Royal bowling attack scoring 31 runs from 27 balls. Nayan (15) and Upender (10) were the other batsmen to reach double figures. The Roy-

Group A Blue Star Dimapur Dons Zenith CC Group B Flamingoz Warriors Titan CC Group C Wiskers CC Dimapur Knights Blue Icons Victoria CC Group D Dimapur Royal Super Caps Kohima Hornbill Power House

Win 2 1 0

Loss 0 2 2

Points 4 2 0

Win 2 1 0

Loss 0 1 2

Points 4 2 0

Win 2 2 1 1

Loss 1 1 2 2

Points 4 4 2 2

Win 3 2 1 0

Loss 0 1 2 3

Points 6 4 2 0

al bowlers bowled a tight line. Hedayatullah was the pick of the bowlers as he picked 3 wickets while conceding a miserly 14 runs. Super Caps were also troubled by the bowling of Akivi (2/16) and Tahmeed Rahman (2/19).

In the second match, Blue Icons elected to bat and scored 121/8 in their stipulated 20 overs. Sumit Dutta, with 23 runs, led the score sheet. Roshan Budathoki and Vicky Baruah picked 2 wickets each for the Knights.

Dimapur Knights, in their run chase, were off to flyer. They chased down the target in 13.5 overs losing 6 wickets. Temjen Toshi Jamir top scored with 38 runs from 30 balls and was assisted by Rana Thap with a run-a-ball 21. For Blue Icons, Thoiba and Vicky Mahajan both picked 3 wickets but conceded over 30 runs. Despite the win, Knights were eliminated from the tournament as Wiskers qualified for the semifinal owing to a better run rate. Temjen was awarded the man of the match award for his 38 runs.

the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham and Hull City at Upton Park stadium in London, Sunday, January 18. (AP Photo)

LONDON, JaNUary 18 (aP): West Ham gave its European ambitions a timely boost as a superb second-half display saw the Hammers beat struggling Hull 3-0 at Upton Park on Sunday.

Sam Allardyce's side was booed off at halftime after a dismal opening period but Hull paid the price for some lackluster finishing as Andy Carroll, Morgan Amalfitano and Stewart Downing all found the net after the interval.

West Ham climbed above Liverpool into seventh while Hull manager Steve Bruce has now over-

seen just two wins in 15 league games. The hosts were dreaming of the Champions League when it sat fourth in the middle of December but four league games without a win, including draws against West Brom and Swansea, had dampened expectations.

This victory puts the Hammers back in touch with the top four and was particularly important given their next seven fixtures include Liverpool, Manchester United, Southampton, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal. West Ham finally broke through in the 49th minute when Enner

Valencia unleashed a stinging shot from 25 yards (meters). As Tigers goalkeeper Allan McGregor parried the ball, Carroll outmuscled Curtis Davies to prod home his fifth goal of the season.

In the 69th, Valencia slid in Amalfitano and the midfielder coolly dinked the ball over McGregror to double West Ham's lead.

Three minutes Alex Song released Downing with a brilliant through ball and the winger held his nerve, tucking home his fifth goal of the campaign.

Hull remains in the relegation zone with 19 points from 22 games.

PSG scraps to laborious 4-2 win over Evian

Jan 19 Matches (Semi Finals): Blue Star CC Vs Wiskers CC @9 am Dimapur Royals vs Flamingoz SC @ 12:30 pm

Napoli beats Lazio to move 3rd in Serie A

miLaN, JaNUary 18 (aP): Napoli beat Lazio 1-0 to leapfrog the Rome side into third spot in Serie A on Sunday, while Sampdoria remained firmly in the race for the final Champions League spot with a 2-0 win at Parma.

Gonzalo Higuain was on target to once again punish Lazio. He has scored in each of the four matches he has played in against the capital side.

Napoli and Sampdoria moved onto 33 points, with Lazio two points behind.

Fiorentina was a point further back after Khouma Babacar's last-gasp goal snatched a 2-1 win at Chievo Verona. Genoa was on 28 points after coming back three times to rescue a 3-3 draw against Sassuolo.

There was more disappointment for AC Milan, which lost 1-0 at home to relegation-threatened Atalanta. Elsewhere, Udinese drew 2-2 at home to Cagliari, and Torino won 3-2 at bottom club Cesena.

In the lunchtime kick-

Napoli goalkeeper Rafael Cabral, right, dives for a save during a Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Napoli, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Sunday, January 18. (AP Photo)

off, Higuain scored in the 18th minute, latching on to a delightful ball from Dries Mertens before unleashing a strike into the top near corner from a tight angle. Lazio fought back and went close on several occasions, notably when Marco Parolo nodded a free kick off the cross-

bar. Higuain could also have scored a second but had an effort saved by Etrit Berisha before sending another inches wide of the left post.

In Parma, Sampdoria struggled to carve out chances but finally broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half when Eder

rolled the ball across from the right for Gonzalo Bergessio to tap in at the back post.

Samp all but sealed the result in the 71st minute. Bergessio hit the post from Joseph Alfred Duncan's cross and Roberto Soriano fired home the rebound.

Fiorentina looked to

have lost ground in a riveting battle for third spot as it appeared to be heading for a draw in Verona but Babacar headed Joaquin's cross in at the far post in stoppage time to snatch all three points. Joaquin had also had a hand in Fiorentina's 35th-minute opener, as Nenad Tomovic nodded his cross back across goal for Gonzalo Rodriguez to tap in. Sergio Pellissier leveled after Fiorentina missed several chances.

Milan was whistled off the pitch after its second successive home defeat. Filippo Inzaghi's men have won just one of its past six matches and visit Lazio next.

Alessio Cerci was handed his first league start after returning to Serie A from Atletico Madrid, but the former Torino star was replaced at halftime. German Denis saw a shot deflected off the crossbar before scoring shortly after the half hour following more woeful defending from Milan, which allowed Maxi Moralez to set up his Argentine compatriot.

Paris Saint Germain's Marco Verratti, left, shoots for the goal past Evian's Youssouf Sabaly, right, during the League One match at Parc des Princes stadium, in Paris on January 18. (AP Photo)

PariS, JaNUary 18 (aP): Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain again struggled for inspiration in a scrappy 4-2 win over bottom side Evian on Sunday in the French league.

After claiming just one point in its three previous matches, Laurent Blanc's side was caught cold at the Parc des Princes, going behind in the 14th minute when Adrien Thomasson's glanced header found Cedric Barbosa, who fired home with a half-volley.

Evian keeper Benjamin Leroy then denied PSG's handful of half chances and Blanc's players relied on set pieces to come back, as David Luiz got the better of Barbosa and leveled from a corner with a powerful header that Leroy could only divert into his own net at the half-hour mark.

Marco Verratti then scored his first goal for the club eight minutes later after Evian defenders failed to clear a long free kick.

First at the ball, Zlatan Ibrahimovic could not beat his marker but Verratti made no mistake from the rebound. As PSG fans stated to relax, Gregory van der Wiel's

comical own goal silenced the home crowd and brought back the 18th-ranked visitors into the game in the 64th minute, with the defender beating keeper Salvatore Sirigu from close range with a mishit header while under no pressure.

Javier Pastore concluded a neat collective move with a precise volley for only his second goal this season to restore the hosts' lead and substitute Edinson Cavani sealed PSG's win two minutes from time.

Cavani, who was jeered by PSG fans when he came on, and Ezequiel Lavezzi were brought back into Blanc's side this weekend after the South Americans were sanctioned for failing to show up at a training camp during the Christmas break. Lavezzi also came in as a substitute in the 79th.

PSG played its first home match since the deadly assault on Charlie Hebdo magazine's Paris office by Islamic extremists who killed 12 people and fans paid a tribute to the victims with a minute of applause before kick-off. The win provisionally lifted PSG to third in the standings.

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Entertainment

The Morung Express

19 January 2015

Dimapur

11

Britney Spears’ ex-boyfriend killed

Aniston praises Jolie Jennifer Aniston thinks Angelina Jolie did a ‘’gorgeous job’’ directing ‘Unbroken’ and insists there is no ‘’petty kind of silliness’’ between them

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ennifer Aniston thinks Angelina Jolie did a ‘’gorgeous job’’ directing ‘Unbroken’. The ‘Cake’ star insists there is no ‘’petty kind of silliness’’ between her and the 39-year-old actress, who is married to her ex-husband Brad Pitt, and claims she is a huge fan of Angelina’s recent World War II drama about real-life former Olympian and prisoner of war Louis Zamperini.

The 45-year-old star said: ‘’I mean, that movie is

so beautiful and wonderful, and she did such a gorgeous job.’’ The former ‘Friends’ star also dismissed speculation the duo avoided each other at the Critics’ Choice Awards on Thursday night.

She said: ‘’I think it’s time people stop with that petty B.S. and just start celebrating great work and stop with the petty kind of silliness.’’ Jennifer, who has been engaged to Justin Theroux for two years, previously branded the Oscar winner ‘’uncool’’ for dis-

cussing how she fell in love with Brad, 51, while they were shooting ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ in 2005 when he was still married to Jennifer.

But she now claims she is fed up of being pitted against the brunette beauty. Asked about their rumoured rivalry, she told ‘Entertainment Tonight’: ‘’I think that’s slowly coming to an end. I really do. ‘’It’s just tiresome and old.

It’s like an old leather shoe.

Let’s buy a new pair of shiny shoes.’’

Katrina breaks her silence on engagement with Ranbir

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atrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor have been under the spotlight, the moment the two started dating each other. But the love birds started to receive more attention ever since the two moved in together.

Recently, the rumour about

Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor’s secret engagement shocked everyone. And then ‘Bang Bang’ actress Katrina Kaif’s recent appearance at an award show with a big rock on her finger acted as a fuel to the fire.

The rumour was that Ranbir and Katrina ex-

changed rings with each other in London on 30th December, 2014. Rumour even stated that the two lovebirds got engaged in the presence of family and close friends. Katrina’s family, who lives in London, planned the engagement ceremony, while Ranbir’s parents flew to London to see their son get engaged to the beautiful actress Katrina Kaif.

However, Katrina’s spokesperson came forward to clear the air and set some fact straight about Katrina and Ranbir‘s engagement rumour. “This is to clarify that Katrina did not get engaged in a secret ceremony in London. There is absolutely no truth to the rumours,” clarified the spokesperson.

Seems like Katrina Kaif had it just enough with the rumours and that’s why, with this statement, Bollywood’s most favourite couple Ranbir and Katrina have put an end to the rumour and all the drama that came along with it.

Akshay launches campaign to end poverty, inequality

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ctor Akshay Kumar, who is leading Indian celebrity online support for global Action/2015, says the campaign is all about taking action to end poverty and inequality, and providing equal opportunities for all. India’s leading global ambassadors comprising A-list actors, actresses, directors, award-winning authors, dignitaries and public figures came together in a show of unity Jan 15 to show their support via Twitter and Facebook for the launch of the action/2015 campaign.

The campaign, a global outreach initiative to address world-changing issues of climate change, poverty and inequality, saw an outpouring of solidarity from celebrities such as Akshay, who was the first person to tweet his support for the campaign, reaching out to social media users.

“Action/2015 is not about impossible stunts, it’s about taking a plan and turning it into a reality, taking action by ending poverty, inequality and providing equal opportunities for every single person on this planet to secure a better future for all of us today and for our future generation.

“Between the wealth on this planet and all the overpaid millionaires, if

enough of us stand together and give what we can, we literally can end the pain and suffering in this world.

That’s the kind of statistics I think people need to understand -- this isn’t impossible, this is 100 percent doable,” Akshay told IANS. He is sure the “world can change”. “Let’s not complain and turn a blind eye anymore. Dig and then dig harder, do it for the hungry, the homeless, the dying, do it for the greater good.

“The power is in our hands and if we all come together this year, we could eradicate extreme poverty within an entire generation. 2015 will be a historic year, or it could be just like the last. Take Action/2015, make this ultimate dream today’s encouraging reality,” he added.

Akshay was joined in backing the campaign by actors Sonam Kapoor, Malaika Arora Khan, Pulkit

helicopter pilot and Britney Spears ex-boyfriend — who helped the pop princess quit booze — has been killed by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. John Sundahl, 44, was shot down during a flight from Kabul, where he’d been working as a private contractor transporting officials across the war-torn nation, according to the Daily Mirror.

John Sundahl, 44, “She is devastated,” was shot down a source close to Spears told the UK paper. “Brit- during a flight from ney thought he was a Kabul, where he’d lovely man.” been working as a A former real estate whiz, Sundahl dated private contractor Spears, 33, in 2007 after transporting they met at Alcoholics Anonymous in Los An- officials across the geles. He spoke openly war-torn nation, about her alcohol abuse. according to the “I told her, ‘If you fall off the wagon I don’t Daily Mirror. think you’ll live,’” Sundahl told the National Enquirer in 2007. I told her, ‘If you don’t want to get sober for yourself, do it for your kids.’”

Spears publicly credited him with helping her overcome her drinking problems. From his LA home, Sundahl’s brother Karl said officials told the family the Taliban was responsible for the brave pilot’s death.

In this Saturday, January 17 photo, Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor displays a cre“It’s heartbreaking,” Karl Sundahl said. “John went ation by designer Rohit Bal during a fashion show to promote “Khadi”, or handthere to try to repair the country. He was trying to help spun fabric in Ahmadabad. (AP Photo) people, he would often say that the country was in chaos.”

Sundahl’s body was returned to the U.S. last week. A small family funeral was held at a Buddhist temple in Los Angeles, according to The Mirror. “We had a really small funeral,” his brother said. “It was what John would have wanted.”

5 Fall Out Boy tracks we can’t get enough of ahead of the release of their new album

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head of the release of Fall Out Boy’s brand new studio album ‘American Beauty/American Psycho’, we’ve decided to take a look at just five of their songs from their extensive back catalogue that we absolutely adore! It was a tough decision to make. Having been a huge fan of the group for quite some time, all sorts of titles were flying around in my head - but I’ve managed to whittle it down to five that’ll get your Sunday feeling that little bit better.

Perhaps the band’s most influential and famous single, ‘Thnks Fr Th

Mmrs’ lit up the radio stations and charts back when it was released in 2007 - almost eight years ago! Today it still sounds as fresh and innovative as ever. As one of their newer releases, fans thought that Fall Out Boy had a lot to prove when they announced their comeback scheduled for 2013. Some were annoyed that they’d ever left in the first place, and so when ‘The Phoenix’ dropped and proved they’re still the same guys they’ve always been, and artists who can put together a catchy hit, we were on to a winner.

As the lead single from their third studio album,

this one paved the way in 2007 for those that followed, and did so immensely. Patrick Stump and Pete Wentz got together to write one of the most interesting lyrical pieces I had heard in quite some time - and it’s still one that will make you think long after listening about the state of the world today. Covering a Michael Jackson classic is instantly dangerous, and so we’re ultimately thankful that it was Fall Out Boy - with the help of John Mayer - that put a unique twist and fun spin on one of the most famous songs in history. It has to be listened to be explained - an absolute marvel.

Rounding out our list is another 2007 release, and perhaps the longest song title we’ve ever seen in our lives. The group’s incredible way with words is solidified in a track that may not have done as commercially well as it deserved, but certainly gained the critical praise and love from fans that I imagine it was written with the intention of doing.

Fall Out Boy’s new record is released on Monday, January 19.

Samrat, Kiara Advani, Mohit Marwah, Arfi Lamba, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Purab Kohli, author Chetan Bhagat, producers Ashvini Yardi (Grazing Goat Pictures) and Ritesh Sidhwani (Excel Entertainment), TV personalities Gautam Rode and sportstars Yuvraj Singh and Vijendra Singh.

The Action/2015 campaign is a growing movement of more than a thousand organisations in over 120 countries. The campaign was announced by Pakistan’s education activist Malala Yousufzai when she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. Other major names to support the campaign include Queen Rania Al Abdullah, U2 frontman Bono, Hollywood actors Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Hugh Jackman, philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, British-Sudanese entrepreneur Mo Ibrahim Athe Rhi presents special number during Chakhesang Thuni at Razeba in Phek district and singer Shakira. on January 17. (Morung Photo)

I just picked the wrong guys: Jennifer Lopez

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ennifer Lopez thinks she “just picked the wrong guys”.

The ‘Booty’ hitmaker - who has been divorced three times - believes she is a “great girlfriend and wife”. On a recent episode of ‘American Idol’ - on which she is a judge - Jennifer was shown dancing with a contestant before telling her fellow judges that it was “the most fun I’ve had in months”. She quipped: “I’m a great girlfriend.

And wife. Just picked the wrong f-ing guys.” Despite her comments, Jennifer has insisted that her split from Marc Anthony was nobody’s fault.

Responding to the earlier comments she made, she said: “You get to a point in your life where it’s not anybody else when things work out or don’t work out. “I think that’s been a big part of my journey to finally sit back and go, ‘Hey what is it that you think you’re doing?’” The 45-yearold singer also admitted that she has been on a “journey” recently, finding out how to be happy by herself.

She told the New York Daily News: “The key is in loving yourself and being happy on your own and then continuing from there. “Someone can add to that happiness.

‘Someone’ is also healthy and can love themselves and have a healthy relationship with you, but you have to be whole on your own and you have to be happy on your own.

“That’s kind of been my journey over the past few years.”

Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Martin faked breakup?

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ctress Jennifer Lawrence and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin are said to have been faking their breakup. “The Hunger Games” actress and the crooner, who were recently spotted having a dinner date in Studio City here, allegedly never parted ways in the first place, reports aceshowbizz.com. Lawrence never broke up with Martin. A source reveals to the site that the couple, who reportedly ended their relationship back in October, has been “together this whole time.” The source adds to US Weekly: “Chris spends the night at her house when he’s in Los Angeles and they have a system for him to come and go without anyone knowing.” “Neither of them wanted to be a public couple so quickly. So they told people they were broken up while they continued to build a relationship,” claims another source close to the actress.

Lawrence and Martin were photographed having a dinner date at Kiwami Sushi in Studio City Dec 30.

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WoRld ReCoRd Australia beat India to signal WCup ambitions AB de Villiers blasts 31-ball 100

South Africa beat West Indies by 148 runs in 2nd ODI

AB de Villiers blasted away the record for the fastest ODI century, getting there in only 31 balls, South Africa v West Indies, 2nd ODI, Johannesburg, January 18, 2015

J O H A N N E S B u R G , deliveries and in which challenge was over. AlJANuARy 18 (ESPN): runs were scored at 17.12 though they may have had AB de Villiers ripped up the to the over. Amla only faced hopes of pulling off somerecord books with the fast- 30 balls and contributed thing similar to what they est century in ODIs, off just 33. Such was de Villiers' did on the same surface last week when they success31 balls to beat the previ- dominance.

None of the the West In- fully chased the highest T20 ous quickest set by Corey Anderson off 36 balls, as dian bowlers were spared score of 232, West Indies lost South Africa beat their own as de Villiers put on his Chris Gayle in the fifth over record at the Wanderers full range of strokes. There and even though Dwayne and racked up 439, four shy was the pull, the scoop, the Smith and Denesh Ramdin both scored halfof the world record tocenturies, the South SCORES: tal of 443.

African bowling attack De Villiers' was the third hundred in SOUTH AFRICA 439 for two off ensured a huge win.

Jerome Taylor had a towering South Af- 50 overs (Hashim Amla 153, AB de rican total - the first Villiers 149, Rilee Roussouw 128; the most expensive return for a West Indian time three had been Andre Russell 1-78) bowler in ODIs when scored in an ODI innings - which also saw WEST INDIES 291 for seven off 50 his 10 overs cost 95 Rilee Rossouw register overs (Dwayne Smith 64, Denesh and Holder was not far his maiden century Ramdin 57, Marlon Samuels 40, behind. His nine overs and Hashim Amla his Jonathan Carter 40, Darren Sam- went for 91. Dwayne 18th, a career-best 153 my 25 not out, Jason Holder 21 not Smith also took punnot out, in the highest out; Morne Morkel 2-43, Vernon ishment and finished with an economy of 17 opening stand South Philander 2-69) after one of his overs Africa have ever postlofted drive and the good went for 30. Contrastinged of 247.

In less than an hour, old slog and Jason Holder, ly, Dale Steyn's 10 overs de Villiers took an innings given the toughest of exam- went for just 29 runs while which was building well inations as a young captain, Morne Morkel went for 43 and turned it into a sky- was hardest hit. De Villiers as the pair demonstrated scraper. He clobbered 16 plundered 45 runs off the how to operate on a batssixes, the most by a South nine balls he faced from men-friendly surface. They African and the joint- him, including six of his used the short well sparingly and bowled at good pace highest number of sixes sixes.

By the time Hold- but ultimately West Inoverall in an ODI innings, and dominated a 192-run er could even consider dies did not have the same second-wicket stand with launching a counter-attack structure to their innings as Amla which lasted just 67 of his own, West Indies' South Africa did.

MELBOuRNE, JANuARy 18 (REutERS): Australia beat world champions India by four wickets in a thrilling One Day International at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, overcoming a late minicollapse to win with just six balls remaining.

India's world record holder Rohit Sharma (138) smashed his sixth ODI International century to contribute more than half of his team's total but Mitchell Starc's career-best 6-43 restricted the visitors to 2678. When the hosts replied, swashbuckling opener Aaron Finch proved he is not just a reckless slogger, compiling a composed 96 as Australia overwhelmed the target with one over to spare.

Finch hit five fours and two sixes in his 127-ball knock but missed out on his seventh ODI century as Australia chalked up their second win in the triseries, which also involves England.

Australia's chase got off to a strong start with the openers putting on 51 runs before the dangerous David Warner (24) spooned a simple catch to Suresh Raina at extra cover. Shane Watson (41) also began aggressively but looked des-

India's MS Dhoni, left, watches on as Australia's Aaron Finch, right, cuts the ball during their One Day International cricket match in Melbourne Sunday, January 18. (AP Photo)

perate when boundaries stopped flowing and lost his off-stump to left-arm spinner Akshar Patel going for a slog-sweep.

Steve Smith (47), who punished India in the preceding four-test series, continued to trouble them, once again exposing the visitors' bowling limitations with his century stand with Finch. From 216-2, Australia lost four quick

wickets to inject fresh excitement in the contest but eventually prevailed when James Faulkner hit the winning boundary off Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Earlier, Sharma did not threaten the record 264 he blasted against Sri Lanka last year but the Indian opener gave Australian bowlers an insight into his intentions ahead of next month's World Cup with

an almost a run-a-ball knock. Opting to bat first, India slumped to 59-3 inside the first 13 overs before Sharma and Raina (51) set about rebuilding the innings adding 126 for the fourth wicket. Sharma's 138 came off 139 deliveries and was highlighted by nine boundaries and four sixes at the MCG, which will host the World Cup final. The elegant right-hander depart-

ed in the penultimate over when he mistimed a full toss from Starc and holed out to Glenn Maxwell at midwicket.

Starc, who claimed four wickets in Friday's tournament opener against England, missed out on a hattrick but walked away with back-to-back man-of-thematch award. India meet England in the third match of the series on Tuesday.

Wilder wins piece of heavyweight title

LAS VEGAS, JANuARy 18 (AP): Deontay Wilder became the first American to win a piece of the heavyweight title in nearly a decade Saturday night, staggering Bermane Stiverne early on his way to a 12-round unanimous decision that kept him unbeaten in 33 fights.

Going deep into a fight for the first time in his career, Wilder controlled the fight with a big left jab, often followed by right hands up the middle as he piled up points early on his way to the biggest win of his career.

The 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, who had never been past the fourth round in winning all 32 of his previous fights, had to go the distance in this one. But the payoff was the WBC heavyweight title and a chance to be a big man on a big stage.

One ringside judge gave Wilder every round, scoring it 120-107, and he won 119-108 and 118-109 on the other two. The Associ-

Bermane Stiverne takes a punch from Deontay Wilder during their WBC heavyweight championship boxing match on January 17, in Las Vegas. Wilder won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo)

ated Press had Wilder winning 117-111. Wilder had stopped all 32 of his opponents, 18 in the first round and none past the fourth.

But his opponents were a

suspect lot, and Stiverne (24-2-1) was his first big test as a pro, which he passed with flying colors. Ringside punch stats showed Wilder's dominance, cred-

iting him with landing 227 of 621 punches, including 120 of 420 jabs. Stiverne landed 110 of 327 punches, and only 38 jabs. It was the first heavyweight title fight

at the MGM Grand since Mike Tyson bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear in the infamous Bite Fight 18 years ago.

Stiverne was defending the title he won last May when he stopped Chris Arreola in the sixth round.

The WBC title had become vacant by the retirement of Vitali Klitschko, whose brother, Wladimir, is considered the true heavyweight champion.

Even in uncharted territory past the fourth round, Wilder continued to control the fight, moving backward and throwing left jabs to keep Stiverne away. But Stiverne kept coming, and his punches started landing more often as the fight entered the middle rounds.

"Come on, fight" Stiverne yelled at Wilder after hitting him with a left hook in the sixth round.

Both fighters tired toward the end of the bout, drawing some boos from the crowd.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores brace as Madrid wins at Getafe to keep lead

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BARCELONA, JANuARy 18 (AP): Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the second half of a 3-0 win at Getafe on Sunday as Real Madrid stayed top of the Spanish league at the halfway point. Madrid started slowly three days after its defense of the Copa del Rey title was ended by Atletico Madrid, but its talented attack eventually came through after light snow fell on the Alfonso Perez Coliseum.

Ronaldo was particularly subdued until Karim Benzema dribbled to the end line and used a skillful change of foot to open a passing angle and set up the Portugal forward to net from close range in the 63rd minute. Bale sprinted forward to redirect James Rodriguez's long ball with the outer edge of his left foot to double the advantage four minutes later.

Rodriguez continued to excel as Madrid's playmaker when he spotted Ronaldo calling for the ball and swerved in a perfectly placed cross for the Ballon d'Or winner to head home in the 79th.

Madrid has a four-point lead over Barcelona which visits Deportivo La Coruna later Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, right in action with Getafe’s Roberto Lago, left, during a Sunday. Madrid also has a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Getafe and Real Madrid at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, January 18. (AP Photo) game in hand.

After its exit from the cup, Carlo Ancelotti's team was under pressure to have a strong showing with only one win in four matches to start 2015 after finishing last year on a Spanish record 22-win streak.

"We didn't come back from Christmas in the best shape," Ancelotti said. "But, for example, James (Rodriguez) played an extraordinary game. He is getting back to his top form. Little by little the entire team is recovering its best form."

In the first half, Getafe's midfield of Jorge Sammir and Diego Castro kept Toni Kroos from linking up with Madrid's forwards.

The visitors were limited to Francisco "Isco" Alarcon's strike that goalkeeper Jordi Codina palmed over the bar before Kroos rattled the woodwork from long distance just before halftime.

Getafe's best scoring chance came with the result beyond doubt when Alvaro Vazquez hit the upright four minute from time. The modest Madridbased club remained one point above the relegation zone. Bale ended the match limping, but Ancelotti said it was only a "knock."

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