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www.morungexpress.com
The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. X ISSUE 18
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www.morungexpress.com
Tuesday, January 20, 2015 12 pages Rs. 4
He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life Shashi Tharoor questioned by SIT [ PAGE 8]
‘Batman v Superman’ will make cinema history
More join nationwide fight against polio [ PAGE 2]
Yemen: Houthi rebels seize Yemen state media [ PAGE 9]
[ PAGE 11]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Vibi Yhokha Kohima | January 19
23 houses razed in Tuensang fire Tuensang, January 19 (DIPr): A devastating fire consumed 23 houses at the Old Medical Colony B, Tuensang town, rendering 23 families homeless on January 19. The estimated loss of properties is worth nearly 50 lakh according to the assessment made by the administration. The fire was prevented from spreading by the Fire Services and the Assam Rifles.
NPF delegation meets CEC DIMaPur, January 19 (Mexn): A delegation of the Noke-led Naga People’s Front met the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India in New Delhi on January 19. A release from the NPF Press & Media Cell stated that the delegation was led by Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio, Rajya Sabha MP Khekiho Zhimomi, NPF working president Nozuta Swuro and NPF advisor and former State Chief Secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir. The delegation also met senior Central political leaders and “legal luminaries”, the release said, while adding that the team “exuded confidence that a popular government that has the majority support of the DAN under the NPF would be installed in Nagaland very soon.”
Richest 1% will own more than the rest by 2016, Oxfam warns
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LOnDOn, January 19 (reuTers): More than half the world’s wealth will be owned by just one percent of the population by next year as global inequality soars, anti-poverty charity Oxfam said on Monday. The charity’s executive director, Winnie Byanyima said an explosion in inequality was holding back the fight against poverty. “Do we really want to live in a world where the one percent own more than the rest of us combined?” she said on Monday. “Business as usual for the elite isn’t a cost free option. Failure to tackle inequality will set the fight against poverty back decades. The poor are hurt twice by rising inequality -they get a smaller share of the economic pie and because extreme inequality hurts growth, there is less pie to be shared around.” The richest 80 individuals in the world had the same wealth as the poorest 50 percent of the entire population, some 3.5 billion people, Oxfam said. Members of the top 1 percent had an average wealth of $2.7 million per adult, Oxfam said. Oxfam used data from the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Datebook, 2013 and 2014, and the Forbes’ billionaires list to compile its research.
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– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ivanovic out as Nadal, Murray win at Australian Open [ PAGE 12]
Documents produced are Moving Beyond tradition fake and fabricated: nPf The role of women in decision making: Peace and Development in Nagaland
You don’t know how to drive? Ssshes. Neither do I. Sigh! What a great politicians we`d make.
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“Our space is not just in the kitchen,” stated Reena Mutum, Coordinator of the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network during a consultation on ‘The importance and role of women in decision making Forums and Space: Peace and development in Nagaland’ held on January 19 at Nagaland University, Meriema Campus. The event was organized by the Control Arms Foundation of India and Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network in collaboration with the Women Studies Centre, Nagaland University, Kohima. Reena Mutum, who briefed the participants on the consultation, shared the need of women in North East (NE) India to work together. The main purpose of the consultation, she said, is to understand where the NE Women of India stand today and work out ways to empower women further. Women representatives from several women organizations in Nagaland attended the consultation. Sharing on the need to cross boundaries, Dr. Rosemary Dzüvichü, Director, Women Studies Centre, Nagaland University, stated that the scenario of women in Nagaland needs to be researched because crimes against women go unreported and compromises are made instead of delivering justice to women. “Nagaland is a classic case where there is a clash between customary laws and the legal system,” asserted Dr. Dzüvichü, noting that the high rise in crime is connected to the is-
At what point will the women in the North East be empowered? (Morung File Photo)
sue of literacy. There have been many misconceptions of the Naga community by outsiders, stated Dr. Dzüvichü, also pointing out that just because Naga women dress well and speak good English does not mean they are empowered. Giving the classic example of excluding women in decision making in the Naga society, she asserted how often women are not allowed to participate in decision-making processes and even if included, they are often assigned to make tea or welcome guests in meetings. Women must be included on serious negotiations and the central government must impose that. Although the contribution of Naga women to peace is immense, whether in their homes, community or society, Angela Yhome, Tenyimi Women Secretary and JACWR member affirmed that when it comes to power-sharing and putting women in the chair, there is a stigma. Despite sensitization, men are unwilling to accept an equal status for women. For Yhome, “Change
needs to start from our homes with our children.” Talking about the right to inheritance among women in Nagaland, Dr. Dzüvichü highlighted that women have no access to land, inheritance or maintenance of land and resources in Nagaland. And despite the changes in Naga society today where parents who can afford give land and property to their daughters, Dr. Dzüvichü also pointed out that these are all acquired property and not ancestral property. Only around two percent of women in Nagaland own land today, she informed. The first manifestoes of any political party in Nagaland has always been about empowerment of women but when it comes to giving a party ticket to women, the party hesitates, she observed. No matter how much a woman can contribute to a party, the first question the party comes up with is the ‘winnability’ of the woman which, according to Dr. Dzüvichü, is the ground reality. “Political empowerment-- it’s a ques-
tion of money and guns,” she said. She also highlighted past instances of sexual violence in Nagaland referring to the rapes committed under AFSPA in the NE region, where thousands were raped with no justice and where names have been lost over the years. “We have to fight ignorance. We need to continue to spread awareness, give proper education to both boys and girls. If we know our rights we will know our roles,” stated Sano Vamuzo, former chairperson, Nagaland State Commission for Women. She stressed on the need to build relationships with ‘sisters in the entire NE.’ While admitting that despite the different problems faced by NE women, together they share the same pain and the way to strengthen our sisterhood is to share our stories. Vamuzo also said that no two persons can come together if they keep accusing each other but unity begins with pointing out the good in others. She admitted that Naga women are more aware of their rights today.
KOhIMa, January 19 (Mexn): The Legal Cell of the Dr. Shurhozelie-led NPF today stated that it has “ascertained beyond all doubt” that the bank documents produced by ‘Kaito’s group’ alleging transfer of money to T.R. Zeliang’s bank account abroad are “fake and fabricated.” “The Legal Cell of the NPF, having examined the documents with the help of experts, have ascertained beyond all doubt that the documents are fake and fabricated,” stated a press release from NPF’s Legal Cell today, signed by Liangsi. “The persons responsible for faking these documents should know that criminal charges will soon be slapped on them not only for forgery but also for a host of associated charges,” it cautioned. Going into technicalities, the press note pointed out that on the upper left corner of the document, the date of `processing’ is shown as 16.08.2014, but on the lower left corner, the date of ‘acceptance’ of the transaction by the bank is shown as 16.03.2014. “How can the acceptance be done 5 months ahead of the date of its processing? That means the transfer was processed well after T.R. Zeliang became C.M, but it was already accepted well before he became C.M. Who can understand this kind of ludicrous logic? It appears that those criminals who fabricated the document had made some silly mistakes which they thought would escape scrutiny,” asserted the first point. “In all bank documents relating to remittances, deposits, and transfers of money etc, the amounts are invariably also written in words. But in the said documents produced, the amounts are indicated only in figures, but not in words. This will not happen in genuine bank transactions involving crores of rupees,” stated the second point of assertion. Third, it pointed out, that “it has been ascertained” that to open a bank account in foreign countries, you need to produce your passport, where the names are always written in full without abbreviations. “So, obviously, if T.R. Zeliang wants to open a bank account in Hongkong or Singapore or in any other country, he cannot open in the name and
TR Zeliang asks RBI to take ‘necessary action’ KOhIMa, January 19 (Mexn): The Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang, has written to the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) soliciting ‘necessary action’ on allegations of remittances made abroad in Zeliang and his wife’s name. Based on news reports published on January 16, 2015, Zeliang stated that “The purpose, source and origin of the funds are unknown to me. I am not aware of the persons or address mentioned, nor do I own any houses or properties abroad.” “I am bringing this to your attention with the request that necessary investigation and further action may be taken on the sources of these funds and their objectives, and the veracity of the said bank accounts and the transactions reported in newspapers. I am soliciting your immediate and further action in this regard, and to be informed of your findings on the matter at an early date,” said the Chief Minister of Nagaland. style of T.R. Zeliang but as per the given name on his passport. But in the documents, the name is written as T.R. Zeliang only which is not permissible.” The Legal Cell then stated, “It is common knowledge that figures are always mentioned or written in thousands or millions in all countries except in India where we use the Indian system of lakhs and crores. It is interesting to note that as per the document circulated, the money transfer which originated in Singapore, the amount is written as SGD (Singapore Dollars) 70,00,000.00 as per the Indian system.” The manner in which this document has been “fabricated” is, therefore, “full of inconsistencies and the general public are requested not to be mislead by such attempts at spreading disinformation by the Kaito group,” maintained the Legal Cell.
Survival Nagaland expresses ‘Stop playing hide and seek’ concern over the ‘outsiders’ NTC advises elected ENPO & ENSF resolve to maintain strict neutrality
DIMaPur, January 19 (Mexn): The Survival Nagaland (SN) has expressed ‘serious concern’ over the allegation of a number of shops being allotted to the ‘outsiders,’ especially ‘Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants’ (IBIs) at the Naga Shopping Arcade, commonly known as the Dimapur super-market. In a press release today, the SN accused that pharmacies, panshops, grocers, essential stores etc are all been run by outsiders while “our own Nagas are being deprived even of places and spaces to run business in our own land.” It questioned the Development Authority of Nagaland “why and how” it has allotted “such a high number of shops in our land” to “outsiders especially IBIs.” The SN said that it will soon file an RTI to “find out as to under whose names and firms have these shops and licenses been allotted.” The SN further informed that the new ISBT complex at Purana Bazaar has also started “swarming with” IBI shops in its premises. It has asked the NST department to “do the needful at the earliest and cancel the allotments and give it to the unemployed Nagas.” Also, the alleged ‘issuing of driving licenses by the Dimapur District Transport and number of vehicles under Naga names,’ stated the SN, “is now a matter of great alarm and a great disadvantage for all our educated unemployed Naga youths who has no money to start even a small business. It is said that taxis and autos driven by our own Nagas do not get even
space to park and has to wait in queues for hours for their turns.” The SN also appealed to the Dimapur Municipal Corporation to “strictly monitor” the issuing of trade licenses and shop registrations. “The number of lists of nonlocals and locals will be asked for a proper census to enlighten all the Nagas,” it stated. Further, it urged that the newly constructed shopping complex at the Forest Colony Dimapur “should be only allotted to genuine unemployed Nagas and compromising our future by any individual(s), group(s) or agency(ies) which will be deemed as selling away our birthright, anti- Naga and shall be viewed very seriously by all the new young generation Nagas.” Student bodies have also been asked to “check the admission of IBI children whose number has swelled almost around to 70% to 80% especially in many areas surrounding Dimapur and also majority of the funds from the Govt. of India like SSA/RMSA or other facilities are all going to them instead of our own under-privileged and deserving Naga children.” In conclusion, the SN has asked the district administrations to properly verify how many ILPs are issued monthly and “how many overstays or come again for renewal as without this proper mechanism to monitor ILP has become a mere joke because if this was rightly and properly implemented our Nagaland would never have been swarming with full of illegal immigrants today which has endangered our very existence.”
representatives to go back to the people for any alternative
KOhIMa, January 19 (Mexn): The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has urged the elected representatives of the House of People to “re-visit their commitment while appealing for vote and stop playing hide and seek game from Hotels and Resorts.” It has also urged the Members involved in the ongoing crisis “not to forget their primary responsibilities and to come out of their hide-out and seriously engage in their respective business to deliver goods to the people through democratic process.” In a press release from its media cell, the NTC asserted today that “In the event that, the elected representatives of the people fails to uphold the democratic principles to run the affairs of the State, they are at liberty to go back to the people for any alternative.” “The present imbroglio of our elected members and its political parties stalling the whole democratic system of governance is pathetically disturbing. The purpose of having elections in democracy is to have a Government to take care of the welfare of the people; hence in the last election the people gave mandate to NPF to run the Government. Whereas, the NPF has now stalled the governance due to its own internal discord,” stated the Council. It found “contemptuous” that elected members are “playing games with the people’s mandate at the expense of public time, energy and State exchequer for greed of power and money.” The NTC further maintained that elected members “cannot shy away from their responsibilities in such a worse financial situation like ours but to take responsibility and assure the people of the State how to rescue the State from the impending death trap of liabilities.”
Tuensang, January 19 (Mexn): The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) and Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) have jointly resolved to “maintain strict neutrality against the backdrop of the ongoing political crisis in the State.” The bodies have also appealed all concerned political leaders of the State to “resolve the differences through democratic means in the greater interest of the Naga public in general.” In a joint press statement from ENPO president Chingmak Chang, its joint secretary Manglang Phom, and ENSF presi-
dent Shahsha Manhahu, the two organisations stated that they have resolved to “equally appeal” the Governor of Nagaland to “strictly uphold the spirit of Democracy” so as to “deliver all fairness and justice to the people for a stable government in the State at the earliest.” Further, the organisations also strictly cautioned any individual/group “indulging and associating in the ongoing political impasses by using platforms/organisations of Eastern Nagas in any manner, which, if violated shall be treated as an infringement to the unity of ENPO and shall be answerable to the organisation.”
Naga Council calls for Governor’s intervention
DIMaPur, January 19 (Mexn): The Naga Council has requested the Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya, to intervene into the ‘present political impasse’ and take necessary steps to “restore the unfettered functioning of the government at the earliest.” Viewing the political impasse in the State as “most unbecoming and a mockery of democracy,” the Council stated that “This undesirable episode has totally paralysed the functioning of the State with
the citizens now wondering whether the elected legislators do in anyway care about the plight of the common man.” In a press release from its president, T Bangerloba Ao, and general secretary, Ntsemo Ngullie, the Naga Council asserted that “This political impasse is no longer an intraparty squabble since it is affecting governance and the public at large,” and asked the Governor to exercise his wisdom and intervene in public interest.
KOhIMa, January 19 (Mexn): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has expressed ‘serious concern’ today over the current political situation in the State. In that, it sincerely appealed to all the legislators involved to “show maturity” and “solve the misunderstanding between them and deliver their good service as people’s representatives in the best interest of the State.” In a press statement from its president
Tongpang Ozukum, and general secretary Esther Rhakho, the NSF noted that “Since it is a political upheaval Naga Civil Societies particularly the Students’ Organisation should maintain neutrality but as a responsible citizen of the State we are constrained to strongly appeal upon all the elected members to use their best wisdom to resolve the issue and serve the people for which they were elected by the people.”
NSF appeals legislators to ‘solve misunderstanding’
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