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FriDAY • JAnuArY 22 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 20 • 12 PAGes • 5
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ESTD. 2005
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When a man is wrapped up in himself, he makes a pretty small package — John Ruskin ‘Putin ‘probably’ approved murder of Litvinenko’ PAGE 09
Nagaland State Cooperative Bank records growth of 10.74%
End of an era: Ferrer sends Aussie legend Hewitt into retirement
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New bird species found in North East ‘ennG’ formed for governance
MuMbai, January 21 (MExn): A bird species, locally common in eastern Himalaya and overlooked till now, has been identified as a new species. A team of scientists from India, Sweden, China, US and Russia have described this species from the North East region and adjacent parts of China as the Himalayan Forest Thrush, informed a press note from Atul Sathe, Assistant Director - Education & Communication, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). This is the first Indian bird (Zoothera salimalii), which has been named after Late Dr Sálim Ali, who was closely associated with BNHS-India, including as a researcher, honorary secretary and finally as its president. The bird has been named after him in recognition of his huge contributions to the development of modern Indian ornithology and wildlife conservation. The BNHS stated that new bird species are rarely discovered nowadays, as most natural habitats are shrinking. Since 2000, an average of five new species has been discovered globally every year, mostly from South America. The Himalayan Forest Thrush is only the fourth new bird species described from India by modern ornithologist since independence. Commenting on the development, Dr Asad Rahmani, Senior Scientific
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
of Myanmar eastern nagaland • Eastern Naga National Govt to ‘fully concentrate on Myanmar Eastern Nagaland’ • To ‘discuss ‘Nation Statement of Eastern Nagaland’ with NLD govt • Announces formation of armed wing Eastern Naga Independent Army (ENIA)
The newly identified Himalayan Forest Thrush (Photo by Craig Brelsford)
Adviser and former Director, BNHS said, “It is a remarkable discovery and shows how much more we have to do in the field of ornithology in India. It also proves that North East India is a treasure trove of biodiversity that needs protection from the mega projects that are planned in Arunachal Pradesh without giving any attention to biodiversity conservation.” The tale of discovery Dr Per Alström and Shashank Dalvi first discovered the species in MayJune 2009 while studying birds at high elevations in western Arunachal Pradesh. It was realized that instead of a single species - Plain-backed Thrush
(Zoothera mollissima) – as believed till now, in reality there exist two different species in eastern Himalaya. Till now Himalayan Forest Thrush has been overlooked because of its close similarity in appearance to the Plain-based Thrush, now renamed as Alpine Thrush. Studies of specimens in 15 museums across seven countries revealed consistent differences in plumage and structure in the birds from the above two populations. It was confirmed that the species - Himalayan Forest Thrust - found to be breeding in the coniferous and mixed forests of eastern Himalaya was not separately classified till now. What first caught the atten-
tion of the scientists was the fact that the ones found in forests (Himalayan Forest Thrush) had a rather musical song, whereas individuals found in the same region on bare rocky habitats above the tree-line (Alpine Thrush) had a much harsher, scratchier and unmusical song. Further analyses of its plumage, structure, song, DNA and ecology throughout the range revealed that a third species was present in central China. While this population was already known, it was treated as a subspecies of Plain-backed Thrush. A fourth species from China remains unnamed. Future field studies are required to confirm this, the BNHS said.
DiMaPur, January 21 (MExn): A new political entity calling itself the Eastern Naga National Government (ENNG) declared was formed on January 14, 2016. This was stated today in a press statement to the media by the newly formed ENNG, which has R Stephen Naga as President, Khongwong Mossang as Minister for Home Affairs, M Saimon as Minister for Defence and Kim Juv NG as Minister for Foreign Affairs. The ENNG further stated that it will have an armed wing known as the Eastern Naga Independent Army (ENIA). The ENNG said that the people of Eastern Nagaland have suffered “untold terrible pain, agony, extreme poverty, and human torture during the past few decades due to mismanagement by various Naga national political leaders and wrong political philosophy and misguided policies of various Naga groups under the influence of other North East militant groups.” As such, the ENNG reasoned that the “emergency formation” of a new political organisation was necessary for the “welfare
and governance of the people of Eastern Nagaland and for bringing peace and tranquillity in the land.” The ENNG, it stated will “fully concentrate on the Myanmar Eastern Nagaland and take care of their own people to become a recognized nation in the days to come.” “And the People of Eastern Nagaland shall never and ever disappoint of doing their well being among the races of human beings.” Further it stated that the newly formed ENNG would discuss with the NLD government in Myanmar “about the Nation Statement of Eastern Nagaland in the days to come.” “Guided by our faith and deep belief that God has a plan and purpose for the Eastern Naga People, we affirm that it is our calling to survive and regain our rightful destiny as Eastern Naga,” stated the ENNG. “We honour the histories and traditions that had made us Naga,” it said while affirming to “uphold our economic resources, and right to exercise political rights in our own nation. We commit ourselves to
advancing the economic, political, social and spiritual well being of the Eastern Naga People.” The ENNG, it stated is based on the “political strategy over the Eastern Nagaland and the People and Tribes of Eastern Nagaland.” “The ENNG, manifesto is deem and more satisfaction for People of the land and there is a fortunate blessing of almighty God for our nation,” it claimed. Releasing its vision statement to the media, the ENNG affirmed to unite all caste, creed, nation, organization and factions in Eastern Nagaland “currently under the military occupation of Myanmar.” It recognized the urgent need to reclaim Nagaland, which it said has been carved out into different regions and states over the years since Myanmar got her independent from the British in 1948. The ENNG also recognized the need for a separate national organization for the eastern Nagas “at this juncture of our history with the blessings and support from the entire Naga people of Eastern Nagaland.”
The ENNG, in its vision statement expressed concern that the Eastern Nagas have suffered from discrimination, extreme poverty, colonization, occupation and historical injustices, which has resulted in dispossession of their land and resources, thus, preventing them from exercising their right to development in accordance with customary and traditional laws. It then expressed concern at the lack of development, educational and technological disadvantages of Eastern Nagaland. While affirming its respect to the “origin of Eastern Nagaland and the people,” the ENNG said: “we cannot impose the nonNaga residing in our territory those who become enemy for the son of the soil and other foreign nations.” It cautioned that the ENNG would not allow entry of any armed group in their “Peace Zone” and cautioned that any kind of illegal smuggling will not be tolerated. “Any such entry will be defended by Eastern Naga National Government (ENNG) Army,” it warned.
film, northeast 2016 to salute Tohanba bats for unity, peace talents and nurture passion Morung Express News Shamator | January 21
Morung Express News Dimapur | January 21
Let’s go home, son, they told me ‘the money i have is not enough to pay for your admission.’
Letter cautions French prez on India visit: Bengaluru Police
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bEngaluru, January 21 (ianS): A letter allegedly conveying Al Qaeda’s warning to French President Fancois Hollande not to visit India for the coming Republic Day parade has been received here, Bengaluru Police said on Thursday. Bengaluru police registered a case on January 14 under the Indian Penal Code after court permission since it is a non-congnisable offence, Additional Commissioner of Police (East) Charan Reddy said. “The letter which ends with words ‘Al Qaeda’ - was received by the French consulate here and handed over to the Highgrounds police station on January 11,” he said. The single page letter, with an Indian map in the background, contains three lines in the English language, warning French President Francois Hollande not to participate in the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26. The letter also contains a warning to the French people in unstructured English. The police officer said that the letter’s address indicated it was posted in Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
This February, creators of motion pictures from the North East region will be converging at the high grounds of Arunachal Pradesh to salute talents and nurture passion in filmmaking. In a maiden initiative, Arunachal Pradesh is hosting a regional film festival from February 17-20 at its capital Itanagar to promote an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cinema in the North East region. ‘Film, Northeast 2016,’ which is anticipated become a biennial event, and organized in partnership with the Film Federation of Arunachal (FFA) seeks to create a space where filmmakers from the 8 NE states can meet and engage with each other their stories, films, and art. “North East is unparalleled when it comes to culture, compassion and creativity. In this backdrop, we decided to create a platform to showcase the films of NE, create an interaction point and share experiences,” Sonam Chombay, secretary Information public Relation (IPR), Arunachal Pradesh said at a press conference held at Hotel Lake Shilloi, Dimapur on Thursday. Most importantly, Chombay hoped that the festival will be the beginning of generating an accord among filmmakers of the region to come together and make films on the issues of Northeast as a whole. Arunachal Pradesh IPR director, CM Longphong and festival director, Moji Riba was also present dur-
Arunachal Pradesh invites filmmakers from Nagaland to attend and take part in the Northeast film festival
(From L-R) Film, Northeast 2016 festival director Moji Riba, Arunachal Pradesh IPR secretary Sonam Chombay, IPR director CM Longphong along with Nise Meruno and a member of Zowie Madrigal at the press conference held at Hotel Lake Shilloi on Thursday. (Morung Photo)
ing the present conference. The film festival will be a precursor to the 30 years of Statehood celebration of Arunachal Pradesh. The vision of the film festival, according to the organizers, is to provide space for film makers of the region to interact and engage, create a network (both virtual and real) to share their work and concerns, build capacity and nurture talent of the art of cinema in the region. “It is very rare that filmmakers here from the region meet in our own home ground. We meet either in Delhi or Mumbai during film festivals organized by the outside actors,” Moji Riba said. He expressed that the upcoming film festival will create an opportunity not only share films of the region but also help in strengthening the emotional link between the NE states. The Arunachal Pradesh government has invited film and documentary makers from Nagaland to
attend and take part in the festival and also showcase their productions. The film festival will have a diversity of segments. In competition through official nomination, there is Chiaroscurowhere a feature film from each State would be nominated by IPR/Art and Culture departments. Films shot after January 1, 2013 is eligible to apply and the last date of submission is February 5, 2016. First Cut: debut films of directors form the regionthe IPR and Arts and Culture departments of east State will nominate 2 films for this segment. In open competition, there is Clapperboard which is films by young filmmakers (under 5 minutes) and Our Stories: documentary films on contemporary issues facing the region (20-30 minutes). The entries can be sent directly to the secretariat of Film, Northeast 2016. Last date for submission of entries is January 31.
There will be cash awards running in lakhs of rupees and trophies for the winners of the competition segments. Besides, there will be non competitive events such as children film festival, shorts, documentaries and features from Arunachal, retrospective of the films of master filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma, discussion on the issue of northeast cinema, scripting workshop, sound design workshop etc. With invitation from the Arunachal Pradesh government, Nise Meruno and the Zowie Madrigals will also be performing at the festival. “I am excited and proud that the Northeast finally has a major film festival…this is a good start,” said Meruno who also attended the press conference. The film festival will be held at Annex Lawns, IG Park. Those interested can get more details from their website: www.film-northeast.in.
Parliamentary Secretary for Municipal Affairs and Economics & Statistics, R Tohanba has stressed on unity amongst the Yimchungrüs in order to realize the aspirations of the younger generation for a progressive and vibrant society. The Parliamentary Secretary said whatever language the Yimchungrü people speak, whichever geographical area they belong to and the diverse traditions they follow, all these signify the rich cultural heritage of the Yimchungrü people as a whole. “We should be proud of who we are,” Tohanba said. Addressing the valedictory function as chief guest of the golden jubilee celebration of Yimchungrü Akherü Arihako (YAA) at Shamator Wednesday evening, Tohanba who also represents 58 Shamator-Chessore constituency in the state legislative assembly, said unity can be possible only when there is mutual trust and respect among different sections of the people. He said YAA being the apex student body of the Yimchungrü tribe, should be the harbinger of unity and peace among various sections of the society. “We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided”, Tohanba added quoting the famous author JK Rowling. Dwelling on the jubilee theme “Honoring our past, charting our future”, he said the theme aptly suggests that as the students move towards higher goals, they should at the same time remain rooted in their culture and tradition to retain their unique identity. “However, being root-
Parliamentary Secretary for Municipal Affairs and Economics & Statistics, R Tohanba, addressing the valedictory function of the YAA golden jubilee celebration at Shamator, Wednesday evening. (Morung Photo)
ed should not mean to imply holding on to our raw lifestyle. But it is important to celebrate and promote the positive, practical and logical practices of our forefathers like hard work, honesty and integrity. Yimchungrüs are fortunate to be blessed with a plethora of rich and amazing culture, which should be preserved while shedding off negative practices”, he said. Underscoring the importance of education in the modern world, the Parliamentary Secretary said education opens windows to the world. Tohanba said a society advances according to the progress made in education and that education is the only instrument which can open the eyes of ignorance and deliver the people from bondage. “When we look back to the time of our forefathers who did not have access
to education, they did not see the world beyond the boundary of their villages. But as soon as formal education came to our land, it empowered the people with knowledge and gave us the strength to move forward”, he said. Congratulating YAA for reaching an important milestone, Tohanba further said jubilee is not only a time of celebration and jubilation, but also a time for retrospection and reprisal and, a time to fondly remember the pioneers of YAA including P Hopong, late P Thsamphu, Kiulongba, Pensokiu, Kejinggkhum and H Chipong and others, whose sacrifices have made the student body into what it is today. ADC Shamator, Wonchio Odyuo and former presidents of YAA also addressed the valedictory function.