C M Y K
www.morungexpress.com
MonDAY • JAnuArY 23 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 21 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
o F
T R u T H
...the safest course is to do nothing against one’s conscience. With this secret, we can enjoy life and have no fear from death — Voltaire
‘God does not distinguish between male and female’
Jallikattu held in Tamil Nadu, claims two lives PAGE 08
Top seeds Murray, Kerber out of Aus Open
PAGE 02
PAGE 12
39 killed as Hirakhand Mental illness gripping express derails in Andhra nagaland health-scape
Vizianagaram, January 22 (ianS): At least 39 people were killed and 50 injured when the Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express derailed in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district, police said on Sunday. The incident occurred on Saturday at 11.30 p.m. near Kuneru station, 24 km from Rayagada in Odisha. The train was on its way to the Odisha capital Bhubaneswar from Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh. According to East Coast Railway spokesperson J.P. Mishra, nine coaches -- a luggage van, two general and four sleeper coaches, a second-cum-third AC coach, a third AC coach -and the engine derailed. “Four accident relief vans have been sent to the accident site. The reason behind the incident is yet to be ascertained,” Mishra said. Army personnel were deployed for the rescue work, which was in full swing and entered the final stage, the Railway Ministry said on Sunday evening. According to the railways, 13 unaffected coaches left the accident site carrying 300 passengers to Bhubaneswar via Sambalpur and Angul. About 500 stranded passengers were taken to their destinations by buses.
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Admission is totally free, monthly tuition fee is 35000/- per month. Reason for the rise ? Ah, we were compelled to make this adjustment ..because of Modi’s demonetisation!
Public Reminder We would like to remind you that Rejoinders to those statements/news pieces that have not been originally published by the newspaper will not be carried either. This is in order to maintain impartiality on an issue. We seek your understanding and cooperation! The Morung Express
The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion
Vote on www.morungexpress.com sMs your answer to 9862574165 From the following options, which institution holds the most power in the present Nagaland state context? Why?
C M Y K
• State Government • Tribe Organisation • Church • Others Do you think that 33% reservation for women infringes on Naga customary law and procedure of Article 371 (A)? Yes
47%
no
33%
others
20%
Details on page 7
Ketholeno Neihu
Kohima | January 22
A damaged coach of a passenger train is removed after it derailed near Kuneru village in Vizianagaram district, in Andhra Pradesh, January 22. (REUTERS)
Officials said the injured were shifted to hospitals through medical relief trains and ambulances. They said 22 injured were taken to the Parvathipuram government hospital. Seven patients were referred to Kin George Hospital in Visakhapatnam. Seven were discharged after first aid. Some injured were brought to the Rayagada district hospital. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu rushed to the accident site. He met the anguished relatives of the deceased. He also called on the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock
over the accident. “My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones,” he said and prayed for their speedy recovery. Similar messages came from Vice President Hamid Ansari, Chief Ministers N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh), Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal) and Naveen Patnaik (Odisha) and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Ganhdi. An inquiry by the Commissioner of Railway Safety has been ordered. The railways have announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia each for the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs
50,000 each for the injured. The Andhra government announced Rs 5 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased. The train had departed from Jagdalpur at 3 p.m. on Saturday and was scheduled to reach Bhubaneswar at 8.25 a.m. on Sunday. It ran off the track minutes after it left Odisha and entered Andhra Pradesh, from where it would have re-entered Odisha. This is the latest in a series of train accidents in last two months. Following Saturday’s accident, train services have been suspended on the route. Some trains were cancelled or diverted.
As a silent global crisis because of the stigma and discrimination attached to it rises, cases of mental illness appear to be rising at a distressing level in Nagaland too. According to data provided by the State Mental Health Institute (SMHI) in Aradura Hill, Kohima, there have been 1281 OPD registrations from May 2016 to date at the institute, which certainly is startling. Most of the patients are male youth, having a history of induced and substance abuse like consumption of alcohol, drugs, smoking of cigarettes and weed etc. which is more common and easily influenced among this group, the SMHI revealed. At least eight out of ten male patients have admitted to use of such substances. These occurrences are seen more in the age group of late teens to the forties. Dr. Wapang, SMHI Medical Superintendent, observed that there has been a consistent increase in the OPD registration in recent years. However, it may not be the number of cases increasing but awareness about the illness being cultivated in our society, he maintained.
• At least 1281 OPD registered at SMHI, Kohima since May 2016 • Stigmatization of mental illness delay proper help to patient Mental illness is ranked among the top stigmatized illnesses in the world affecting one out of four people. In Nagaland, where mental institutes are labeled as only for the “mentally deranged and insane people” and a “disgraceful” disease, the situation is further aggravated when the illness is frequently linked to spiritual/ religious beliefs. A number of cases of mental illness including clinical depression and stress, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, psychosis, substance abuse etc., have been reported in Nagaland. People suffering from mental illness experience depressed mood, loss of interest and appetite, disturbed sleep, low self-esteem, muddled thinking and become anti-social and such depressive episodes can be categorized as mild, moderate to severe, Dr. Wapang highlighted. Often, in Nagaland, mental illness has been blamed on instances such as “Satanic worshipping, invasion of the body by demons and other spiritual
entities,” a factor that delays proper help to the patient at an early stage. When treatment is delayed, patients usually have to undergo treatment, medication and other therapies for a longer duration or sometimes throughout his/her life. As Dr. R Themmungla, a clinical psychiatrist indicated that early intervention is the most effective. Kevi (name changed) who has been undergoing regular consultation at the SMHI for depression said she is seeing improvement in her health, appetite, sleep and social life through the medication and counseling of the doctors. Before, Kevi had been taking the assistance of “quacks” and “prayer warriors”, albeit without any results. Her family finally discussed the need to see a psychiatrist and landed at the SMHI. “It is over a year that I have been undergoing treatment here at the institute and regularly taking my medications. With
the help of talk therapy, I am more open to share my problems,” Kevi said. Mood swings, fear of crowd, loss of appetite, negativity and insomnia had confronted her normal life and relationships with people for years. “There are many people who also share the same case as mine. With a little openness, awareness and concern, wasted hopes can be reclaimed,” Kevi expressed. Dr. R Themmungla observed there is an earnest need for wide social awareness and de-stigmatization of persons suffering from mental illness. “Sensitization at the familial, institutional and societal level through the media, educational institutions, churches and NGOs through awareness programme, seminar and word of mouth to promote de-stigmatization and concerns relating to such cases can become a driven mobility and force of change,” the clinical psychiatrist explained. The State Government also needs to equip the institute with more work forces, infrastructural improvement and increase its facility and services, increasing its branches for ease of access. Thewriteriscurrentlyanintern atTheMorungExpress.
AR vehicle ambushed in Assam, 4 killed NAGALAND VISION 2030
guWaHaTi, January 22 (ianS): Tinsukia (Assam), Jan 22 (IANS) Two soldiers of the Assam Rifles were killed and two others injured on Sunday when militants ambushed a convoy near Jairampur on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, police said. The security forces, however, launched a counter-insurgency operation immediately in the area and killed two of the militants involved in the ambush. The attackers belonged to the United Liberation Front of West Eastern South East Asia (UNLFW), a joint platform of most of the northeastern militant outfits, including the anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), National Socialist Council of Nagaland led by Khaplang (NSCN-K) and Coordination Com-
mittee (CorCom) of Manipur. Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Sahay said security forces had launched a counter-insurgency operation against the militants. “Two of the militants involved in the ambush were neutralised later. The forces also recovered two weapons from their possession,” said the DGP. Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Mugdhajyoti Mahanta said 15 to 20 militants caried out the ambush. Unofficial sources said the militants fled with some arms and ammunition of the Assam Rifles personnel after the attack. The ULFA and NSCN-K had ambushed an army convoy in Tinsukia district in November last year and killed three soldiers. Following the incident, the secu-
What drove women to join marches around the world this weekend?
LOnDOn/DEHLi/ WaSHingTOn, January 22 (THOmSOn rEuTErS FOunDaTiOn): Hundreds of thousands of women took to the streets in cities around the world on Saturday in opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump, a day after his inauguration. Women protesters, many wearing pink knit hats, marched through downtown Washington around the White House and other landmarks, and also protested in other U.S. cities. Thousands of women also took to the streets of Sydney, London, Tokyo, New Delhi and other European and Asian cities in solidarity. Trump has angered many people with comments seen as demeaning to women, Mexicans and Muslims, and worried some abroad with his vow on Friday to put “America First”. “I came in support of
women’s rights and to protect our future and our health, and to prevent backsliding from the few gains we’ve made in the last few decades,” Karla Jackson, a 56-year-old pensioner from Raleigh, North Carolina, said as the Washington march got underway. In London organisers said an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 people took part in the march, including Mayor Sadiq Khan. “I’m here to show support for all the women, especially in Washington,” said Penny Dedman, 66. In Barcelona, Spain, around 2,500 people joined the protest, organisers said. “My message is that it is time to wake up and inform ourselves. This is no time to sit by. We need to make it happen,” said Stephanie Loveless, 33, a doctoral researcher and organiser of the Barcelona march. Protesters also took to the streets of the Indian
‘Process of communitisation has to be promoted’
rity forces had restricted the movement of vehicles on Jagun-Jairampur Road and intensified mobile checkposts. The Inter-state border between the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border and Assam-Nagaland border has also been put under intensified vigil. Meanwhile, a joint statement by the CorCom and the ULFA faction claimed responsibility for the attack and that they undertook a joint attack on the security forces, code-named “Operation BARAK”. “A joint team attacked the 13 Assam Rifles at Warabasti area on Jagun-Jairampur Road and killed three soldiers and injured two or more and were able to recover three weapons, including two AK Rifles and one INSAS Rifle,” said the statement signed by ULFA faction commander-inChildren fetch water in the remote area of Akhegwo village under Meluri sub division of chief Paresh Asom.
capital New Delhi. “I am here because I want to go out without feeling scared of being molested. You face it day and night. It has become normalised,” said activist Logna Bezbaruah, 25. “I am here today because I support the cause of equality. Women aren’t asking for more rights, just equal rights,” said activist Bhanu Pratap Pangtey, 27. In Bengaluru, where police are investigating reports of the mass molestation of women on New Year’s Eve, protesters said people should fight against sexual harassment being seen as normal. “I and a lot of my friends have to deal with a lot, mostly from men,” said Gayatri Ashta, 25, a technology consultant. “Somewhere my anger had over the years become acceptance and then plain complacency. This march has reminded me that we don’t have to accept this,” she said.
Phek district. (Photo by Chizokho Vero)
CPO ‘banishes’ eight ULB poll candidates DimaPur, January 22 (mExn): The Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) has “banished” eight NPF candidates for the Phek Town Council elections from Chakhesang region of Phek district “for defying the community resolution on ULB election adopted on January 3 and reaffirmed on January 9.” A press release from the CPO stated that the eight candidates have been “banished” for seven years with effect from January 17 “as per Chakhesang customary law.” A press note from the CPO President Kekhwengulo Lea and General Secretary Mutsivoyi Kotso cautioned that any individual/group “dealing with them or expultionist found within Chakhesang region of Phek district shall be doing so at their own risk.”
our Correspondent Kohima | January 22
The Nagaland Vision 2030 while touching on education and health care matters stated that the rural areas have no choice but to continue depending on the government institutions and services unlike the urban areas where the people have options for private sector services. “Therefore, urgent attention needs to be given as to how the quality of the services provided through the public institutions can be improved in the next five years,” the Vision statement observed. It stated that along with special incentives as also capacity-building programs for the government functionaries, the process of communitisation has to be promoted with more ardour and up-scaled wherever necessary. The NGO sector also has to be promoted through various incentive programs to go into the rural areas to provide such services, it added. The Vision document also stated that the housing and sanitation perspectives seem clear with provision of 100 per cent housing to all by 2022 and 100 per cent sanitation of the households by 2021. Water supply however remains an issue. Over the years, only 623 habitation out of 1530 or 40.72 per cent of the habitation were deemed fully covered while 864 habitations or 56.47 per cent were only partially covered. “While the rural development department envisages to supplement drinking water supply by reviving springs, streams,
water sources and traditional ponds, this will not be adequate. Structural changes in the form of water charges need to be introduced for their continued maintenance,” the Vision document said. It also added that there will be need for substantial investment in rural water supply to provide adequate water supply to the villages in the next ten years. Although 94.65 per cent of the villages have been electrified, the availability of constant power supply is altogether a different matter, the Vision document stated adding that there are serious problems of maintenance for which a special program needs to be drawn up for improving both the transmission and distribution to the rural areas. Skilling and capacity building among the rural population is an essential ingredient for uplifting them, it stated adding that this is required for the purposes of livelihood, accessing gainful employment both in the rural areas and even outside. “But along with this, if the economy of the state is to be transformed through agriculture, the people in the rural areas, especially framers will have to be enabled with better skills and knowledge to enhance their productivity at commercial scale,” the Vision document observed. It maintained that their skills have to be built up not only to adapt to new farming technologies but also to venture into non farming activities like transportation, storage, marketing, processing and even packaging. Special programs therefore, have to be drawn up to build the capacities of the rural people to meet the needs of the emerging economy, it added.