C M Y K
www.morungexpress.com
The Morung Express
Dimapur Vol. X issuE 24
www.morungexpress.com
“
Don’t make religion a cause for conflict: President [ PAGE 8]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Information
C M Y K
Dimapur, January 25 (mExn): The Western Command (Nagaland State) NSCN (K) has denied its involvement in various cases of abductions, purportedly based on the confessional statements of two apprehended abductors. A press note from the PRO West (Nagaland) of NSCN (K) clarified today that the two abductors namely 2nd Lt. John Sema and Corpl. Habwang Konyak have “never been deployed anywhere in the western command” of the NSCN (K). “The claim of one abductor John Sema as belonging to Aluchoba village under Zunheboto, District is completely fictitious since there is no such village in existence,” it was informed, and further that there is no cadre named Panmi Kuki, the alleged escaped abductor in NSCN (K) western formation. “The western command at no point of time has sanctioned any abduction for ransom, therefore the accusation that makeshift camp being maintained at Surumi village to facilitate such criminal operations never arises,” it maintained. To satisfy any doubt or suspicion, the western command said it is “willing and ready” to jointly investigate existence of any such hideouts and would not object to any operations by State law enforcing agencies against such alleged hideouts anywhere within the jurisdiction of Nagaland. “The western command however does not rule out involvement of cadres from other sector that operates independently without coordination or consultation of the western formation and for which the command does not own any responsibility,” stated the NSCN (K).
Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kemmu tie the knot!
Monday, January 26, 2015 12 pages Rs. 4 – Isaac Watts
NAGALAND OBSERVES NATIONAL VOTERS’ DAY [ PAGE 2]
Japan condemns IS execution of hostage
[ PAGE 11]
[ PAGE 9]
Businesslike Sharapova, Nadal march on [ PAGE 12]
obama and Modi announce the nPf crisis Sad chapter in the political history of the party breakthrough understanding •• Setting a bad precedent for the younger generation
nEw DElhi, January 25 (ap): Seizing on their personal bond, President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday they had made progress on nuclear cooperation and climate change, with Obama deModi forgot to let go of his claring a “breakthrough hands? i guess that’s his understanding” in efforts way of tightening ties. to free U.S. investment in nuclear energy developThe Morung Express ment in India. Obama and Modi exPoll QuEsTion pressed hope that a landVote on www.morungexpress.com mark 2008 nuclear agreesMs your answer to 9862574165 ment between the U.S. and India could begin to bear Do you support the Church’s intervention in fruit. “We are committed the ongoing NPF crisis? to moving towards full implementation and this is an important step that shows Yes no others how we can work together Are Nagas committed and to elevate our relationship,” prepared to overcome family Obama said. and tribal relations in the The two countries had fight against corruption? been at an impasse over Yes 22% U.S. insistence on tracking 67% no fissile material it supplies 11% others to India and over Indian liDetails on page 7 ability provisions that have discouraged U.S. firms from capitalizing on a 2008 civil nuclear agreement beThe Morung Express tween the U.S. and India. “In our judgment, the Inwill be closed on January 26, 2015 on account dians have moved sufficientof it being an official hol- ly on these issues to give us iday. The offices of the assurances that the issues are newspaper will re-open resolved,” said Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national on January 27, 2015. security adviser. Rhodes The Morung Express said it would still be up to U.S. companies to assess the market and decide whether they wanted to partake. He
NSCN (K) denies involvement in abductions
”
Learning to trust is one of life’s most difficult tasks
C M Y K
u.s. President Barack obama and indian Prime Minister narendra Modi hug after they jointly addressed the media after their talks in new Delhi on sunday, January 25. (AP Photo)
said neither country needed to take legislative action to completetheagreementsthe leaders reached Sunday. In a joint appearance following their meetings, both men went out of their way to illustrate how their personal chemistry was yielding progress on various fronts, from defense, to trade to energy issues. “Barack and I have formed a bond, a friendship,” Modi
said. “We can laugh and joke and talk easily on the phone. The chemistry that has brought Barack and me closer has also brought Washington and Delhi closer.” Obama said: “Your election and your strong personal commitment to the US-India relationship gives us an opportunity to further energize these efforts.” Under hazy skies Sunday, Modi greeted Obama
with a hug on the airport tarmac and offered an elaborate welcome at the country’s sprawling presidential palace. Obama also solemnly laid a wreath at a memorial honoring the father of India’s independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi. On Monday, Obama was to be the guest of honor at India’s Republic Day festivities, making him the first U.S. president to attend the anniversary of the enactment of country’s democratic constitution. Obama and Modi strolled briefly through the picturesque gardens of Hyderabad House, the guest house where the leaders held their talks, walking past little ponds of lotus flowers. Sitting down before cups of tea, both men looked relaxed and smiled and laughed often as they chatted animatedly. Earlier, Obama walked in his socks into a walled courtyard to lay a large white wreath at the site where Gandhi, India’s independence icon, was cremated. He then shoveled dirt and poured a pitcher of water around a young tree planted in his honor at the memorial. As Obama and Modi opened their talks Sunday, the prime minister presented the president with a copy of 1950 telegram from the United States congratulating India on the adoption of its constitution. Related stories on page 8
• Worst victim of the stalemate is NPF itself
Morung Express news Dimapur | January 25
Has the ‘Cock’ stopped crowing and started blaspheming? The ongoing crisis and upheaval of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), the oldest regional political party in the North East Region, has something of the ominous beyond the tussle for power and coveted portfolios. Formed on October 21, 1963, under the name Democratic Party of Nagaland, the regional party has undergone changes in nomenclature several times due to political exigencies. However, since 1963 the regional party has not changed its symbol ‘Cock’ and motto ‘Fide Non Armis’ (By Faith, Not by Arms). Both motto and the “sacred” symbol have been linked to the identity, culture and ultimate destiny of Naga people. The latest divide of the NPF into two groups, with Dr. Shurhozlie Liezietsu and Noke Wangnao as presidents respectively, has caught the common Naga unawares, many of who had so far reposed unflinching “faith” in the political party to lead the Naga people to a better future. “When veteran regionalists like Dr. Shurhozelie
and Noke and astute politicians like Neiphiu Rio or TR Zeliang and seniors like Kaito Aye are engaged in open mudslinging and character assassination, whom do we turn to for leadership? This is a sad chapter in the political history of the party,” said a retired government employee and a staunch regionalist. The Church has also expressed concern over the division within the NPF. “The crisis is an internal matter of the NPF Party and the Church has no say in this. But the Church is concerned about the consequences and further weakening of Naga society, which goes beyond the concern of the political party,” a representative of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council’s peace committee had earlier said. Like the Church, many are apprehensive that the crisis if prolonged would lead to division on tribal lines. Referring to the daily salvo of “hitting below the belt” allegations and rejoinders directed against each other by the two NPF groups in the media, a school teacher commented that such “unsavoury words” would set a bad precedent for the younger generation. “Going by the war of
words and subtle use of violent words like ‘bullet’ or ‘forced confinement’, the motto of the NPF ‘By faith, not by arms’ should be reversed,” the teacher added. “Every day, both the camps are spending lakhs of rupees in terms of accommodation, food and miscellaneous expenditures be it in the hotel or resort. After the vacation of these legislators, who do you think will foot the bill? Ultimately, it will be at the expense of public money. This vested interest drama has to end,” retorted an educated unemployed youth. But the worst victim of the stalemate appears to be the NPF party itself. “For decades, Naga people had regarded the regional party as the vanguard to protect the identity of the Naga people and herald a new dawn. Now the ground seems to be crumbling beneath them as one by one their leaders are being stripped bare in public. This is certainly their own doing,” a senior citizen commented. He said the need of the hour is to stop blaspheming each other and come together to rebuild their house. Does the rift portend the beginning of the end of the once proud regional party?
Home Ministry alerts North People urged to be ‘pro-active’ for East over ‘possible attacks’ good electoral system in nagaland agartala/aizawl/ imphal, January 25 (ianS): The union home ministry has alerted the northeastern states over possible terror attacks in the run-up to the Republic Day Monday, an official said Sunday. “The home ministry has alerted the northeastern states to maintain strict vigil in the run-up to the Republic Day and foil any attempt by separatist outfits to create a vicious situation,” Inspector General of Tripura Police (Police Control) Nepal Das told IANS. “The central and state governments have also asked the BSF (Border Security Force) to further strengthen vigilance along the India-Bangladesh border to prevent trans-border movement of militants,” he said. The BSF, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Tripura State Rifles and other central paramilitary personnel accompanied by bomb disposal and dog squads continued search operations at airports, hotels, bus and railways terminals, markets, congested locations and national highways. Four northeastern states - Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam - share an 1,880-km border with Bangladesh, while India and Bhutan share a 643km unfenced border. Four states of the region - Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh - also share a 1,640-km unfenced border with Myanmar. Arunachal Pradesh
shares an 1,080-km unfenced border with China. Several separatist outfits, including the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), have called for a 24hour general strike from Jan 25 midnight and for boycotting the Republic Day celebrations. They have mailed statements to media organisations in this regard. “We are yet to get any confirmation that the militant outfits have called a strike and boycott of the Republic Day celebrations,” Das added. The Northeast Frontier Railway has also taken up security measures regarding the running of trains in Assam and Tripura. An official of the Airports Authority of India said that entry of people, except passengers, into airport areas across the northeast has been barred and the restrictions would continue till Jan 27. In Manipur, a senior police official said roundthe-clock patrolling is being carried out in different places of the state specially in four valley districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Bishenpur. More than 12 IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) have exploded in different places of Imphal town and other places in the past eight days, the official said, adding that no one was hurt in these blasts. In Mizoram, Assam Rifles and Mizoram Armed Police have strengthened security across the mountainous state, bordering Myanmar.
our Correspondent Kohima | January 25
Nagaland State Chief Secretary CJ Ponraj today called upon the people to play a pro-active role in ensuring a good electoral system to reap the benefits of a good and vibrant government. Gracing the 5th National Voters’ Day 2015 here at Hotel Japfu under the theme ‘Easy registration, Easy correction,’ Ponraj stated that a smooth elec-
toral registration is needed to ensure the citizens exercise their franchise in a free and fair manner. Expressing concern over multiple electoral registrations, he called upon the people to change their attitude and avoid such practices. He also stated that the village councils declaring support to candidates during polls is an offence and crime as the basic individual right to vote is denied through such practice.
The Chief Secretary also urged upon the students unions that exist in every village to partake in the clean electoral process and instil in the minds of villagers the value of free and fair polls. He also told the gathering that the State requires a lot of introspection to have a good electoral system. Later, he administered National Voters’ Day pledge to the gathering. Also welcoming the new voters who got their
EPICs and NVD badges today, Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS, chief electoral officer Nagaland asked them to exercise their franchise responsibly. Kohima Deputy Commissioner W. Honje Konyak handed over EPICs cards and NVD badges to the new voters. Vote of thanks was proposed by N. Moa Aier, joint chief electoral officer, Nagaland. It is pertinent to mention that the Election Commission was established as provided by the Consti-
tution of India on January 25, 1950 and on its foundation day the National Voters’ Day is being celebrated across the country yearly since 2011. Nagaland too celebrates it in all electoral district headquarters with focus that all eligible desirous citizens are enrolled, one person registered only in one place, no errors in the details of elector, no ghost electors, EPIC to all electors and regular updating of electoral rolls for accuracy.
Naga student’s art selected for international exhibition Morung Express news Dimapur | January 25
The Naga knack for fine art may not be acclaimed, but a Naga student’s artwork has been selected for an international art exhibition. Akup Buchem, a sculptor and artist, had his artwork selected for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, an international exhibition of contemporary art, being held in Kochi, Kerala. From Dimapur, Akup is in his final semester at the Rabindra Bharati University in Kolkata where he is pursuing his Master of Fine Arts (MFA). Akup’s work, ‘Wings,’ was assembled from chips and scraps of wood his juniors in university had peeled off during their work. Themed ‘aspirations,’ he says he got the idea to create the wings after feeling broken. “We have to dream but we also have to work hard. I realised this when I was feeling broken,” he says. Akup has already done a solo exhibition in Kohima where he
displayed his paintings and a few sculptures. He plans to have another exhibition in the state after completing his masters. For now, though, he is concentrating on his sculptures which are mostly based on naturally found objects like twigs and branches. “I don’t have time for paintings,” he says. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an initiative of the Kochi-Biennale Foundation with support from the Government of Kerala. The 108-day Biennale started on December 12, 2014 and will conclude on March 29, 2015. The Biennale has 94 artists from 30 countries and has 8 exhibition venues set in spaces across Kochi, Muziris and surrounding islands. Shows are held in existing galleries and halls, and site-specific installations in public spaces, heritage buildings and disused structures. Alongside the exhibition, the Biennale also offers talks, seminars, screenings, music, workshops and educational activities for schoolchildren and students. Indian and international art-
ists exhibit artworks across a variety of mediums including film, installation, painting, sculpture, new media and performance art. Impressed by the international exhibition, Akup says, “The mediums that we have never thought about are being used here.” On being able to participate in an international exhibition, he says, “It was a good experience. It was the perfect opportunity to see the works of internationally acclaimed artists.” Nagas are known for their handicrafts but Akup insists that Nagas have a long way to go in the finer arts. “We have to learn a lot of things about art,” he says. “We have got a lot of education but we have lost out on our sensitivity,” he says referring to the lack of appreciation for art in Naga society. “The outside world on the other hand is totally different,” he points. However, Akup has hopes that Nagas will take up to art in future. “We have a lot of potential. We only have to realise that,” Akup maintains.
C M Y K Akup Buchem, a sculptor and artist, has had his work done in wood chips exhibited at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale in Kerala.