C M Y K
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 26 • 12 PAGes • 5
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FriDAY • JAnuArY 29 • 2016
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself India names 20 cities for $7.5 billion smart makeover PAGE 08
By Sandemo Ngullie
Assam Rifles arms catch for 2015
DiMAPuR, JANuARy 28 (MExN): The Assam Rifles has affected a recovery of 263 firearms and 19,157 rounds of ammunition in operations conducted during 2015 in Nagaland. The PRO of the AR while highlighting the seizures made by the para-military unit in the state informed that a total of 516 persons were apprehended during the same period for involvement in anti-social activities. Of the people apprehended, 230 were cadres of the various Naga Political Groups and 286 were civilians. 170 of the firearms and 16,812 rounds of the ammunition were recovered from civilians “not associated with any underground faction,” the PRO stated in a press release. The seized firearms included 142 pistols of various calibres, 10 AK and M16 series rifles, one lathode rifle and 24 types of “local made weapons.” The release further stated that the AR is doing everything possible to contain proliferation of unauthorised/illegal arms and ammunition in the society.
Earthworms could threaten plant diversity: Study finds
C M Y K
tORONtO, JANuARy 28 (iANs): A study of correlation between the number of earthworms and the abundance and diversity of certain understory species has found that the earthworm could be a threat to plant diversity in natural ecosystems. Researchers from Canada’s Université Laval and Université de Sherbrooke visited sugar maple forests in Quebec province and found that new shoots of red maple, striped maple, American beech, and two fern species became rarer as earthworm populations increased. “The most likely explanation is that the earthworms consume organic matter in forest litter,” said Line Lapointe, a professor at Université Laval’s faculty of science and engineering and the study’s lead author. “This results in soils that can’t hold as much moisture, and that in turn interferes with seed germination and the ability of some species’ plantlets to survive,” she added. Earthworms have started to change plant composition in sugar maple forests, according to the researchers. “If nothing is done, these changes could become more pronounced and spread to other forest communities,” Lapointe said.
T R u T H
— Lois McMaster Bujold
Djokovic, Serena hit new heights in Melbourne semis
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WHo extremely alarmed by Zika, could reach four million cases
reflections
He used to be very intelligent. Now look at what he’s become...a full fledged idiot!! Pucca his smart phone is sucking up his intelligence.
‘Be responsible for your heart’
o F
GENEVA, JANuARy 28 (REutERs): The World Health Organization (WHO) expects the Zika virus, which is spreading through the Americas, to affect between three million and four million people, a disease expert said on Thursday. The WHO’s director-general said the spread of the mosquito-borne disease had gone from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions. Marcos Espinal, an infectious disease expert at the WHO’s Americas regional office, said: “We can expect 3 to 4 million cases of Zika virus disease”. He gave no time frame. There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, which is a close cousin of dengue and chikungunya and causes mild fever, rash and red eyes. An estimated 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms, making it difficult for pregnant women to know whether they have been infected. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said the organisation’s will convene an emergency committee on Monday to help determine the level of the international response to an outbreak of the virus spreading from Brazil that is believed to be A group of Naga men in traditional attire share a light moment at a vil- linked to severe birth defects. lage in Tuensang. Photo by Toshi Kichu “The level of alarm is ex-
Cases of Zika Virus reported in twenty three countries
Mothers with their children, who have microcephaly, await medical care at the Hospital Oswaldo Cruz, in Recife, Brazil, January 26. (REUTERS)
tremely high,” Chan told WHO executive board members at a meeting in Geneva. “As of today, cases have been reported in 23 countries and territories in the (Americas) region.” Brazil’s Health Ministry said in November 2015 that Zika
was linked to a foetal deformation known as microcephaly, in which infants are born with abnormally small heads Brazil has reported 3,893 suspected cases of microcephaly, the WHO said last week, more than 30 times more than in any
year since 2010 and equivalent to 1-2 percent of all newborns in the state of Pernambuco, one of the worst-hit areas. Chan said that while a direct causal relationship between Zika virus infection and birth malformations has not yet been established, it is “strongly suspected”. “The possible links, only recently suspected, have rapidly changed the risk profile of Zika from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions,” she said. Other countries in the Americas are likely to see birth defects linked to the Zika virus, the head of the World Health Organization’s Americas arm told Reuters on Thursday. “Certainly in the Americas, Brazil is the first country with a massive outbreak of Zika and the other countries are now beginning their outbreaks so if we are going to see microcephaly we have to wait for 9 months,” said Carissa Etienne, Regional-Director for the WHO Pan American Health Organization. “We don’t know if Zika causes microcephaly but that is our guess, that we are going to see microcephaly because of Zika,” she said, referring to the brain damage in babies born with small heads.
Appoint Lotha language teachers ‘GBs an integral part of Naga identity’ under RMSA, LHW tell State govt
WOKHA, JANuARy 28 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho, Wokha (LHW) has asked the Commissioner & Secretary, Nagaland State Education Department to immediately appoint Lotha Language teachers under the RMSA. The LHW, in a press note from its General Secretary, Mhondamo Ovung, referred to an advertisement dated January 27, 2014 for appointment of second language teachers, and the result of the selection declared on November 30, 2015, by the Mission Director, RMSA, Nagaland. It alleged “discrepancy in number of posts advertised and the appointments made for Lotha teachers,” and said that as per the advertisement,
“the number of posts for Lotha language teachers was 10 (ten) and that of Tenyidie was 21 (twenty one).” However, the LHW expressed surprise that the “number of teachers appointed as Lotha teachers is 3 (three) only, against 10 (ten) posts advertised, where as that appointed as Tenyidie teachers is 30 (thirty) against 21 (twenty one) posts advertised, plus 5 (five) in waiting list.” “Since 12 (twelve) Lotha candidates have sat for the selection Interview, the appointment of the 10 (ten) Lotha teachers may be done immediately, in order of merit,” it demanded. The LHW further questioned as to why the department could not complete the recruitment process
even after two years, and has “instead set qualifying prerequisites for the candidates, such as to have studied Lotha up to Class XII (twelve).” “This prerequisite is like asking candidates to have Engineering or Medical Degree from the Nagaland University which has no such college; because so far the Education department has not made any appointment of “Designated Language (Lotha)” teachers, even in schools,” it said. At present, the LHW informed that teaching local languages like Lotha, is done by local teachers, discretionally assigned to do so by the controlling teachers, “which is to say that local language learning is in infancy.” Therefore, it said
that the concerned department needs to first streamline the appointment and posting of designated language teachers, with set syllabi, at all levels and then conduct the needed examinations, for awarding qualifying certificates. Then only can the Recruiting authority set prerequisite qualifications for appointment, it reasoned. The LHW further asked the RMSA authority to clarify, in written, the reason(s), within a month (thirty days), as to “why Lotha teachers appointed are short, the Tenyidie teachers are appointed in excess, and why it should take 2(two) long years (after GBs who participated at the inaugural ceremony of the silver jubilee celebration of GB’s 27/01/2014), to complete Union Chessore Area held at Chessore town public ground on Wednesday. the process of recruitment Morung Express News custodian of the customary ment desire for a peace to of teachers.” laws and practices, which reign in Nagaland, this GBs Chessore | January 28 also implies safeguard- union comprising of 13 vilParliamentary Secretary ing the inherent rights the lages and Chessore town, for Municipal Affairs, and Naga people, GBs should should also contribute toEconomics & Statistics, R follow the principle of nat- wards bringing an environHowever, recent admission Tohanba, said ‘gaonburas’ ural justice and deliver jus- ment where each one of us by Head Constable Herojit (GBs) are an “integral and tice without fear or favour. can co-exist in peace and Tohanba said unlike harmony”, Tohanba said. Singh revealed that he was indispensable” compoThe Parliamentary Sectold by then Additional SP, nent of the unique identity the Indian judiciary sysImphal West, Akoijam Jha- and history of the Nagaland tem, delivery of justice by retary further expressed Naga customary courts is optimism that with the lajhit, who is now SP of the people. The Parliamentary Sec- quick, cheap and accessi- signing of the Framework same district, to “finish him off.” Herojit also admitted retary said the role of GBs ble by one and all. He how- Agreement between the that Sanjit was unarmed assumes greater signifi- ever lamented that in re- Government of India and and had been compliant cance in the light of Article cent times, there has been NSCN (IM), Nagas would with the police, when he was 371 (A) of the Indian Con- a decrease in the number of experience a new dawn of stitution, which gives spe- appeals and cases in Naga peace and prosperity. detained. SDO (C) Chessore, K This shows, maintained cial provision to the State of customary and village Furhesie; President Yimthe NEFIS, that “the way Nagaland in respect of re- courts. in which Manipur Police ligious or social practices, “But as long as the GBs chungrü Tribal Council, Z Commandos have been Naga customary law and keep their integrity intact Keozih and President Yimallowed to function by the procedure and adminis- and deliver justices with- chungrü GB’s Union also Manipur Government and tration of civil and criminal out bias, the institution of addressed the jubilee celhave consequently become justice involving decisions GB-ship will flourish even ebration. NPF central Vice adept at ‘finishing off’ peo- according to Naga custom- in the days to come”, he President, Lepshi Ao, acple in extra-judicial kill- ary law. said and added that as the companied the Parliamenings and fake encounters. “Nagaland is unique name suggests “gaonbu- tary Secretary. This is a clear case of state- not only because of its co- ras” should exhibit matuEarlier, President GB’s sponsored fake encounter, lourful tribes and their rich rity, wisdom and have in- Union Chessore Area, denying people their basic cultural heritage but also depth knowledge of Naga Neoji Yim, delivered the right to be tried through a because of institutions like traditions and customs. welcome address and due legal process.” NEFIS the GB-ship”, Tohanba said The Parliamentary Sec- Chairman, jubilee planhas pledged to continue its in his address as chief guest retary also said GBs and ning committee, Shokum, struggle and build a “huge of the inaugural ceremony village councils being the proposed vote of thanks. movement” against the of the silver jubilee celebra- grassroot representatives Troupes from ShipManipur Government un- tion of GB’s Union Ches- of the Government, it is wonger village, Huker viltil such extra-judicial kill- sore Area held at Chessore their bounden duty to act lage, Chessore village and ings and fake encounters town public ground on as a bridge between the Sholünberü Culture Club “stop and the culprits are Wednesday. people and government. presented cultural dances brought to justice.” “As much as the govern- and songs. He said GBs being the
NEFIS protests 2009 Imphal fake encounter
NEW DElHi, JANuARy 28 (MExN): People from different North-East communities gathered today at Manipur Bhawan in New Delhi, under the banner of North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) to protest the encounter killing of Chongkham Sanjit by Manipur Police Commandos (MPC) in 2009. A by-stander Rabina was also killed in this encounter, which took place in a busy market area in Imphal. NEFIS submitted a Memorandum to the Resident Commissioner, Manipur Bhawan demanding an independent inquiry of the case by an International Organization like UNO, since Chief Minister too is implicated in this “statesponsored fake encounter,” stated a press release from NEFIS Convenor, Chinglen Khumukcham. The Forum demanded that the then Additional SP, Imphal West, Akoijam Jhalajhit, be “immediately suspended” and an inquiry initiated on him. They also
Protestors from the NE community at Manipur Bhawan, New Delhi on Thursday, January 28.
demanded that appropriate compensation be provided to the victim’s family and that the Government of Manipur tender an “immediate apology not only to the victim’s family, but
to the people of Manipur for brutally violating their democratic rights.” It may be mentioned that the Police, in 2009, had alleged that Sanjit had been killed in retaliatory firing.