January 5th, 2017

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www.morungexpress.com

thursDAY • JAnuArY 05 • 2017

DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 03 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

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T R u T H

Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country — Anais Nin

Battle to rule five states begins February 4 PAGE 08

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

International community converge at NIT Nagaland

Dhoni steps down as limited overs captain

PAGE 02

PAGE 12

In pockets of Nagaland candidates file nomination papers for the UlB election naga orgs harden stand on UlB issue

Morung Express news Dimapur | January 4

In the thick of stiff opposition from apex Naga civil bodies and tribal hohos, Wednesday reported political party (s) and individuals braving the directives and going ahead to file nomination for the municipal “..but It increases the and town council election in chance of me becoming a number of districts and its Chief minister one day, subdivisions. don’t you see that?” For the Wokha Town Council, a total of 13 candifiled nominations paThe Morung Express dates pers which include 12 from POll QuEsTIOn the NPF and one IndepenVote on www.morungexpress.com dent. Out of the NPF candidates, there are five women sMs your answer to 9862574165 and seven men candidates. If the Naga public were to In Bhandari sub-division awaken from their silence under Wokha district, nine and voice out their rights, candidates are reported to do you think 2017 will have filed nomination for its witness changes? town council election. It however could not be ascertained Yes no Others on whether the candidates were from any political party or Independent. From Meluri sub-division We would like to remind under Phek district, nine NPF you that Rejoinders to candidates had filed nomithose statements/news nations by 2:30 pm for town pieces that have not been council election. It include 3 originally published by women. On Tuesday, 13 canthe newspaper will not ditates which include 10 from be carried either. This is NPF and 3 Independent filed in order to maintain im- nomination papers for the partiality on an issue. We Phek Town Council. seek your understanding From Tuli subdivision, and cooperation! which is under Mokokchung The Morung Express district, despite the diktat of

Public Reminder

A woman candidate files nomination for election to Meluri Town Council on January 4 at ADC office Meluri under Phek District. (Morung Photo)

excommunication by the Ao Senden, at least nine intending candidates were reported to have filed nomination papers. The report could not be officially ascertained. From East Dimapur town council, 10 intending candidates, majority from the NPF party were reported to have filed nomination on Wednesday. However for Dimapur Town Council, no nomination were filed till late in the afternoon, which was confirmed by the Returning Officer, ADC Elizabeth Ngully. In Mokokchung town, with the Ao Senden continuing to picket the DC office jurisdiction to restrict intending candidates from filing nomination papers for the town council election, there were no takers. Likewise, Kohima

also drew blank with the AYO volunteers keeping a strict vigil on the DC office, Kohima. Tuensang district also reported the same with nil turnout for filing of nomination papers. However, for Kiphire district, the decision on whether to allow conduct of the ULB election would be decided at a public rally on Thursday convened by the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP). According to sources, the USLP still stood by its resolution not to allow any candidate to file nomination for the town council until the Municipal Council Act is reviewed. The process of filing nomination papers for the municipal and town council election, which began on January 3, will close on January 7, 2017.

Dimapur, JaNuary 4 (mexN): The Angami Public Organization (APO), the Naga Council Dimapur and the Meluri Area Public Organization on Wednesday came up with more stringent resolutions to thwart the filing of the nomination papers and holding of the municipal and town council elections in their jurisdictions. At an emergency meeting convened on January 4, the APO resolved to “excommunicate any Angami man/woman for a period of 10 years from Angami jurisdiction” if they violate its directives and file his/her nominations to the ULB elections in any district. It also directed all the Village Council Chairmen not to allow any intending candidate hailing from their village to file nomination. Further, the APO directed all the intending candidates irrespective of tribe, for the forthcoming elections to the Kohima Municipal Council to attend a consultative meeting with their executives at the APO hall, Kohima on January 5. In a similar fashion, the Naga Council Dimapur held a public meeting with Dimapur based civil societies, tribal presidents to discuss on the ULB election with 33% reservation. The meeting unanimously reaffirmed to oppose the conduct of the ULB election and implemen-

tation of 33% women reservation. A press release issued by the Naga Council stated that until and unless the section, which infringes the right and interest of the Nagas as provided under Article 371A is reviewed by the State Government, the election would stand opposed. It also put on record that since the matter is pending disposal before the Supreme Court in the form of a special leave petition filed by JAC, the issue of 33% reservation in respect to Nagaland is subjudice. In view of this, the Naga Council contended that implementation of women reservation is “pre-mature and not the right time.” It also cautioned that conducting the election in the face of such stiff opposition would definitely effect counter legal consequences. The Naga Council Dimapur also appealed to tribal hohos/ union/units based in Dimapur to direct their respective members to refrain from filing nomination in the “interest of Nagas in general.” It went on to add that violation of the appeal would amount to “disrespect of the collective decision and for which the concerned tribal unit/members would be held responsible.” The Meluri Area Public Organization in a joint statement appended by the Meluri Village

Council, Khumiasü Village Council, Müluo Shefüri Kügharü and Ward Chairmen served directive to all indenting candidates to strictly adhere by the decision to boycott the Meluri Town Council Election 2017 and abstain from filing nominations. “Anyone failing to comply by the consensus decision shall be treated as a direct challenge to our stand to which he / she shall be excommunicated from Meluri jurisdiction for violation,” the joint statement read.

Decision for ULB election on respective tribes: ENPO

The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) has put the decision on whether to allow the conduct of ULB election to the “understanding and responsibility of the respective tribes” under its jurisdiction. This decision was made during an emergency consultative meeting of the ENPO held on January 4 at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur. Also in response to the written clarification from the Nagaland Government, the ENPO resolved that it shall not be held responsible in any manner in the event of infringement upon Article 371A of the Indian Constitution by holding the ULBs election with women reservation under Nagaland Municipal (Third Amendment) Act 2016 now and in the future.

Nagaland govt seeks to push skill dev NPRAAF concerned over delay in RTI response by govt depts Our Correspondent Kohima | January 4

The Nagaland State Government, in its Vision 2030 document, has laid down aims to skill the youth in Nagaland to make them employable. India as a country has been grappling with the problem of employability and this is the right time for the state to take cognizance of the imperatives of skill development in line with the national policies for economy prosperity of the state, according to Nagaland Vision 2030 document. In a study conducted in 2015 by the National Skill Development Corporation, it was estimated that in the 2014-22 period, Nagaland will have an excess supply of minimally skilled people in the workforce.

“However, in the semiskilled and skilled labour category, there will be shortage of labour force. The imperative is therefore to impart skills to the population with target towards improving the income earnings of the state. Once the youth are equipped with adequate and relevant skills there will be demand for their services in the job market,” the Vision document stated, adding that in such context, it will be crucial for the state to skill the youth with basis schooling background in different trades such as construction, serving of automobile and electronics etc to meet the anticipated demands. In turn they will be in position to contribute economically to the growth and development of the state.

It observed that the state should aim to increase the skilling levels of the youth so that they have the requisite skills to cater to the demands of the labour market. The state should endeavour to provide incremental skilled labour in the same proportion as the share of the state’s population to the country’s population. In 2011 the proportional share of the state’s population to the country’s population was 0.16 per cent. Hence, the target should be to produce 0.16 per cent of the incremental skill requirement for the country as a whole (1.76 lakhs). The proportion of 0.16 is only indicative and there will be sectoral differences with some sectors having greater comparative advantage compared to others, the Vision document stated.

Dimapur, JaNuary 4 (mexN): The Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) have expressed serious concern over delays in response to Right To Information (RTI) which it claimed was becoming a trend in some Nagaland State Government departments. A press statement issued by information and publicity cell, NPRAAF pinpointed the departments of Land Resource, Rural Development, Health & Family Welfare, Power and Education, which did not reply on time to the RTIs filed consecutively on November 4, 2016. TheForumreminded thatdelay in furnishing RTI application is liable under Sec 20 (1) of RTI act of 2005, with a fine of Rs 250 each day until the information is furnished. The penalty has to be paid

by the PIO’s from his/her salary and not by public authority and disciplinary action under Sec 20 (2) as per service rules. It pointed out that RTI applications should be treated with seriousness, as it is a fundamental right under the Constitution of India. The Forum said it sought response from the RD department, fund utilisation on the sanction of Rs 5356.56 lakhs by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India Dated 06/04/2015, Vide No.J11060/13/2015 MGNREGA- VI SL. 45 Dated 9th July to the Government of Nagaland as central assistance for implementation of the MGNREGA for financial year 2014-15. Simultaneously, the Forum had asked from the Land Resource department the utilization of the sanctioned

amount of Rs 27 crore by the Ministry of Rural Department, GoI to Nagaland Dated 3rd Sept, 2015 Vide order No. K-11013/06/2012-15/ DDP (IWMP) as first installment of fund for implementation of IWMP project under watershed component of Pradhen Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) in Nagaland State for the year 2015-16. In the RTI applications, the Forum informed that it sought information of certain non-Naga businessmen executing contract works/supplies in all the said departments-on the nature of their contract/supplies done in the departments with names and firms or any works executed and the amount sanctioned in lakhs against each concerned individual, firms or otherwise. Alleging corruption, the Fo-

rum said some of the “non-Naga businessmen were involved in corruption in complicity with department officials and politicians and thereby ground executions of the works were highly objectionable or virtually non-existent.” The Forum therefore cautioned that it will not tolerate such acts of corruption and vowed to “streamline all unholy activities taking place for long in the departments at the expense of public treasury.” The names of the contractors will be divulged in due course of time if warrants, it added. It further warned of writing to all respective Ministries at the centre with their findings along with corroborated evidences of nexus between the non-Naga contractors, officials and the politicians.

Manipur blockade to continue despite NSCN (K) to explore ways to poll dates’ announcement: Unc assert avoid division of Naga lands Manipur to vote in two phases – March 4 and 8

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New Delhi, JaNuary 4 (iaNS): The United Naga Council (UNC) on Wednesday said that they will continue with the economic blockade despite the announcement of Manipur assembly elections by the Election Commission. According to the UNC -apex body of the Nagas based in Manipur -- elections cannot be held peacefully in the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur until the prevailing problems are resolved. “The blockade will continue. Solving of Manipur’s problems has to be done through dialogue between the parties in conflict. So far, the government of Manipur has failed to respond politically. “We have no other option but to intensify the blockade, no matter what the Election

Commission has announced regarding the polls in the state,” K.S. Paul, former President of the UNC, told IANS from Manipur. The Election Commission of India on Wednesday said five states, including Manipur, will go to polls to elect their new assemblies between February 4 and March 8. Manipur will vote in two phases -- March 4 and 8. Paul -- an active member of the UNC -- said the Manipur government has betrayed the Nagas of Manipur. “We have been betrayed by the Manipur government, as it did not consult us on the creation of seven new districts out of our ancestral land. We do not know whether the situation will be conducive for holding free and fair elections in the Naga areas of the state,” said Paul.

“Bulldozing the interests of the Nagas, particularly on the issue of our ancestral land, won’t be compromised under any circumstances. We do not consider the Manipur government as a popular government, as the districts were created without consulting us,” added Paul. Tension has been simmering in Manipur due to an economic blockade called by the UNC in the state. National Highways (NH) 37 and NH 2 have been badly affected due to the blockade. Although the blockade started on November 1 when the state government was planning to create new districts by bifurcating the existing Naga-dominated areas, it intensified after the government ignored the agitation and went ahead to declare Jirbam as a full-fledged district.

The state government also created new districts of Kangpokpi, Tengoupal, Pharzol, Kakching, Noney and Kamjongin. According to the UNC, the creation of new districts out of Naga territory without their consent is a deliberate act to suppress the rights of Nagas in the state. In December last year, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the central government will extend all assistance to restore normalcy in the state. Apart from sending 150 companies of para-military forces to Manipur when the blockade started, the central government also sent seven additional companies of para-military forces, a step condemned by the Nationalist Socialist Council of NagalimIsak-Muivah(NSCN-IM).

Dimapur, JaNuary 4 (mexN): At a time when the world is moving towards rapid “global communitisation” by breaking physical and ideological barriers, the Governments of India and Myanmar are resorting to “despotic imposition” of a physical wall between families that have lived together since ancient times. The NSCN (K) today stated this through a press release from its MIP terming the move to fence the Indo-Naga-Myanmar international border that has been “undertaken jointly by Indian Army and Myanmar Army at the heart of Naga settlement” as “totally against the wishes of the Nagas.” For this, it informed, Nagas have neither been consulted nor any consent acquired at any stage. Thus, the NSCN (K) maintained that it will “explore every means and ways either peaceful or otherwise to thwart further forcible division of our motherland, homes and families in the hands of the colonizing forces.”

Blatant disregard for subjected people “To accentuate 1953 NehruU Nu arbitrary partition of Naga country and to keep the Nagas divided and marginalized permanently, the physical barrier is being instituted,” the NSCN (K) stated. Instead of “making amends to the great injustice perpetrated” against the Naga people, the two governments are “solidifying the imaginary borderline that runs in the middle of one’s hearth and tearing apart the one same family into two country,” noted the group that broke ceasefire with the Government of India after the latter was unable to begin peace talks. The NSCN (K) reiterated that this attitude of the two governments “clearly demonstrates the blatant disregard to the sentiments of the subjected people and defies the very ideals of humanity, international peace and security the two great democracies underhandedly are trying to promote in the global arena.”

The Governments of India and Myanmar have been trying out several collaborative exercises to bring peace to the region. According to local groups, however, more instability has risen out from these exercises. “Contrary to regional peace and stability interests in the long porous border regions and SEAsia, the relentless Indo-Myanmar policies and conspiracies to illegally divide and suppress the Nagas will only prove anti-thesis and is resulting in the resurgence of even the dormant spirited Nagas to challenge the threat emanating from this deliberate and heinous programs of physical partitioning,” explained the NSCN (K). It warned that the “passions and patriotic fervor” of the Nagas across the borders is “running high and spill over may occur any moment.” “It is not a mere obligation but a bounden duty of every Naga citizen to rise to the occasion and assert the rights which is inherent,” it affirmed.


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