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The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. X ISSUE 7
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We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools ‘World looking at India with hope’ [ PAGE 8]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Sanjay Dutt returns to jail [ PAGE 11]
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Friday, January 9, 2015 12 pages Rs. 4 – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Children’s Festival & Carnival at Mokokchung underway Kohli creates [ PAGE 2] new records Egypt President sounds [ PAGE 12] call for reform in Islam [ PAGE 9]
2015 nagaland: A fresh start, same basic demands
Morung Express Feature
Roads “Leaving aside narrow roads the roads of our state are beyond pathetic. Even in uncivilized parts of India, such roads do not exist in today’s world,” says Merenchila Kichu, who also opines that the issue of roads is a serious matter which has been overlooked by subsequent governments and that the maintenance of good roads should be the focus instead of setting up resorts or grand festivals and concerts. Another further suggests that roads are of topmost priority for Nagaland which has the potential for tourist destination. Emphasis should also be put on the maintenance of durable roads and reducing link roads.
Kohima | January 8
Kaito camp, Zeliang camp; this group that group. How do I know what`s happening? I am just a senior leader of the party. Ok?
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Editor, The Morung Express
‘India needs to invest Rs.26 trillion on infrastructure’ NEw DElhI, JANUARY 8 (IANs): India needs to invest Rs.26 trillion during the next five years for all its infrastructure projects to give a fillip to the ‘Make in India’ project and to achieve a growth trajectory of 7-8 percent, a research paper said Thursday. The investment requirement for all the infrastructure projects was revealed by a research paper brought out by industry lobby PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Crisil Ratings. “Of the estimated Rs.26 trillion amount for infrastructure projects, close to 80 percent will be needed for the power, roads and urban infrastructure,” said Alok B. Shriram, president, PHD Chamber. “In urban infrastructure, municipal bodies are likely to need significant investments for constructing urban roads, expanding transport and revamping water supply and sewerage infrastructure.” The paper pointed out that 70 percent of the projected investments for infrastructure would have to be funded through debt, banks remaining the largest source of finance.
2014 for Nagaland was not just another year. The state saw the same government transitioning with new leaders, and the cycle continues into 2015. The state was grappled by a deficit of Rs. 1234 crore. 2014 also saw the retirement of some of the best bureaucrats in Nagaland. Come 2015, a preview of the demands and expectations of the Nagas in the New Year indicates that Nagas just want their basic needs settled. Health Care and Education “I think the government should focus more on health care and education,” says Pusho C. Thai (24), a government servant who feels that in the present day, medicine prices are soaring high which makes it difficult for the poorer sections to afford necessary medical treatment. Therefore, there is a need for the health care system to be changed so that the public is able to access free medical treatment. Students’ Rights Activist, Tohovi Swu, views that the Directorate of School Education (DoSE) should be strict with the proxy teaching system in every government school in the New Year. While asserting that the Non-detention policy is not quality-oriented, Swu urges for the need of a thorough
People of Nagaland seek basic needs, like roads, that governance here is not prepared to address (Morung File Photo)
study about implementation of Non-detention policy in the schools. Education wise, the government must keep pace with private institutions and they should chalk out plans and provide free education to the poor, views Pusho C. Thai. He further points out that the Government should focus on nurturing the youths towards a more holistic and harmonic future.
Sanitation and organized markets For Merenchila Kichu (25), an MSc Student at SASRD Medziphema, sanitation is an essential priority that Nagas need to work towrads in 2015. “Trash bins can be put up in every corner and better system of garbage vehicles can be carried out.” “Vendors system of marketing should not entertain inside the main
town,” views Tohovi Swu who also points out that the municipal or government should strictly inspect butcher shops. Sharing similar views, Kichu notes that street vendors sell their products in the busiest path or in the dirtiest areas. “This is food we are talking about. Not only is it inconvenient and unhygienic but also disturbs the traffic. So why not set up a proper market or bazaar for
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the people. Convenience and benefits for this are in numbers,” suggests Kichu. Tohovi Swu further suggests that there should be sub-centres of Fire Brigades at Kohima town, discontinue the use of unregistered private vehicles as taxis in Kohima town as local taxi permits will be valueless and most importantly, sufficient water supply in the capital should be initiated by the PHED.
Reformation of the individual and society While asserting that the Morung system should be revived to keep Nagas rooted, Gugu Haralu, Social Missionary, firmly believes in doing away with old customary laws which she feels is dividing and breaking Nagas in this century and says, “It should be made inclusive of people, of a society and building humans and not dictating them. It is for the very purpose to nurture, build, strengthen, unite, grow and empower the citizens.” Haralu, who has come to Nagaland after 28 years to
live and work with her people at Poilwa, believes that honest conversations without judgments, preconceptions and blame games are a must to heal the Nagas in the first place. “Learning to listen to one another, giving enough time and space to think, ponder and deliberate on any issue,” highlights Haralu. Further focusing on the clean election campaign, she asserts that changes come from individual decisions and once the masses from all sections decide not to be bribed or sell their votes, there will be a change in the election pattern. “We are a socio-political-religious-economic mess,” remarks EAC Bodi Kapfo (27) while pointing out that the very nature of Nagas generosity extends to corrupt behaviour too, ‘we are corrupt so that our tribe will benefit if not ourselves.’ When most Nagas pay their allegiance to their own tribes, the young Administrator views that majority have no patriotic feeling as a Naga and asserts, “We need inter-tribal unity but more than that I think the younger generation needs an identity as a Naga to work for and to have a vision for.” Kapfo hopes that the Naga identity becomes bigger and stronger so that we can work for common Naga welfare. “We Nagas need to be more ‘Naga’,” concludes Kapfo.
‘Ongoing political crisis is reminder of people’s destiny’ turmoil within nPf continues
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 8 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has stated today the “ongoing political crisis” in the State is a reminder for the people of Nagaland of their destiny, “to reap what they have sown during the last three successive assembly elections.” “The sequence of crisis that has plagued the state with successive plan holidays, non release of salary to employees, record rate of corruption has paralyzed the state and therefore the present political crisis rocking the state are not accidental but out of willful act made by the citizens of Nagaland,” stated Joshua
Sumi, Member Secretary to the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the NPCC, referring to the problematic elections in the State. Hitting out at the citizens of Nagaland for having given “so called mandate” to the NPF for three successive terms despite observing its “pathetic performance” and “lack of culture and integrity,” the NPCC noted that despite numbers and a “jumbo size ministry,” the NPF led DAN government “could not proceed further not because of external interference but bogged down by its own internal bickering and discord.” It blamed the ongoing
crisis on the “lack of leadership, lack of discipline, lack of sense of duty and above all selfishness” that have “ultimately crippled every sphere of governance.” “Even if the present crisis calms down by a compromise or through horse trading and decimation out of coercion,” stated the NPCC’s PAC, “the people of Nagaland will continue to suffer under the regime of NPF.” Pointing to the obvious, the NPCC also stated how “despite its utter failure to bring nothing except adding 12 years of dormancy to 18 years of Naga political peace process, it is unwise and senseless for the NPF and partners to reiter-
ate the promise of bringing early political solution.” In every election and in any crisis, noted the NPCC, the NPF and its allies “have the habit of promising solution to the protracted Naga political issue as if it could be sincere with such promise.” Meanwhile, the Congress questioned the Nagaland BJP’s role as partner of the NPF in the present crisis. “Just the other day, the Nagaland BJP has officially announced its support to the dissident leader G Kaito Aye while today it has appealed to both the NPF camps to arrive at an amicable solution,” it stated, wondering about the logic of the same.
‘Paris attack reveals the fragility of free expression’
PARIs, JANUARY 8 (IANs): The deadly attack on a French satirical magazine office Wednesday is a tragic reminder that the freedom of expression is fragile and those who defend it may pay the ultimate price for doing so, Unesco Director-General Irina Bokova said Thursday. Hooded gunmen dressed in black burst into the office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo Wednesday, killing 12 people in a coordinated strike with automatic weapons. This attack was condemned worldwide by various agencies, who said it was an “assault on the universal right of freedom”. “Never before has one media outlet been so deliberately targeted and its staff decimated in an act of such extreme violence,” Bokova said, condemning the attack. “This cowardly attack stands condemned by the
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A pen is placed on a poster reading ‘I am Charlie’ between candles to commemorate the victims killed in an attack at the Paris offices of a weekly newspaper that caricatured the Prophet Muhammad in front of the French Embassy in Vienna, Austria on January 8. (AP Photo)
entire world. Those responsible must be brought to justice and punished. But beyond that, governments and civil society must remain firm before such ag-
gression, and refuse any attempt to undermine the hard-fought values that people everywhere hold so dear,” she added. The assailants killed 12
people -- including Charlie Hebdo’s editor and three acclaimed cartoonists -and left 11 others wounded. After the incident,
peaceful candlelight vigils were staged throughout France, and Bokova pointed how these demonstrations have reinforced how freedom of expression is cherished worldwide. “The spontaneous demonstrations that this appalling crime has provoked across France and around the world -- the outpouring of sorrow and anger expressed by citizens from all faiths -- also reveal that freedom of expression is a right that is cherished, and understood by all as being at the heart of healthy, functioning societies,” she said. “Charlie Hebdo championed this right fiercely, often drawing sharp criticism, threats and other attacks. But its journalists and cartoonists bravely held their ground, passionate in their conviction that freedom of expression must be defended against all odds,” she added.
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 8 (MExN): Eleven legislators calling for a change in leadership in the state have submitted their resignations from their respective assignments in the government led by Nagaland state Chief Minister, TR Zeliang. The legislators include Benjongliba, Deo Nukhu, Kropol Vitsu, Longriniken, Merentoshi Jamir, Naiba Konyak, Namri Nchang, Neiphrezo Keditsu, Noke, EE Pangteang, Torechu and Vikho O Yhoshu. Copies of the resignation letters, made available to the media, claimed that the Nagaland CM “no longer enjoys the support and confidence of the members of the house,” and that “the majority of the NPF and DAN legislators have elected Kaito Aye as the new leader of the NPF legislature party.” Meanwhile several NPF divisions have expressed concern at the suspension orders issued by the NPF President to seven MLAs. Separate press statements echoing this view were issued by NPF divisions including the Dimapur division, 25-Mongoya A/C, 29-Jangpetkong A/C, 19Phek A/C, 1- Dimapur-1 A/C, 30 Alongtaki A/C and 5-Ghaspani 2 AC. The party divisions expressed concern at what was termed as the “autocratic action” of the NPF president and called for revocation of the suspension orders. They further extended support to what was described as the “leadership” of G Kaito Aye.
DAN co-rodination committee calls for ‘immediate settlement’ The DAN co-ordination committee has meanwhile called for an “immediate end” to what it termed as the “factional battle within the NPF.” A press note from the Secretary, DAN coordination committee, KG Kenye informed that the committee held a meeting which was attended by its Chairman; NPF Secretary General KG Kenye;
CM cautions against ‘cheap propaganda’ Nagaland state Chief Minister, TR Zeliang had on Wednesday assured that his government is “comfortable” and claimed that it has the “support of a good number of legislators from the NPF party and the DAN alliance.” The Nagaland CM further alleged that “some elected in the dissidents group have been trying to influence the people with all cheap propaganda and psychological game plan through the media, claiming that they have more number to form the Government under a new leader.” Refuting this, the CM appealed to the people of Nagaland state and “all my legislator colleagues not to sway away by such lies.”
Twelve legislators submit resignation from respective assignments President Nagaland BJP, M Chuba Ao; General Secretary, Nagaland BJP, K James Vizo; President JD(U) Nagaland, Mhonjan Lotha; member JD(U) Nagaland, K Yimso and acting president, NCP; TL Semdok. “Taking into account the serious ramifications of the internal crisis in the NPF that will take a heavy toll on the developmental priorities for the state, the DAN partners urge for immediate settlement of the intra-party crisis,” stated the press note. It further noted that the “continuance and intensification of the crisis in the NPF will not only bring deleterious consequences on the NPF, but will spell doom on the full tenure of the current Assembly thereby inviting the avoidable President’s Rule which Nagas detest.”
NPF Peren extends support to Zeliang Meanwhile, the NPF Peren Division, in a statement signed by its president, Haigam Kauring and General Secretary, Teitu Iheilung has urged the legislators calling for leadership change to “release MLA from 6-Tening A/C, Namri Nchang from forceful confinement and give him the fair chance to meet the party workers and clarify his actual position.” The division further endorsed the suspension orders issued by the NPF President against seven MLAs and extended support to Chief Minister, TR Zeliang.
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