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monDAY • julY 18 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 196 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions Turkey widens crackdown on military, judiciary after failed coup PAGE 09
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
o F
T R u T H
— Leonardo da Vinci
Touch Jorhat: Charity concert for flood victims receives impressive support
Vijender hints at showdown with Amir Khan
PAGE 02
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towards an inclusive, sustainable nagaland
Part II of Nagaland Vision 2030 Moa Jamir Dimapur | July 17
While tackling the issue of governance and corruption as the primary task, the Nagaland 2030 Vision Document must envisage achievlet’s hope it doesn’t hit the sky ing tangible and intangible goals based on ground realities and capabilities. “Let’s get back to the baPress statements, memo- sics first, correct our wrongs randums, articles, reports before we dream of flying and news related docu- higher with a pompous or high-sounding slogan,” ments should be sent to is the collective inference morung@gmail.com from people The Morung Editor, Express interacted with. The Morung Express Priority: basic services An NCS officer in AdThe Morung Express ministration asserted that State Government Poll QuEsTion the needs to focus on solving Vote on www.morungexpress.com the basics first. sMs your answer to 9862574165 “If the government can invest 90% or a minimum Do you think that 50% of its energy and reNagaland is a failed state? sources on developing roads and providing water Yes no others and electricity, then everything else will come a full The Nagaland govt is silent on many circle”, he said. allegations – the By implementing this, he latest being the fuel maintained, not only would adulteration issue. Is the government thrive, there the “Oppositionless” will be development even at Government unconcerned with the individual level. such problems? Why? Providing basic infrastructure to the people 67% Yes must be taken on a mis05% no sion mode, Dr. Longri Ki28% others chu stressed. “It is all about Details on page 7 getting priorities right. Let
Public Information
us have all-season roads, modern drainage, electricity, basic health care services and social security first.”
A vision based on ground reality In Nagaland context, the document should be drawn up after deliberations with the implementers on the ground level, wrote Vyasan R IAS, in a ‘Policy Paper’ for The Morung Express. Fixing individual goals with the respective departments and instituting automatic feedback loop mechanisms for making course corrections where required, will enhance the implementation, he added. “We need a holistic approach and an inclusive vision for Nagaland of 2030, with development policies suited to our society, our capabilities, our resources and our ecology, and not just a mere mimicry of other states orcountries,”arguedanother Central Government officer. Tangible and Intangible aspects Not short-term goals, the vision should have foresightedness to undertake development that is sustainable and beneficial all. This would imply focusing on both its tangible and intangible aspects. In the context of tangible goals, apart from the basic infrastructure, enhancing the different sectors of the economy must be a priority. The early completion of the Nagaland Foothill
A holistic approach towards development is required to make growth in nagaland both inclusive and sustainable. Can Vision 2030 promise that to the next naga generation? (Morung Photo)
Highway, pending and new rail projects; harnessing latent hydro potentialities; Urban Planning; and revamping educational sectors are suggestions highlighted by commentators. “Industrialisation along the Foothill Highway, with emphasis on sustainable industries catering to local needs, must be a priority,” the Central government officer emphasized. Many commentators noted that Nagaland state must find ways to transform from a consumer to a producer economy. A police officer in Home Department wants the education sector to go for a complete overhaul. “The government schools should be totally revamped taking a radical approach. Some steps towards this direction
may be: stopping backdoor appointments, mandatory rural posting for at least 10 years; suitability test every after 5 years; and no political interference.” Likewise, Dr. Asangba Tzudir in his editorial wrote, “Education as a marker of any civilized society requires thorough systems revamp towards building an effective use of human resources for producing quality and qualified students.” For all the failed vision, plans and policies, Nagaland is also in urgent need of a proper policy research centre. This will go a long way in the pragmatic transformation of vision plan into reality, not just any grand dream, he stressed. In the health sector, the government should urgently take note of the growing
Police & Addl. AG to Govt’s rescue; ACAUT cries foul
Dimapur/Kohima, July 17 (mExN): As ACAUT Nagaland blows the lid off the fuel adulteration racket in Nagaland State, the case seems to be taking an odd turn with the Nagaland Police and even the Additional Advocate General Nagaland seemingly jumping to the rescue of the State Government. In an unusual statement from the ‘Office of the Advocate General Nagaland, Gauhati High Court’ that was sent to the media through the email account of the Dimapur District Legal Services Authority on July 17, K Sema, Senior Advocate and Additional Advocate General Nagaland, stated that “no citizen has an absolute and unfettered right to freedom of speech and expression to scandalize and degrade the judiciary bringing it to disrespect and impeding public confidence in the administration of justice and creating disbelief in the efficacy of judicial administration by the courts.” This was stated in the light of ACAUT Nagaland ‘rejecting’ the SIT instated by the Nagaland State Government on the issue of fuel adulteration. As per the statement, such a move was “uncalled for” and the ACAUT’s alleged “imputation” that the State judiciary is “under the spell of politician and corruptive influences” was “degrading and scandalizing” the “entire judiciary.” While also stating that “honest criticism of judiciary in the State is welcome,” the statement urged “organizations such as ACAUT” to “conduct themselves diligently within the permissible bounds of law and to detest from circulating news items which are not only contumacious but demeaning to the state judiciary as a whole.” Police clarifies On the night of July 16, meanwhile, the Office of the Director General of Police, Government of Nagaland, released a statement to “inform and enlighten” the people of Nagaland on investigation regarding fuel
ever vision or projects that government comes up with; very often than not, they are manned by those having a proper connection or as an employment avenue for “otherwise nonmeritorious entities” who have spent all their lives outside Nagaland or alien to the realities of the state beyond the urban hubs. “Such practices should be stopped if all Nagaland, and not just Kohima or Dimapur, is to see a better future,” he said. In a presentation titled ‘A Nagaland where No one is left behind,’ Diethono Nakhro, Advisor, Nagaland State Disability Forum (NSDF) asserted that Nagaland cannot have a sustainable, progressive and viable vision if people with disabilities are left out it and urged for working collaboratively. The government policies should also focus on economic justice to the remotest regions, have more inclusive engagement with civil society, stressed Teisovi Gerard Meyase, Asst. Professor, Kohima Science College. Bridging the regional disparities in education and development is the similar sentiments shared by most of the commentators.
menace of non-communicable diseases and stress on control and preventive measures, Dr. Longri said. On intangible aspects, the Central government officer maintained that the Vision 2030 should be about reclaiming the past legacy .i.e. integrity, respect for age-old free spirited democratic traditions, reverence for elderly, preserving our languages, a strong civil society, and inculcating dignity of labour. “Such intangibles along with the usual tangibles are what will determine whether our society would Not just policies, but disbe better off in 2030 as com- semination of information pared to today.” While policies and schemes exist, many beEconomic and lieve that such information Social Justice is not clearly conveyed at The Central govern- the delivery level often rement officer felt that what- sulting in failure and mis-
management. The vision must focus on dissemination of information at the grassroots level regarding government programs and schemes, the police officer said. “For instance, many at the village level are not aware of even basics of popular schemes like MGNREGA.” It often leads to apprehension among stakeholders and creates tussle between the service provider and intended beneficiaries resulting in failure. Several studies have highlighted that while communitisation process in Nagaland was considered a pioneering initiative, its success was limited by communication breakdown. Concerted efforts should be directed towards fostering partnerships and creating a well-informed community for the best outcome, a 2011 study has recommended. In a recent Morung lecture, a pioneer in Communitisation process Rev. Dr. Chingmak Chang also observed that the process might have failed in some areas, with the lack of transparency and proper dissemination of information as a huge contributing factor. The Nagaland Vision 2030 must not be a grand document envisaging many possibilities. The real challenges lies in its implementation. (With inputs from Vishü Rita Krocha)
the dog story
Naga Hoho lauds ‘discovery of fuel rackets’ “If they are thinking of banning slaughter of dogs, they
Kohima, July 17 (mExN): The Naga Hoho has shown support to ACAUT’s busting of the fuel adulteration racket in the State. Lauding the “discovery of fuel rackets” in Dimapur that led to the arrest of a “few kingpins,” the Naga Hoho expressed worry that fuel adulteration has become a “regular phenomenon” in the State. It stressed that the culprits should not be released on bail under any circumstance. “Even lawmakers and any Advocates should not try to bail out for the sake of earning considering the plight of the people,” stated the Hoho in a press statement from its President, P Chuba Ozukum and Secretary of Information & Publicity, C Daipao. The Naga Hoho believed that the fuel adulteration racket in Dimapur is “just an iceberg” and it has “become imperative” to keep a check on it “thoroughly” in all the districts of Nagaland. “We also wonder as to why
the competent authorities and District Administration should always wait for the public to find out the adulteration?” wondered Naga Hoho, though appreciating the setting up of the SIT by the State Government in order to investigate the matter. It appealed to the SIT to “deliver acceptable testimony to the people without delay.”
Food adulteration The Naga Hoho also raised concern on the issue of food adulterations in the shops and market and “selling of food items beyond expiry date.” It claimed that over the years, “many people must have died in the state owing to various food related illnesses though many cases have been kept in the dark.” Quoting the Food Safety and Standards Acts 2006, it informed that a “Every food business operator must compulsorily ensure that the articles of food satisfy the re-
quirements of this act at all the stages of production, processing, import, distribution and sale within businesses under his control as per section 26 (1) of FSS Act 2006.” Moreover, it called for ‘petty food manufacturers’ to “follow the basic hygiene and safety requirement, provided in part 1 of schedule 4 of the regulations and get themselves registered.” The Naga Hoho appealed to the State Government and authority concerned to “perform their duties not only for the sake of salaries and facilities but to monitor timely as per the established Acts of all Food Business Operators like Food retailers, hoteliers, restaurant owners, wholesalers, exporters, importers, warehouse owners, distributors, packaging and blending operators, manufacturers, processors and whosoever is associated with any Food Business for the well being of common people.”
adulteration in the State. A press note from Myingthungo Tungoe IPS, SP (Crime) and PRO at Police Head Quarters, Nagaland, stated that “to avoid possible jurisdictional limitations and to ensure a thorough broad based investigation throughout Nagaland, this investigation has been upgraded to the level of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by the Inspector General of Police (Range), who has jurisdictions over the entire state of Nagaland.” It informed that the Chief Minister of Nagaland has held “wide consultation with the Cabinet and reviewed the matter and has directed the investigative agency to take all necessary action in the matter.” It also clarified that the two Investigating Officers who were investigating the case so far have been retained and form the core components of the SIT. With the exception of
the supervisory officer, all the other members of the SIT at present are drawn exclusively from Dimapur Police comprising of one Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), one Addl. DCP and, three Asst. Commissioner of Police. The PRO PHQ, Nagaland, therefore appealed to the ‘General Public’ not to be “misled” or “swayed” by the “misconceived” and “baseless” claims by “any individual or organization/NGOs on this issue, in the interest of Public peace, law & order and, social harmony of the State.” ACAUT cries foul Reacting to the PHQ statement, the ACAUT Nagaland meanwhile maintained that the PHQ has “broken every protocol and propriety by donning the role of government spokesperson.” “As regards protocol, it is the government’s spokesperson that should be defending
the CM or conveying the Cabinet’s decision instead of a PRO of Nagaland Police,” stated the ACAUT Nagaland today in a press release from its media cell. If their “apprehension is baseless,” then ACAUT Nagaland challenged the PHQ to “make public all cases where SITs instituted by the PHQ have settled cases and individuals imprisoned.” If not, the press release from the PRO of PHQ Nagaland “stands ridiculed,” it maintained. Further, it stated, “If the PHQ can guarantee that the SIT would be free from bias and political interference, the ACAUT can give it the benefit of doubt. But as thing stands, the PHQ has already revealed its biasness by defending the government even before the SIT has started its probe and therefore, the ACAUT cannot believe that the SIT would be free from undue influence.” Related news on page 5
must first come up with alternate livelihoods for us” Morung Express news Dimapur | July 17
Animal rights activists who believe that dogs should not be on the food plate have launched a major campaign to put an end to the ‘illegal’ dog meat trade in India. Humane Society International (HSI), India, recently posted “disturbing images and video footage” of what it labelled “dog meat death pits” and the “cruel treatment” meted out to dogs in Nagaland. This has elicited outrage in both national and international media, dubbing it as India’s version of the Yulin dog meat festival in China. Paradoxically, in Nagaland, the role of dogs has different dimensions. For many, they are pets adored as ‘human’s best friend’ while for others, they are a portion of traditional culinary. As buzz around the contemplated ban on slaughter of dog meat continues, traders in Nagaland who deal in dog meat find themselves in muddy waters, particularly after the Nagaland Government informed in the media that it is in the process of banning the use of dog meat as food in the state. However, the government later refuted this. While the national and international media have been presenting one side of the tale, Nagaland’s dog traders feel like voices of people have been completely disregarded. Fearing for the future of their children, tied closely to consumption of dog meat, dog traders in Nagaland came together to speak to The Morung Express. Livelihood & ancestry At the markets in Dimapur and Kohima, women are at the forefront of the dog trade. Ano (name changed), for instance, is 43 years of age and supports four school going children through
the sale of dog meat. On good days she can sell five dogs, on a bad day none; most of the time, the meat is sold in parts—each dog fetches a maximum profit of Rs. 200. Yet the overall business, also assisted by her husband, fetches them enough to carry on. “Not all five fingers are the same,” explains Ano, drawing analogy to life in Naga society today. “I don’t have a government job like others. For years we have been trading in dog meat because there is demand for it in the market. We eat dog meat since time immemorial,” she stresses. While dogs have been part of traditional Naga therapy (medicine) and delicacy (food)— “organic cure for energy loss,” particularly in menstruating women and the elderly—even non Naga people have become fans of dog meat, particularly the bile (titta) that “helps in post surgery recovery.” Given the shape of health care in Nagaland, most people have continued to depend on indigenous organic cures, particularly derived from animals. Traditional Naga knowledge entails a series of such cures. “This is food for people of Mongolian origin. Dogs are eaten in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China, etc. Why are we being shown in poor light for this?” chips in an old man. Much of the knowledge on the therapeutic properties, as well as dose, has been passed on through ancestors. Most importantly though, “If they are thinking of banning slaughter of dogs, they must first come up with alternate livelihoods for us,” asserts Ano. Storage One of the prominent allegations against the sale of dog meat has been in the storage of the live dogs. But for San (32, name changed), a widow who
supports three children through the dog market, sacks are the best way to keep them. “We don’t stitch up their mouths. They are temporarily tied with thread, much like a dog muzzle, and opened up regularly in order to feed them food and water,” she explains—their mouths are mostly tied for safety purposes so that the keepers are not bitten. Most dogs will get sold in a day but the unsold ones are taken home and kept in the same environment as the keeper. At the end of the day, the sacks are changed if the dog remains unsold. “If this is ill treatment, then one should put a ban on the breeding and slaughter of all animal—pigs, cows, goats, chicken,” says San. She feels it is better to keep the dogs this way than tie them up with chains, though traders remain open to suggestions for alternatives, also for their slaughter. The dogs are mostly brought to them by men who collect them from various areas, over which the women traders did not shed light. Trade is interconnected Dog trade has been a tradition of the markets in Nagaland, particularly Dimapur and Kohima, for 20 odd years. In Dimapur, dog meat used to be sold in New Market after which it was shifted to the Supermarket area. “There are about 10 dog meat sellers here,” highlights Savin, Secretary of the Dimapur Supermarket Vegetable Vendor’s Society. “When the customer comes to buy dog meat, they buy vegetables too, and vice versa. That is how the local market sustains itself. First they will ban one item, then the next and then the whole local market will die,” he feels about this imposed tirade that seeks to rob people of their food sovereignty, making way for capitalist food markets, far more cruel to animal and human alike.