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The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 180
Chennai building collapse death toll now 47 [ PAGE 8]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
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www.morungexpress.com
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Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going Shakira To Close World Cup For A Third Time [ PAGE 11]
Thursday, July 3, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4 –Sam Levenson
Paralegal volunteers urged to serve for justice [ PAGE 2]
March for democracy in Hong Kong [ PAGE 9]
Andy Murray crashes out
[ PAGE 12]
LivinG WiTHouT SAniTATion-i
Lives around Dimapur’s drainage
Morung Express News Dimapur | July 2
Keduneilie (90) arrived in Dimapur from Viswema in her youth. The stream that flows through the heart Online fight spilled over? of Dimapur town, which Oh…So what`s the latest she and her family settled around, was then surscore? rounded by paddy fields. Her daughter, Kevizenuo (54) was born and grew up here; by the 1980s more people started constructing houses around the stream. It converted into a drain, later to become one of Dimapur’s main drains. Kevizenuo’s son, Peter (35), even remembers fishing in it as a child. With Dimapur’s growing population and haphazard construction, waste increased while size of the drain decreased. The drain now delivers putrid sewage from all of Dimapur, along with occasional snakes and a gazillion malarial mosquitoes, right into the houses of those settled around it.
Prohibitory orders revoked in Referral and Green Park junctions DIMAPUR, JULY 2 (MExN): The Deputy Commissioner for Dimapur has, through a notification, informed that prohibitory orders under Section 144, CrPC, which was invoked in and around Green Park Junction and Referral Junction from 2:20pm, June 30 has been revoked. The notification stated that this has been done in view of “the situation returning to normalcy.”
NSCN (IM) clarifies
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DIMAPUR, JULY 2 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) today issued a statement with regard to the “killing” of Athong Yimchunger on July 1. A press note from the MIP stated that “in 2008, the then sergeant Athong committed treason by deserting with three service arms after brutally killing the security commander Lieut. Thouthutho.” Since then, it said that the “Naga army had put him in the wanted list deserving death penalty.” “The killing of late Athong on July 1, 2014 in Jessami has nothing to do with factions, tribe or any ism. However, it is in direct consonance with the treachery he had committed in the past. No self respecting Government having a constitution of her own will tolerate such high level of betrayal to one’s government as well as to the comrades in arms,” stated the note from the MIP. It further appealed for the Naga people in general and the Yimchunger community in particular to “understand us in the right perspective.” “Reconciliation process for peace and unity shall continue but treason of this degree cannot be tolerated and shall not be encouraged by any group,” it added. It is reported that the deceased held the rank of a Major in the GPRN/NSCN.
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(LEFT This family lives next to a drain in Dimapur, which floods their houses to a level that furniture has to be lodged on cupboards and house abandoned whenever it rains. (RIGHT) The flooded drain in Dimapur after a bout of rainfall.
dealing with a bulk of Dimapur’s waste from Forest Colony, Supply Colony, Nepali Basti, Middle Point, Metro Hospital, Circular Road, Khermahal. And like Dimapur, its waste is ‘cosmopolitan’. “Before you could find needles, saline bottles, gloves, post delivery placenta etc. from the hospi-
tal nearby flowing down. While the medical waste has now stopped, rubber, tyre material, cans, mobil, etc. from the proliferating garages now clog the drain,” informs Peter. When it rains, the same drain floods many of these garages forcing them out of work, and their waste into the drain.
FootHill Road: No transparency maintained by the Department
PAcHAsPUrA: SIT arrests one
DIMAPUR, JULY 2 (MExN): In the backdrop of piling allegations of anomalies in Government dealings, the Nagaland Steel Engineering Works (NSEW) has brought more details of the FootHill Road related Open Tender to the fore. In a letter to the Convener of the Nagaland Foothills Road Co-ordination Committee (NFHRCC), NSEW stated that it had participated in the Open Tender as per NIT No. CE(R&B)/TENDER/ FH/2013-14 Dated 8th May 2014, and was the “lowest bidder” with a bid of “5% below NPWD SOR 2013 and with the highest mark in the technical Bid.” Despite being “qualified and eligible” for carrying out the Foothill Road Project among all the “Tenderers,” claimed the NSEW, it was denied the work order. “Clearly, this shows
“Within 10 minutes of rain, water from the drain enters our houses—we have to ourselves clear it up,” says Kevizenuo, showing a long bamboo stick tied up to a pole on her balcony overlooking the drain, almost as a permanent fixture. Her house falls on the lower part of the stream drain, in Churches Colony,
that even in an Open Tender, there is no transparency maintained by the Department,” it maintained. Further, he alleged that the Firm was informed through some sources that “we would not be allotted the work unless some monetary payments were made to the concerned Minister.” The NSEW categorically stated that “no advancements of such nature were made by us. Needless to say, we were not allotted the work.” The NSEW appended documents of the Open Tender to substantiate its claims. While stating that the question of “favouritism” towards a particular contractor or Firm on the part of the Committee does not arise, the NSEW admitted that the NFHRCC had “approached the Firm in good faith despite the absence of fund and requested
the Firm to start work the Foothill Road on credit as a goodwill gesture for the Nagas as a whole.” “It was in this spirit and not for any selfish purposes that the Project was taken up. When the question of Open Tender arose, as already stated above, we duly applied through the same in all earnestness and honesty,” noted NSEW in the letter. The NSEW also brought to light how Road Tenders were recently awarded in and around Dimapur, Phek Town Road, the 300 Crore SPA Projects in ENPO areas through Table Tender and not through Open Tender by the Department. It further asked for the application of the “same yardstick” to the scrutiny of the above mentioned projects carried out through “the Table Tender and Backdoor methods.”
Lumami | July 2
The Nagaland University is in crisis, and this time it’s of the watery kind. A post on a social networking site by a concerned student about the scarcity of water at the girls’ hostel of the University Headquarters at Lumami sparked heated discussion among concerned citizens. The post highlighted the plight of the boarders at the hostels over scarcity of water over the past few weeks. There are five girls’ hostels at Lumami, including a hostel for Research Scholars; however, most of them face water scarcity. The Morung Express visited the NU Headquarters and interacted with some students.
“We mostly get water once a week, or rarely, twice a week,” informs a student and hostel-boarder from the University. “Sometimes we have to buy water, or else survive even a day without drinking water!” With the onset of the monsoons, or perhaps due to heated debated on the internet, the boarders disclosed that they are now receiving water. But no one is optimistic of how long this good fortune will last. “Even the quality of water is very poor,” laments another student, adding that the water meant for bathing and washing is often full of insects and even snakes. A visit to the wells near the girls’ hostel revealed ‘yellowish water’ gathered inside the concrete wells.
One boarder described it as ‘cow urine’. When the rain becomes scarce, and the taps run dry – the boarders have to fetch water from these wells. There are cases of some female boarders getting rashes after using the water fetched from these wells. Sources have suggested that the Nagaland University has already spent an amount of Rs 1.10 crore for water supply to the campus. “Scarcity of water is just an excuse as there could be alternative solutions, like a bore well or Syntex (plastic tanks) for water harvesting. Why can’t they provide it? I sincerely request the authorities to look into this problem,” said a student and boarder. The boarder expressed sym-
laka jhamela’ shouts someone—it the only thing on their mind. “I cannot sleep at night every time it rains lest my house floods,” says Wahida Begum (32), who lives in a kaccha structure right next to the drain, whose children are “always itching”. Her house floods to an extent that she has to abandon it
KK Paul sworn in as nagaland Governor
DIMAPUR, JULY 2 (MExN): One person was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the killing of nine persons, whose bodies were recovered at Pachaspura, Chumukedima on January 3, 2014. Sources informed that the arrest was made by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) who is investigating the case. It was informed that the SIT had been tracking the accused for a few days and was finally apprehended near the Dimapur DC’s office at around 11:00am on July 2. An amount of Rs 20,000 was also recovered from his possession. According to sources, the accused holds the rank of a Captain in one of the Naga Political Groups. It may be noted that three other persons were arrested in connection with the case earlier Nagaland state Chief Minister, TR Zeliang presenting a gift to this year, enabling police Nagaland state Governor, Dr. Krishan Kant Paul during the to establish the identity of reception programme in Kohima on July 2. (Morung Photo) More news on page 5 those suspected to be behind the killings. expressing his commitment Chizokho Vero to discharge his duties with Kohima | July 2 fairnessandasenseofjustice. Stating that peace is Meghalaya Governor, Dr Krishan Kant Paul was today essential for growth and sworn in as the Governor of prosperity, the Governor Nagaland state in the pres- stressed on the need to faence of Chief Minister, TR cilitate a conducive social Zeliang, Nagaland Legisla- environment, to enable pathy for fellow boarders tive Assembly (NLA) Speak- willing participation of all from other districts who do er, Chotisuh Sazo and sev- sections of society, for innot have a relative or friend eral other dignitaries here at clusive development. “We need to ensure the in the nearest town – Mo- Raj Bhavan. Justice T Vaiphei, Judge, highest standards of govkokchung. “For us, we can go to our Guwahati High Court ad- ernance keeping in view relatives’ and stay there, ministered the oath of the the interest of our people but for my friends who office to Dr Paul at a swear- in mind. In this, the intercome from other districts, ing-in-ceremony here at ests of the poor have to be they have to undergo great Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan. supreme,” Dr. Paul said. difficulties at the hostels Later, he visited the 2nd Describing Nagaland as a beautiful state, he cited the World War cemetery. due to water scarcity.” On taking office, 65 year Hornbill festival as an exWhile there might be water available now, old Paul assured that de- ample of unity in diversity boarders remain appre- spite being here for only a in the state. “Its green cover, hensive that if the Uni- brief tenure, he would up- water resources, mineral versity officials don’t do hold the traditions of “this wealth, bracing climate, tosomething about the wa- exalted position,” and will gether with the capacities ter problem then they will work for the principles that of its people, can energize have to undergo the same are sacred to democratic the dynamics of the state economy,” he added. He hardship as before, given values. the fact that the monsoon “The oath that I have just also stressed on the imporrains will recede in the next taken enjoins me to uphold tance of science, technolfew months and the infa- the Constitution of India, and ogy and innovation, which mous water scarcity prob- todevotemyselftotheservice he stated will contribute lem in Nagaland will show and well being of the people in building a knowledgeits face once again. of Nagaland,” he said, further based society.
nU lumami: residents affected by scarcity and poor quality of water Morung Express News
Every evening, by 6pm, the stench and mosquitoes arising from the drain force adults and children into their houses—preferably into a mosquito net. Repellents don’t work; malaria and skin diseases are omnipresent. Residents are excited as someone approaches to speak to them about the drain—‘nalla
for a relative’s place if the rain gods decide to be kind. Dr. Hesheto Chishi’s (43) backyard is basically stagnating sewage that flows in from the drain, and his children continually suffer from fever and diarrhea. “The only good water source in the area, our ring well, is now polluted and we are forced to buy water,” laments Dr. Chishi, who tries to keep the drain clean with a long hook. Metro Hospital, at close quarters, employs people to clean their part of the drain. “This hospital has been here for 17 years but in the last few years, our basement that houses our nurses and a godown gets flooded whenever it rains,” informs a doctor from the hospital. Patients increasingly come in with water borne diseases, malaria, gastroentitis cases—vomiting and loose motion— that, the doctor feels, is an effect of the overall poor and filthy drainage systems of Dimapur. While the Government of Nagaland makes numerous big leaps towards a process of ‘urbanization’, it has seemingly forgotten to look at its urbanscape.
‘We need to ensure the highest standards of governance’
Profile of Dr. Krishan Kant Paul After demitting office of Commissioner of Police, Delhi in July 2007, Dr Krishan Kant Paul took up a Constitutional position as member of the Union Public Service Commission. He has over 42 years of experience in administration, law & order and security intelligence at top levels in the government. He also served as Chief of Police in Arunachal Pradesh for over 2 years. He has worked in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). He was responsible for revamping VIP security set up in Delhi Police and as part of the IB, Dr Paul was in charge of the PM’s security set up and all SPG protectees. He was the Chief Security Coordinator for the SAARC Summit hosted by India in 1995 and has had liaisons with security and intelligence organizations of over 20 countries for the PM’s foreign visits. He also investigated the assassination case of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and has been credited for uncovering one of the biggest match fixing controversies in international cricket, involving former South African skipper, Hansie Cronje. He has worked as Director, SIT Venkatswamy Commission of Inquiry and Phukan Commission of Inquiry into Tehelka matters. His Ph.D thesis in Fluorine chemistry has resulted in 15 research publications, of a technical nature, in international scientific journals of repute. Dr Paul was involved in the recent changes in the UPSC for the examinations and selection procedures for the civil services. Having worked as Superintendent of Police in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, he undertook intensive tours and established fresh channels of communications with tribal communities.
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