June 10th, 2016

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www.morungexpress.com

FriDAY • june 10 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 158 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

We must seek the loving-kindness of God in all the breadth and open-air of common life 117 guides & scouts honoured with Rajya Puraskar Award 2016

Israel suspends 83,000 Palestinian entry permits after Tel Aviv attack PAGe 09

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

T R u T H

— George A. Smith

Philippe Coutinho leads Brazil rout as Ecuador thwart Peru at Copa America

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Modi a ‘game changer’ for ne: nagaland cM

Morung Express News Dimapur | June 9

region is not that large as compared to the mainland, it would be possible for the NDA government to tackle the problem effectively even within a time frame of three years or so. “An era appears to be dawning under the NDA Government, where the problem of mainstreaming the NE Region with the mainland is slowly disappearing, and political and sentimental intergration appears to be firming up”, he stated. On the electoral front, Zeliang said BJP and NDA allies in the North East region need to work out a strategy of cooperation and adjustments through the newly formed North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) platform to ensure that all the NE states are ruled by allies of the NEDA before the next Lok Sabha election slated for 2019. The Chief Minister also reminded that the NDA Government had introduced a number of pathbreaking reforms and schemes like Make in India, Skill India, Stand up India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat and Dhan Yojna,

Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today said the people of the North East are already looking up to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, as the “game changer” as far as development of the region and emotional integration of the people with the mainland are concerned. Err...just say ‘hello’ and “It is under his (Modi) sit down. They know your direction that central leadspeech by heart. ers and officials have been regularly visiting Northeast region during the last two years. We are proud to have a prime minister who is convinced that all the Morung Express News States of the Union should be equally developed and Dimapur | June 9 we are confident that his viAn unidentified man sion will materialize sooner was seriously wound- than later”, the Chief Minised in an accident at the ter said in his address at the Dimapur railway sta- second anniversary of the tion on June 9. The acci- NDA Government today at dent occurred at the rail Agri Expo Dimapur. tracks below the New Expressing optimism Flyover at around 5:00 that the NE would see a pm. According to the po- drastic change under Molice, the man was found di’s leadership, Zeliang said with one arm severed even in the area of employand with trauma on the ment, since the number of forehead. Believed to be unemployed youth in NE a non-Naga, the police said that the unidentified man was admitted to the district hospital in an unconscious state. DIMAPUR, JUNE 9 (MExN): ACAUT Nagaland on Thursday claimed it has evidence that the office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kiphire, has deducted and collected approximately Rs 15 lakhs from its employee salaries to Morung Express News be distributed equally to 4 (four) Naga Dimapur | June 9 Political Groups (NPGs). The corruption watchdog, in a press Four juveniles were ar- statement through its media cell, also rested by the police in alleged that every government departconnection to the assault ment in Kiphire district, as per the ongoon the pastor of Rong- ing practice, is going to hand over their mei Baptist Church, K. 24% deducted money to the four NPGs Sachu colony, Dimapur through the “good office of a certain traon June 3. According to ditional body of the district.” the police, the four were “It is unbelievable that such a rearrested on June 8 in Di- spected body would be party to what is mapur. At least five were essentially an extortion racket and the suspected to have been ACAUT Nagaland totally condemns the involved in the incident, unholy alliance,” the press statement, the police said, adding without naming the organization, said. In this connection, ACAUT Nagathey were on the lookout for the 5th, also suspect- land has requested the DC, Kiphire to take cognizance and dismantle the ed to be a juvenile. extortion racket being carried out for whatever ill-justified reasons. While recalling the public declaration made by ACAUT to all departments

One injured at railway tracks

o F

Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Thawar Chand Gehlot and Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang at the second anniversary celebration of the NDA Government at Agri Expo Dimapur on June 9. Photo by Caisii Mao

during the last two years to revive the country’s stagnant economy, and to take development process on the fast-track. “All these have dispelled the atmosphere of pessimism that had pervaded the nation during the last 10 years of UPA rule, and replaced them with hope and optimism. I think this positive change in mood and mind-set of the people itself is a big achievement”, he added.

Gehlot assures Nagaland will progress ‘very fast’

Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Thawar Chand Gehlot today said the country under the BJP-led NDA government was emerging as a major economic power. He assured that under the Modi Government, Nagaland state would progress very fast on all fronts. The Union Minister

said under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, India’s GDP registered a positive growth from 4.4% to 7.9% in the last two years. Addressing the second anniversary of NDA government held at Agri Expo site, jointly organized by the BJP-NPF led DAN alliance, the Union minister said even during the previous NDA rule under then Prime Minsiter, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the NDA Gov-

ernment managed to salvage the tattered economy left behind by the Congress. Gehlot reminded that when Vajpayee took over the reins at the centre, the financial condition of the country was in bad shape with the GDP below 4%. However, in the next 6 years of NDA Government, the GDP rose raised to 8.4%. But after Vajpayee’s exit and followed by ten years of Congress rule, the country’s GDP again plummeted to 4.4%, he said. Gehlot lamented that though the then Congressled UPA government had “three best economists”, the GDP went down drastically due to the party’s inclination for corruption and also alleged that corruption was highest during the UPA-I & UPA-II governments. Gehlot said it was during Vajpayee’s time that a separate ministry was created for the North East States for development and now Narendra Modi as Prime Minister is continuing the development works in the North East. He claimed that during the two years of NDA government, people have seen

how the government has performed and now they have full trust and faith in this government. The Union Minister pointed to how after achieving majority in the last Lok Sabha polls, the BJP forged alliance with other parties and continued to run the government at the Centre, adding, in Nagaland the BJP-NPF alliance will also go on for development of the state. Claiming that Modi had given a corruption-free government in the last two years, Gehlot said nobody can question the government on corruption. On the occasion, the Union Minister also highlighted the various achievements of the BJPled NDA Government and pro-people schemes launched during the last two years. Earlier, Nagaland Minister for Trasport, Civil Aviation and IT, Paiwang Konyak delivered the welcome address and Minister for PWD (R&B), Vikheho Swu, proposed the vote of thanks. Nagaland State BPJ President, Visasolie Lhoungu, chaired the programme.

CMO Kiphire deducted 15 lakhs for four NPGs: ACAUT Naga Hoho opposes transfer of

4 juveniles arrested in pastor assault case

Ward in Tuensang reeling under darkness

DIMAPUR, JUNE 9 (MExN): The Chang Union and the Chang Students Union, 13th Saksi NAP Sector Tuensang have appealed to the Power Department for early installation of new 33 KV transformer, as the old transformer has been grounded since March 19. A press note from the unions stated that the public of 13th Ward have been suffering due to power failure for almost three months now and “it is totally unacceptable to endure such a long period without electricity.” It further pointed to “lapses and inefficiency on the part of Power Department, Tuensang in installing the new transformer, which otherwise should not take this long.” “Till date, the public of 13th Ward are reeling under darkness while the other Wards/ Sectors under Tuensang Town remain unaffected,” it informed. It demanded that the Chief Engineer, Power department consider their appeal on top priority “before the public runs out of patient.”

ACAUT Wokha says Yikhum village will not oblige to summon

DIMAPUR, JUNE 9 (MExN): An emergency meeting was held between ACAUT Wokha Unit and Yikhum village GBs and VDB members on Thursday to deliberate on the issue of a summon made upon the Yikhum village leaders by one major of NSCN (IM), who is also the town commander cum ZCO Wokha, through telephonic conversation. Informing this, ACAUT media cell in a press statement said the house during the meeting observed that NSCN (IM) major had summoned the Yikhum village GBs and VDB members at the Thungbo brigade Totsu without any clear reason or any written letter. After deliberation, the house de-

cided that the Yikhum village leaders would not go to the place where they have been summoned, as there was no detailed reason given. The ACAUT Wokha unit has also called for a meeting of all the Lotha frontal organizations, GBs (village & towns), Wokha district VBD Association and VDBs from all the blocks on June 11 at 10 am at the Lotha Tribal Council Hall to reaffirm on the Naga public resolution of “One Government One taxation.” Further, it also impressed upon all the Head of Departments to submit to the office of the ACAUT Wokha unit attheearliesttimepossiblethedemandletters served to them by any of the individuals or Naga Political Groups.

to return whatever deducted amount within 1 week, ie, on or before June 13, it requested the CMO of Kiphire to do the same or an FIR would be filed. On the issue of “24% extortion and demands by NPGs,” the ACAUT Nagaland asserted that most of the district administrative officers have lost their courage, thereby exposing almost

1,00,000 lower-cadre government employees to anti-people elements and vested interest NGOs. “This probably explains why the Mokokchung police and the district administration still haven’t arrested the so-called town commander of the NSCN (IM) even after a week of FIR being filed,” it maintained.

Rs 86, 75, 17,000 withdrawn from Calamity Relief Fund during 2011-2016 DIMAPUR, JUNE 9 (MExN): The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority under the Home Department from financial year of 2011-12 to 201516, withdrew a staggering amount of 86, 75, 17,000 (Eighty-six crore seventy-five lakh and seventeen thousand) from the Calamity Relief Fund through sixteen different drawal orders. This information was contained in the response from the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) under Home Department to an RTI filed by a section of public leaders and social activist. A press release providing details of the RTI from the petitioners namely Aheto V Yeputhomi, Hukavi T Yeputhomi, Kitoho S Rotokha, l Khevishe Achumi and S Zhevihe Sumi was furnished to the media on Thursday. According to the petitioners, the department did not specify on the reason for the withdrawal of the quoted amount. “To most public, this information of drawal authority under different categories of the natural calamities and relief fund provided to Home Department need to be revealed,” the petitioners stated. It therefore questioned, “How such huge amount was utilized for what purposes in what manner and through which agencies or

authorities” and sought details on the “individual beneficiaries under NSDMA and in what manner they were assisted through whose authority.” Further, the NSDMA in their response highlighted that Nagaland received Rs 19, 41, 00, 000 (Nineteen crore and forty one lakh) from the financial year 2010-11 to 201415 as grant in aid under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Out of this amount, Rs 12, 99, 00,401 (Twelve crore, ninety-nine lakh and four hundred one) had been distributed to 11 district, the beneficiaries totaling to 15,288 (fifteen thousand two hundred eighty eight) persons for various natural calamities such as - fire, landslide, storm, etc. The SDMA had also contributed Rs 10, 00,000 (Ten lakh) to Uttarkhand on June 24, 2013 and had spend Rs 69, 15,430 (Sixtynine lakh, fifteen thousand four hundred and thirty) to unspecified individuals. Accordingly, an amount of Rs 6, 41, 99,599 (Six crore, forty-one lakh, ninety nine thousand, five hundred and ninety nine) is still to be utilized, the RTI response stated. On this, the petitioners also sought answer as to how the Government and the concerned authorities envisages on utilizing the available resources at hand.

land ownership to non–Nagas

DIMAPUR, JUNE 9 (MExN): The Naga Hoho has expressed concern that non-Nagas are acquiring land ownership in Nagaland through various means particularly through financial institutions. “It is seen that indigenous Naga bank loan defaulters landed properties are being transferred to non–Nagas either through auction or otherwise...this is blatant violation of Article 371 (A) of the Constitution including the Nagaland Government Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Act 1978, Section 2 (2),” a press statement from Naga Hoho vice president HK Zhimoni stated on Thursday. “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law, usage, contract or agreement, no person (other than the Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland) shall acquire or posses by transfer, exchange, lease, agreement of settlement of any land,” the Hoho while opposing the act maintained. It has therefore cautioned all national banks, financial institutions,

private lenders and commoners not to indulge in selling and auction of land to non-Nagas in the State of Nagaland, which it feared, will have fatal ramification for the Nagas. On the other hand, the Hoho sought to explain that this does not mean it was protecting the defaulters in various financial institutions but is being “constrained to issue this statement following the decision of the Executive council in order to safeguard the rights of the Nagas.” The Hoho also said it will not be responsible for any forthcoming trouble in near future for “those non Nagas who have already acquired land in Nagaland after December 1, 1963 onward which is in violation of customary and statutory provisions.” It also appealed to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly/State Government to ensure and exercise their powers based on Article 371 (A) concerning land with prudence and inform to all land registering authorities to strictly act according to the land Rules and Acts.

there is more than the ‘devil’ in the ‘worship’ PART II

Morung Express News Dimapur | June 9

There is more to it than the brew of black magic, pentagram rituals, bloodletting sacrifices and supernatural elements damning the so-called ‘Satan’ worshippers in Nagaland. In the midst of holding ‘Satan’ primarily responsible for all the woes, other underlying and equally vital factors like issues of the family, society, peer pressure, social media, obsession, addiction, mental health etc are being overlooked. The Longjang village pastor disclosed this telling information. Many of the socalled ‘Satan’ worshippers counseled at the Kotak prayer center came from poor or broken family. In addition, most of them were enticed into it for want of a reward as per their confession, he claimed. Cases of teens obsessed with online gaming and assumed to have links with Satan worship and sent off to prayer centers by parents are nothing new. ‘Prayer warriors’ also reported how, youths with history of substance abuse, turn into ‘Satan’ worshipping. A teen from Dimapur, for instance, confessed how he was ‘initiated’ into a cult of satanic worship through inhaling of the dendrite adhesive. This adhesive is sniffed/inhaled for their mind-altering or behavioral effects. More to the point, counselor at Chathe prayer centre quoting confession of ‘Satan’ worshippers pointed out how the troubled teens were reportedly enticed into the

group with promise that “they would get anything that they want,” so long as they obeyed the biding of the devil and performed rituals. Dr P Ngullie, a psychiatrist practicing in Kohima feels that there is more to it than the devil and such cases of ‘Satan’ worship among teens should be approached through holistic ways. “To deal with such issues, we need a multi-pronged approach: spiritual, medical, psychological as well as social,” Dr Ngullie said. The psychiatrist said there are also chances that these teens are vulnerable to mental health problem. Instead of giving time to the child, many parents practice the ‘short cut’ of sending them off to prayer centers, he said. Dr Ngullie also observed that the church, rather than announcing about such issues in the congregation, should delve into the roots on the how and why’s, about the family dynamics and other societal issues with an open mind and without any kind of judgmental attitude. Viewing from another angle, the psychiatrist, while keeping in mind the rebelliousness and vulnerability of teenagers to different experiments, opined on the possibility of young people being exploited by people in authority for different motives. The society and family need to truly open up to them and find answers as to what makes them do what they are doing“Is society failing to cater to their needs? Do they feel that believing or worshipping a different element (‘Satan’ here for instance) gives them more spiritual power?”

Need to understand the culture of young people: NBCC Gen Secy “I cannot say it is not there. It must be there if people are talking about,” Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) General Secretary Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho responded when asked to comment on the emergence of ‘Satan’ worship particularly among the teens. Dr Keyho, however, chose to term the situation faced by the young people as a pattern of worship not aligned to Christian worship. “An alternate form of worship, which is wrong…some that counters with Christian life style, and way of worship is visible,” the NBCC general secretary stated. He also noted that this alternate form of worship, practiced by some youth is not an organized group. “It’s not an organized group that people have seen or heard, or else it will become apparent,” Dr Keyho pointed out. In a situation such as this, the NBCC general secretary said it was important to understand that the culture of the present young people is very different from what it was before. In music, gadget, lifestyle, the earlier generation have not faced what the young people today are going through. He said the church has a greater role to play. “Church needs to gear up her ministry for the young people and not just remain confined to graduating children from Sunday schools,” he stated. Dr Keyho also said there is need to stop the tendency of putting every problem, troubles to prayer centers. “I am not saying prayer centers are bad. Prayer center is good but what we need more right now is good parenting and good counseling center,” he stated.


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June 10th, 2016 by The Morung Express - Issuu