C M Y K
www.morungexpress.com
ThursDAY • June 15 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 162• 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
o F
Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it ‘Tackle child labour through integrated approach’
Fire engulfs London tower block, six killed, death toll likely to rise PAGE 09
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
T R u T H
— Blaise Pascal
Pakistan thrash England in Champions Trophy semi-final
PAGE 02
PAGe 12
MKr Pillai removed as nagaland Police consultant Morung Express news Kohima | June 14
Director General of Police (DGP) Nagaland, LL Doungel today informed that the consultancy contract of retired ASP, MKR Pillai in the PHQ has been terminated with immediate effect. This comes following interstate raids conducted by the IT Department at Pillai’s establishments and amidst investigations into the huge unaccounted asour government gave us sets that were uncovered electricity without power? during the raids. This is unacceptable! “To allay any misgivings from the public we have deThe Morung Express cided to terminate his conwith immediate efPoll QuEsTion sultancy fect,” said Doungel. Pillai was Vote on www.morungexpress.com working at the PHQ as a conSMS your anSwer to 9862574165 sultant for Motor & Transport, where he also deals Should Nagaland state legislators use social with other matters such as media for interactive Modernisation of Police. dialogue with the public? “The decision has been made, which will be conveyed to the government Yes no others and government will issue the order,” said Doungel, who also mentioned that The Morung over the years the consultancy contract had been Express App renewed from “time to for Android time” but did not “know for how long.” phones is to media pernow available sonsSpeaking at his office on June 14, Doungel clarified that for free at questioning the stand of the Google the department and its silence over the Pillai case Play Store. might be imprecise, since
Download now.
The broader problem is ‘no one follows the rules’ Morung Express news Kohima | June 14
While the Nagaland government has chosen to remain comfortably silent on the matter, the IT raids have raised broader questions in a state that is plagued by allegations of institutional and political corruption that has no respect for the rule of law. However, for some, this case provides an opportunity to identify core systemic problems ailing Nagaland state. “The problem is nobody follows the rules,” stated a senior Police officer while interacting with the media on June 13. This case is “just a symptom of the the raid happened outside the State and was conducted by the Income Tax Department. “This is not a case of keeping silent. There is nothing to say also because it happened outside the state in Kerala and it is to do with the Income Tax department. We also have heard from the media that IT raids had been conducted in premises of Pillai’s property. We are also following up on it and we don’t have anything to do with the raiding,” the Nagaland DGP said.
problems in Nagaland,” the officer lamented and added that the problem is the system itself. The officer emphasized the need to adhere to the Nagaland Government Servant Conduct Rules, 1968, wherein two significant rules among the 34 rules and regulations issued on government employees were emphasized. One of the rules concerns the prohibition of government servants engaging in any trade or undertaking any employment other than his/her public duties or carrying on directly or indirectly any business or undertaking or using his/her position as a Government servant to help such business or
Action should be taken on the basis of certain evidences, Doungel stated, and further informed that, when the raid was conducted by the IT Department, the police department had no evidence. Therefore, disciplinary actions cannot be taken because Pillai is a retired police and is only a consultant in PHQ, the DGP said. “Disciplinary Action can only be taken on government servants and not somebody who has retired, so the most we can do is terminate his con-
undertaking. The other relates to the submission of an annual return of movable and immovable properties owned by a government employee. This rule, the officer pointed out, is rarely practiced by government officials. “If these two things are in place in Nagaland,” the officer stated that, “no government servant can have assets disproportionate to his income. These are things which should be followed but are not being followed. This leads to generation of unaccounted wealth.” “Ignorance of law is no defence or excuse,” asserted the officer. “Just because our
sultancy. That is what we have done. We don’t have anything to go by. Certain evidences of wrongdoings is required, we cannot simply register cases. Terminating his contract is as much we can do. Other than that what do we do? If it is established that there is a criminal act or offences then we can take cognizance of that but upto now IT has not shared with us. Till now we have no such evidences, they have not shared with us so until we have the evidences we cannot take up the case,”
system is rotten and compromised we think that within Nagaland we have no problems but when this system interacts with other systems then the problems emerge … and conflict comes,” the officer observed. “We think that we can get away but the other system will not allow you to get away,” the officer cautioned. The officer observed that the prejudices which are functional in Naga society have percolated in all government establishments, which has allowed the fusion of milk and water. Whereby in the process, no one is able to identify which is milk and which is water anymore.
he added. Despite the State Vigilance Commission giving suo moto cognizance to the case, the DGP stated that the area of focus is only on his Consultancy—on how he was appointed and the terms of his appointment-and not how he has amassed money. On a question raised regarding the Nagaland Police Truck that was found at one of Pillai’s property in Pandalam, Doungel said, “We’ll have to check from the detailment of the vehicle duties from the logbook
CNTC calls for thorough investigation into case DIMAPUR, JUne 14 (Mexn): The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has demanded that a thorough investigation be carried out on all those involved in this case. A press note from the CNTC said that it would not be remain a mute spectator “when all these deeds of duping and double crossing acts of fleecing the resources meant for the state allotted by the centre are embezzled by some unscrupulo us outsiders.” It also questioned Pillai’s appointment as consultant to the state police. “Nagaland will never be allowed to continue as a gold mine and a safe haven for every outsider to be looted and plundered when many of its own people are thirsting for a decent and a proper livelihood,” it said.
to establish where and how it was there.” Pillai was appointed as a Consultant after retirement in 2009. The proposal for Pillai’s appointment, however, was not made by the Police Department, but by the Government. “There are so many areas of functions and dealings with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and that is why on this he had had a lot of contact officials in MHA. Over the years he must have developed those contacts. So it helps our cause, our projects. He
takes it up with officials in MHA. He facilitates the whole process. And the other officials jointly work together,” the Nagaland DGP stated. Doungel meanwhile refuted a report circulating in social media alleging that Pillai is currently staying at the DGP’s residence. “This is a very malicious rumor. Pillai has his own place. He doesn’t need to stay with me. What is there that he should come and stay with me. He visits now and then like any other department official,” he stated.
Landslides, flooding kill 156 people in Bangladesh & NE Khaplang remembered
DHAKA/GUWAHATI, JUne 14 (ReUTeRs): Heavy rains have triggered a series of landslides and floods in Bangladesh and neighbouring northeast India, killing at least 156 people over two days, and officials warned on Wednesday the toll could rise. Densely populated Bangladesh is battered by storms, floods and landslides every rainy season. The latest casualties come weeks after Cyclone Mora killed at least seven people and damaged tens of thou-
sands of homes. Landslides hit three hilly districts in Bangladesh's southeast early on Tuesday, killing 100 people in Rangamati, 36 in Chittagong and six in Bandarban, said Reaz Ahmed, head of the department of disaster management. Fresh landslides on Wednesday killed one person in the district of Khagrachari and two in the coastal town of Cox's Bazar, he added. The town bordering Myanmar is home to thousands of Rohingya Muslim
refugees and was just beginning to recover from Cyclone Mora. Ahmed said many people were still missing in the landslide-hit districts and the death toll could rise further as rescuers search for bodies. The toll included four soldiers trapped by a landslide during a rescue operation in Rangamati, he added. Shah Kamal, the secretary of Bangladesh's disaster ministry, said there had been no rain on Wednesday and rescue operations were in full swing.
"It is a great relief. Some areas in the district are still cut off but people are being moved through navy boats," he told Reuters by telephone from Rangamati. But weather officials in Bangladesh have forecast light to moderate showers accompanied by gusty or squally wind during the next 24 hours in places like Chittagong. In the Indian states of Mizoram and Assam, which border Bangladesh, at least 11 people were killed as incessant rains
flooded major cities. Authorities in Mizoram retrieved nine bodies, but about seven people were still missing after landslides caused several homes to cave in, the state's urban development minister said. India was ready to support Bangladesh with search and rescue efforts if needed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office said in a statement. Outside help might not be needed, however, two Bangladesh government officials said.
Desist from imposing dietary restriction: NPF CEC to Centre our Correspondent Kohima | June 14
C M Y K
The Central Executive Council of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) in its meeting held today urged the Nagaland Government to apprise the centre towards desisting from imposing restrictions on the dietary habits of people. It asked that the centre ensure that the culinary preferences of the Naga people, along with their social, traditional, religious or customary practices are not infringed upon by any unilateral decision of the Central Government. The meeting urged the state government to constitute a Consultative Committee comprising of legal luminaries and invite all tribal bodies/ NGOs to solicit their views and opinions on the Nagaland Municipal Act and till elections to the Urban Local Bodies are held, to set up Advisory Committees in all the Urban Local Bodies so as to ensure that proper administration and supervision of civic activities in these ULBs are handled by local leaders.
nagaland state Chief Minister, Dr. shurhozelie liezietsu and others at the Central Executive Council meeting of the naga People’s Front in Kohima on June 14. (Morung photo)
It also resolved to request the Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India to expedite the process of holding bye elections to the vacant seat of 10 Northern Angami I Assembly Constituency considering the crucial stage of the Naga political dialogue and the need for a strong and stable government in the state. The CEC of the NPF Central also placed on record its appreciation to the Chief Minister and Party President Dr Shurhoze-
lie Liezietsu for issuing a clarion call to the Naga people in his condolence message on Khaplang’s death to rally together with renewed vigour and determination to find a solution to the Naga political problem which is honourable and acceptable to all stakeholders. In this regard, the CEC appealed to all sections of the Naga people, especially the NSCN (K) leaders to heed to the call of the veteran leader, renounce violence of all forms and
resume the peace process with the Government of India without any further delay. It further termed the reaction of certain sections of national media to the CM’s condolence message as indicative of their “ignorance to the ground realities prevailing here in the far northeastern part of the country where people want cessation of violence and beginning of a new era of peace, harmony and progress.” The meeting also acknowledged Khriehu Liezi-
etsu for vacating his seat, paving way for the Chief Minister to contest in the bye election. It further noted that the party-led DAN Government had inducted a record number of party functionaries into the Government at various capacities and levels. The CEC also informed that the rank and file of the NPF Manipur State Unit had worked hard to return four of the party’s candidates successfully to the Assembly thereby ensuring a stable Government in the State of Manipur. It expressed happiness that the Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh had inducted all the four NPF MLAs into his Government. “The present leadership in Manipur government has walked the extra mile to bring all sections of the society together and to march forward in peace and harmony through allround development. This gesture of the ruling dispensation is widely appreciated and the CEC calls for equal reciprocation by the people of the Hills districts,” the resolution stated. Related story on page 5
in a candle light service
Government of India urged to reach out to the NSCN (K) for ceasefire Morung Express news Kohima | June 14
A candle light service in memory of NSCN (K) Chairman, late SS Khaplang was held on June 14 at Old MLA Junction, organised by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF). In a prayer invoked by H. Moba Konyak, Pastor Konyak Baptist Church, Kohima, the Pastor said the gathering was not to glorify the departed leader but to recollect his immense contributions to the Naga struggle for freedom. Sending out a clear message to the national media, Dr. Rosemary Dzüvichü, Advisor, Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) said, “Any leader, who sacrifices his life for the Naga cause, for us mothers, is a hero and cannot be labeled a terrorist.” Dr. Dzüvichü further stated that what really happens to outside media is different from what is within the negotiating table, and the people who seek peace. Appealing to the Government of India to reach out to the NSCN (K) for ceasefire, she acknowledged Khaplang’s leadership and his cadres who she said have fought for the Naga cause in the rough terrains of the Burmese jungle, denouncing all comforts of life, deprived of basic amenities and rights. “Let their lives be an example for all of us. It is within this kind of environment that gave birth to such a leader like Khaplang,” said Dr. Dzüvichü. “We are losing our visionary leaders, leaders who could make a change, leaders who could secure
The candle light service held in memory of late ss Khaplang in Kohima on June 14. (Morung Photo)
the future that we wanted. They had the potential to give us the future we wanted. But then looking at what is going on around us in Naga society, especially the overground Naga public, politicians and us standing here today, I think our leaders are dying because we are not worthy of being their followers,” said Neingulo Krome, Secretary General, Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR). Krome noted that Khaplang “provided the living space, the air to breath for every freedom fighter right from the start,” citing examples of how Khaplang sheltered the Naga cadres who walked to China, crossing the Chindwin river and traversing the jungles. Krome recalled that Khaplang was once offered the position of Chief Minister of the Nagas in Burma by the Burmese government but he denied that offer. “He refused to leave the hardships,” said Krome, who meanwhile also thanked Khaplang for admitting his mistakes. Meanwhile, lamenting that Nagas living in the eastern side are being neglected, he pointed to how
foreign companies are being allowed to exploit gold and other rich resources of the Naga areas in the east. “We think Burma is a remote jungle, but it provided a safe haven for the Naga movement and our leaders. Even if we get sovereignty one day in one hundred years or in ten years from now, the future of the Naga people has to go to the East. The future of the Nagas is in the East and for that we have to thank Khaplang for consolidating the Naga areas and having kept it safe for us,” he stated. Chuba Ozukum, President of the Naga Hoho also shared his experiences of meeting the late NSCN (K) Chairman and said he was a “true fighter, a visionary who stood for the conscience of a united Naga nation.” A solidarity message was also delivered by Subenthung Kithan, outgoing NSF President. Yangermongla I Pongen from Nagaland University paid tribute to the leader with the song ‘You are my Hero,’ following which the benediction was pronounced by Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Salew, Parish Priest, Christ King Church Kohima.