June 23rd, 2017

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

FriDAY • June 23 • 2017

DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 170• 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

o F

The highest and most beautiful things in life are not to be heard about, nor read about, nor seen but, if one will, are to be lived Opposition picks Meira Kumar as Presidential candidate

DDADU launches ambulance service

PAGe 08

4 lane project quandary settled: NCSU DIMAPUR, JUNE 22 (MExN): The Nagaland Contractors and Suppliers Union (NCSU) today informed that the 4 lane road project issue has been “amicably settled” with the NSCN (IM). A press note from Vice President of the NCSU, KL Setuo Rutsa and Secretary, Hoshito Assumi informed that the Home Minister of the NSCN (IM) called Nagaland Contractors’ & Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) officials on June 21. “The meeting thoroughly deliberated the matter for communication gap and misunderstanding between the two parties and amicably settled among ourselves,” it claimed. It further informed that work on the project has resumed.

Government assessing feasibility of different time zones in India

NEW DELHI, JUNE 22 (PTI): The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is conducting a study to assess the feasibility of having different time zones in the country.

The study is being conducted to give “scientific inputs” on the matter, DST secretary Ashutosh Sharma said. Recently, Pema Khandu, chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, had demanded a separate time zone for the NE. “The DST has been conducting studies on this, looking at what is the potential of energy saving if you have two different time zones,” Sharma said. “One can actually save energy because the sunrise and sunset timings are different, but the office timings are one across the nation,” he added. The study is also expected to cover the overall impact, especially on the transportation system. Leaders from the NE argue that a separate time zone, would increase daylight savings and efficiency. One of the arguments is that early sunrise means that by the time they start their day, almost half the day has passed. This means an early sunset which requires extra use of lights in both homes, offices and public places, hampering productivity. Similar is the case with the archipelagos of the Andaman and Nicobar and the Lakshadweep.

— Søren Kierkegaard

1st Kohima dist inter-school football tournament 2017

PAGe 02

PAGe 10

NBCC, political parties pledge for clean & fair election Our Correspondent

Agreement signed between Nagaland political parties & NBCC

Kohima | June 22

In the run up to the Nagaland State Assembly election which is slated in the early month of 2018, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) on Thursday brokered an agreement with the different political parties in the State to pledge for conduct of a free and clean election which the apex church body has been campaigning for since 2012.

What can be termed as a significant progress on the clean election campaign journey, at least in the paper, as of now, the NBCC and six political parties existing in Nagalandnamely the Naga People’s Front (NPF), Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), Nagaland Congress (NC), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (U) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)signed a bond of agreement “before God” after a NBCC- CEC colloquium at the NBCC headquarters, Kohima.

“We admit our common failure that the Naga people have not been able to conduct a free and credible election in the State for many years. In this context various political parties in Nagaland met under the leadership of NBCC Clean Election Core Committee,” read the agreement appended by the presidents of all the political parties and NBCC president Rev Dr Mar Atsongchanger

Nagaland political parties leaders with NBCC team in Kohima on June 22. (Morung Photo)

and general secretary Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho.

In order to eradicate corruption in a so called Christian dominated society, election malpractices is one major area that need to be cleaned, the agreement pointed out.

“We affirm the fact that NBCC and political parties should work together in addressing the evils of elections. Therefore, to realize the objectives of the CEC guidelines, the political parties in Nagaland along with NBCC agree to follow and practice the following principles (See box), signed before God on this day the June 22, 2017 at the NBCC Headquarters, Kohima,” the agreement further stated.

The 18 principles or “commandments” that the political parties pledged to stop practicing include

the usual lure and vices of buying votes with money, insisting/forcing clan, khel, village, and family to declare support for a particular candidate bribing voters with money or materials, using support of underground/NPGs for threatening voters etc, which has been the setting of election in Nagaland.

Earlier, several political leaders attending the NBCC- CEC colloquium stressed on the need to focus on cleansing the electoral roll for clean election to take place. “The first and foremost thing to do is to clean the electoral roll,” said Z. Lohe of Nagaland Congress while endorsing the concern expressed by Captain GK Zhimomi from the NPCC. At the same time, Lohe also felt that CEC must be an action oriented one.

Former president BJP State unit, Dr. M. Chuba Ao viewed that voters should register their name wherever they live in.

Stating that workshop and seminar alone is not enough, NPF working president Apong Pongener stressed on the need to collectively work out the modalities supported by political parties and form a neutral body to push forward the clean election movement.

‘CEC not a campaign against politicians & political parties’ Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) general secretary Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho today said that the Clean Election Campaign (CEC) is not a campaign against the politicians, political parties, not against individuals.

• Shall not buy votes with money.

• Shall not insist/force Clan, Khel, Village, and family to declare support for a particular candidate.

• Shall not bribe the voters with money or materials.

• Shall not distribute party money or provide party-based development work during election time.

• Shall not distribute alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants to voters.

• Shall not set up camps in colony/khel/ village/town.

• Shall not put up flags and posters on an individual household except in party office and house of the candidate.

• Shall not provide feasting, picnic, or go for procession.

• Shall not use force, intimidation and undue influence to the voters.

• Shall not use the support of under“But it is a campaign for positive change and attitude, to educate the voters if they chose to vote, to vote without false expectation and without being influenced and to use their birthright honorably and with dignity,” he said while addressing the CEC colloquium with Nagaland political parties organized by NBCC here today.

Political leaders from NPF, NPCC, NC, DPP, BJP, JD (U) and AAP attended the programme and extended support to CEC. “We are no longer free and fair people. Dishonesty and fear has taken grip of us. Unless we make peace with each other and also correct our ways from where we have gone wrong we will continue to fight among ourselves,” the NBCC general secretary lamented.

ground/NPGs for threatening voters.

• Shall have a clear and realistic manifesto.

• Shall avoid house to house campaign.

• Shall discipline the party workers and educate them with CEC instructed by the NBCC. • Shall not use/spread false propaganda for personal gain.

• Shall not be involved in booth capturing and any other activities which are unbecoming of any political party.

• Shall deliver peace, justice, and development for our people.

• Shall participate in the common platforms organized by the Clean Election Committee.

• Shall support NBCC-CEC Guidelines in letter and spirit, and cooperate with all the initiatives of Association level CEC-Core Committee.

Stating that Nagas deserve better, Rev. Dr. Zelhou stressed on the need to put our heads together to find ways and means and develop our strategies and strengthen each other without becoming discouraged. “Today, what is presented before us is to clean up ills of dirty election system that has eaten us away making us impotent in our performances.”

He pointed out that “if we can clean the dirty mess of electioneering system in our society more than half of our problem will be solved and we will all be happier people.”

“Election is not bad, it is good. In a democratic society it is the process of electing our representatives to power to rule over the affairs of the government and the people,” he said adding that when the ideals of

democratic electioneering process are abused the result becomes devastating.

While asserting that CEC is everyone’s business, the church, the society, and the politicians as well, Rev. Dr. Zelhou however said it should not be used to point fingers at each other.

“CEC is a movement of Holy Discontent. Our society in general is disintegrating, fragmenting or fragmented and ism has become the order of the day. The five year cycle of selling our votes to vote and buying of votes to power must be put to a stop!”

Later in the evening, the NBCC also had a meeting with the different denominational heads including the Peace Channel (Catholic Church), Catholic Church, SBAK (Aizuto), NCRC, Assemblies of God and volunteers.

ACAUT on NSCN (IM)’s failure to clarify on alleged tax demand

DIMAPUR, JUNE 22 (MExN): ACAUT Nagaland on Thursday said it has no option but to come to the conclusion that the “NSCN (IM) does not want Nagaland people to enjoy the fruits of development.”

A press note from the media cell, ACAUT reminded that it had on June 18, 2017 demanded that the NSCN (IM) clarify within three-day on the allegations that it had stopped the 4-laning work at NH-29 and threatened to burn down the machineries unless tax is paid by

the contractors working on AH-1.

It also stated that unless clarification is made by the NSCN (IM) within the time period, the automatic conclusion would be that “the NSCN-IM does not want Nagaland people to enjoy fruits of development.”

However with the NSCN (IM) maintaining silence over the issue and failing to clarify is position, ACAUT said it can only conclude the allegations to be true.

In this connection, the

ACAUT stated that henceforth any disturbances upon the firms/contractors working on 4-laning AH-1 by any entity would be a “direct challenge upon all Nagas.”

On their part, the contractors/firms should understand that the Naga people are watching the ongoing works with great trepidation- that quality should not be compromised under any circumstances- and therefore, great care should be taken to avoid misunderstand- A muddy quagmire of a road in Phesama area of NH-29. Incessant rain in Kohima district over the past few days have ings, it stated. worsened the road conditions in many areas into muddy heaps. (Photo by Vizokho Zashümo)

India’s population to surpass China around 2024: UN

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T R u T H

UNITED NATIONS, JUNE 22 (PTI): India’s population could surpass that of China around 2024, two years later than previously estimated, and is projected to touch 1.5 billion in 2030, according to a UN forecast.

The World Population Prospects: The 2017 Revision, published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said that currently China with 1.41 billion inhabitants and India with 1.34 billion remain the two most populous countries, comprising 19 and 18 per cent of the total global population.

“In roughly seven years, or around 2024, the population of India is expected to surpass that of China,” the report said.

The 2017 Revision of World Population Prospects is the 25th round of official UN population estimates and projections.

In its 24th round of estimates released in 2015, it was projected that the population of India will surpass that of China’s by 2022.

Current world population of 7.6 billion is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100.

The new estimates released here today said that in 2024, India and China are expected to have roughly a population of 1.44 billion each.

After that, India’s population is projected to continue growing for several decades to around 1.5 billion in 2030 and approaching 1.66 billion in 2050, while the population of China is projected to remain stable until the 2030s, after which it may begin a slow decline.

India s population may eventually see a decline in the half century after 2050 to 1.51 billion by 2100 but it will still be the most populous country in the world.

In India, life expectancy at birth will be 71 years in 2025-2030, growing to 74.2 years in 20452050. The under-five mortality rate will decline from 32.3 deaths

under age five per 1,000 live births in 2025-2030 to 18.6 in 2045-2050.

The report said the current world population of 7.6 billion is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100.

“With roughly 83 million people being added to the world s population every year, the upward trend in population size is expected to continue, even assuming that fertility levels will continue to decline, it said.

Ten countries are expected to account collectively for more than half of the world s projected population increase over the period 2017-2050: India, Nigeria, Congo, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, the United States, Uganda, Indonesia and Egypt.

Among the ten largest coun-

tries worldwide, Nigeria is growing the most rapidly. Consequently, the population of Nigeria, currently the world s 7th largest, is projected to surpass that of the US and become the third largest country in the world shortly before 2050.

Further, large and persistent economic and demographic asymmetries between countries are likely to remain key drivers of international migration for the foreseeable future.

Between 2015 and 2050, the top net receivers of international migrants are projected to be the US, Germany, Canada, UK, Australia and Russia. The countries projected to be net senders of more than 100,000 migrants annually include India, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan and Indonesia.

The report said that in 20102015, around 46 per cent of the world s population lived in intermediate-fertility countries, where women have on average between 2.1 and 5 births over a lifetime.

NPCC: NPF has buried its regional identity by supporting BJP-RSS presidential candidate DIMAPUR, JUNE 22 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Thursday said the NPF party has given final burial to its regional identity and have become a fullfledged proxy party for BJPRSS in Nagaland by hurriedly supporting the BJP-RSS candidate for the Presidential election.

“Our belief, culture and way of life have been greatly compromised in the name of garnering benefits of development and good governance which is still a farfetched dream,” NPCC media cell in a press statement said.

It therefore criticized the NPF- BJP alliance as “without any principles but based solely on petty benefits,” while adding that “despite BJP calling NPF 200% corrupt and NPF calling BJP anti

Christian party, yet they continue to sail together in a rotten boat.”

The NPCC said the upcoming presidential election clearly defines which side of the divide a political party stands on two competing ideas of India-the first being the one bequeathed to us by our founding fathers and framers of our Constitution which led to the establishment of a free India based on liberal democracy, equality of all faiths and pluralism.

However, it alleged that this established idea of India is being challenged by the BJP government with, as the Prime Minister Modi himself called, “New India,” adding that this New India is nothing but another term for Hindutva. The core principle of the Hindutva ideology is “one nation, one race, one culture’’

which translates into a Hindu Rashtra, an idea of India that the RSS had been working even before Independence, it pointed out.

The country is at a crossroads because the established idea of India is being challenged by the new idea of India labeled in Hindutva package. Every election, in this backdrop, turns into a battlefield for these two competing ideas of India, it said.

In this juncture, the NPCC maintained that the ongoing presidential election is no exception and lamented that the “NPF under the leadership of Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu has readily embraced the new idea of India which has nothing to offer our people except infringing on our rights and curtailing our liberties with each passing day.”

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Friday 23•06•2017

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Event Movers to present play in Kohima DDADU launches Morung Express News Kohima | June 22

Event Movers, a newly formed group will be presenting a Theatre play in Kohima on June 26 at 4 pm.

The play which has been organised for a social cause in collaboration with the Art & Culture Department (Art Wing) and Modern Institute of Teachers Education will be held at RCEMPA Jotsoma.

With the objective to support talented young people in their pursuit in the field of arts, Event Movers hope to send a meaningful and strong message to the people through the play.

Directed by K Cynthia Kolakhe, Fashion Artist, the play which will last for one hour and thirty minutes consisting of three parts that is ‘The Last At-

Kohima DC informs on Aadhar enrolment

DIMAPUR, JUNE 22 (DIPR): Deputy Commissioner of Kohima Rajesh Soundararajan IAS has informed that the AADHAAR Enrolment & Capturing Day for Persons with Disability will be held on July 7 at the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima.

The DC also informed all the interested Persons with Disability to avail the facility. As per the requirement of Unique Authority of India (UIDAI) Government of India, a copy of any two of the following document are required to be produced & submit at the time of Capturing of biometric details: Passport, PAN Card, Ration / PDS photo Card, Voter ID/ Date of Birth, Driving License, Government photo ID cards/ Service photo Identity card issued by PSU, NREGS Job Card, photo ID issued by Recognized Educational institution, Pensioner photo Card, ST and Indigenous.

DPC informs members

DIMAPUR, JUNE 22 (MExN): The Dimapur Press Club has informed all members that renewal of membership form will be issued from June 26, 2017. All members are requested to submit their membership renewal forms on or before July 17 for the Identity Card.

No forms will be accepted after the last date, a press note from the DPC said. It further informed that the DPC will hold its General Meeting on July 17, 12 noon at Press Point Supermarket Dimapur.

All members have been requested to attend the meeting.

ambulance service

teaching Arts and Drama, a compulsory subject for Teacher Education said that theatre is a crucial form of art to express the realities of any society, and added that her students have drawn and learnt meaningful experiences through theatre plays. “Their ideas keep growing and they are able to come out of the box,” said Kolakhe.

The costume designer for the play is Muzung Yimchunger. The costumes of all the actors are made The Event Movers team who will be presenting a play in Kohima on June 26. from recycled newspapers tempt’ which will portray artistic skills. jobs,” said Aribah, men- and upcycled clothes. The the Naga identity; ‘The Last Ariba Kips, musician, tioning that through this photographer for the event Hope’ focusing on Christi- and member of the Event theatre play Event Movers is Louis Chhetri.

Event Movers was recentanity in Nagaland; and ‘The Movers viewed that in Naga hopes to encourage the esNext Education’. The play is society parents are less sup- sence of arts and music in ly formed by Elelvi Alo Kenfree and open to all, how- portive of their children to Naga society. The Special nao, Entrepreneur; Aribah Parliamentary Secretary for Economics & Statistics, Tovihoto Ayemi seen along with DDADU ever there will be opportu- pursue the field of arts and Guest for the play is Vilal- Kips, Musician and K. Cyn- officials during inauguration of ambulance service in Dimapur on Wednesday. (Morung Photo) nity for a free will donation music. “They focus only hou Noudi, Deputy Direc- thia Kolakhe, Fashion Artist Morung Express News shaws were an important She said that the auwith the vision to work on towards supporting lesser on education with the in- tor Art & Culture. and convenient mode of torickshaw drivers bear Dimapur | June 22 privileged students with tention to get government Kolakhe who has been social causes in Naga society. transport for the public, the mirror and image of Dimapur District Au- he urged the autorick- the state and its people as torickshaw Drivers’ Union shaw drivers to keep public they are the ones who first (DDADU) has acquired an safety and convenience as encounter any outsider ambulance that will cater their main goal even as they reaching Dimapur for any to medical emergencies serve the public and earn purpose. Lovikali encourDIMAPUR, JUNE 22 (MExN): Street plays to of its members and to the livelihood at the same time. aged them to continue expromote awareness in National Program for Prepublic at nominal rates.

He said DDADU has hibiting their good manvention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes & Stroke Addressing the gath- grown into a matured or- ners and behaviours to (NPPCDS) diseases and Adolescent Reproducering at the premises of ganization and urged their outsiders and added that tive & Sexual Health (ARSH) were held on June DDADU office after inau- members to continue ren- any good deed done would 14 and 17 at Little Daffodils Higher Secondary gurating the vehicle, Par- dering their service with not go in vain.

School, Doyapur, Govt. High School Dhansiripar liamentary Secretary for sincerity and dedication.

DDADU President I. and Amaluma Village, Dhansiripar Block. The Economics & Statistics, District Transport Of- Vitoshe Sema, DDADU plays were set to make the audience aware of the Tovihoto Ayemi lauded ficer, Dimapur, Lovikali Joint Secretary, Renthungo consequences of leading an unhealthy lifestyle. the Union for acquiring Yeptho who was the guest Tsopoe, DDADU Advisor The plays were scripted to encourage making a the ambulance to serve of honour also appreciat- Lipok Pongen and others healthy lifestyle choices and being responsible their needs and the pub- ed the Union for announc- also addressed the gathfor one’s own health. They depicted the conlic as well and described it ing that the ambulance ering. Rev. S. Vitoshe Swu sequences and ill effects of leading unhealthy as an “excellent and noble could be used not only by and Rev Alem Jamir prolifestyles for the adolescence and as well as the adults and also the benefits of physical activities project.” the members but the pub- nounced prayers during and good balance diet in one’s daily live.

Stating that autorick- lic also. the programme.

Street play on NPCCDs and ARSH which was held on June 14 and 17.

Street plays on NPCCDS and ARSH

ABAM, LBES conduct interface meeting DIMAPUR, JUNE 22 (MExN): The Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) and the Lotha Baptist Churches Association (LBES) for the first time had an interface meeting on June 21 at Vankhosung, Wokha under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger, Executive Secretary, ABAM and Rev. Nyanchumo Lotha Executive Secretary LBES. The objective of the meeting was to encourage one another and create strong relationship within associations so as to productively work in the ministry of God. The meeting was presided by Rev. Nyanchumo

Lotha, Executive Secretary, LBES, who acknowledged the Ao Baptist Church Association for making the visit and called for both the associations to share the activities and projects that have been undertaken so that the associations become more organized and execute the mission of God. ABAM represented by the Executive Secretary, Church and Mission Secretary, Literature and Education Secretary and Media and Social concern coordinator highlighted the ongoing projects and activities of ABAM and asked for prayer support and coordination as and when need arises.

CVCA meeting on June 24 DIMAPUR, JUNE 22 (MExN): The Chumukedima Area Village Council Association (CAVCA) has informed all Village Council Chairmen under EAC Chumukedima that there will be a general meeting on June 24 at 10:00am at CTC Hall, Chumukedima. This general meeting is being organised to discuss some important issues. Therefore all executives of CAVCA and VCCs are requested to attend the said meeting without fail, the CVCA informed in a press note today.

Dept of Posts informs Officials of the ABAM and LBES after their interface meeting on June 21.

Rev Dr Mar Atsongchanger Executive Secretary of ABAM appealed LBES staff to extend constant help and support to the Executive Secretary and to one another and to be more enlivened as incumbents of

an association, so as to stay safe from unprecedented egregious situation. He also assured LBES that ABAM is always ready to support and help in all possible ways.

One of the main concerns in the meeting was

Clean Election which has engrossed the minds of every Naga for decades. In this respect, the associations resolved to work continually towards inculcating the people with a sense of right duty.

DIMAPUR, JUNE 22 (MExN): The Department of Posts has informed member of account holders, who have an account at Signal Village Sub Post Office, like SB/ RD/SSA, to submit their passbooks to the Sub-Postmaster, Signal Village Sub Post Office, latest by June 30. A press note from the Director of Postal Service informed that this is being done for verification of balance under clear receipt from the Sub-Postmaster, Signal Village SO.

DRSU meeting on June 24

DIMAPUR, JUNE 22 (MExN): The Dimapur Rengma Students' Union (DRSU) will be having a meeting on June 24 at 9:00 AM at the residence of its Education & Statistical Secretary at Fellowship colony to discuss pertaining issues and upcoming events of the union. All the execing for the farmers. Farmers also visited utives, advisors, area representatives and seniors have Vermi composting unit and dairy unit at been requested to attend the meeting. the farm.

The team also visited an NGO called ‘Farm to Food Foundation’ and interacted with the officials where they highlighted DIMAPUR, JUNE 22 (MExN): A one-day consultation about their activity on promotion of or- programme on Draft Nagaland Land Use Policy was organganic cultivation to farmers and even stu- ised by Jhum Resources Management Committee (JRMC) dents at school.

Tuensang district on June 20 at CKS Hall, Tuensang. Dr. Farmers were also taken to Alengmo- Manazir Jeelani Samoon (IAS), ADC, Tuensang delivered ra Sonari Gaon Middle School and Naha- a short speech emphasising on sustainable use of land. The tra Middle English School where students consultation session was conducted by UNDP and DSCO were taught to grow organic gardens and team, Mokokchung which was followed by an interaction vermi-composting at small scale, besides session. The programme was chaired by Vinoka Y Kiba, interactions with the teachers and stu- DPD, ATMA, Tuensang and vote of thanks was delivered dents.

by Lily Tep, member secretary & DSCO, Tuensang.

Interstate farmer’s exposure tour to Jorhat

DIMAPUR, JUNE 22 (MExN): Farmer’s of Peren district visited Jorhat from June 13 to 16. The team was lead by two Dy. PDs of ATMA district Peren. The team visited MD Organic Farm, where indigenous cultivar of various vegetables and spices are being promoted and are grown organic.

Samir Bordoloi highlighted on various farm activities and its importance on farm economy. He also stressed that Naga farmers are barefoot scientists and should give importance to local resource and quoted Naga Farmer Naga Culture Naga Crop.

Perma (Permanent) gardening system with organic manure and eco-friendly orParticipants of the interstate farmer’s exposure tour to Jorhat. ganic insecticide was the most eye open-

JRMC organises consultation

celebration Sensitization prog at Wokha SSSVS in Peren district

DDT is only meant for indoor residual spray and is a very effective method to control mosquito population.

Spraying of DDT outside is restricted.

Issued by Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Nagaland National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme

Dr Jonsuthung Kithan speaking during the sensitization programme.

WOKHA, JUNE 22 (DIPR): A sensitization programmme on the harmful effects of tobacco and enforcement of COTPA 2003 for the law enforcement agency under National Tobacco control programme was held on June 22 at SP Office conference hall, Wokha with Dr Jonsuthung Kithan as the special guest.

The special guest while speaking on the harmful effect of tobacco said, “we can outlive tobacco related diseases if we reduce the intake or use of tobacco products” and urged all to stay away from tobacco as use of tobacco leads to millions of deaths globally.

Dr. Meribeni Odyuo, DNO, NTCP, Wokha while speaking on the theme, “Harmful effects of Tobacco” said, “we can reduce tobacco consumption in our society only if we together rise up and say “enough-No more”. She added the battle against tobacco menace will be long and difficult, but it is a battle that can be won, must be won and will be won.

O/C Wokha PS, Chopathung Ngullie highlighted about Enforcement of COTPA 2003. The function was chaired by Psychologist, NTCO, Wokha, Dr Abeni R Kikon, while vote of thanks was proposed

by Addl. SP, Wokha, Tokavi Achumi.

PEREN, JUNE 22 (MExN): Peren celebrated the Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sammelan (SSSVS) at Tenning Town Hall on June 21 at 11:00am to mark 3 years completion of the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was organized by Indian Oil Corporation Limited. Warren Hollohon Yepthomi Additional Deputy Commisioner, Tenning was the chief guest. Yepthomi explained the scheme and development policy of Government of India and also encouraged the gathering to be aware of various government facilities provided by the Union Government. He also thanked the Indian Oil Corporation Limited for organizing the programme at Tenning. Mathew K Janger, in charge of BJP Peren District also spoke on the occasion about the good governance and achievements of the NDA government. Indian Oil Corporation Limited District Nodal Officer Peren District, AK Saikia also attended the programme. About 800 people attended the programme.

Friday 23•06•2017

NORTH-EAST 3

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Mizoram trade body opposes Sikkim CM backs Gorkhaland demand opening of Bazar India in Aizawl Newmai News Network Aizawl | June 22

Barely three months after launching an agitation against the opening of Vishal Mega Mart at Bawngkawn locality in Aizawl, Mizoram Merchant Association (MIMA) today said that it strongly opposed to the plan for opening another "non-Mizo run" mega shopping mall in Aizawl.

A statement issued by the merchant body said that some non-tribal traders backed by Mizos have been taking massive efforts to open Bazar India at K Biakchungnunga Building at Chaltlang locality in Aizawl. MIMA said that the opening of Bazar India can be a big threat as it may lead to an economic assimilation of the Mizos.

In this connection, leaders of MIMA today met Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana and asked the latter to intervene in the case.

They told the Home Minister that opening of Bazar India can pose a big threat to the Mizos as they are vulnerable to economic assimilation in the hands of non-tribal traders. They also told the Home Minister that, they had already met K Biakchungnunga on two occasions and urged him not to go ahead with their plan. MIMA leaders further asked the Home Minister not to issue a 2-year validity of Inner Line Permit (ILP) to non-tribals to run businesses in Mizoram unless such businesses are beyond the "capability of the natives".

They also asked the Home Minister to send a team to Arunachal Pradesh to

asses Trading Regulation Act enforced

by Arunachal government.

The Home Minister Lalzirliana on his part assured the MIMA leaders that he will take up the matter with the Home department officials.

It can be noted here that in the month of March this year, the executive members of Mizoram Merchant Association (MIMA) General Headquarters and MIMA affiliated member associations had staged sit-in-demonstration in front of LRM building at Bawngkawn in Aizawl, protesting against the opening of Vishal Mega Mart in Mizoram.

Leaders of MIMA had alleged that opening of Vishal Mart would open door for non-tribals to engage in trade and thereby leads to social and economic assimilation of the Mizos. They had alleged that although the opening of Vishal Mega Mart might have little impact initially, in the long run it would open doors for many companies run by non-Mizos to engage in trade in Mizoram and "therefore the future of Mizos would be similar to those peoples in the Northeast who have been economically assimilated by non-tribals in their own lands".

The apex student body in Mizoram, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) had also opposed to the opening of Vishal Mega Mart in Aizawl alleging that it was an attempt by non-tribals to run illegal trade in Mizoram. It had also alleged the owners of Vishal Mega Mart tried to open their shop by borrowing Mizoname which was illegal.

GanGtok, June 22 (IanS): Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling has come out in support of the demand for a separate Gorkhaland, to be carved out of hill areas in West Bengal.

"The fulfilment of the constitutional demand of the people in the Darjeeling hills, which is deeply connected with the national identity of the Indian Gorkhas, will provide long-awaited justice to their patriotism, which has been second to none," Chamling said in a letter written to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday and made available to the media on Thursday.

"The creation of Gorkhaland will restore permanent peace and prosperity in the region. Sikkim will be hugely benefited as her developmental tempo can thus be maintained," the Chief Minister said.

Chamling also highlighted the problems Sikkim faced due to recurring blockading of its lifeline National Highway-10 during the last 30 years of the Gorkhaland agitation.

"The blockade of transportation of essential goods and the unrest causes unmanageable inconvenience. Also, the atmosphere of uncertainty along NH-10 poses great threat to lives as well."

He recalled that the Sikkim assembly had passed a resolution in 2011 seeking "a permanent solution to the pressing and longstanding problem of the people of Darjeeling hills".

Chamling's comments come amid an indefinite strike called by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha in the West Bengal hills over the Gorkhaland demand.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee criticised Chamling's stand, saying all state governments should function within their constitutional limits.

All major political parties in the hills, including the GJM, and West Bengal opposition parties -- the Left Front, Congress and BJP -- boycotted a state government-sponsored meeting on Thursday in Siliguri.

The Left Front accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of trivialising the "sensitive issue" of Gorkhaland. The Congress questioned the meeting's effectiveness in the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Gorkha communities organised a peaceful protest in support of their demand of separate Gorkhaland in Darjeeling at Azad maidan, in Mumbai on Thursday. (UNI PHOTO)

All GJM elected members at GTA to resign en-mass: Gurung

DarJeelInG, June 22 (unI): Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supremo Bimal Gurung today said all the elected members in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), a semi-autonomous body, would resign and fight unto death for statehood for Nepali- speaking Gorkhas in Darjeeling.

His latest statement followed an FIR filed by Darjeeling

CPI-M, Congress demands Tripura Governor's removal over tweets

aGartala, June 22 (IanS): The ruling CPI-M and the opposition Congress on Thursday demanded the removal of Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy for his controversial tweet on the Hindu-Muslim issue.

Roy tweeted a 1946 remark by Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who later founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, that "the HinduMuslim problem won't be solved without a Civil War".

"The President must remove Tathagata Roy from the gubernatorial post of Tripura for his dangerous tweet. Courts also could

suo-motu register a civil and criminal case against him," Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) state Secretary Bijan Dhar told the media.

Man electrocuted in flood waters, Assam CM orders ex gratia GuwahatI, June 22 (IanS): One person was electrocuted in flood waters in Guwahati on Thursday, following which Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal ordered the release of Rs 6.5 lakh for the bereaved family.

The Chief Minister reviewed the flood situation in the city at the Brahmaputra State Guest House here with officials of the district administration and Power Department and directed for appointment of the victim's wife at the APDCL. Dulal Malakar was electrocuted when he came in contact with a live wire on Thursday morning while wading through knee-deep water on the road leading to his house. The Kamrup (Metro) district administration will give Rs 4 lakh under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) and another Rs 2.5 lakh from the Assam Power Distribution Corporation Limited (APDCL) to the family. Sonowal said joint team of the district and municipal officials, Assam Police, SDRF and APDCL will be set up to check and identify all vulnerable points and carry out necessary corrective measures.

Cross border electrification to be taken up with MEA aIzawl, June 22 (PtI): A meeting between Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and senior officials of the union ministry for power today decided to take up the matter of cross border electrification with the ministry of external affairs, an official statement here said. The chief minister had suggested to the centre during a meeting with Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi recently that nearby villages in Myanmar across the international boundary be given electricity from Mizoram.

The high-level central team, led by joint secretary A K Verma from the power ministry is here following the chief minister’s request. Representatives of the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, North East Electric Power Corporation Limited, Rural Electrification Corporation and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation were also present at the meeting, the statement added.

Mizoram launches scheme for better treatment of HIV-hit people aIzawl, June 22 (PtI): The Mizoram Health Minister Lal Thanzara today launched the 'Test and Treat Strategy' of the Mizoram state AIDS Control Society (MSACS) to improve treatment for HIV affected people in the state.

Under the 'Test and Treat Strategy', the HIV affected people would be given free Anti Retrovira Therapy (ART) irrespective of the CD4 count. Lal Thanzara appealed to the churches and NGOs in the state to cooperate with the state government in combating HIV/AIDS at a war-footing. ART has been found to be able to resist TB and other bacterial diseases, state health department officials said, adding that majority of the full-blown AIDS affected patients died in the state due to TB infection. The Test and Treat Strategy is a new initiative of the Centre to combat the HIV/AIDS disease.

The next day, Roy tweeted that a "couple of dozen dimwits" trolled him for "advocating a civil war" and that "I was quoting, not advocating (civil war)".

Tripura Congress Vice President Tapas Dey said that after such a dangerous tweet, Roy should be removed at once.

"It is now once again clear that Roy is acting as a RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) activist, not a Governor or a custodian of the Indian Constitution," Dey told reporters.

When contacted, Governor Roy, who is presently in Shillong, told IANS: "I have tweeted the quote of Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

If people do not understand, what I would do.

"Anyone can also demand my resignation, I

have nothing to do in this regard." This is not the first time Roy has made controversial remarks on Twitter.

In July 2015, he described people who had attended 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon's funeral as "potential terrorists" and said "they ought to be kept under surveillance".

In September that year, replying to a tweet, he said: "Whatever gave you the notion I am secular? I am a Hindu. My state, India, however is secular since 1976."

Roy took charge as the 16th Governor of Left-ruled Tripura on May 20, 2015.

MLCU among top 3 best private varsities in Northeast

ShIllonG, June 22 (Mexn): Martin Luther Christian University has secured the No. 1 spot among the Private Universities in Meghalaya, and 3rd overall in the North Eastern Region as per the Top 50 Private Universities list published by India Today magazine on June 26, an MCLU press note informed.It was also 38th among a total of 266 Private Universities in the country.

Since its inception in 2006, MLCU has awarded a total of 4500 degrees to students from the state, NER and other parts of the country, it said.

Out of this, 1570 students have been awarded the Post Graduate degrees, 1147 Graduation degrees, 28 PhD degrees and the rest include diplomas, M.Phils, and

various short term courses, it added.

Commenting on the news, the Vice Chancellor of the University, RG Lyngdoh congratulated the faculty and the staff of the University who have helped ground the philosophy and policy of the University throughout these years, the press note said. He also appreciated the Meghalaya Private University Regulatory Board (MPURB) and the Government of Meghalaya for guiding and supporting the University since its inception, it added. He also thanked the Almighty God. India Today's Annual Best Universities Survey was conducted by Nielson Company and mirrors the emerging trends in university education.

police under Sections 302 and 120B charging Gurung and his wife Asha for violence at Singmari on June 17 in which one person was killed. However, the GJM claimed that its three activists were killed in police firing.

Talking to a private TV channel, he said, "We are ready to take bullets for the sake of Gorkhaland state in West Bengal. "He said the gov-

ernment under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was playing a "dirty game" and forcing the youth to retaliate against "police excess."

Gurung is the chief at GTA, whose term will expire at the end of this month. The all party meeting on June 20 already decided that no party operating in the hills would take part in GTA polls, which should be held before August two.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE NAGALAND: KOHIMA

No. DHFW-5/23/TRG-NSG/2017

ADVERTISEMENT

Dated, Kohima the 22ndJune' 2017

Application are hereby invited from local intending female candidates for undergoing Training in Female Health Worker (FHW) for the session 2017-18 at ANM Training School, District Hospital Tuensang, Nagaland as indicated below.

1. Minimum and maximum age for admission will be 17 - 35 years on or before 31st Dec 2017.

2. Student shall be Medically Fit, Medical Fitness Certificate to be attached from Government Medical Officer.

3. Application Form duly filled up along with necessary documents and 3 Nos of passport photos duly attested by Gazetted Officer may be submitted along with the Schedule Tribe and Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate which is compulsory for all, while submitting the form.

4. Original Educational qualification/documents should be produced before the interview board as and when called for.

5. No separate calling letter will be issued.

6. Issue of Application form - 27th June to 20th July' 2017 7. Last date of submission of forms - 4th Aug' 2017 8. Issue of Admit Card - 17th Aug to 24th Aug' 2017 9. Date of written test - 31st Aug' 2017 (Morning) 10. Venue of written test - NPSC Hall, Kohima 11. Date of Oral/ Interview - 8th Sept' 2017 12. Venue of Oral/ Interview - DHFW, Kohima 13. Course detailsA. (FHW) i. Unmarried Female candidates. ii. Two years course, 30 (Thirty) seats. iii. Qualification - 10+2 any stream.

Forms will be available during Office hour at the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare (Room No.210) at the cost of `100/- only.

SD/- DR. N. BENDANGYANGER JAMIR Director & HOD, Dte. of Health & Family Welfare. Nagaland, Kohima.

Issued by: DIPR

DECLARATION OF ACTUAL NAME

Regd. No: 697/17 Dated: 22/06/2017 I, Shri. K. KASHIHO SUMI S/o. KHUHEVI permanent and presently residing at DC HILL COLONY, Dist.

ZUNHEBOTO State NAGALAND do hereby solemnly affirm and declare an oath as under: 1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India belonging to SUMI Community resident of the above mentioned address. 2. That my name is inadvertently recorded as KASHIHO in my SBI Passbook bearing A/C No. 11736637180, but my actual name is K. KASHIHO SUMI which is recorded in my AADHAAR CARD, Pension Book and all other documents. 3. That the above mentioned names KASHIHO and K. KASHIHO SUMI are one and same person which is referred to me.

4. That, from the date of this declaration, my name shall be used by the name as K. KASHIHO SUMI for all official purpose and legal proceedings and at all times and occasions. 5. That the statement made in para 1-4 are true and correct to the best of my knowledge & belief and nothing material is concealed therein.

DEPONENT Solemnly affirm and declared before Inc by the deponent on this 22nd day of June 2017 at Zunheboto: Nagaland. st 1 CLASS MAGISTRATE, ZUNHEBOTO: NAGALAND

DECLARATION OF ACTUAL NAME

Regd. No: 554/17 Dated: 28/04/2017 I, Shri. K. KHEZHETO SEMA S/o. KHEHOTO SEMA permanent residing at Lochomi Village and presently residing at KHUWABOTO Colony, Dist. ZUNHEBOTO State NAGALAND do hereby solemnly affirm and declare an oath as under: 1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India belonging to SUMI Community resident of the above mentioned address.

2. That my name is inadvertently recorded as (a) K. KHEZHETO SEMA in my Academic, HSLC, PU, BA, (b) KHEZHETO SUMI in my document Service Book, (c) KHEZHETO in my document GPF NO: 16230, (d) K. KHEZHETO ZHIMO in my document SBI A/C No. 11736634779, but my actual name is K. KHEZHETO SEMA 3. That the above mentioned names K. KHEZHETO SEMA, KHEZHETO SUMI, KHEZHETO, K. KHEZHETO ZHIMO are one and same person which is referred to me. 4. That, from the date of this declaration, my name shall be used by the name as K. KHEZHETO SEMA for all official purpose and legal proceedings and at all times and occasions. 5. That the statement made in para 1-4 are true and correct to the best of my knowledge & belief and nothing material is concealed therein.

DEPONENT Solemnly affirm and declared before Inc by the deponent on this 28th day of April 2017 at Zunheboto: Nagaland.

1st CLASS MAGISTRATE, ZUNHEBOTO: NAGALAND

4

fridaY 23•06•2017

business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

GST Call Centres to go live on June 25 to support taxpayers’ transition New Delhi, JuNe 22 (uNi): As the countdown begins for the rollout of the Goods & Services Tax (GST), GST Network (GSTN), the technology backbone of the new regime, has launched two dedicated call centres to support taxpayers as well as tax officials with the enrolment process and enable smooth functioning of the porta Call Centres to go live on June 25 to support taxpayers’ transition.

These Call Centres will go live on June 25, 2017 to support taxpayers transition to GST Portal. The historic reform is all set to rollout from July 1, and preparations are in full swing to ensure that the path-breaking reform is implemented smoothly.

According to a GSTN press note, manned by over 200 trained professionals (to be ramped up to 400), the two call centres, will provide support to tax payers and to tax officials. With many tax-

Power tariffs will not rise with GST: Goyal New Delhi, JuNe 22 (iANS): Power tariffs will not rise after the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime gets implemented from July 1, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday. “We don’t foresee any upward impact on power tariffs from the GST,” Goyal told the media here following a meeting with 75 industry associations.

“All the sectors had technical issues about the GST, which have been largely resolved across the table in this meeting, except two issues where more consultations are required.”

To a query whether the lower GST of 5 per cent on coal would help reduce power tariffs, Goyal said he would meet the forum of regulators on Friday to discuss ways to transmit the benefits of tax reduction to consumers. He also said the industry was enthusiastic about the transition to a more transparent tax regime that would be the “biggest reform that ever happened in independent India”. payers requiring help and guidance to be able to transit to the new technology, the call centres will go live from June 25 to ensure that tax payer enrollments/new registrations under GST are done smoothly.

The call centre executives will provide step by step guidance to taxpayers and address any concern or difficulties they might experience. Navin Kumar, Chairman, Goods & Ser-

BIRTHDAY GREETING

vices Tax Network (GSTN) says,’’We are aware that not all taxpayers are wellversed with technology and might face some difficulties in completing their registration and application process.’’ He said, ‘’We believe as the technology provider, it is our duty to provide all help to them to smoothen their transition.

We have partnered with Tech Mahindra to run a call center for tax payers, busi-

nesses, GST Practitioners (GSTP), TDS registrants and TCS registrants.’’

According to him, the Noida-based call center currently has the capacity of 200 trained professionals and within a month, this figure will increase to 400. For any enrollment queries, tax payers may call on 0120-4888999 and get customized help from our professionals. The GSTN has been working tirelessly

to ensure that there are no delays and setbacks in the commencing of the ambitious indirect tax regime.

The GSTN has set up a robust portal equipped to handle as many as 2.6 billion transactions every month. GSTN also recognises that this new tax regime requires the tax officials of the state as well as the Centre to implement the new rules and procedures.

Training for these officials has already been done; however, GSTN has set up another call center for providing assistance exclusively to them. “We have initiated another call centre in partnership with Infosys which will be run out of Gurgaon.

This 40 person team will cater only to Tax Officials of the States, Central Govt (CBEC). Like the first one, this will also be live from June 25th. For any queries pertaining to tax officials, the number to call is 01244479900,” added Kumar.

New Facebook tools to protect Indian women’s profile photos SAN FrANciSco/New Delhi, JuNe 22 (iANS): In its bid to empower women in India, Facebook has announced it is piloting new tools that will give them more control over who can download and share their profile pictures that include their faces.

“In our research with people and safety organisations in India, we have heard that some women choose not to share profile pictures that include their faces anywhere on the internet because they are concerned about what may happen to their photos,” said Aarati Soman, Product Manager at Facebook, in a post on Wednesday.

Based on what it learns from the experience in India, the social media giant hopes to expand the feature to other countries soon.

In addition, the company is exploring ways people could more easily add designs to profile pictures, which Facebook research

year, according to a statement from The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM). Revenue for the domestic market is projected to grow at 10-11 percent in 2017/18, NASSCOM added.

Sarabjit Kour Nangra, vice

ment was “broadly in line with the outlook given by industry players and hence holds no big surprise”. India’s IT industry is facing uncertainty as U.S. President Donald Trump considers tougher visa rules, raising fears of higher labour

ers. But the industry is also expected to benefit from positive factors such as improvements in financial services and digital businesses, while focusing on increasing investments in digitisation and automation, NASSCOM said.

Nepal authorities ask Patanjali Ayurveda to recall 6 products KAthmANDu, JuNe 22 (hiNDuStAN timeS): Nepal’s Department of Drug Administration on Wednesday asked Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurveda to immediately recall six medical products as they were found to be of “substandard quality”.

In a public notice, the administration said the six products, made by Divya Pharmacy in Uttarakhand state, were found to be substandard during inDear Aba Khing Wishing you a very blessed spections at various outlets and tests on birthday. May you continue to in- specimens. All six medicines had failed microbial tests, officials said. spire us.

The authorities asked the Patanjali Ayurveda unit in Nepal to inform them about steps being taken to recall the

Happy Birthday

products in line with local medicine laws.

The department urged the stakeholders not to sell or prescribe the use of these six medicines with immediate effect.

Another Indian medicine, Bactoclav, produced by Micro Lab Limited of Bengaluru, also failed to meet official standards and the department ordered its recall from the Nepalese market.

According to the public notice, Patanjali’s Amla Churna of batch no AMC067, Divya Gashar Churna of batch no A-GHCI31, Bahuchi Churna of batch no BKC 011, Triphala Churna of batch no A-TPC151, Aswangandha of batch no AGC 081 and Adviya Churna of batch no DYC 059 had failed microbial tests.

leisure

CROSSWORD # 3982

Answer Number # 3978

There was no response from Patanjali Ayurveda Kendra in Kathmandu, the sole distributor of the products in Nepal.

A recent Right to Information (RTI) reply in India had revealed that nearly 40% of Ayurveda products, including items from Patanjali, were found to be of substandard quality by Haridwar’s Ayurveda and Unani Office.

Of the 82 samples collected between 2013 and 2016, 32 failed the quality test.

Patanjali’s Divya Amla Juice and Shivlingi Beej were among the products that failed to meet quality standards. Patanjali products are quite popular in Nepal and it is estimated millions of households use them.

ACROSS 1. On-line journal 5. Rhinoceros 10. Gangs 14. Former Italian currency 15. A red fluorescent dye 16. Send forth 17. A Freudian stage 18. Totally 20. Vixen 22. Hypodermic 23. L 24. Donkeys 25. Class chums 32. Held on tightly 33. Japanese cartoon art 34. Beer 37. Not yours 38. Inscribed pillar 39. Make unclear 40. Damp 41. Villain 42. Communion table 43. Self-restraining 45. A long-legged S. American bird 49. Dawn goddess 50. Windfall 53. Detective (slang) 57. Noble 59. Greek cheese 60. Actors in a show 61. Give a speech 62. Relating to urine 63. Beers 64. Waste conduit 65. Lake (Scottish) DOWN 1. Ho-hum 2. Connects two points 3. By mouth 4. Square-rigged sailing ships 5. Summon to return 6. Owl sound 7. Belief 8. Bites 9. Unique

10. Anagram of “Smite” 11. Portents 12. Cause to leak 13. Infections of the eye 19. Delete 21. Blockage 25. Flat-bottomed boat 26. Hint 27. Offended 28. Married partners 29. Concerning (archaic) 30. Diacritical mark 31. An uncle 34. Countertenor 35. Hawaiian feast 36. Makes a mistake 38. Bro or sis 39. Happy 41. Lose consciousness 42. “Smallest” particle 44. Spay 45. Hemp 46. Small goat antelope 47. Licoricelike flavor 48. Sail supports 51. Animal menageries 52. Unit of land 53. Way in 54. Protagonist 55. Ear-related 56. Every single one 58. Uncooked

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232224

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Officer-in-Charge 8575045510 south ps

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kohimA ps/oCs Contact numbers north ps

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TaHaMZaM

han told IANS. “Even if the gardens open tomorrow, our losses will not be curtailed. The harvest has already been overgrown which will be of no use. We have to wait for the next harvest, which will take another eight to 10 days,” Mohan said.

The first and second flush are considered as the premium flush contributing about 45 per cent of the annual production and the tea produced in these seasons is mostly exported.

“Literally, there was no harvest in the second flush period which contributes about 20 per cent of the annual production and around 40 per cent in annual revenue of the industry,” DTA’s Secretary General Kaushik Basu told IANS. “Due to the uncertainty, we do not know how much would be produced in the second flush period. We may lose the entire harvest during this period,” Basu said.

In the last calendar year, the Darjeeling tea industry produced 8.13 million kg of tea.

Civil hospital

Apollo hospital info Centre 230695/ 9402435652

Answer to Crossword 3981

W Assist better build bunCh CAred CleAn CleAr CluCk dAsh debut dreAm fAmily fight first flesh guess held islAnd just lArCeny lore meeting

KolKAtA, JuNe 22 (iANS): The Darjeeling tea industry is expected to lose 20 per cent of its premium quality annual production and 40 per cent of its annual revenue due to the ongoing indefinite shutdown called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, tea planters said.

All plucking and manufacturing operations in the 87 gardens have been reported suspended since June 9.

According to planters, whatever the industry has lost so far cannot be recovered. So the annual production was expected to take a hit.

The premium second flush period of production started from end of May to Mid July and the tea is known for its muscatel flavour which is produced in the month of June.

“This is a season for producing high value second flush tea. All the gardens are closed in the peak season resulting in a huge loss to the industry,” Darjeeling Tea Association’s (DTA) Chairman Vinod Mo-

std code: 03862

DiMaPUR

Simple Rules - Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

Game Number # 3979

Android devices.

The company would also display a blue border and shield around profile picture as a visual cue of protection deterring misuse.

Facebook also partnered with Jessica Singh, an illustrator who took inspiration from traditional Indian textile designs such as bandhni and kantha, to create designs for people to add to their profile picture.

“Based on preliminary tests, we’ve learned that when someone adds an extra design layer to their profile picture, other people are at least 75 per cent less likely to copy that picture,” Soman said.

If someone suspects that a picture marked with one of these designs is being misused, they can report it to Facebook and we will use the design to help determine whether it should be removed from our community, she added.

Nasscom lowers IT export growth to 7-8% in 2017-18 Darjeeling shutdown may impact hyDerAbAD, JuNe 22 than-$150 billion industry saw president of IT research at costs as companies look at hir- tea industry’s production, revenue (reuterS): A leading lobby exports rising 7.6 percent last Angel Broking, said the state- ing more expensive U.S. workgroup for India’s IT industry on Thursday forecast the sector’s export revenues to grow at 7-8 percent for the year to March, around the growth levels seen last year, as the industry faces continued headwinds from the U.S. market. The more-

SUDOKU

has shown helpful in deterring misuse.

These tools, developed in partnership with Indian safety organisations like Centre for Social Research, Learning Links Foundation, Breakthrough and Youth Ki Awaaz are designed to give people more control over their experience and help keep them safe online.

From now on, people in India would start seeing a step-by-step guide to add an optional profile picture guard.

“Other people will no longer be able to download, share or send your profile picture in a message on Facebook. People you are not friends with on Facebook won’t be able to tag anyone, including themselves, in your profile picture,” Soman clarified.

Where possible, Facebook would prevent others from taking a screenshot of a profile picture on Facebook -- the feature currently available only on

H

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Officer-in-Charge 8575045519 8575045500 (Emergency No. – 100)

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us dollars sterling pound hong kong dollar Australian dollar singapore dollar Canadian dollar japanese yen euro thai baht korean won uAe dirham (Aed) Chinese yuan

62.9 80.25 7.81 47.85 45.44 47.51 56.36 70.36 1.79 0.0538 16.57 8.94

65.73 84.12 8.69 50.20 47.67 49.82 59.52 73.75 2.00 0.06 18.46 9.95

friday 23•06•2017

ICAR visits projects in Jalukie meDziphema, June 22 (mexn): The Animal Science Division of ICAR Nagaland Centre, Medziphema conducted a field visit in Jalukie and surrounding villages on June 15.

The team comprising Dr. Mahak Singh, Scientist (Animal Science), and Dr. R Talimoa Mollier, Research Associate, in co-ordination with Ranglia covered beneficiaries of Mega Seed Project on Pig and Poultry Seed Project in Gaili, Ngwalwa, Heningwalwa and Jalukie, according to a press release from ICAR Nagaland Centre.

Under Mega Seed Project on Pig, pig breeding units were supplied to farmers in the year 2016-17 and some of the farmers have already done artificial insemination successfully and produced good numbers of piglets per litter.

Under Poultry Seed Project, large numbers of improved varieties of poultry chicks like Vanaraja and Srinidhi were supplied to farmers for backyard rearing and the farmers have started getting eggs from the birds.

During the visit, a total of 61 pigs belonging to beneficiaries were vaccinated against classical swine fever and anthelmintics were distributed to farmers. The farmers were also made aware of the benefits of rearing improved breeds of pig and poultry supplied from ICAR Nagaland Centre, Medziphema.

The pig breeding units of Hampshire and Ghongroo crossbreds have been supplied primarily with an aim of introducing improved germplasm and popularizing artificial insemination among the villages, the release said.

The scientists exhorted the farmers to avail the facility of artificial insemination for their pigs from ICAR which are available at very cheap rates of just Rs.75/- per dose to improve their herds and get higher number of piglets per farrowing.

NAGALAND

AR creates awareness on drug abuse Dimapur, June 22 (mexn): Going all out against the menace of drug abuse, the Assam Rifles has been conducting a series of awareness campaign highlighting the ill effects of abusing drugs.

On June 22, the 36 AR conducted a lecture on ‘Drug Abuse’ at Government Primary School, Bonkholong in Peren District with the aim to educate the youth of Bonkholong and neighbouring villages.

A total of 78 students and youth from Bonkholong and neighbouring villages attended the lecture which focused on the ill effects and preventive measures of drug abuse, a defence release informed.

The 41 AR also conducted a workshop on “Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS” at North Town Higher Secondary School, Chumukedima on June 22.

The event was conducted in association with Dis-

Two injured in traffic collision Morung Express News Dimapur | June 22

Two persons were injured in a road accident in Dimapur on June 22. As per the Traffic police, it was a collision between a car and an autorickshaw. The accident occurred around 7:00 pm near the GHSS intersection at Kuda, Dimapur. While the extent of injury could not be ascertained, the Traffic police said that the autorickshaw's driver and a passenger were injured. The driver of the car was reportedly taken into custody.

The 36 AR conducted a lecture on ‘Drug Abuse’ at Government Primary School, Bonkholong in Peren District on June 22.

trict AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU), Dimapur and Shalom Rehabilitation Centre, Chumukedima, a separate release informed.

The workshop laid stress on the ill effects of alcohol and narcotics while causes for the spread of HIV/ AIDS, the stigmas attached and various preventive measures were also highlighted.

Awareness lecture on ‘Career in Defence’ The 32 AR conducted a lecture on “Career in Defence Forces” at Lingrijan Village, Dimapur on June 22.

The aim of the event was to spread awareness amongst youths about benefits of a career in armed forces, motivate them to join armed forces and integrate them into the "nation-

al mainstream", another defence release informed.

21 youths and locals from Lingrijan and neighbouring villages attended the lecture during which, issues related to recruitment procedure, eligibility criterion, perks and privileges, salary package and other benefits as applicable to defence persons were highlighted, the release added.

Chang Students Union condemns Tuensang, June 22 (mexn): The Confederation of Chang Students’ Union (CCSU) on Thursday strongly condemned the alleged “heinous and barbaric” rape of two minor girls by one Lemba Chang on June 15 at Tuensang Town.

Mincing no words in condemning the “horrifWith the aim to spread awareness and promote various government schemes amongst ic” act against a minor, the villagers, the 32 Assam Rifles conducted an interaction with GBs at Razaphe village, Dimapur on June 22 during which issues relating to development projects, creation of Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhar cards and other government scheme were discussed.

MEx FILE

Confederation in a press statement expressed deep concern for the life and dignity of women in today's society.

It contended that women are being “taunted, molested and abused” in every walk of life and that they are not safe even in their own houses.

“How far women are safeguarded and secured

today in the society?” the CCSU questioned.

While insisting that no punishment would suffice for the pain the minors underwent and the trauma the families are facing, the Confederation of Chang Students’ Union demanded that the concerned authority award befitting punishment to the culprit.

KROS College undertake Educational trip on natural and man-made disaster

Cafe Conversation with Dr. Shürhozelie Kohima, June 22 (mexn): The Global Shapers Kohima Hub will be holding its 3rd Cafe Conversation series 'Story Nights' at D Cafe, Jail Colony, Kohima on June 24 with Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu.

In an attempt to revive the age old oral tradition, Story Nights is held once a month inviting Naga elders and the young for an evening of stories and conversations, a press release informed. The event is open to all.

9 AR recovers illegal liquor Dimapur, June 22 (mexn): Based on specific input, the 9 Assam Rifles on June 16 seized 277 cases of ‘illegal’ Indian Made Foreign Liquor from three vehicles near Tsiesema Basa village. The liquors, worth approx Rs. 7,95,600 in the open market, were recovered from the vehicles during an operation at the Dimapur Road Junction, near Tsiesema Basa village, an AR press note informed. Three people were arrested in this connection and they were handed over to Chiephobozou Police station along with the recovered liquor and vehicles for further investigation and action, it added.

YKK Dimapur to celebrate advance Tuluni Dimapur, June 22 (mexn): The Yeza Kughuko Kuqhakulu (YKK) Dimapur will celebrate the advance Tuluni on July 1, 3:00 pm at the residence of Tokheho Achumi, Excise Superintendent, at Supply Colony, Dimapur. A press release in this regard has requested all to attend the festival positively.

One arrested under NLTP Dimapur, June 22 (mexn): The Excise Mobile Squad Surveillance Team seized 121 bottles of assorted liquor from 1st Mile area, Dimapur on June 20. In this connection, one person identified as Akum was arrested and booked under relevant sections of the NLTP Act 1989. The seized articles have been kept at the unit’s malkhana, a press release from the office of the Commissioner of Excise informed.

One held with narcotics In a separate incident, the Dimapur District Excise personnel seized 279 capsules of Spasmo Proxyvon from the possession of one Metemongla Pongener, 24 years, from Notun Bosti, Dimapur on June 19. The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and forwarded to judicial custody, a press release from the Excise and Prohibition Department informed.

As part of their industry-related study, student of Sociology Department of JN Aier College, Diphupar, Dimapur led by Assistant Professors Khenili Kiho and Susila Basnet visited DIMUL Industry at 7th Mile, Dimapur on June 21. Er. Meyieu Mero, the Manager of DIMUL gave an explanation on the functioning of DIMUL and on the processing of milk and the milk products.

BJP Peren marks SSSVS peren, June 22 (mexn): Peren celebrated the Sabka

Participants of the educational cum awareness trip on natural and manmade disasters. Saath Sabka Vikas Sammelan (SSSVS) at Tenning Town

Dimapur, June 22 (mexn): The EVS Department along with the Disaster Management Committee of KROS College, Leirie undertook an educational trip to Phesama Village under Kohima District on June 22 as part of the students project work and to create awareness on natural and man-made disasters.

A press note informed that 60 students of BA and B com 5th Semester who are part of the project went on the trop along The Network of Naga People Living with HIV/AIDS (NNP+) organized an awareness program on HIV/AIDS and viral Hepatitis at Noklak Drop-In-Center (DIC) run by Khiamniungan Baptist Churches Association, and at Noklak Village Baptist Church on June 21. The program was supported by Nagaland Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA).

40 Assam Rifles constructed a borewell at Monyakshu Village, Mon District and handed over the same to the village authorities on June 17.

Training cum demonstration was held in Merapani village at the arecanut plantation of the village chairman, Nyamo Odyuo on June 13. Chumbeni Odyuo, SDO (Sc) cum BTT Convener, ATMA Bhandari Block, who was the resource person, highlighted on the packaging practices of arecanut. Demonstration on use of Bordeaux mixture and mechanical control of pests and diseases were also demonstrated practically in the field. Altogether, 14 farmers attended the programme.

with Imodangba, Lecture i/c of Disaster Management Committee and Limakumla Imsong, Lecturer EVS. The EVS Department undertook case studies on the recently affected landslide area of the village. After interaction with Phesama Students Union, the Disaster Management Committee undertook the responsibility to plant saplings in the landslide affected area of the village as a preventive measure.

Hall on June 21 to mark the completion of 3 years of NDA government. Around 800 people attended the programme.

Warren Hollohon Yepthomi, Additional Deputy Commisioner, Tenning, who was the chief guest explained the schemes and development policy of Government of India and also encouraged the gathering to be aware of various government facilities. He also thanked the Indian Oil Corporation Limited for organizing the programme.

Mathew K Janger, in charge of BJP Peren District also spoke on the occasion about the good governance and achievements of the NDA government.

Naga artisans preserve Assam Rifles observes Yoga Day traditional crafts Dimapur, June 22 (ani): Artisans in Nagaland are working together to preserve their rich traditional artifacts and handicrafts, primarily made out of wood branches stumps and roots.

K Nagi, a businessman, said "Over here, mostly people purchase handicrafts for gifting. Most customers are army officers, ministers and organisations, who buy these items for office use, home decor and all".

Items purchased include large wooden art pieces, gongs, ivory tusks, muzzle loading rifles, chairs and beds, some of which are carved from a single piece of wood.

Alem Pongen and his wife Imlila have been involved with the handicrafts business for almost two decades. The couple also train youth in making indigenous handicraft.

Inspired by the artisans of the state, many youngsters are now engaging themselves in making wood craft while, some are opting for it as a career.

One person involved with the making of handicrafts, said, "I have been doing this handicraft work for quite some time and I am trying to learn as much as possible. In a month, I can earn upto Rs. 6000, but in the future, I am planning to open my own handicrafts shop and grow further in life."

These rich heritage products are also showcased at the North East Zone Cultural Centre in Dimapur.

Artisans are now looking forward to producing these handicrafts in bulk.

HQ IGAR (N) organised Yoga Day at the Kohima Helipad which was attended in strength by Assam Rifles troops, families and school children.

Kohima, June 22 (mexn): HQ IGAR (N) as a nodal agency for all CAPF commemorated the 3rd International Yoga Day by bringing together troops of Assam Rifles and other CAPF of Nagaland in the capital in Kohima.

HQ IGAR (N) organised the event in salubrious environment of Kohima at the Helipad Ground which was attended in strength by Assam Rifles troops, families and school children, a defence press release stated.

The AR along with BSF and CRPF also participated in the Yoga Day event organised by the civil administration at the IG stadium in Kohima. Governor PB Acharya along with civil and defence dignitaries and approximately 800 families including children of CAPFs participated

in the event, a separate defence release informed.

Yoga programme was conducted for an hour consisting of Asanas, Pranayamas and Yoga-nidra practice, to help maintain the equilibrium between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and to help alleviate the stress and fatigue in body, the release stated.

Similar camps were also organised at various other locations viz., Dimapur, Ghaspani, Jalukie, Tuensang, Zunheboto, Chukitong, Wokha, Kiphire, Shamatore, Phek, Chieswema and other company based locations.

The Yoga Day celebration was attended by all ranks and families with enthusiasm and

zeal, the release stated.

Leo Club

On the occasion of International Yoga Day, all the Leo Clubs under Leo District 322D in association with Leo District 323 B3 (Ahmedabad, India) and Leo District 301 A2 (Phillipines) organized an International Joint Project where members belonging to these districts organized Yoga Camps in schools and public grounds in their respective cities, a press release from the Club informed.

Highlighting the importance of Yoga in our lives, project Chairman Leo Pratik Gangh urged all the club members to actively pursue yoga on a regular basis in order to attain good health and peace of mind.

6

friday 23•06•2017

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume XII Issue 170

By Witoubou Newmai

The need for an honest approach

T

he ongoing bonhomie between the Nagas in the south and the Manipur Government will depend on the manner in which the latter treats the various issues confronting the Nagas. The immediate issue at hand is about the district creation.

With the United Naga Council (UNC) reminding the Biren Singh Government that it “is all prepared to resort to strong forms of agitation again if the issue is not taken seriously by the Manipur Government,” the string of the warning bell has been pulled for the Biren Singh Government to address the issue in a “time-bound manner”.

The United Naga Council had also stated a few days ago that it was extremely serious with the issue and that “something concrete has to come out when we meet at the political level talks.” The UNC leaders had further stated that they were closely monitoring the trend, and that, “we will oppose anything that hurts the sentiment of the Naga people.”

The district creation issue carries the sentiments of the Nagas. The Biren Singh Government which is trying its best to maintain a good rapport with both the Kukis and the Nagas will not like to re-employ the successive Manipur Governments’ policy of the “please one, dump the other” approach which had often resulted in disastrous ramification. The district creation issue is part of the labyrinthine issues which germinated from the poor handling of situations by successive Manipur Governments.

If the Biren Singh Government wants peace, it cannot afford to ignore the chord that promotes the same in practicality. It also ought to learn a lesson or two from the mistakes committed by the Ibobi Singh Government where misleading rhetoric was used as a key policy.

One notable act the Biren Singh Government has done was the admission it made during the first ‘tripartite talks’ held on March 19, 2017 that, “the grievances of the United Naga Council which led to the imposition of the economic blockade by them was recognized as there was non-adherence to the four Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Government of India’s assurance on the matter”. In fact, the Naga body found some charm in this admission from the Biren Singh Government.

Now that the UNC is asking the Government to address the issue in a time-bound manner, it is imperative for the Biren Singh Government to give maximum attention to the issue at the moment by utilizing its adequate resources as it goes without saying that in a situation of this nature any unattended loose end can trigger catastrophe.

Also, in addressing the situation, the Central Government should invest maximum efforts to resolve the issue instead of employing the usual smokescreen policies which have been the standard measures to soothe many such situations in Manipur.

The involving parties should keep in mind that absence of elements of honesty and skewed strategies in the past affairs were the reasons for today’s curse in the State of Manipur. So, an honest approach to deliver justice should be the primary purpose of the whole exercise.

lEfT wiNg |

IANS

Whizzing marshmallows, kangaroos: Science Circus enthrals, educates kids

W

onder what a 'Science Circus' show looks like ? Well, try launching toy kangaroos with liquid nitrogen and imagine marshmallows whizzing past air straight from a vacuum cleaner.

These are just some of the huge variety of interesting teaching chops showcased by Australian science communicator duo, Graham Walker and Stuart Kohlhagen, in their 'Science Circus' acts across Asia and Africa where they say there is a "great thirst" for knowledge.

For decades, through use of humble everyday materials, Stuart and Graham, have shown the beauty of science to young minds in what they describe as "science on road" and "traveling circus."

"Science Circus has been going on for more than three decades. Bringing it overseas is something which we have been doing for 15 years. In recent times, the programme has gone to South Africa and around. I have just finished working for two months in southeast Asia working with universities and teachers bringing hands-on entertainment and curiosity," Stuart told IANS. Comparing the needs in Asia and Africa, Stuart said in both regions there is a "deeper recognition" of education as means to self-improvement.

"There is a great thirst for knowledge and a deeper recognition that the path to self-improvement and better standards of living is through education. In Africa, the challenge is even less infrastructure (than in India) and there is much less of everything, except people.

"The amount of training available to teachers is much less in Africa and that is also the situation in some of the emerging southeast Asian countries, particularly in Cambodia, where it's in a bootstrap phase.

"The quality of education depends on the quality of the teachers and the teachers are the products of that education system so some of those countries are starting to put more effort into it. This is the reason why we want to bring humble materials to those communities so they dont have to wait for high-tech stuff. They can start now and they can get excellent academic outcome by just using those props," he said.

Graham and Stuart performed here at the Science City as part of their maiden outing in India, spanning 10 cities in 12 days. They had the audience of school goers spellbound with experiments involving liquid nitrogen and interactive sessions where students volunteered to think aloud solutions to problems in different ways.

"We go into town, we set up, we do our performance, we work with people and we pack up and move onto the next town just like a traveling circus. The model of touring and taking it around was honed and polished within Australia but then it proved very useful set of skills and approaches to take the engagement and curiosity anywhere in the world," said Stuart.

The shows are customised to country, region and the audience. For India, it was more of a "festival" kind of an event.

But why put so much effort into physical learning in the age of digital delivery?

"You don't have everything available online. You don't have the experience. What you have is content. You don't have that experience of science as you have in a real environment.

Through their participation the students are seeing it for real.

Physical learning is not just a different way of learning, but its a way of learning different skills," he said.

C O M M E N T A R Y

Bertil Lintner Asia Times

Myanmar as China’s corridor to the sea Beijing's vision of the Southeast Asian nation as an outlet for its landlocked regions to the Indian Ocean long predates the One Belt One Road initiative

W

ith no direct access to the Indian Ocean and vital shipping lanes passing through disputed and potentially blockaded waters, it is strategically natural for China to seek an outlet through a friendly neighboring country that opens on to the strategic waterway.

From China’s perspective, only two countries would fit that description: Pakistan and Myanmar.

Although the Chinese completed a highway connection through its westernmost areas with Pakistan in 1979, it is too far from China’s industrial centers and the mountainous terrain on the border too rugged for it to be of much use for large-scale trade.

Myanmar was thus the obvious choice. China’s interest in securing such a corridor through that much easier route down to the Indian Ocean predates the One Belt One Road (Obor) initiatives by more than three decades. But China’s strategic planners seem to have overlooked Myanmar’s age-old apprehensions of its powerful northern neighbor.

China first expressed its intentions in an obscure article in the official mouthpiece Peking Review (now Beijing Review) on September 2, 1985. Titled “Opening to the Southwest: An Expert Opinion” and written by Pan Qi, a former vice minister of communications, the piece outlined the possibilities, as well as the need, to find an outlet for trade from China’s landlocked southwestern provinces through Myanmar to the Indian Ocean.

After dwelling on how a road supposedly existed during the 202 BC – 220 AD Han Dynasty that connected the southern Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan with Southeast Asia as part of the “southern Silk Road”, Pan went on to investigate several passages from Yunnan to the outside world.

The article mentioned that a highway leads from Tengchong in Yunnan to Myitkyina in Myanmar’s northern Kachin State, where “a railroad is available to transfer cargo to the sea.” He also mentioned a second highway to the Myanmar railhead of Lashio in Shan State, and a road from China to Bhamo on the Irrawaddy River, which empties into the Indian Ocean.

But he failed to mention that at the time nearly the entire 2,204-kilometer Sino-Myanmar frontier was controlled by the insurgent Communist Party of Burma (CPB), which China had provided with massive support throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and further to the north by the insurgent Kachin Independence Army.

Myanmar government control was thus limited to a narrow corridor near Namkham and Muse in northern Shan State along the Chinese border.

All that changed after the hill-tribe rank-andfile of the CPB’s army rose in mutiny in March-April 1989. The aging, orthodox Maoist and predominantly ethnic Bamar leadership of the party was driven into exile in China, and the CPB’s army split up into four ethnic forces, of which the United Wa State Army (UWSA) was and is still the strongest.

All former CPB forces entered ceasefire agreements with the Myanmar government and began to engage in large-scale cross-border trade.

China’s new post-Mao market-oriented leaders were pleased, but were foresighted enough not to give up their foothold inside Myanmar. The UWSA, in the end, received more material support from China than the CPB ever did. By the time of the mutiny, China had already signed a bilateral trade agreement with the Myanmar government.

When the West subjected Myanmar to sanctions and boycotts because of its human rights abuses, China emerged as the country’s most important foreign trade partner. By late 1991, Chinese technicians were working on a number of infrastructure projects in Myanmar, fulfilling the vision set by Pan Qi in 1985.

myanmareses living in malaysia display placards in protest against the myitsone dam project, outside myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur. (REUTERS File Photo)

In 2007, 2008 and 2009, China signed a series of agreements with Myanmar to build oil and gas pipelines connecting Yunnan with the port at Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State designed to allow Chinese ships carrying fuel imports from the Middle East and gas obtained in the region to skirt the congested Malacca Strait.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, China also sold more than US$1.4 billion worth of military equipment to the diplomatically isolated Myanmar regime. China even began helping the Myanmar Navy upgrade its bases and facilities along the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, including the Myanmar Coco Islands north of India’s Andaman Islands.

This sparked strategic panic in India, particularly when some security analysts claimed that Myanmar had leased the Coco Islands to the Chinese to establish a base. Those reports, however, were grossly exaggerated and even false.

Chinese technicians had helped the Myanmar Navy install radar equipment on Great Coco, the main island, and it was clear that China would get reciprocal access to whatever intelligence Myanmar’s naval officers were able to pick up.

But China’s strategic move into the region was enough for India to establish its Andaman Islandsbased Far Eastern Naval Command in 2001 and to strengthen naval cooperation with allies such as the United States, Japan and Australia.

But Myanmar’s dependence on China became a burden, and, according to internal Myanmar military documents compiled in 2004 and seen by this correspondent, a “threat” to the country’s “independence.”

In October that year, China’s main man in Myanmar’s military hierarchy, prime minister former intelligence chief Lt Gen Khin Nyunt was ousted, ostensibly for corruption, a charge that can be easily leveled against any Myanmar military officer.

The real reason, according to Myanmar insiders, was that the country’s leadership had embarked on a plan to downgrade relations with China and improve ties with the West.

Among the general public, there was rising concern about large numbers of Chinese moving into Myanmar cities, establishing businesses there and even, through corrupt local officials, acquiring citizenship. Rampant Chinese purchases of properties in the central city of Mandalay, for instance, is an in-

creasingly sensitive case in point.

The shift could not be done without a degree of democratization. An election was held in November 2010, Myanmar got a quasi-civilian government and the following year then president Thein Sein, a former army general, decided to suspend a US$3.6 billion China-sponsored, hydroelectric power project at Myitsone in Kachin State. For decades a diplomatic pariah, Myanmar quickly became a new darling of the West.

Sanctions were lifted and Western aid began to flow into the country. Anti-Chinese sentiments could be noticed in Myanmar’s previously highly censored press as well as expressed in private discussions with government officers. China had apparently gone too far in its quest to turn Myanmar into a client state and a stepping stone to the Indian Ocean.

But Myanmar is strategically too important for China to let it drift fully into the Western camp and has since launched a new charm offensive in Myanmar. Dignitaries, politicians and even journalists are invited to all-expenses-paid trips to China, while Chinese businessmen are instructed to show more sensitivity towards the people of Myanmar — at the same time as China has increased its support for the insurgent UWSA. This carrot-and-stick policy has enabled China to present a friendlier face and show that only they can help solve Myanmar’s decades-long ethnic conflicts, many of which are active along the two countries’ shared border.

In the process, they have outmaneuvered and sidelined the host of Western outfits that have tried since 2011 to mediate between authorities and combatants. China has also been helped by a communal conflict between Buddhists and local Muslims in western Rakhine State, which outlets to the Indian Ocean.

While the West has condemned Myanmar for human rights abuses against minority Muslim Rohingyas, China has blocked attempts to raise the issue at the UN’s Security Council.

Myanmar, once an isolated and almost forgotten backwater, has now become a focal point of the new emerging Cold War in the Indian Ocean. And China, with its long history of engagement and intervention in the smaller neighboring country, still has the upper hand in the rising competition.

Evoking laughter from the corridors of power Vikas Datta

A

IANS

part from the record of some singular "inspired" leaders, who may end up presiding over destinies of millions, including in mature democracies even now (and from a safe distance), humour is not a sentiment evoked by either politics and governance. But creative minds can even make them a source of hilarity, aided by "the logical and semantic resources of the English language" as this tale of politicians and bureaucrats has proved.

"Yes, Minister" chronicles the career of British MP Jim Hacker as he becomes Minister for the (fictional) Administrative Affairs Department after his unidentified party wins the election. The sequel, "Yes, Prime Minister", sees him manoeuvre his way to the top post after the sudden resignation of the incumbent and his domestic and international achievements.

The politics is not so much in Hacker keeping his job or rising up to finally become the Prime Minister, but in his attempts to frame policy or effect other changes in the face of opposition by the Civil Service, particularly represented by his Permanent Secretary (later Cabinet Secretary), Sir Humphrey Appleby.

Hacker's Principal Private Secretary (in both posts) Bernard Woolley, walking a tightrope between his two

"masters", a clutch of other officious bureaucrats, devious politicians, wily foreign diplomats, dogged journalists, and so on round up the cast.

Created by the team of English writer and broadcaster Antony Jay and writer and stage and film director Jonathan Lynn, the saga began as a TV series in the 1980s and augmented its popularity and success by subsequently being transformed into books.

Despite its vintage pedigree, it still remains relevant due to the topics it deals with -- government secrecy, waste and corruption, collections of citizens' data and privacy concerns, Britain's place in Europe, the role of government in culture or education, the conduct of international relations, public health, and so on. Even terrorism (radical left, not Islamist though) gets a look in, though indirectly.

While the screen version has accomplished performances (facial expressions especially) by Paul Eddington as Hacker, Nigel Hawthorne as Appleby and Derek Fowlds as the lugubrious but pedantic Bernard, the book version, presented as Hacker's diaries, with documents conveying the others' version and more details, has a slight edge as it augments the humour with more wordplay and provides context with the co-authors' annotations and witty comments.

Take for example, Hacker ruminating if Appleby will be surprised if an aircraft carrier turned up in the Central African Republic, and Jay and Lynn tell us that he would very surprised as would be anyone else since the country is a thousand miles inland.

But its main crux -- the battle of wills between Hacker, who chiefly defines his success by his re-election and political rise, and Appleby, genuinely convinced that the impartial but elitist civil service is better at identifying "good governance" and the national interest -makes for some spiritedly rib-tickling but ultimately sobering situations -- when you realise how decisions that affect us are made.

Language plays a key role -- especially Hacker's mixed, or rather mangled, metaphors: "This is a real hot potato. If I don't do anything, it could turn into a banana skin." And Bernard, who spends most time in trying to correct him, responds: "Prime Minister, a hot potato can't become a banana skin..

Well if you don't do anything, a hot potato just becomes a cold potato."

One the other hand, there are Appleby's attempts to swamp Hacker or obfuscate matters with his complicated long sentences. ".... there is some difficulty in justifiably assigning to it the fourth of the epithets you applied to the statement, inasmuch as the precise correlation between the information you com-

wRiTE-wiNg

municated and the facts, insofar as they can be determined and demonstrated, is such as to cause epistemological problems, of sufficient magnitude as to lay upon the logical and semantic resources of the English language a heavier burden than they can reasonably be expected to bear," he tells Hacker.

In simpler words, it is: "You told a lie."

While its most implausible plots (the "drinks room" in a Middle Eastern country) have a real-life basis, its resonance beyond Britain owes to the principal characters -- or other such pompous bureaucrat or cynical politician's disregard for the common public despite lip service.

Be it Appleby, who hearing Bernard argue that the citizens of a democracy have a right to know, responds: "No. They have a right to be ignorant.

Knowledge only means complicity in guilt; ignorance has a certain dignity", or Hacker's own candid outbursts: "I don't want the truth. I want something I can tell Parliament!" or even Bernard's examples of "irregular verbs", e.g. "I give confidential press briefings; you leak; he's being charged under section 2A of the Official Secrets Act." And then Hacker's "three articles of Civil Service faith" -- that it takes longer to do things quickly, it's more expensive to do them cheaply and it's more democratic to do them in secret -- can explain governance anywhere.

Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The morung express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender.

Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

Friday 23•06•2017

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Mandatory Aadhaar and Bank Accounts:

How Much of This Is Legal?

T

he central government recently announced that it shall be mandatory to link Aadhaar numbers to all non-small bank accounts, failing which, access to the bank accounts will be disabled after December 31. This requirement has been brought into the law via Prevention of Money-laundering (Maintenance of Records) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2017 which have been notified by the government under powers delegated to it by the parliament through the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). is often the case with this government, the question now is whether this new mandatory Aadhaar requirement (and the threatened punishment) is legal.

The legality of mandating Aadhaar-bank linking The Aadhaar Act, 2016 imposes certain limitations on the type of activities for which the government can mandate the use of Aadhaar number for authentication. The pertinent part of the legislation, Section 7, states: “The Central Government or, as the case may be, the State Government may, for the purpose of establishing identity of an individual as a condition for receipt of a subsidy, benefit or service for which the expenditure is incurred from, or the receipt therefrom forms part of, the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI), require that such individual undergo authentication, or furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number….”

The operative words here are “receipt of a subsidy, benefit or service” where money is either appropriated or deposited in “the Consolidated Fund of India” which is basically the government’s most important account where revenue is deposited and from which the government deducts its expenses.

This would cover central government schemes and services like MNREGA or issuance of passports.

Section 7 is very likely one of the reasons that the government had to get the parliament to amend the Income Tax Act to make the linking of PAN and Aadhaar numbers mandatory, rath-

Prashant Reddy T The Wire

The Prevention of Money Laundering Act will likely need to be amended for mandatory Aadhaar-bank account linkage. The punishment for non-compliance, however, is without a doubt unconstitutional er than do it through its rule-making power under the Income Tax Act. Although revenue from income tax is deposited in the CFI, the levy of income tax does not qualify as a “subsidy, benefit or service”. Rather, the levy of income tax is an administrative or sovereign function of the central government. However, with regard to services provided by public or private banks through bank accounts, it should be noted that this function will not be covered by Section 7 because bank accounts have no connection whatsoever to the CFI. The money deposited in a bank account is not deposited in the CFI. The balance sheets of banks are entirely different from the CFI. The essential question now is whether the government can use its rule-making powers under the PMLA, 2002 to circumvent the limitations imposed by Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016?

The PMLA, 2002 is silent on the power of the central government to require authentication of bank customers. In such cases, courts usually invoke the principle of generalia specialibus non derogant, which basically means the provisions of a general law have to concede to a special legislation.

In this case, the Aadhaar Act will trump the silence of the PMLA on the use of Aadhaar numbers and as already discussed above, Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act limits the purposes for which an Aadhaar number can be used.

Thus, for Aadhaar numbers to be mandatorily linked to bank accounts for customer authentication, the parliament has to amend the PMLA as it did with the Income Tax Act. Till then, the limitations of Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act will rule the field and the gov-

The PMLA does have extensive provisions on attachment or freezing of assets that are suspected or proven to be the fruits of money laundering or criminal activity. However, this process is quite complicated and requires a reasoned order by certain designated officers of the central government. It is simply absurd for the government to claim powers to automatically block access to bank accounts for failing to link Aadhaar numbers to bank accounts.

ernment cannot circumvent the provision by using its rule-making powers Modi sarkar and rule-making powers under different legislations.

Over the last month, the Modi government has increasingly used its ruleBlocking access to bank accounts?

The second aspect of the Preven- making powers under various laws in tion of Money-laundering (Mainte- a manner which is contrary to the law nance of Records) (Second Amend- of the land. The first instance was the ment) Rules, 2017 is the requirement highly controversial Prevention of Crufor banks to block access to those bank elty to Animals (Regulation of Liveaccounts of those customers who do stock Markets) Rules, 2016, which were not link their Aadhaar numbers to their notified under the Prevention of Cruelty Act. One law professor described accounts. Rule 17(c) states: “In case the client fails to submit these rules as “… a constitutional misthe Aadhaar number and Permanent adventure on multiple grounds involvAccount Number within the aforesaid ing fundamental rights, separation of six months period, the said account powers and federalism”. The constitushall cease to be operational till the tionality of the rules have been chaltime the Aadhaar number and Perma- lenged before the Supreme Court.

The second instance were the “Trinent Account Number is submitted by bunal, Appellate Tribunal and other the client.”

This rule is without doubt uncon- Authorities (Qualifications, Experistitutional because the parliament did ence and other Conditions of Service not delegate to the central government of Members) Rules, 2017. These rules the right to block bank accounts and de- were notified under Section 184 of the Finance Act, 2017 and as I argued in prive Indian citizens of their property.

In its preamble, the PMLA (Mainte- a previous piece, these rules are most nance of Records) Second Amendment certainly in violation of the law. The Rules, 2017 clearly identifies the source Madras Bar Association has now chalof its power as “sub-section (1) read lenged the constitutionality of these with clause (h), clause (i), clause (j) and rules before the Madras high court.

The PMLA (Maintenance of Reclause (k) of sub-section (2) of section 73 of the Prevention of Money-launder- cords) (Second Amendment Rules), ing Act, 2002”. None of those provisions 2017 are thus the third instance of the in Section 73 of the PMLA Act allow government overstepping its boundthe central government to make rules aries. The question now is whether the that allow it to block access to bank ac- government is getting the correct legal counts. Those provisions only allow the advice with regard to its rule-making central government to make rules re- powers or is it the case that the govgarding the maintenance of financial ernment is feeling confident enough records. Blocking access to bank ac- to ignore legal advice?

Prashant Reddy T. is a research ascounts are akin to property seizures and will in effect violate the constitutional sociate at the School of Law, Singapore Management University. right to property under Article 300A.

Why India is switching from a Look East to an Act East policy Sudhanshu Tripathi

ed maritime imperatives as well as to think of India’s strategic future.

Further, Modi needs to concentrate on safeguarding core Indian interests backed by a more assertive and credible military/maritime power. He envisages that India must also expand its diplomatic, economic and military relations with all powers while pursuing its onward march.

Indeed, vikas-vaad (developmentalism) and vistar-vaad (expansionism) as well as ahimsa (the principle of non-violence) and non-alignment are the driving forces behind Modi’s unfolding vision of India’s peaceful ascent in the world. Indeed, if the Modi Doctrine persists, then about a quarter-century of “looking east” is destined to be substituted by the much required policy of “acting east”.

Thus all these developments have prompted India to revitalize its role in the East as a promoter of economies and also as an effective provider of security. India’s outreach to the East has witnessed a significant transformation that does not depend solely on one or two countries or even Asean. In fact, India needs to pay greater attention to free-trade agreements, dubbed Phase II of India’s “Look East Policy” by former external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha in the second IndiaAsean Business Summit in 2003.

Thus the Act East Policy has a very strong and effective agenda that can ensure peace and progress in the entire East and also the whole world in the true spirit of vasudhaiv kutumbkam – “the world is one family”.

Mary Ryder

Anyone’s Child Mexico, a new interactive documentary, exposes the urgent need for drug policy reform. Meet the real families who are uniting to end the global drug war

S

ince the Mexican state intensified its drug war in 2006 more than 28,000 people have disappeared and over 150,000 have been murdered. They walked out of their homes one day, never to return.

Often, no-one knows where they are, or whether they are dead or alive.

And for every person disappeared, someone is still searching.

“The current war is not a war against drug trafficking, nor against drugs themselves,” states María Herrera, desolately. “It is a war against families.

It is a war against society. It is a war that affects all of us.” María lives on the frontline of the global drug war in Michoacán, Mexico – an ineffective and counterproductive war, to which she has lost four sons. She is now part of Anyone’s Child Families for Safer Drug Control, a growing group from across the world who are calling for the legal regulation of drugs.

To some, it may appear reasonable to ban drugs and to place criminal restrictions on their production, supply and use in order to protect the young and vulnerable. But voices from the UK, Mexico, Kenya, the US, Canada, and Afghanistan whose loved ones have died, disappeared or been locked up because of the drug war, have witnessed first-hand how current drug policy is causing even more harm than drugs themselves. Anyone’s Child aims to expose the human cost of the drug war and show that moving away from prohibition and criminalisation will better protect communities around the world.

María is just one of the families telling their story for Anyone’s Child Mexico. The power of the illegal drug market has not only torn apart the lives of these families, it also corrupts the very institutions meant to protect them. Families are left alone and receive very little help or support from the authorities. It takes courage to speak out. This interactive documentary is a rare opportunity to hear the human casualties of the drug war in Mexico talk about the utterly devastating violence and corruption they have encountered.

“It’s as if the ground swallowed them whole” In August 2008, two of María’s sons, Jesús Salvador and Raúl, went missing. Her sons are jewellers, they work with gold. They weren’t connected to the drug trade in any way. At the time of their disappearance they were travelling through Guerrero, a state that is controlled by violent drug cartels who are empowered by the money they make selling illegal drugs. These cartels fight between themselves for territory, killing one another’s families.

“According to the authorities, my sons were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time,” says María. “It’s as if the ground swallowed them whole.”

Drugs mean money, and when there is so much money involved in an illegal market, there is corruption. In 2010, just two years after her sons went missing, two more of María’s sons – Gustavo and Luis Armando – were taken. Having spent the past two years investigating the disappearance of their brothers, they had gone to another state looking to earn some much-needed money. On their way, they were intercepted by the police and handed over to the Zeta cartel, becoming 2 of more than 28,000 people disappeared in drug-war related violence in Mexico.

The stories expose the overwhelming harm that fighting the drug war is inflicting upon Mexican communities every day. Under prohibition, the illegal and unregulated drug market is controlled by violent criminal organisations rather than the government. The only way for disputes between rival gangs to be resolved is using force and violence, and ordinary families like María’s are caught in the crossfire.

The interactive documentary While stories like María’s may feel very distant and hard to comprehend, disappearance and murder are an everyday reality for the communities in Mexico who are suffering the brunt of our failed drug policies. This documentary allows us to hear their voices and truths to maintain the unique authenticity and power of individual storytelling. It also conveys the distress and fear that hang heavy on the shoulders of these families, as well as their courage and determination to keep on fighting for a solution to this war.

Through a free phone line (in Mexico) connected to the documentary, families whose lives have been wrecked by the drug war are able to have their stories heard across the world. All the families involved have left their testimonies out of desperation to change global drug laws and to prevent others from suffering as they have.

Once recorded, the testimonies are moderated for anonymity – in order to protect the identity of the individual speaking out – then transcribed and translated into Spanish and English and uploaded to an online archive.

In addition, families can also use the phone line to listen to other testimonies, creating an infrastructure of solidarity between families and activists across Mexico.

s a follow-up to India’s Look East Policy introduced in the early 1990s, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made “Act East” a launch pad for his government’s more focused engagement with the East Asia. Earlier, the Look East Policy concentrated on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan, but it was realized later that India’s outreach to the East could not be confined to Asean and Japan, nor only in the economic sphere.

Consequently, the Modi government decided to put more emphasis on improving India’s relations with Asean and the other East Asian countries by enlarging the core interests of the region to include the immediate requirements of national and regional security.

Thus the Look East and Act East policies highlight India’s military, political and economic interests along with those of regional partners in the East.

Unfortunately, India’s Act East policy is being labelled as the old Look East wine put in a new bottle. The regional actors consider India a relatively peripheral player compared with the United States, China and Japan.

Obviously these factors have forcefully given thrust to the framing of the “Modi Doctrine”, which emphasizes the socio-economic resurgence of the East, as well as that of India, with a view to arousing confidence in New Delhi as a genuine regional power and a responsible provider of security.

“O

As Marawi burns, Duterte fades from view

A

ur troops are excited that we are nearing the end,” claimed Restituto Padilla, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in a mixture of Filipino and English this week when asked by the media about the ongoing battle to liberate the besieged city of Marawi. “[W]e’re nearing to a conclusion.”

It has been almost a month into assault on Marawi by a large contingent of Islamic State (IS)-linked fighters under the command of the local Maute Group, also known as Daulah Islamiyah Fi Ranao or the Islamic State of Lanao (ISL).

For weeks, the Philippine government has been under domestic and international pressure to defeat the first large-scale effort by IS-linked elements to carve out controlled territory in Southeast Asia.

As the casualties mount, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte embarked on a grueling schedule, meeting grieving families and encouraging men in uniform to take the fight to the terrorists. But as the clashes intensified, Duterte suddenly fell from public view, including on national Independence Day on June 12, for almost five days.

The Malacanang presidential palace downplayed the president’s absence, stating that Duterte simply

active to resolve the Teesta River watersharing issue with Bangladesh, since both are working together in BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) as well as the BBIN (Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal) corridor.

The India-Bangladesh cooperation referred to as the BCIM (Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar) corridor is an important forum of furthering relevant regional cooperation initiatives.

Malaysia is another country to which India reached out first when it launched its Look East Policy in the 1990s. The Malaysian prime minister has put special emphasis on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as a free-trade arrangement for this region with the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) coming to an end.

During the recent past, AustraliaIndia ties have strengthened significantly because of the China factor. Both countries have stated their recognition of the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Thus India’s Indo-Pacific role is quite clear in the Indian Ocean Rim, which is aimed at evolving a culture of self-confidence and benign assertion.

But India must continue forging closer economic integration and greater connectivity with Southeast Asia, as that would provide Asean states the means to reduce their overdependence on China. Modi may have to concentrate on India’s long-neglect-

The truth behind "Narcos"

The Modi Doctrine emphasizes enlarging an earlier Indian mindset confined to South Asia to include the entire East, and spreading to West Asia and Africa. In fact, the Indian Ocean Rim is a strategic link from the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Malacca, making it a highly volatile maritime zone.

Modi very well understands that India and the Indian Ocean are appropriate halfway points between West and Southeast Asia.

Consolidating India’s maritime strategy and strengthening security in such a vast area requires an ambitious geo-strategic and economic goal as well as an institutional framework for creating an effective mechanism for the economic integration of the wider South Asian region linking India with the Asean economies. Such economic integration will encompass time-bound connectivity infrastructure projects like China’s Belt and Road Initiative, production network linkages facilitated by foreign direct investment, and the integration of energy and electricity infrastructures.

Notwithstanding these prospects, there are several challenges that need immediate attention. Mounting tensions in the Asia-Pacific region due to China’s hegemonic and aggressive assertions have prompted India to coordinate with super and major powers and also other regional members.

Unfortunately bilateral relations between Myanmar and Bangladesh suffer from bitter acrimony due to the Rohingya issue in Rakhine state. Similarly India needs to become more pro-

Asia Times

What do we want?

Unfortunately, María is not alone in feeling the effects of the ever sprawling chaos and tragedy of the drug war.

Effective drug policy must protect young people, improve public health and reduce crime. The alternative that organisations like Transform Drug Policy Foundation are proposing is to legalise drugs and bring them under government control. This would take profits away from the criminals and undermine their influence in Mexico. The drug war would end, and with it the violence and bloodshed will be reduced. Ending the drug war will enable Mexican families to rebuild their communities, and put in place measures to better reduce the harm caused by drugs.

Anyone’s Child is calling for the legal regulation of the use, supply and production of the drug market. We want to promote health, reduce violence and protect all of our children and communities. Our vision is that controlling drugs would be the responsibility of doctors, pharmacists and licensed retail sellers.

It has taken enormous courage for these families to speak out against the horrors of the drug war. They want their stories to be shared as widely as possible in order to shed light on the situation in Mexico and help them bring an end to the violence. Watch and share Anyone’s Child Mexico, and join these families today in the campaign for the legal regulation and control of drugs. We want drug laws that really do protect families and keep children safer, in Mexico and across the world.

Mary Ryder is Anyone's Child coordinator at Transform Drug Policy Foundation

Jason Castaneda Asia Times

Questions are rising about the Philippine president's health and leadership amid a deepening security crisis with implications for the entire region needed rest to “rejuvenate” and spend “private time” with his family.

The episode, however, rekindled lingering concerns over the 72-yearold president’s health, with Duterte himself earlier admitting to suffering from Buerger’s disease, a rare disease of the arteries and veins, and taking potent pain killers for a back injury sustained in a motorcycle accident.

In response, several senators called upon the government to be more transparent on the matter in order to avoid uncertainty and confusion, especially amid an ongoing crisis in Duterte’s home island of Mindanao.

“The health of the president of any country is not his and his family’s private affair alone,” argued Panfilo Lacson, a leading senator, who is broadly seen as independent. “It is a matter of public concern.”

Upon his re-emergence, Duterte claimed that he simply “went on a

trip somewhere,” though he “cannot divulge” further details, since he traveled “incognito.”

“To my countrymen, do not worry too much. Don’t you want a new president after a year? I’m good. I’m alive,” quipped Duterte before an enthusiastic crowd in Butuan City, Mindanao.

Constitutionally, the vice-president will automatically succeed the president in the event the latter is permanently disabled or deceased.

Currently, however, the Philippine Supreme Court hearing an electoral contestation case filed by Ferdinand Marcos Jr against the current VicePresident, Leni Robredo. Given Dutetre’s close ties to the Marcos family, and with clear tensions with the Robredo camp, there are worries about a potential political crisis in a succession event.

The Supreme Court is also examining several cases, filed by human rights activists and opposition legis-

lations, which question the legality of Duterte’s recent declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

Concerns over Duterte’s health and his martial law proclamation, however, are unlikely to go away anytime soon. For now, the country remains focused on the grinding battle of Marawi and the prospect of future terror assaults across the nation.

Incorporating cutting-edge insurgency tactics from the Middle East, the Maute Group, accompanied by other local extremist groups and a legion of foreign fighters, has managed to hold onto portions of the city center despite heavy bombardment and Special Forces operations.

The rebels still control checkpoints on several bridges across the city and have slowed down and eluded the AFP through a combination of strategically located snipers, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and a sophisticated network of underground tunnels.

7

The government in Manila has accused local officials of abetting the Maute group, which reportedly prepositioned weapons and equipment across the area well before the clashes with security forces. With the help of American intelligence, equipment, and Special Forces, however, the Philippine military has gradually managed to take back much of the city.

According to the government, its troops are currently in control of 96 out of 100 barangays, or neighborhoods, in the now war-torn city, which has been ravaged by heavy armed clashes between the military and ISlinked elements.

The impending liberation of Marawi will be greeted with a mixture of joy and dread, given concerns over future terrorist attacks and the almost complete devastation of a once bustling city.

Marawi, the Philippines’ largest Muslim-majority city and commer-

cial hub of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), is now a ghost town, with death and destruction dominating the landscape.

Nearly the entire of the city’s population, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, is now trapped in refugee camps with no clear future in sight.

A growing number of observers have come to compare Marawi to Mosul in Iraq and Aleppo in Syria, two former Middle Eastern commercial hubs which were ruined after intense fighting between government and ISlinked forces in recent years.

With Mindanao emerging as a new magnet for regional jihadi extremists, many on the run from Iraq and Syria, the Philippine government is seeking maximum possible help from neighbors and allies, particularly the United States.

Manila also faces a daunting postconflict reconstruction challenge, not to mention the constant threat of sleepercells and renewed clashes in Marawi’s surrounding areas in the future.

Recently riding a high tide of popularity as a no-nonsense, toughtalking leader, Duterte now faces the difficult task of not only reassuring Filipinos about his personal health, but also exhibiting effective leadership to address a deepening crisis in his home island with implications for the entire region.

8

FriDAY 23•06•2017

INDIA

India rejects any mediation with Pak on Kashmir issue

New Delhi, JuNe 22 (uNi): India today rejected any overtures by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to mediate between India and Pakistan for initiating a dialogue on the vexed Kashmir issue. 'Bilateral matters have to be solved bilaterally,' External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said while answering a question on reports quoting UN Secretary-General on his efforts to mediate between India and Pakistan.

He said the UN Secretary-General has been made aware of India's consistent position. Asked by a reporter about his role in resolving the vexed dispute at his first press conference at the United Nations headquarters, Guterres responded: 'Why do you think I met three times the Prime Minister of Pakistan and two times the Prime Minister of India?' 'For someone accused of doing nothing, it's quite a number of meetings,' he had laughed off the question. The spokesperson said the UN Secretary-General had posed a question while responding to a query. Guterres had mentioned that he had met Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif but did not categorically state that he was mediating to begin a dialogue between the two neighbours on the Kashmir issue. India has time and again opposed involvement of a third party in resolving bilateral issues with Pakistan, particularly on Kashmir.

Bihar board Class 10 exams results out; 50% students flunk

PAtNA, JuNe 22 (iANS): The Bihar School Education Board (BSEB) here on Thursday declared the results of the Class 10 examinations held in March, with 49.88 per cent students flunking the exams. Only 50.12 of the candidates passed the exams since strict steps were taken against cheating, officials said here.

Last year, the pass percentage was 47. "Of the Class 10 pass-outs, only 14 per cent got first division, 26.8 per cent second division and 9.3 per cent third division," BSEB chairman Anand Kishore said. The Class 12 results of the board were announced on May 30, which too recorded a low pass percentage. Kishore said nearly 17.27 lakh students appeared in Class 10 exams this year, of whom 8.63 lakh have passed.He said it was for the first time that codes were used on answer-sheets to ensure that no unfair means were employed during evaluation.A senior BSEB official said the low pass percentage vindicated their efforts to conduct a cheating-free examinations this year.

BJP distorting history, portraying Founding Fathers in poor light: Congress

New Delhi, JuNe 22 (uNi): The Congress today lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA Government for alleged attempts of 'distorting' history and launching 'disinformation campaign' especially through social media and portray the Founding Fathers of Independent India, including Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, in poor light. 'They are making use of electronic media, social media and pursuing a sustained disinformation campaign against the Congress leaders and Freedom Fighters and trying to highlight those who were in support of the British as Freedom Fighters,' said senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad during his address to an NSUI gathering here. Azad appealed to the students and the NSUI leaders to hold seminars, symposia and run social media campaigns to set distorted history right, prevent the power of youth from being misled and expose the reality of those who were portrayed as freedom fighters. The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said that in several BJP-led states, the textbooks of schools and colleges have been re-framed with introduction of those as Freedom Fighters who actually were in support of the Britishers and were against Independence.

Haryana fourth state with open defecation-free rural areas

ChANDigArh, JuNe 22 (iANS): Haryana has become the fourth state in the country where the rural areas have been declared Open Defecation-Free (ODF), a minister said here on Thursday. The only other states to have ODF rural areas are Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Kerala. "An ODF-plus campaign has also been prepared for sustenance of the ODF status through effective solid and liquid waste disposal management," Haryana's Agriculture, Development and Panchayats Minister O.P. Dhankar told media persons here. Dhankar said all 6,205 gram panchayats in the state had been declared ODF. "As per a survey conducted in 2012, of the total 30.24 lakh rural households in the state, 7.3 lakh households were without toilets," he pointed out.

With the ODF campaign, more than 7.51 lakh toilets were constructed and 100 per cent coverage of toilets in rural areas was achieved, he said.

Modi, Trump to discuss terrorism, economic cooperation

New Delhi, JuNe 22 (iANS): During his visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss issues ranging from terrorism and regional security to economic cooperation with US President Donald Trump, it was announced on Thursday. Modi would meet Trump on June 26 afternoon during which the focus would be on "further pushing and developing economic and commercial cooperation for mutual benefit of the two countries", External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay told reporters. Baglay added that regional security and terrorism would also be on the agenda. "Our concerns regarding terrorism emanating from Pakistan are well known. Terrorism that emanates from there has affected not only India but also many other countries. "We do talk to all countries, our friends and partners on how to counter cross-border terrorism and international terrorism," Baglay said. He added that all matters of bilateral interest would be on the table.

2 soldiers, two militants killed on LoC

JAmmu, JuNe 22 (iANS): Two Indian Army soldiers were killed by a Pakistani BAT team on Thursday on the LoC in Chakan da Bagh sector in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, while two militants were killed by the army in the sector during a foiled infiltration bid. Pakistan's Border Action Teams (BAT) comprise heavily armed terrorists and are supported by the country's army. The BAT teams cross into the Indian side of the LoC while Pakistan Army engages the Indian troops in cross-border firing to facilitate BAT actions. The Indian and Pakistani troops on Thursday traded heavy gunfire after the Pakistan Army indulged in heavy shelling and firing on Indian positions on the Line of Control in Chakan da Bagh sector. Defence Ministry sources said the Pakistan Army indulged in "unprovoked firing and shelling at Indian positions" with small arms, automatics and mortars. Indian troops effectively retaliated to the firing, he said.

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Opposition picks Meira Kumar in Dalit-vs-Dalit Presidential battle

New Delhi, JuNe 22 (iANS): With 17 opposition parties picking former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to take on NDA's Ram Nath Kovind, the stage is set for a Dalitversus-Dalit contest for the country's top constitutional post.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi announced the name of party leader Meira Kumar at a meeting of the 17 parties including the Left, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), DMK and the National Conference.

"We have unanimously chosen Meira Kumar, a former Union Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker, as Presidential candidate," Gandhi announced after the meeting. She urged all political parties to support Meira Kumar.

RJD chief Lalu Yadav said he would talk to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to reconsider his support to Kovind. Backing Kovind would be a "historical blunder", he said.

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said: "There could not have been

a better candidate than Meira Kumar for the post of President."

Meira Kumar is the daughter of former Deputy Prime Minister and iconic Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram. A lawyer and a former diplomat, she was the first woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

According to informed sources, Gandhi, who chaired the meeting of the opposition parties, first asked Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar to speak.

Pawar proposed three names -- Meira Kumar, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Bhalchandra Mungekar -- all Dalit leaders.

Pawar was keen on Shinde but the "sense of the gathering" ultimately went with Meira Kumar.

The sources said Gandhi as well as Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and BSP supremo Mayawati supported Meira Kumar's candidature on Wednesday.

The opposition on Wednesday suffered a blow as the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) announced support

for National Democratic Alliance candidate Kovind.

Asked about Nitish Kumar's decision, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad said it was "not a fight of personalities, but that of ideology".

"Nitish Kumar said he has decided to back Kovind because he is a nice person and has been very good as Bihar Governor. But this is not a fight of personalities.

We are not supporting or opposing a person.

"Our fight is of ideology and Lalu Prasad will never back out of this fight, come what may," he said.

But the JD-U decision won't have an impact on the RJD-JDU alliance in Bihar, he added.

"I will speak to Nitish Kumar and try to persuade him to reconsider this decision, to not make this historic blunder (of backing Kovind)."

Asked about Nitish Kumar's support for Kovind, Gandhi said: "I am not upset with anybody. I appeal to all political parties to support our candidate."

Nationalist Congress Party leader Praful Pa-

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar (File Photo)

tel brushed aside as "rumours" reports that his party may go with the NDA. BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra said: "Mayawatiji had said that if the opposition proposes a better Dalit candidate (than Kovind), we would support that candidate. Today she gave her consent for the name that came up."

The CPI-M proposed the name of Gopalkrishna Gandhi, but he ruled himself out

of the race after the BJP announced Kovind's name.

CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said: "From among Meira Kumar, Bhalchandra Mungekar, Prakash Ambedkar and Shinde, everyone agreed on Meira Kumar's name without any reservation whatsoever."

The NDA, including Shiv Sena and the Peoples Democratic Party of Jammu and Kashmir, which

has extended support to Kovind, commands the support of 48.93 per cent in the electoral college made up of MPs and MLAs. With the backing of nonNDA parties like TRS (2 per cent), AIADMK (5.39 per cent), YSR Congress (1.53 per cent) and BJD (2.99 per cent), the NDA's support will cross the half-way mark comfortably to reach nearly 63 per cent, with JD-U contributing 1.91 per cent.

Higher education shows disconnect Removal of turban triggers with changing needs: IBM Study ruckus in Punjab assembly

BeNgAluru, JuNe 22 (iANS): India's higher education system is not responding well to society's changing needs, making it difficult for the industry to find new employees with the right skills, says a study conducted by the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV). Only 40 per cent of Indian executives surveyed in the study indicated new employees recruited in local labour markets possess the requisite job skills, IBM said in a statement on Thursday. Most of India's venture capitalists (70 per cent) indicated that start-ups cannot find employees with the right skills.

The IBM study entitled "Upskilling India" is based on insights from a survey of academics, corporate-recruiters, and emerging education leaders in India.

In addition, the study also analysed results of recent surveys of startup entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and corporate executives. "Skill is emerging as the new currency across businesses globally and in India. Today's rapidly evolving economic environment makes up-skilling an imperative across job profiles and sectors. India is caught by both a skill gap and a higher education sector strug-

gling to keep up," said DP Singh, Vice President and Head - HR, IBM India/ South Asia.

The Indian executives surveyed believe that much of the nation's current higher education system fails to meet the needs of students, industry and society.

More than 60 per cent of India's educators surveyed in the study indicated that the higher education system was unable to respond to changing societal needs.

Between 2010 and 2030, India's working population is expected to expand from 750 million to almost one billion.

12 police men injured as farmers' protest turns violent

thANe, JuNe 22 (iANS): At least 12 policemen and four protesters were injured and a police van set blaze when farmers' opposition to the take-over of land for a new airport turned violent in Maharashtra on Thursday, the police said.

Thane Police Commissioner Parambir Singh told the media that at least 12 policemen were injured in stone-pelting by the protesters at Nevali village near Kalyan here.

When the police retaliated with pellet guns, at least four pro-

testers sustained injuries. All the injured have been rushed to hospitals nearby.

Singh added that the police would book the protesters on various charges, including attempt to murder for the attacks on policemen and damage to public properties.

He said additional forces have been rushed to the scene of the rioting and the situation "is under control".

Than's Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde, who rushed to

the spot, said that the farmers' opposition to acquisition of an old British-era airstrip and land surrounding it has been pending since long.

"We shall initiate discussions with the Defence Ministry to resolve the issue at the earliest," he told the media.

The farmers were opposing the acquisition of the abandoned airstrip for constructing a new airport at Nevali, around 40 km north-east of Mumbai.

ChANDigArh, JuNe 22 (iANS): Pandemonium prevailed inside the Punjab assembly on Thursday after a Sikh legislator from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that his turban was taken off as marshalls pushed his party legislators out of the house.

AAP legislator Pirmal Singh Dhaula came out of the house with his turban in his hand and his hair open. He alleged that his turban came off during manhandling by the marshalls after the Speaker ordered the removal of AAP lawmakers from the house.

Tension prevailed inside and outside the house following the incident.

Speaker Rana K.P. Singh ordered the AAP lawmakers' removal after they protested his order, banning the entry of two legislators -- Sukhpal Singh Khaira of AAP, and Simarjeet Singh Bains of AAP ally Lok Insaaf Party.

Both legislators were suspended from the house last week. "This is the worst situation for democracy. We have not witnessed such manhandling.

The Congress government is to blame for it," Dhaula said after

coming out of the house. AAP legislators shouted slogans inside and outside the assembly building against the Speaker and the Congress government.

Some legislators tried to enter the house again but the marshalls and security personnel physically stopped them.

Opposition Shiromani Akali Dal legislators also supported the AAP lawmakers. The house was adjourned by the Speaker for some time.

Earlier, both Khaira and Bains were stopped by the assembly security personnel from entering the building on Thursday morning.

Both were suspended for the remainder of the budget session last week but they continued their sit-in protest inside the assembly building (not inside the house). On Thursday, they were prevented from entering the complex. Dhaula said that he was an 'Amritdhari' (baptised) Sikh and his turban had been removed by the assembly security.

"I will urge the Akal Takht to take cognizance of this incident and initiate action against those responsible for this," Dhaula told the media.

India may become 2-4 degrees C warmer, but heat deaths are preventable Charu Bahri

IndiaSpend/IANS

Scientists who studied India's 2015 heatwave that claimed 2,500 lives (over 1,700 in Andhra Pradesh alone) concluded that the region was likely to see intense heatwaves once in every 10 years, instead of once in every 100 years.

The next year turned out to be India's hottest ever, since record-keeping began in 1901. And earlier in 2017, summer got off to an unprecedented intense start, as heatwaves in late March swept through nine states.

With 13 of India's 15 hottest years on record occurring since 2002, intense heat appears to be the new normal. US President Donald Trump dismisses global warming as a hoax, a money-making industry, and a concept created by and for the Chinese in order to make US manufacturing non-competitive and has now pulled his country out of the Paris Climate Agreement.

But India simply cannot afford to ignore the new health and livelihood challenges global warming will present to "people who are no strangers to warm weather but who will now face more severe heatwaves intensified by climate change", as Dileep Mavalankar, 59, director of the Indian Institute of Public Health, India's first public health university in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, told IndiaSpend in an interview.

If heatwaves are perceived as a disaster-like situation with the potential to kill thousands, heat deaths are preventable.

In 2014, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation pioneered South Asia's first Heat Action Plan, as IndiaSpend reported on May 31, 2017.

"Combining public education, extreme heat warnings and efforts to safeguard the most vulnerable populations is proving to be a good template for other cities and states to follow," said Mavalan-

A young Indian boy drinks water from a public tap during a hot day in India. (AP File Photo)

kar of the Heat Action Plan that his colleagues and the Natural Resources Defence Council are supporting. Excerpts from the interview: Q: How reliable are heatstroke mortality figures in the media, and why do these fluctuate so much from year to year?

A: Heatwave fatalities are not at all well documented in India. The fatality numbers that the civil administration releases to the media are well below the actual number of people who succumb to excessive heat. One reason for this is death recording in our country is far from perfect. People who have not been directly exposed to the sun but have been exposed to high ambient temperature can also suffer heatstroke.

In Ahmedabad, where we have studied the number and cause of fatalities in detail, we know that about 100 people die of all causes on any given day in summer.

During the heatwave of 2010, the city's five municipal hospitals attributed 65

fatalities to heatstroke during the week.

But we estimated that the heat caused 800 additional deaths in that week.

Q: The initiative of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, which you are supporting and guiding, combines measures to prevent heatstroke and strengthen public-health responses to heatstroke victims. However, of what use is it to tell poor people to take shelter, when they may be living on the road with no resources to protect themselves?

A: We are aware that the urban poor are extremely vulnerable to heatstroke.

In Ahmedabad, we proposed that municipal gardens be kept open between 11 am and 5 pm, a time when they usually remain closed to the public, with the idea that homeless people and working class people with jobs in their vicinity would find shade and a place to rest under trees.

For the same reason, we requested the administration to keep the city's 45 night shelters open during the day.

Over 900 water facilities were also created. An initiative driven by the mayor was asking paint companies to donate white paint to coat the roof of poor people's houses. White-painted roofs reflect more sunlight, which helps keep interiors cool.

The municipality has not accepted some of our suggestions, such as our request to supply extra water during heatwaves. A lot of municipalities across India supply extra water during religious festivals, and we believe it is even more important to supply extra water at a time when people need it to protect their health.

We also proposed that the municipality should not issue major work contracts after April. Also, labour contractors should be asked to employ workers in split shifts, such as from 6 am to 11 am and from 5 pm to 8 pm. We were told this is impractical to implement.

Q: Densely populated areas are said to be generally hotter than rural areas.

What temperature difference have you recorded between rural areas and urban areas?

A: In summer, we have found that Ahmedabad records temperatures that are usually 2-3 degrees Centigrade higher, even up to 4 degrees higher than the surrounding areas because of the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon whereby concrete buildings and traffic enclose the heat in a limited space. Rural areas around the city with more vegetation and water bodies see lower temperatures.

However, the majority of residents of urban areas spend less time outdoors and have more resources and utilities (such as water, cooling devices, hospitals) to rely on for their wellbeing. Heat fatalities can happen in both urban and rural areas. Recently, we have also started pilot testing a heat action plan for rural blocks of Rajasthan with the help of Unicef.

FridaY 23 •06•2017

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

Saudi shakeup, Qatar crisis show a Gulf on edge

DUBAI, JUne 22 (AP): There was a time when the mention of the Persian Gulf brought to mind images of pampered societies ruled by aging monarchs content to preside quietly over their oil money and fantastical skyscrapers while the U.S. kept the peace.

Not anymore.

A sudden royal shakeup in Saudi Arabia early Wednesday is only the latest wild card to be thrown in days of head-spinning developments in the typically staid Gulf.

The kingdom led nations in unexpectedly cutting off nominal ally Qatar from the clubby Gulf Cooperation Council, which suddenly looks so incredibly uncooperative that is has raised fears of war among its members.

The fact that Qatar hosts one of the biggest and most important foreign U.S. air bases has so far proved to be a good insurance policy for the tiny emirate — but the dispute brings headaches for Washington.

The main adversary the Arab nations set up the council to stand against, Iran, meanwhile launched a volley of ballistic missiles at militants in Syria, its first such strike in more than a decade and a half.

That’s not even getting into low global oil prices squeezing their largely petrodollar-driven economies. Nor does it account

In this April 4, 2017, picture Saudi boys pose in front of a huge billboard showing in the center, King Salman, with his 31-year-old son Mohammed bin Salman to the right, and Prince Mohammed bin Nayef to the left in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Salman appointed his son, who was until now the deputy crown prince and country’s defense minister, as his successor and first in line to the throne. Salman stripped Mohammed bin Nayef of the title of crown prince and ousted him from his powerful position of interior minister. (AP File Photo)

for the ongoing threat posed by the Islamic State group, which struck Tehran for the first time, or the stalemated war in Yemen that’s led to extensive civilian suffering.

So what’s actually going on? Some analysts have pointed to the fact that much of the turmoil came after U.S. President Donald

Trump’s trip last month to Saudi Arabia, his first state visit designed to show the Republican had a far different worldview than his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama. In truth, many of the tensions currently on display — with both Iran and Qatar — go back years. But Trump’s strong public endorsement

of Riyadh as his primary regional partner may have emboldened the Saudis and changed some of the geopolitical math.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations like the United Arab Emirates were deeply suspicious of Obama’s diplomatic detente with Iran, which culminated in the 2015 nuclear deal.

“The Obama administration’s apparent attempt to disengage from the region engendered a change in the Gulf’s strategic culture, making some U.S. partners more confident in their ability to act on their own,” wrote Michael Eisenstadt, the director of the Military and Security Studies Program at The

Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

However, “arms sales or military surges cannot compensate for policy errors and missteps whose effects are regional in scope and geopolitical in scale,” he added.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s efforts at trying to mediate the Qatar crisis while Trump’s own tweets appear to back the Saudi-led isolation over allegations the country supports terrorism have only compounded the uncertainty gripping the Gulf.

Qatar long has denied backing extremist groups, though Western diplomats say its lax oversight allowed funding of Sunni militants like Syria’s al-Qaida branch.

The State Department this week demanded the countries boycotting Qatar spell out their complaints, suggesting the Trump administration was losing patience over the spat among its Gulf partners.

In Iran, Tillerson’s comments last week before Congress that the U.S. is working toward “support of those elements inside of Iran that would lead to a peaceful transition of that government” angered officials there already suspicious of Trump.

Meanwhile, citizens of Tehran openly accused Saudi Arabia of backing the Islamic State attack on parliament and the shrine

of the Islamic Republic’s founder that killed 18 people and wounded over 50.

Their evidence? Newly minted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s own comments in May that the kingdom would “work so that it becomes a battle for them in Iran and not in Saudi Arabia.”

So when Iran launched its first missile attack in over 15 years on foreign soil this week targeting Islamic State fighters in Syria over the Tehran assault, it openly acknowledged it was a message for Saudi Arabia and America.

That crisis between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which cut diplomatic ties in 2016, has extended into a disputed shooting in the Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia said it captured three members of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard aboard an explosives-laden boat that it alleges planned to attack a major offshore oilfield.

Iran dismisses the allegation, though it earlier acknowledged the death of one citizen it called a fisherman who was shot by Saudi forces.

There’s turmoil striking other Gulf countries as well, particularly the tiny island of Bahrain, which is linked to Saudi Arabia by a causeway. A government crackdown on dissent for over a year continues unabated. Militants have re-

sponded by stepping up attacks on security forces, including one Sunday that killed a police officer.

In Kuwait and Oman, citizens worry about the health of their current leaders, respectively the 88-yearold Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah and 76-year-old Sultan Qaboos bin Said. In Oman, there’s no clear successor to the sultan while in Kuwait, a leadership struggle is possible.

That challenge of continuing dynastic rule in Gulf Arab nations is tied to the task of handling burgeoning youth populations who expect to live as well or better than their parents. In Saudi Arabia, King Salman putting his assertive, 31-yearold son as next in line to the throne could prove popular with the kingdom’s youth — if he can pull off his ambitious plans to wean the country from its oil-soaked economy.

That all could be derailed with the dissention among the Arab Gulf states in the region and the ever-heating war of words between Iran and Saudi Arabia. In a way, that trouble has been there for decades, simmering just under the surface.

Now it’s boiling to a crisis at a level unseen since the 1990 Iraq invasion of Kuwait. That ended with a war and burning oil fields, something no one wants to see now.

In high-level talks, US asks China to do more to rein in NKorea Australian dies after catching rare disease from mosquitoes WAsHInGTOn, JUne 22 (ReUTeRs): The United States pressed China to exert more economic and diplomatic pressure on North Korea to help rein in its nuclear and missile programs during a round of high-level talks in Washington on Wednesday.

The meeting of top U.S. and Chinese diplomats and defence chiefs was held a day after President Donald Trump said China’s efforts to use its leverage with Pyongyang had failed, raising fresh doubts about his administration’s strategy for countering the threat from North Korea.

The death of American university student Otto Warmbier this week, after his release from 17 months of imprisonment in Pyongyang, has further complicated Trump’s approach to North Korea, his top national security challenge.

“We reiterated to China that they have a diplomatic responsibility to exert much greater economic and diplomatic pressure on the regime if they want to prevent further escalation in the region,” U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters at a joint news conference with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Mattis vowed to “continue to take necessary measures to defend ourselves and our allies” against North Korea, which is working to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the United States.

But with the long-standing option of pre-emptive military strikes seen as far too risky for now, Trump’s aides are stressing economic and diplomatic pressure.

Tillerson said Trump would make a state visit to China this year, and Mattis said both sides agreed to expand military-to-military ties, signalling the new administration’s determination to continue efforts to improve relations between the world’s two largest economies, despite frustration over North Korea.

North Korea topped the agenda at the newly established Diplomatic and Security Dialogue, which paired Tillerson and Mattis with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and General Fang Fenghui, chief of joint staff of the People’s Liberation Army.

While the U.S. officials stressed agreement on the goal of North Korean denuclearisation, the talks also dealt with China’s sweeping territo-

rial claims in the South China Sea, with the Americans reaffirming opposition to Beijing’s militarization of islands it is building in the strategic waterway.

HIGH HOPES Tillerson urged China to help crack down on illicit North Korean activities that fund its nuclear and missile programs, and said the Chinese had agreed their companies “should not do business” with sanctioned North Korean entities.

Tillerson stressed the need to choke off funding sources including money laundering, labour export and computer hacking.

“Countries around the world and in the U.N. Security Council are joining in this effort, and we hope China will do their part as well,” he said.

China, North Korean’s main trading partner, has been accused of not fully enforcing existing U.N. sanctions on its neighbour, and has resisted some tougher measures. Washington has considered further “secondary sanctions” against Chinese banks and other firms doing business with North Korea.

WhatsApp emerges as major news media platform LOnDOn, JUne 22 (IAns): Instant messaging service WhatsApp has emerged as a force to reckon with in news media, apparently at the cost of its owner Facebook, according to a new report.

“We’ve been tracking the growth of WhatsApp for some time but its use for news has jumped significantly in the last year to 15 per cent, with considerable country-based variation,” said the authors of the Digital News Report 2017.

Over half of the survey respondents in Malaysia (51 per cent) said they used WhatsApp for sharing or discussing news in a given week, as compared with just three per cent in the US. Besides Malaysia, the use of WhatsApp for news is starting to rival Facebook in a number of markets, including Brazil (46 per cent), and Spain (32 per cent).

The researchers found that the use of Facebook for news has dipped in most of the countries they surveyed.

This may just be a sign of market saturation, or it may relate to changes in Facebook algorithms in 2016, which prioritised friends and family communication over professional news content, according to the report.

The research, carried out by the Reuters Institute For The Study of Journalism, analysed data from 34 countries in Europe, the Americas and Asia, besides Taiwan and Hong Kong. The study involved responses from over 70,000 people.

Overall, around a quarter (23 per cent) of the respondents said they now find, share, or discuss news using one or more messaging applications.

The researchers found that Viber is a popular choice in parts of Southern and Eastern Europe, while a range of chat applications are used for news across Asia, including WeChat in Hong Kong (14 per cent) and Malaysia (13 per cent), Line in Taiwan (45 per cent) and Japan (13 per cent), while home-grown Kakao Talk (39 per cent) is the top messaging app in South Korea.

At a time when the social media platforms are facing criticism for not doing enough to stop the spread of fake news, the report also revealed that only 24 per cent of the respondents think social media do a good job in separating fact from fiction, compared to 40 per cent for the news media.

Trump has had high hopes for cooperation from China to exert influence over North Korea, leaning heavily on Chinese President Xi Jinping for his assistance.

The two leaders met in Florida in April and Trump has praised Xi for working on the issue, despite only modest steps so far by Beijing. At the same time, Trump has mostly held back on attacking Chinese trade practices, which he railed against during the presidential campaign.

“While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out.

At least I know China tried!”

Trump wrote on Twitter on Tuesday, a day after Warmbier died following his return from captivity in a coma. The tweet puzzled even Trump’s own aides.

Asked whether Trump had lost faith in China’s ability to restrain North Korea, Mattis said the president’s view represented Americans’ “frustration” with Pyongyang’s provocations and after seeing “a young man go over there healthy, and with a minor act of mischief, come home dead, basically.”

MeLBOURne, JUne 22 (IAns): An Australian man died on Thursday after catching a rare mosquito-borne disease while on holiday overseas.

The 60-year-old Victoria state resident contracted Japanese encephalitis while on a 10-day holiday in Southeast Asia in May, reports Xinhua news agency.

He died at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), where he spent more than three weeks since returning from his holiday.

It is believed to be only the 10th recorded case of the disease

in Australia since 2001.

Japanese encephalitis is endemic to Southeast Asia where it is common in rural areas. Between 20 and 30 per cent of cases of the disease cause a brain infection which ultimately leads to death.

Steven Tong, the doctor who treated the deceased man at the RMH, said that the risk of catching Japanese encephalitis was “vanishingly rare” due to the small number of mosquitoes that carry the disease.

“We don’t have Japanese en-

cephalitis within Australia itself, so it has to be acquired during travel to areas of risk,” Tong told the media on Thursday.

Doctors said that man did not have any contact with animals or travel to rural areas while in Southeast Asia, but did report being bitten by mosquitoes many times.

Tong said that there was no threat the disease would spread within Australia because the disease breeds in aquatic birds which are not found in the country.

Trump proposes to build Mexico wall with solar panels WAsHInGTOn, JUne 22 (IAns): US President Donald Trump has proposed to install solar panels on the wall he wants to be built along the border with Mexico, so that the energy produced will help finance it and that Mexico “will have to pay a lot less money”.

“We’re thinking of something that’s unique, we’re talking about the southern border, lots of sun, lots of heat. We’re thinking about building the wall as a solar wall so it will generate energy and pay for itself,” Trump said on Wednesday during a rally in the city of Cedar

Rapids, Iowa.

“And this way, Mexico will have to pay much less money.

And that’s good, Right?”

The idea of putting solar panels on the wall had already been circulating for two weeks in Washington D.C. since the President spoke of the plan at a private meeting with a group of Republican lawmakers on June 6, but Trump had not mentioned it in public until now, reports Efe news.

He suggested the plan was his own, saying: “Pretty good imagination, right? Good? My idea”, reports the BBC.

During his campaign, Trump pledged to build a wall along the Mexican border to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

Trump insisted he would make Mexico pay for the bill, but President Enrique Pena Nieto has dismissed the idea.

More than 200 companies have reportedly responded to an invitation from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit designs for the wall.

Among them was one from Gleason Partners in Las Vegas that proposed a wall of steel, cement and solar panels.

I can’t go out: Texting for help from Marawi MARAWI CITY, JUne 22 (ReUTeRs): Trapped in a war zone, Carmalia Baunto’s husband, Nixon, had been trying for weeks to stay alive as Islamist guerrillas and Philippine government forces battled for control of Marawi City.

With the fighting raging around him, Nixon texted and called throughout, until just over a week ago when the messages stopped abruptly, leaving his wife praying that it was just his cellphone battery that had died.

“I’m OK, but I can’t go out.

The house is safe,” the 41-yearold hardware store owner had told his wife in a message from their home inside the southern Philippines city.

He heard gunbattles in the street, he wrote, and hid from black-clad fighters who have pledged allegiance to Islamic State and have occupied the city’s commercial district for a month.

On June 14, at 9:59 a.m., Nixon texted to ask Carmalia to buy him more credit for his phone, which she did.

Then the messages stopped, and his phone stopped ringing.

“I’ve had sleepless nights since then,” Carmalia, 42, told Reuters at Marawi’s government compound, where she has been sleeping in a mosque

while awaiting word of her husband.

The couple and their children were out of town when fighting erupted in Marawi on May 23, but Nixon went in the next day to check on their home and got trapped. Like most of the city’s residents, the family is Muslim.

Officials estimate 300 to 500 people are still trapped inside Marawi, fearful of militants accused of using civilians as human shields as much as of government airstrikes and starvation.

Some families have sent messages saying they have resorted to eating blankets or cardboard dipped in water to keep hunger at bay.

The Philippine military has said it is in the final stages of its operation to oust the insurgents, whose ranks contain local militants and foreign, battlehardened fighters from Islamic State’s campaigns in Syria and Iraq.

The fighters have put up tough resistance, exploiting the city’s narrow streets, thick concrete walls and basements, and harassing troops with sniper fire and Molotov cocktails.

Philippines military aircraft - with technical assistance from U.S. special forces - have pummelled the city with 500-pound

A government soldier guards a city hall compound, as government troops continue their assault against insurgents from the Maute group, who have taken over parts of Marawi City, Philippines on June 22. (REUTERS Photo)

bombs, raising fears about the safety of civilians unable to get out.

In the early stages of the conflict, many people were texting and calling in their whereabouts.

Their best hope of getting out lies with a “peace corridor” initiative of President Rodrigo Duterte.

It comprises Philippine army officers and their former adversaries, fighters from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a peace deal with the government in 2014.

The team says it has helped to evacuate 270 people since it was set up on June 4. It has also delivered supplies to those who

remain behind.

Others have escaped by making their own way across the city, dodging sniper fire, to cross the Banggolo bridge over the Agus river and reach the government-controlled area.

BATTERIES RUN DOWN But there is no power and water in the city. Phone batteries have now largely run down and the team has no way to contact most of those inside, including Nixon Baunto. He had used two phones, his wife said, and the power must have run out in both.

Families visiting the evacuation team’s office on Wednesday provided 15 new names of

loved ones they say are trapped in the city, according to Wendell Orbeso, a director at the Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Later, the team received a text saying 10 or more people were hiding out in a grocery store.

“We don’t exactly know how many people are still there,” Orbeso told Reuters at the office in a government building now mostly used to house evacuees.

The locations of the beleaguered civilians are passed to military commanders in the hope that soldiers can rescue them.

After flushing militants from the city’s neighbourhoods, troops have moved house-to-house, watching out for booby traps that include cooking gas cylinders rigged to explode, Gen. Ramiro Manuel Rey told reporters in Marawi on Wednesday.

Carmalia has been told the army is close to clearing the militants from the area around her home, she said.

Nixon was too scared to leave the house, she said. He believed he would likely be captured by the militants or mistaken for a fighter and shot by the military, he told her.

He had survived by collecting and drinking rainwater.

10

FriDAY 23•06•2017

SportS/public diScourSe

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Power Comm go top of 1st Kohima dist inter-school Morning Premier League Only one answer football tournament 2017 Our Correspondent Kohima | June 22

The 1st edition of Kohima district inter-school football tournament 2017 under the aegis of Royal Club Kohima and school education department will take place from June 26 to July 15 at the Kohima Local Ground.

Announcing this during a press conference here, Royal Club president Er. Kevizatuo Miachieo said the tournament will witness the participation of 24 schools which is to be played on a knock out basis.

The champion will pocket a cash prizes of Rs. 70,000 while the runners up will be awarded with Rs.50,000. Losing semi finalists will get Rs. 20,000 each.

The club informed that a match allowance amounting to Rs.1000 will be given to each team.

The participating schools includes; North Field, Vinyiizo School, Mt. Sinai HSS, Bethel HSS, St. Peter School, Charity School, Naga Bazar Baptist, BMS Jotsoma, St. Mary’s HSS, Vineyard, Azedon, G. Rio School, Mezhur HSS, Model HSS, MHBHSS, TMGHSS, Khedi Baptist HSS, Stella HSS, Chandmari HSS, Mt. Hermon HSS, BHS Tseminyu, Rii-

T

Royal Club Kohima members during a press conference in Kohima on June 22. (Morung photo)

ziikhrie HSS, Baptist High and Dainty Buds.

Promoting the game of football in Nagaland is a cherished objective of the Royal Club Kohima. The Club has been involved in the conduct of football since 1988.

Since, not many of the players get the opportunity to go out of the state; Royal Club decided that opportunity for such players may be provided by bringing reputed teams from across India to play at home. In pursuance of this purpose, the Club has organized The Royal Gold Cup, the only All India Football Federation affiliated and the only all India open football tournament in Nagaland till 22nd Royal Gold Cup 2013.

The Royal Gold Cup has made it possible for many of the state players to play against some of the most reputed teams in India such as, the Mohan Bagan of Kolkata, the Mo-

he idea to forge a Pan – Naga Organisation was first visualized by the men of the Naga Labour Corps amidst the First World War. They were recruited by the Imperial British Government and deployed in France and Asia Minor to assist the British and its allies in logistics as non-combatant soldiers in their war against the Central power led by Germany. It was during the said foreign sojourn that they came in contact with people of the civilised world and were fascinated by their lifestyle which was built on the modern concept of liberty, equality and fraternity. Besides, they realized that they were neither European nor Indian.

Awakened by the above ideals coupled with bitter experiences in the theatre of war they eventually realised the need to have unity, brotherhood and the urgency to inculcate the spirit of comradeship amongst the Naga tribesmen. After the end of the war, back home in the Naga Hills, the remnants of the Labour Corps along with some politically conscious Naga tribesmen formed the Naga Club, a socio-politico organisation with a view to pursue certain goals of common interest. Meanwhile the Indian Statutory Commission, popularly known as the Simon Commission, which was appointed under the Government of India Act, 1919 came to India and also visited Kohima on 10th January, 1929. The Naga Club submitted a memorandum stating inter alia their opposition to include the Naga Hills from the purview of the proposed reform scheme and further raised a demand for self-rule in the event of the British relinquishing power in India. They told the said Commission member Mr. Atlee and Mr. Cadogan that “you are the only people who have ever conquered us and when you go we should be as we were”.

Pursuant to the recommendations of the Commission, the Government of India Act, 1935 was passed and a part of the demand of the Nagas was conceded. Accordingly on 1st April, 1937 the Naga Hill District became an “Excluded Area” within the province of Assam. This meant that no Act of Central or Provincial legislature would apply to the Naga Hills without the concurrence of the Governor of Assam and the power to administer the Naga Hills was placed directly under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Assam. It is in the fitness of things that the government of Nagaland has erected a monolith and is set to build a memorial park to commemorate the contribution and sacrifice of the Naga Labour Corps. In Garo Hills, the Garo Labour Corps who went to France are remembered every year and it appears that no such day is organised to remember the Naga Labour Corps. The writers would suggest that June 28th ought to be chosen as the day for remembering the Naga Labour Corps since the treaty of Versailles was signed on that day in the year 1919 that brought the World War – I to an end.

The next important landmark political development in the history of Nagas is the formation of the Naga National Council (NNC) in March, 1946. The initial objective of NNC was to achieve maximum autonomy within the province of Assam, however the temperament of the NNC began to change rather

hammadans of Kolkatta, the George Telegraph also from Kolkatta, Mahindra & Mahindra from Mumbai, Punjab Police from Jalandar, Rashtriya Chemicals from Mumbai and many other teams from across India.

The coming of football economy has also seriously impacted the game of football in India. The emergence of India League (I League) in 2007 and the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2013 has not only commercialized professional football in the country but has also globalised football in India.

Against this backdrop, football players from the neighboring states in the north east are emerging with dominance among the professional footballers in India.

Today, about 20 to 25 per cent of the professional football players come from North East, a region that

comprises of hardly 8 per cent of the country’s population. Sadly, Nagaland football remains to bask in the glory of Late Dr. T.Ao who led the Indian team to the Summer Olympics in 1948.

The club stated that changing time demands change in strategy.

Hence, the Club has now decided to focus on the development of football in Nagaland beginning with a grass root programme with the launch of the first edition of Kohima district inter school football tournament.

The Club exudes confidence on the upcoming talents and bank on their hard work, dedication and commitment where skill and talents are in abundance and that harnessing the budding talents and mounding them shall once again facilitate players from Nagaland find their rightful place in the world of football.

MLA Dr. Nicky Kire, who is also member of Royal Club said that the Club may also connect similar tournament to other districts and bring the best team to the state level.

Meanwhile, there will be briefing for team managers and coaches on June 25 at 4:00 PM. All the concerned have been requested to attend the same.

T

Kohima, June 22 (mexn): Power Comm took lead of the Morning Premier League on Thursday with a 6-1 mauling of Mustang FC. The win powered Power Comm to topple Medical XI from the pinnacle of the league table – albeit on a superior goal difference. Both teams have 35 points from 16 games but with only two games remaining, Power Comm’s superior goal difference of +29 compared to Medical XI’s +18 could be crucial in determining the winner of the league.

Thursday’s encounter on a rain soaked DKhel Ground here in Kohima witnessed a team effort from Power Comm as they combined seam-

The Yoke of Oppression Panger Aonok, Advocate

quickly and under its banner the Nagas started to demand complete independence. Following the demand of the NNC in January, 1947, the then Governor of Assam Sir Akbar Hydari held political negotiation with the top leaders of NNC which culminated in the signing of the historic “Nine Point Agreement”, however the agreement failed to see the light of the day. Apparently it was drafted hurriedly as the clauses were worded with ambiguous and equivocal language which eventually resulted in both sides interpreting them to suit one’s own purpose. The chief point of conflict was Clause -9 which according to the Nagas was the crux of the agreement. The Nagas interpreted Clause-9 to infer right to secede and to opt out of the union at the end of ten years. But Sir Hydari Ali took a diametrically opposite stand and warned the Nagas that India would use force against them in the event the people of Naga Hills refused to join the Union of India. In view of the contradictory interpretation of Clause -9, the agreement was destined to die a natural death and was soon pushed into historical oblivion.

Shortly a delegation went to Delhi to call Mahatma Gandhi to apprise him of the resolve of the NNC to declare Naga independence on 14th August, 1947.

Gandhiji gave them a patient hearing and told the members of the delegate that they have every right to be independent and assured his willingness to stand by the Nagas in their fight for independence. But as destiny would have it, Gandhiji was soon assassinated by the cruel hand of an assassin Shri NathuramVinayak Godse on 30th January, 1948. In the wake of the failure to implement the Nine Point Agreement, the extremists within the NNC who favoured complete independence gained control of the organization and toyed with the idea of armed struggle. The moderates who denounced the cult of violence resigned en masse from NNC. Over the years the persistent demand of NNC for self-rule was put into cold storage by the Central Government of Nehru on the ground that the desire for independence was held by a handful of educated Nagas and to disprove such a notion, the NNC held a plebiscite in the year 1951, in which ninety nine per cent of the people voted for a separate Naga country.

With the overwhelming mandate of the people, the NNC supremo and others met Prime Minister Nehru as many as three times between 1951-1953 and put forth the desire of the Nagas for self-rule as evident from the result of the plebiscite but to no avail due to the indifferent and unrelenting attitude of Nehru. The Nagas boycotted the First General Elections held in 1952. A.Z. Phizo was all set to internationalise the Naga issue and many Naga tribesmen flocked to take on the armed might of the Indian Government. They formed the Home Guards and many joined the fledgling fighting force. Women’s wing was organised to perform the duties of nurses, cooks, tailors and were assigned as couriers in the

espionage game. The Naga youth movement came into being and the members became the auxiliary forces of the Home Guards.

The arms and ammunitions dumped after the Second World War were collected. More weapons were captured during raids on police station and a good number of Assam Police Personnel were either captured or killed and their arms were snatched and taken away. Home Guards volunteers were trained in the art of handling modern weaponry. Arson, looting, murder, intimidation became the order of the day. The Assam Police and limited numbers of Assam Rifles failed to contain the uprising and thus the Indian Army was called in to assist the civil administration. The Naga Hills and Tuensang Frontier were declared as disturbed areas and subsequently the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 (AFSPA) was promulgated in the year 1958. The said Act provides a wide range of power to the Indian Army such as to shoot, to arrest, to search without warrant etc. The Armed forces operating in disturbed area enjoy full legal immunity. Under the protection of AFSPA, 1958, the Indian Army let loose a reign of terror and violated the human rights of innocent civilians with impunity. In the wake of the imposition of AFSPA fierce encounter ensued in regular interval.

Skirmishes took place on a daily basis and many innocent civilians were killed in crossfire thereby causing large scale collateral damages to both public and private properties. The following is the lists of heinous crime perpetrated by the Indian Army with impunity: (1) Murder and extra judicial killings; (2) physical assault leading to maiming of limbs; (3) sexual assault and rape; (4) outraging the modesty of women; (5) detention without legal defence; (6) desecration of churches; (7) grouping of villagers; and (8) acts of arson such as burning down of dwelling houses, granaries, church buildings etc.

There are innumerable instances of crime committed by the Indian Army but owing to constraint of space, it is pertinent to mention one deplorable incident which shocked the conscience of the Naga people. The said incident occurred on 11th July, 1971, a Sunday, in which incident a unit of the 1st Maratha Regiment led by the Commanding Officer swooped down on Yankeli Village in Wokha District and picked up four minor girls; the eldest amongst whom was a girl of 17 years. They were forcibly dragged inside the church precincts and were sexually assaulted and raped by the Commanding Officer and his subordinates taking turns in the pulpit, which is the sanctum sanctorum (holiest of the holy) of a Christian church. The Indian Army not only committed this heinous crime against humanity in the most perverted and revolting manner but also desecrated the sanctity of the church with impunity.

Waging a war against India had broken many a Naga home. Hundreds of young women were widowed, thou-

lessly to score six goals.

Shatilo opened the scoring in the 15th minute with Gum making it 2-0 less than 10 minutes later. Sume then pulled one back for the Mustangs as the first half ended 2-1.

Power Comm were a different side altogether in the second half managing to score four goals.

Senpenlo found the net right after the restart and the remaining three goals came in as many minutes – Hethanglo, Viposa and Sahovi making merry as they scored in the 68th, 69th and 70th minutes respectively.

Defeat for Mustang FC meant they continue to languish in 9th place with 8 points from 16 games.

sands of young patriots perished in one of the most inhospitable terrains and jungles of India and Burma (now Myanmar) in their fight against the mighty Indian Army’s crack Mountain Division on one side and the fighting-fit and ruthless Burmese army under the Junta regime on the other. As a result of this senseless ethnic conflicts and internecine rivalries many children became orphans and homeless, who struggled and fought hard against all odds to survive.

Another milestone in the Indo-Naga political conflict is the signing of the cease fire agreement on 25th July, 1997, between the Government of India and the Naga leaders. The said Agreement was followed by several rounds of political talks which was instrumental in recognising the unique history of the Nagas by the Government of India in July 11th, 2002. Subsequently, in the year 2003, the then Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee in exercise of his sovereign power publicly declared the Government of India’s recognition of the unique historical past of the Nagas. The declaration is a turning point in the long and chequered history of the Naga’s struggle for the right of self-determination and thereafter the balance of power and convenience is leaning in favour of the Nagas vis-à-vis the Government of India to amicably settle the long drawn Indo-Naga political conflict through peaceful means.

The recognition is in no way the magnanimous gesture of the Government of India but owes its origin to the distinctive historical background, socio-cultural diversity, legal and constitutional framework being inherited from the British era Government which has been zealously guarded and upheld by the Nagas under the leadership of A.Z. Phizo and a galaxy of stalwarts who joined the movement and played stellar roles at different relevant points of time. The political acumen, statesmanship and tenacity of the Naga leaders coupled with the fighting prowess, perseverance and will power of the underground fighters is yielding dividend as evident from the signing of the Framework Agreement. However, factional feud, egoism and schism has become endemic in the current Naga political scenario which is the Achilles heel that comes in the way to further carry forward the peace process to its logical end. Uncertainty still looms greatly over the fate of the Indo-Naga peace talk chiefly due to the mushrooming of political groups. After decades of violence and oppression, the Naga people are now yearning to restore peace and harmony. To this end, it would be prudent for all leaders of diverse group to reconcile themselves in the Christian spirit to forgive and forget and come together under one platform for political negotiation with the Government of India and resolve the issue amicably through peaceful means.

The Rev. LongriAo, “Apostle of Peace”, and Naga conscience keeper, as Chief of Liaison Committee of Naga Peace Council had once said that in reconciliation there is no victor or vanquished and there is no humiliation involved. The Bible says, “Blessed are the Peace maker, for they shall be called the Children of God.”

Monalisa Changkija

he day after Shangwang Shangyung Khaplang breathed his last on in June 9, 2017, at Taga, Myanmar, I received calls from several colleagues from “mainland” India but just one Whatsapp message from a young Journalist from a neighbouring state asking me “where does the K faction go from here now? And the entire Naga freedom movement too?” And yes, an email from a news portal asking me if I would “be interested in writing a piece taking off from Khaplang's death? What does this mean for the Naga peace process? Will most groups gather around the NSCN (IM) now? What direction do you think Naga political aspirations will take now?” etc. This could be taken as a breach of confidence but these are the same questions all of them asked. And, my replies would have also been made public. But that’s not the issue ~ even ten days (at the time of writing this) after Khaplang died, we are asking the same questions in Nagaland too ~ and indubitably, so must the Governments of India and Myanmar, and their Intelligence agencies also.

Nobody can accurately answer the question “now what?” most of all because we are talking about an organization of which we know only what it wants us to know ~ and that goes for all similar organizations for who secrecy and opaqueness is their strength and best defense.

Moreover, the success of guerilla warfare hinges on stealth so even if such organizations are very hospitable towards Journalists et al, they will reveal only what they want to.

This is even more pertinent because such organizations consist of tribals and hospitality is one of the most defining tribal traits ~ besides all tribals are loathe to divulge our “kitchen affairs” in front of guests. If it weren’t the case, there would have been no speculations by Journalists, who have gone to such organizations’ camps, interviewed the leaders and wrote articles, features and books on them, about who after Khaplang.

True, Khango Konyak has reportedly taken over as Chairman of the NSCN (K) but somehow things within this group still appear to be quite fluid. Not surprisingly, because this group has members from two countries – India and Myanmar – and it would take some time to find a leader that would be acceptable to all, as did Khaplang.

Also, it would take a long time to find a leader with the same, well almost, the same personality, stature and command, as Kaplang. And during this period of transition, anything and many things can happen ~ (a) it is possible that the several other such Naga groups would reach out to the NSCN (K) cadres, on both sides of the border; (b) Indubitably, the Governments of India and Myanmar, through their respective Intelligence agencies, would also work on reaching out to the new leadership ~ not least individual cadres; (c) let’s also not forget that NGOs and civil societies in Nagaland had already approached the NSCN (K) to come to the negotiating table much before Khaplang passed away ~ possibly and probably such efforts are now intensified and the results could surprise us all; (d) possibly also now with the passing away of the old, so to speak, the NSCN (K)’s new leadership could totally change strategies that could alter the face of insurgency movements in the Northeast ~ either ways. The list of possibilities are endless and so anything or many things can happen in the next few months that could and/or would impact on “peace” particularly in Nagaland and rest of the Northeast.

Then again, while the official mourning period, by all Naga tribes ~ normally five to seven days for men ~ is over, let’s not forget that the NSCN (K) is still in mourning for the passing away of not just their organization’s tallest leader but also of one of the tallest Naga leaders in the history of the Naga political movement in the modern period. Even the younger generations of Nagas have heard of Khaplang ~ much more than they did of AZ Phizo. Now, while strategies are made and future plans discussed during the period of mourning, decisions are normally never finalized at this time ~ so, only time holds the answer to “now what?” or “what next?” And it would be futile to speculate on the answers for there are circles within circles to understand the rationales of why insurgent groups operate the way they do or the ways of “national movements”. And these circles have a lot to do with much more than the political ~ after all, we existed centuries before conflicts such as insurgency and militancy emerged, which are not even a century old. Older conflicts of histories, ideologies, politics, cultures, traditions, religions, beliefs, superstitions, lore and legends of tribal societies are harder to understand, analyze and deal with through alien modern concepts such as democracy and its institutions, unmindfully imposed post-Independence, on ancient societies which have their own trajectories of democratic concepts and practices. Also conflicts entrenched in tribalism, conflicting aspirations and interests, cultural diversities and dreams and schemes of tribal hegemony, besides power struggles at varied and various levels of society, perhaps due to multiplicity of existing value-systems, are often forgotten and ignored, especially keeping in mind that these are the very same factors that also spawned insurgency and militancy, which can be understood and appreciated better if we consider that not only have tribal societies in the Northeast, especially Naga society, been rudely tossed from our subsistence economies into modern forms of economies but also our histories and cultures were unceremoniously hijacked at a certain point of time by alien forces and factors, which has disoriented us ~ spawning newer conflicts that have hitherto been ignored, neglected or simply brushed off as extraneous to the larger scheme of things of matters Northeast. It must be underscored here that standing at the crossroads of the traditional and modernity, we are still unsure how to view and what to make of the rapidly-changing equations around us, locally, regionally, nationally and globally ~ and so we tend to look at them with suspicion, with trepidation and either retreat into a form of passivity or react defiantly.

The entrenched impact of such a situation calls for an in-depth study of the psychological profiles of our peoples, which have shaped our histories, economies, politics, cultures, traditions, and laws, which have also simultaneously shaped our psychological profiles over the centuries. Today we may be a kind of by-product of western or modern orientations by way of education and the technological revolution increasingly reaching our remotest areas but our people are also products of ingrained traditional cultures and concepts. Add to that our inability and/ or unwillingness to shed our biases and prejudices, and generally our traditional and cultural viewpoints (often self-centered) of the world thereby unwittingly imprisoning ourselves to the ‘dominant’ politics, economics, cultures, ideologies, often made out to be the ‘dominant aspirations’ of our peoples, which do get internalized.

There are no easy answers that can be given in a few minutes’ sound/“print” bytes. But then sound/“print” bytes are not, and cannot be, the intent of journalism.

Hence to all these questions, I have only one answer: I’m a Journalist, not a Soothsayer.

(The Columnist, a journalist and poet, is Editor, Nagaland Page) (Courtesy: Assam Tribune)

Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

Friday 23•06•2017

EntErtainmEnt

11:00 AM | 02:00 PM | 08:00 PM

‘No royal wants the throne’

‘TubelighT’ child actor Matin Rey Tangu shuts down a racist question

I Harry’s astonishing claim about the future of the monarchy is revealed in extraordinary interview

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rince Harry says no one in the Royal Family wants to be king or queen. In an extraordinary interview he insists however that Britain and other countries still need 'the magic' of the monarchy.

The 32-year-old prince also appears to criticise his family's decision to make him walk behind his mother's coffin as a 12-year-old, saying: 'No child should be asked to do that.'

On the monarchy, he asks: 'Is there any one of the Royal Family who wants to be king or queen? I don't think so, but we will carry out our duties at the right time.'

Harry has never kept secret his lack of desire for the 'top job' – and now appears to be suggesting that no one else in his family, including his brother William, wants it either.

But he adds: 'The monarchy is a force for good and we want to carry on the positive atmosphere that the Queen has achieved for over 60 years, but we won't be trying to fill her boots. We are involved in modernising the British monarchy. We are not doing this for ourselves but for the greater good of the people.

'The Queen has been fantastic in letting us choose. She tells us to take our time.'

The comments come in an interview with the US magazine, Newsweek.

In 1997, Harry joined his father Charles, grandfather Philip, 15-year-old brother and uncle, Earl Spencer, in a procession

through London for the funeral of his mother Diana.

Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne, says: 'My mother had just died, and I had to walk a long way behind her coffin, surrounded by thousands of people watching me while millions more did on television. 'I don't think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances. I don't think it would happen today.'

Both Harry and William have been on the receiving end of criticism about their dedication to their royal roles, carrying out only a fraction of the engagements even their elderly grandparents manage.

William has been accused of being work shy and finally made the decision to leave his home in Norfolk this summer to move back to London and focus on helping the Queen, 91, and soon-to-retire, Duke of Edinburgh. After several days of almost back-to-back engagements the 96-year-old duke has been admitted to hospital again for treatment for what is believed to be a bladder infection.

Speaking at Kensington Palace, Harry says: 'I am now fired up and energised and love charity stuff, meeting people and making them laugh.

'I sometimes still feel I am living in a goldfish bowl, but I now manage it better. 'I still have a naughty streak too, which I enjoy and is how I relate to those individuals who have got themselves into trouble.'

The Newsweek article says the prince stresses several times that he aches to be something other

than 'Prince Harry' but that he also is in a rush to make something of his life and make a difference.

He makes clear that, in partnership with William and his wife Kate, the young royals are also keen to modernise the monarchy – although there is, intriguingly, no mention of their father, Charles.

Harry insists they have huge respect what their 'remarkable' grandmother has done over her 65-year reign as Britain's longest serving sovereign and have no desire to 'fill her boots'. He says: 'The Queen tells us to take our time and really think things through. We use our time wisely. We don't want to turn up, shake hands but not get involved.'

Asked whether he worries that an 'ordinary' Royal Family would take away 'The Firm's' mystery, Harry replies: 'It's a tricky balancing act.

We don't want to dilute the magic.

The British public and the whole world need institutions like it.'

He talks of his rehabilitation from playboy prince to one of the most popular members of the royal family with huge successes such as the Invictus Games for injured servicemen and women under his belt: 'My search began when I was in my mid-20s. I needed to fix the mistakes I was making.

In the Newsweek article Harry also praises Diana for playing a huge part in showing him an 'ordinary' life.

He adds that he does his own shopping, saying: 'People would be amazed by the ordinary life William and I live.'

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

n a promotional masterstroke, the makers of superstar Salman Khan-starrer Tubelight introduced the audience to the little boy from the movie, Matin Rey Tangu, four days before the film’s release. The kid, who hails from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, and was only seen in film’s trailers shared the stage with the actor at a press meet on Monday evening. Salman Khan has been full of praises for eight-year-old Matin and we could see why at the event.

T

B

asking on the success of its previous events, the 4th edition of the Support Gig will be held at West Road Mall (rooftop) in Kohima on June 24 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

The artists for this edition are Rugks, Moko Koza, Macnivil and MC Liden aka LiL` Bomb.

All the three selected artists headlining the show are distinct in their range of influences but their purpose remains the same—to represent their hometown in principality and position it triumphantly across the Hip-Hop map.

car in 2013 for playing U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in "Lincoln." His win made him the first man to be awarded three best actor Oscars in the history of the Academy Awards. He previously won Academy Awards for his roles as a paraplegic Irish writer in "My Left Foot" (1989) and a greedy early 20th century oil baron in "There Will Be Blood" (2007).

The tall, intellectual actor keeps a low-key profile and is known for choosing his roles carefully and taking long breaks between films. In the late 1990s, he took time off from acting to work as an apprentice shoe-maker in Italy. After his 2013 Oscar win for "Lincoln," London's Sunday Times reported that he planned to take a sabbatical at his farm in Ireland.

Day-Lewis is known for his meticulous preparation. For "Lincoln," he spent months researching Lincoln's political and per-

it wasn’t audible to him, Salman, who had heard the first question, interrupted, turned towards Matin and asked him, “She is asking, if you have come to India for the first time?” The journalist repeated and said, “Is it first time in Mumbai?”

Salman, however, stuck to his question and asked Matin again, “She is asking, if you have come to India for the first time?”

The boy, who had already by then left the media persons in awe with his sharpness, replied, “India?

Hum India per hi baithta

hai, toh India par aayega hi kaise?” (I live in India. How will I 'come' to India?),” as the crowd emerged in cheers and applause.

Tubelight is set against the backdrop of 1962 SinoIndian war and Salman’s Chinese co-star in the film is actor Zhu Zhu, who is making her Bollywood debut. She hasn’t been to India yet for the promotions and director Kabir Khan has said that her India visit will only happen after the film’s release. Tubelight hits theatres this Friday.

Source: Indianexpress

World Music Day celebration in Kohima

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limpses of the World Music Day celebration in Kohima on June 21. Two events took place in Kohima to mark the day. Symphony Production/ Symphony Academy of Music in collaboration with Indihut, SAN Production, Support and Kohima Music Community celebrated the day at The Heritage while DK’s Entertainment with the support of Fun Tree Crew and Chromatic Clef observed the day at the State Academy Hall under the theme ‘Peace and harmony through music.

Sonam Kapoor's fashion label wins PETA award

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ctress Sonam Kapoor and her producer-sister Rhea Kapoor's fashion label Rheson has bagged the Compassionate Business Award from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India for a line of bags made exclusively of vegan materials.

"Shoppers' demand for

4th Edition of Support Triple Oscar winner Daniel DayGig this Saturday Lewis ReTiRing fROM acTing hree-time Oscar winner Daniel DayLewis is retiring from acting, his spokeswoman said on Tuesday, ending a storied movie career that includes performances in "Lincoln" and "Gangs of New York." Day-Lewis, 60, the only man to have won three best actor Oscars, gave no reason for his decision, calling it private.

"Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor," his publicist, Leslee Dart, said in a statement.

"He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years."

The statement said there would be no further comment. He has one more movie in the works -"Phantom Thread," which is set in London's 1950s fashion world and is due to be released in December.

Day-Lewis, who was born in Britain and holds dual Anglo-Irish citizenship, won his third best actor Os-

The event, which was filled with moments of wonder thanks to Salman’s little co-star, took an embarrassing turn when a reporter asked Matin if this is the first time he is visiting India, assuming he is Chinese. The journalist was corrected by another scribe sitting beside her, who told her Matin is from Arunachal Pradesh.

Realising the goof-up, she changed her question to, “If this is the first time you have come to Mumbai?”

Even as Matin asked her to repeat her question for

cruelty-free fashion is on the rise and thanks to compassionate companies like Rheson, it's easier than ever to get a killer look without killing animals," says Benazir Suraiya, PETA's fashion expert and associate manager of celebrity and media projects.

This is not the first time that Sonam, who

was crowned PETA's Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity of 2016, has stood for animals. In 2015, she wrote a letter to the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, urging him not to revoke the ban on classroom dissection for university lifescience and zoology students.

DIMAPUR CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP PRESENTS A CO N CERT BY TH E NAGAL AN D CHAM B ER CH O I R & J O EY WO CH M U SI C STU D I O I N AI D O F CH U RCH B U I LD I N G PROJ ECT

sonal life and before shooting began he was texting his screen wife, Sally Field, in 19th century vernacular.

"For My Left Foot," he spent weeks living in a wheelchair, and while shooting "Gangs of New York" he was known for sharpening knives between takes to capture the menace of his character Bill "The Butcher" Cutting. Day-Lewis has three children and is married to writer and director Rebecca Miller.

Source: Reuters

In March 2010, she sent a letter on behalf of PETA to then-Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil, urging him to ban glass-coated manja across the state after Mumbai police banned it within the city. And in 2011, she donated "kind kites" to children to help prevent injuries from manja.

Source: IANS

The Anthem Rises

25|JUNE|2017 • 6:0 0 PM • IMC HALL TICKETS AVAIL ABLE WITH D CF M EM BERS AND WILL AL SO BE AVAIL ABLE AT THE VENUE

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Friday 23•06•2017

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

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