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SaturDaY • June 24 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 171• 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
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T R u T H
In revolutions the occasions may be trifling but great interest are at stake — Aristotle As Modi prepares for Trump meeting, US expected to OK India drone purchase PAGE 08
By Sandemo Ngullie
PAGE 02
T Khel, Khm Village demand A dialogue on ‘Gendered Practices & probe into suspected murder emerging Discourses in naga society’ Morung Express news Dimapur | June 23
if the ban is not lifted, forget india, in a couple years our cows will overtake China population.
The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion
Vote on www.morungexpress.com sMs your answer to 9862574165 Do you agree that the present Election practice is the key that keeps the wheel of corruption turning in Nagaland? Yes
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One killed in alleged street brawl Morung Express news Dimapur | June 23
One youth died following an alleged street brawl in Mokokchung on June 23. According to reports received from Mokokchung, the incident occurred around 7:00 pm near the Deputy Commissioner’s office complex. The deceased’s body, as per the Mokokchung police, was dumped at the District hospital premises by unidentified persons who absconded. The police while stating that they were in process of investigation said that the deceased, identified as one Sentilong was found dead. The police added that they have found some leads and were on the lookout for the suspects.
DMC informs shopkeepers DIMAPUR, JUNE 23 (MExN): The Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) has informed that in order to facilitate customers for the forthcoming Eid festivals, all shop keepers other then workshop, industries within DMC Jurisdiction are allowed to keep their respective shops open on June 25, Sunday, from 2:00pm onwards. This was informed in a press note from the DMC.
Nagaland Finance Department notifies on Common Goods and Services portal
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DIMAPUR, JUNE 23 (MExN): In a notification, the Nagaland State Finance Department has informed that the website www.gst.gov. in will be the Common Goods and Services portal for facilitating registration, payment of tax, furnishing of returns, computation and settlement of integrated tax and electronic way bill. Finance Commissioner Abhijit Sinha said the notification shall come into force from June 24, 2017 onwards.
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Protestors carrying a banner during the silent protest in Kohima on June 23.
our Correspondent Kohima | June 23
The Tsutuonuomia Khel, Kohima Village today staged a silent procession in the state capital Kohima, in protest against the suspected murder of one Shuro-o Solo, who was found dead on the night of June 18 at Kisama. Wearing black badge and carrying banners, the procession started from Mission Compound till the office of Kohima deputy commissioner, where a memorandum was submitted. In a memorandum submitted to Kohima DC, it stated that late Solo was a member of Tsutuonuomia Khel, Kohima village and a resident of Kuozhu (New Minister’s Hill) Kohima. “The dead body wore a deep wound on the left temple which is suspected to have been caused by some weapon and not from any accidental fall. We suspect that the death was caused by some foul play,” stated the memorandum signed by
Thepfuvilie Suohu, Chairman and Kelhousinyu Solo, Secretary T Khel Council; and Neizelhou Sekhose, Head GB, T Khel on behalf of T Khel Council, Kohima village. The memorandum informed that a police case has been registered under Khuzama PS and the case is stated to be under investigation. It asked the Kohima DC to complete the police investigation, bring out the truth. While meeting deputy commissioner in his office chamber, the members requested the police and district administration to expedite the investigation. Kohima Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Soundararajan said that the case has been registered and police have started the investigation. He assured that inquiry will be done without any bias. The Kohima Superintendent of Police meanwhile also informed that investigation is going on and assured that police will do its best.
SC sets up doctors panel on plea to terminate 6 month pregnancy NEw DElhI, JUNE 23 (IANS): The Supreme Court on Friday set up a panel of seven doctors to examine and ascertain the medical condition of a Kolkata-based expectant mother seeking the termination of her 24-week-old pregnancy. A vacation bench of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul asked the panel from Kolkata’s Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research (SSKM Hospital) to submit its report by June 29 when the court would hear the matter. The parents have moved the top court seeking to abort the pregnancy on the grounds that foetus suffers from such abnormalities which may endanger the health of the mother. The top court’s order came as West Bengal government told the vacation bench that it has decided to get the mother and the foetus medically examined by a team of doctors. The court also pursued a medical report which said that child born with such abnormalities may not survive even the first surgery. The parents have also challenged the constitutional validity of Section 3(2)(b) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 that prohibits termination of pregnancy beyond 20 weeks, contending that restriction could have been reasonable in 1971 when the law was enacted but today with technological advancement, it was perfectly safe to undergo MTP even up to 26 weeks.
Gender role and practices in the context of Naga traditions versus change and modernity was at the crux of a panel discussion held today in Dimapur. The Naga Scholars Association and Heritage Publishing House organised the discussion at the DABA’s Elim Hall, where Naga personalities from differing schools of thought converged deliberating on the title theme ‘Gendered Practices and Emerging Discourses in Naga Society’. “Intertwined between privileges (constitutional provision) and opportunities (education) gender is becoming a point of contestations and contradictions among different members and stakeholders in Naga society, where, ‘Gender’ in most cases is equated with women. Understanding the idea that both men and women are an integral part of the society is lacking,” stated the concept note, that set the tone of the daylong discussion. “To talk about men without women will be incomplete and vice versa and herein lies the important task for us to interrogate the gendered practices and roles sanctioned by the customs and traditions.” The concept note underlined the need to strike a balance between customary rights and the Indian Constitution, as the rights guaranteed are pitted against each other. With that in context, the note emphasised a critical need to “examine the issues and negotiate within the materiality of culture for a just Naga society where the voices from the margins are heard and listened to…” Further, 5 sub-themes were outlined for the panellists to engage on – customary laws and practices, gendered roles in Naga society, Article 371A and the current debate women reservation, adoption and inheritance and women’s participation in
decision making. While the views differed, there was common refrain; that of a latent desire to include women in decision making. Former Naga Hoho president, Chuba Ozukum held that a tendency to interpret (Article 371A) “as per convenience” has given rise to “clash of interest.” While justifying the perceived silence of the Naga Hoho at the height of the ULB and reservation crisis, Ozukum vouched for having a Municipal Act suitable to the prevailing customary practices. NMA advisor, Rosemanry Dzüvichu looked at it from the perspective from what has happened in recent times. Terming as unjust the branding of women who took to court the issue of women’s participation in decision making, Dzüvichu questioned the justification behind the opposition to reservation in the ULBs while the state already has in place reservation at the Village Development Boards without much ado. Stating that “the core issue is definitely the entry of women into decision making bodies,” she pointed to a misinterpretation of intent to have caused the reservation imbroglio. Khesheli Chishi, former NMA president, said, notwithstanding the opposition of the men folk to the entry of women into decision making, the men have not failed to seek the help of women when it comes to dousing conflict situations. Calling for change in mindset, she said, “Give a chance to us… mothers and sisters.” Kekhrie Yhome of the NPMHR called for a critical need for greater debate and deliberation. Yhome said that the NPMHR as a human rights organisation draws inspiration from internationally accepted principles. According to him, the present Naga society with its traumatised past is caught between a wish for a futuristic vision and nostalgia of the past. Toshi Wungtung, ENPO Advisor while stating, “We are not opposed to
nPf: nPcc statement a political nonsense
DIMAPUR, JUNE 23 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has termed NPCC’s statement criticizing the decision of the party to support the BJP-RSS Presidential candidate as “political nonsense.” A rejoinder issued by the media & press bureau, NPF central office on Friday said the NPCC and its president as no moral right to grumble or question the decision of the NPF to maintain its alliance with the NDA or with any other party at the centre. “Therie has absolutely no right whatsoever to question the NPF-led DAN government to support or not to support any body’s candidature in the forthcoming presidential election. The NPF
doesn’t need the approval of NPCC to support someone’s Presidential candidature,” the NPF rejoinder countered. It stated that the NPF has always been an ally of the non-Congress national party since 1977 even before the BJP was formed and this alliance was renewed and strengthened in the early part of 2003 when in our state the non-Congress political parties formed the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland. The NPF also reminded that the NPCC President, who himself was once a Minister in the NPF-led DAN government, knows the principles of the NPF party, “but strangely, he is now trying to decide for the NPF party who it should support for the
Presidential election.” Rather, the NPF suggested that he should “display his political maturity and concentrate on how or what his party can contribute for the Presidential election rather than wasting his time on nonsense activities such as poking his nose over the upcoming bye election issue which is purely the concern of the ECI.” The NPF also reminded the Congress party and its president that NPF, being an alliance partner of the NDA, shall continue to uphold the alliance principles, and “shall not stop to throw stones at each barking dog but take the people forward to the destination of peace, progress and prosperity.”
reservation per se,” added that there is the sceptre of apprehensive questioning if it is brought up. While stating that women’s reservation is an instrument of change, at the same time, he said that one must be mindful of the affect it would have on the sanctity of Article 371A. He further vouched for codification of customary laws if there has to be change. Tsachola Sangtam, Advisor, Eastern Naga Women’s Organisation, while maintaining that Article 371A is for both men and women, said, “At the end of the day, we are going to be in the same home.” P. Pius Lotha from CNTC maintained that there is no discrimination between men and women in Naga society. According to him, the CNTC recommended nomination instead of reservation in the ULBs. The Ao Watsu Mungdang representative Temsujungla while stating that women’s participation is must, said that reservation will in no way hamper the traditional practices and called for change along with the times. As to inheritance of property, she said that the status quo be maintained with ancestral property while those acquired in the lifetime of the husband and wife be bequeathed to the couple’s biological children irrespective of sex. She also rang a chord with Wungtung’s call for codifying customary law with Dr. Khekuga Muru of ACAUT, further calling for one Naga uniform code of customary oflaw. Dzüvichu however questioned the practicality of having such a uniform customary law citing the varied traditional beliefs and customs found in every Naga village. She also sought to clarify the allegation that Naga women are challenging Article 371A. On the participation of women in the opposition to the ULB elections, she said that intimidation and threat of monetary penalty was what forced women to participate eventually. Related story on page 5
No plans yet to re-enter ceasefire with NSCN (K): CMFG Chairman NoNgkREM (MEghAlAyA), JUNE 23 (IANS): The Indian government has no plans to re-enter into a ceasefire agreement with the Myanmar-based National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K), an official said on Friday. “We have no plans (to re-sign the ceasefire agreement). Let’s give sometime for things to settle down... it is too early to comment on it,” Ceasefire Monitoring Group Chairman D.K.Pathak told journalists at the Assam Rifles headquarters here. Pathak’s statement is significant following the recent appointment of Khango Konyak as the Chairman of the NSCN-K after the outfit’s chief S.S. Khaplang died on June 9 in
Taka in Myanmar’s Sagaing Division. Nagaland Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu had revealed that Khaplang had conveyed his willingness to have dialogue with the Indian government for an early solution to the Naga issue. He said that the Nagaland government has been sending delegations to meet the NSCN-K leadership in Myanmar in recent times to convince the group to re-enter into the peace process with the Indian government. NSCN-K faction, abrogated the ceasefire, signed in 2001, with the Indian government on March 27, 2015, just a month before the truce was up for renewal.
NSCN (IM) breaks silence on 4-lane project ‘tax’ road block
DIMAPUR, JUNE 23 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) today stated its version on the allegation made against them for halting the road construction works at NH -29 in connection to tax demand. It blamed the so called misunderstanding related to the halting of works as “purely within the Nagaland Contractors and Suppliers Union (NCSU).” In a press statement, MIP NSCN (IM) claimed that it has been “overseeing all kinds of developmental projects being undertaken within Nagalim to see that works are executed according to the specifications and quality is maintained for the good of the Naga people, of which, the ongo-
ing constructions of 4-lane between Dimapur and Kohima was no exception.” It stated that from time to time the NSCN (IM) have been reminding the ECI and Maytas Gayatri to ensure that works quality is maintained and completed within the stipulated time, adding that they have also been strictly instructed that for the ongoing works the local labourers and workers are employed. On June 16, the NSCN (IM) said its officials found the construction work halted and upon inquiry from the engineers working in the field found out that works weresuspendedduetoheavy rains, the MIP claimed. But the next day, “social
media and print media has gone to the fullest directly pointing fingers at the NSCN blaming for halting works,” the NSCN (IM) stated. It also alleged that “unrecognized and un-mandated organization like ACAUT joined the bandwagon.” Even the Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya was pressurized to such extent that he rushed to Delhi and complained to the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, the NSCN (IM) went on to state. Furthermore, the MIP stated that the “so called ACAUT had the audacity to give 3 days- ultimatum to the NSCN/ GPRN making a big joke of themselves.” In this connection, the
NSCN (IM) informed that it reached out and enquired wherein the NCSU reportedly clarified that it was just a “communication gap” within the union itself and that it would be clarified through the newspapers the next day. However, it stated that the “next day went on and on and on while giving a free hand to the medias and social medias to play havoc against the NSCN/GPRN.” The NSCN (IM) stated that when the NCSU president, whom it alleged was “playing all the games,” was summoned by Kilo Kilonser Hukavi Yepthomi on June 21, the former admitted that he was “using one Deputy Kilonser of the
NSCN (U) as the work supervisor” and was also assured that he would “clarify the matter for making media make false allegation against the NSCN (IM).” In contrary, the NSCN (IM) stated, “the clarification of the NCSU in local papers on June 23 mentioned only about agreement on June 21 to resume works on June 22 which came as a big surprise because the NSCN is not dealing with NCSU but the NSCN deals with the companies directly.” The NSCN (IM) has requested the public to “understand from that perspective and refrain from unfounded and wild allegations.”
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