C M Y K
www.morungexpress.com
FriDAY • June 09 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 156• 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it Fired FBI Director Comey faces Senate and rebuts Prez Trump
T R u T H
— Voltaire
Dimapur urban bodies take decisive resolutions
PAGe 09
o F
Warriors take 3-0 lead over Cavs
PAGE 02
PAGE 12
‘india’s rising temperatures are already deadly’ NEW DELHI, JuNE 8 (AP): India is now two and a half times more likely to experience a deadly heat wave than a half century ago, and all it took was an increase in the average temperature of just 0.5 degrees Celsius (less than 1 degree Fahrenheit), a new study shows. The findings are sobering considering that the world is on track for far more warming. For the last two weeks much of Asia has been gripped by a heat wave, with a record high of 53.5 degrees C (128.3 degrees F) set in the southwest Pakistani city of Turbat on May 28 — the world’s hottestever temperature recorded for the month of May. Temperatures in the Indian capital of New Delhi have soared beyond 44 degrees C (111 degrees F). Even if countries are able to meet the Paris Agreement goals in curbing climate-warming carbon emissions, that would still only limit the global temperature rise to an estimated 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees F). “It’s getting hotter, and of course more heat waves are going to kill more people,” said climatologist Omid Mazdiyasni of the University of California, Irvine. “We knew there was going to be an impact, but we didn’t expect it to be this big,” he said. Their study, published in the journal Science Advances, shows that, while India’s average temperatures rose by more than 0.5 degrees C (0.9 degrees F) between 1960 and 2009, the probability of India experiencing a massive heat-related mortality event — defined by more than 100 deaths — shot up by 146 percent. The study also found that the number of heat wave days increased by 25 percent across most of India. Areas in the south and west experienced 50 percent more heat wave events, or periods of extreme heat lasting more than three or four days,
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
it was so hot i fainted, i’m oK now. nevertheless can i stay in this AC cabin for some more days?
The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 Unlike other NE states that stand up to the Centre, Nagaland govt is unable to take a firm stand due of over-dependence on Delhi? Why?
in 1985-2009 compared with the previous 25-year period. “The general public may think that a 1 or 2 degree temperature rise is not that significant, but our results show that even small changes can result in more heat waves and more death,” said Amir AghaKouchak, another climatologist at UC Irvine and a co-author of the report. “It stands to reason there would be more dire health impacts with more severe heat waves, and this paper provides a key quantification of those impacts for one region of the world,” said climate scientist Gerald Meehl of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, who was not involved in the study. The same methodology can be applied in any region to get a sense of how vulnerable a country or population might be, the authors said. They accounted for India’s fast-rising population and income levels in the analysis, to make sure neither affected the results. In the case of income, they found an even stronger correlation between heat waves and deaths among those who are poor. That’s bad news as India is already seeing new deadly highs. Last year in May, India recorded a record 52.4 degrees C (126.3 degrees F) in the western city of Jaisalmer. The vast majority of India’s 1.25 billion people are poor and have few options as temperatures hit sweltering levels, drying forests and riverbeds and wiping out farm animals. They are unlikely to have air conditioners — up to 25 percent still have no access to electricity. Many who work as farmers or in construction will have to shorten their work days by 2-3 hours within four decades, simply because it will be too hot outdoors, according to a report last year by the U.N. Environment Program.
Heat-wave and power woes scorch Dimapur
A man trying to keep cool as the heatwave in Dimapur continued for the third consequetive day. (Photo by Manen Aier)
Morung Express news Phek recorded temperatures as high as 30 degrees Dimapur | June 8 Celsius. As per weather foreThe heat-wave in Dimapur continued for a third day cast, over the next few days with the scorching tem- till the end of the week, peratures making life very people can expect some uncomfortable for people respite in Dimapur. While temperatures are predictin the town. Weather reports indi- ed to remain the same as cated that Thursday saw a Thursday, weather reports maximum temperature of say that there is chance of around 35 degrees Celsius. rain and thunderstorm on However the real feel tem- Saturday and Sunday. However, temperaperature was 42 degrees Celsius, coupled with a tures are expected to rise relative humidity of 90 per- again by the middle of next cent. Even hilly areas like week. Next Thursday is
C M Y K
ter a 500Kva transformer broke down on the intervening night of June 6-7. A Power department official informed today that a replacement was found and installed on Wednesday but it also broke down. It turned out that the replacement was of a lower load capacity. Explaining the bungle, the official said it was a case of wrongly embossed citation (on the transformer casing) indicating load capacity. The substitute transformer’s capacity turned out to be only 315Kva as
Petrol and diesel prices to UK general LRD determined on reviving change daily from June 15 election held Nagaland coffee cultivation
MuMbAI, JuNE 8 (IANS): Petrol and diesel prices will be revised daily from June 15 onwards by the three Indian oil marketing companies in sync with global crude oil prices, officials said here on Thursday. Daily revision of Retail Selling Prices (RSP) has already been implemented on a pilot basis in Udaipur, Jamshedpur, Visakhapatnam, Chandigarh, and Puducherry from May 1. After the success of the experiment, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd have now decided to implement it across the country from June 15. Presently, the oil marketing companies review and revise retail fuel prices after every fortnight on the basis of global crude oil prices. An IOCL statement said daily revision in oil prices will make retail prices more reflective of the current market conditions, besides leading to increased transparency in the system. This, it said, will enable smoother flow of products from refinery/de-
pots to the retailers. It said many developed countries are already revising prices of petrol/ diesel on a daily basis. BPCL sources said here that the move will greatly benefit consumers since prices offered by all three OMCs will differ on a daily basis, thus giving them an informed choice, besides infusing competition among the oil firms. The prices are expected to change every night at midnight, following directives by the Petroleum Ministry, the sources said. "Each (oil marketing) company will try to keep its retail prices at the lowest possible to attract more consumers. Though the difference will be only about 15/20/30 paise per litre daily, it spells substantial savings in the long run and for bulk customers," the sources said. The three firms will now establish suitable mechanisms to convey daily prices to prospective consumers through media ads, displays at retail outlets, price-related data/SMSes send from centralised locations, and mobile apps.
LONDON, JuNE 8 (IANS): Polling stations across Britain opened on Thursday for people to cast their vote in the UK general election. Voting began at 7 a.m. (local time) in over 40,000 polling stations, the BBC reported. Counting of ballots will start once the voting ends at 10 p.m. A total of 650 Westminster MPs will be elected, with about 46.9 million people registered to vote. Some votes have already been cast, through postal voting. A handful of seats will be declared by Thursday midnight, with the final results expected by Friday afternoon. British Prime Minister Theresa May called the snap general election in May, when the ruling Conservative Party held a working majority in the British House of Commons of just 17 seats and had a lead of over 10 percentage points suggested by some surveys. But the Conservatives' lead over the opposition Labour Party narrowed to a single digit after weeks of campaign, which has made the battle for 10 Downing Street unpredictable. To form a majority in the House of Commons, one party must win 326 seats.
Nagaland’s future is not for sale: NNPGs Working Group
DIMAPuR, JuNE 8 (MExN): The Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) Working Group today stated that “Nagaland’s future is not for sale.” A press note from the media cell of the NNPGs Working Group expressed concern that the “people of Nagaland continue to be taken for a ride by NSCN (IM) through its propaganda ministry, promising imaginary political institution.” This, it stated is being done “while the GOI, time and again, made it clear that breaking up neighboring Indian states to integrate all Naga inhabited areas was out of question.” The Working Group reaffirmed that the “aspiration of all Nagas to live
predicted to be especially hot with weather reports indicating the day may see a maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. Overloaded transformers add to misery Meanwhile, a wobbly power distribution network in Dimapur is adding to the woes as at least 3 distribution transformers were reported damaged in 3 different locations during the past 3 days. Consumers of K Khel, Diphupar ‘A’ went without power for almost 2 days af-
opposed to the imprinted insignia. The consumers had to endure another sleepless night as the department had to look for another of 500kva capacity. A spare was found, which was installed on Thursday, charged and put into circuit in the late evening. At another location in Diphupar ‘B’, near the airport, a 25Kva transformer broke down on Wednesday. It was removed and replaced with an upgraded 63Kva on Thursday. A third such incident occurred at Eros Lane on the night of June 7. It was yet another case of an overloaded 500Kva transformer going kaput. A replacement was installed today, which the official said should go into circuit by evening. The soaring summer temperatures, coupled with ageing distribution equipments were attributed as the major factors for the breakdowns. Consumers coping with the heat-wave respond with using more cooling appliances simultaneously for longer durations, which ultimately result in transformers over loading and breaking down.
under one political roof remains an undying desire, yet the most essential component of the quest, the Integration of Naga areas, not on the anvil, profound sounding political terminologies cannot silence indigenous tribes of Nagaland.” It further declared that “if the question of integration issue be outside the purview of GOI-NSCN (IM) talks, separate acceptable solutions for Nagas living in various Indian administered territories must be pursued without ambiguity.” It urged the GoI to look into the grievances of Nagas living in other states and announce political steps for their progress and
upliftment. “Today, Nagas everywhere must understand that there has been a natural evolution of the Indo-Naga political issue, fuelled by external forces and internal strife,” it added. It further stated that the GoI requires political wisdom and decisiveness to understand the situation and address the political aspirations of the Nagas of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, the Working Group alleged that the NSCN (IM) leadership “continues to indulge in unrepentant theatrical politics in their nonexistent land called Nagalim.” “A single political group cannot decide the political future of all Nagas. The
dangers of impractical political settlements cannot be overlooked. Consequences have been far reaching in the past. The GOI knows too well,” it warned. It further criticized the NSCN (IM) for “churning out press releases inserting names of officials from proper Nagaland… as authors, worshipping the Framework Agreement.” “It is not the number of Kilonsers and Tatars hailing from Nagaland. It is practical politics which requires indigenous Nagas of Nagaland to determine their political future basing on historical facts, present status and desire for the future,” the Working Group said.
It further stated that “threats and intimidations against members of civil societies, tribal hoho leaders of Nagaland are unacceptable and best avoided in the interest of all concerned.” “A humane approach could heal much wound,” it viewed, and informed that the Working Group has in principle, agreed to explore and exercise all political options in the interest of mainland Nagas in particular and all Nagas in general, “until appropriate time in future when emotional integration will ultimately lead to physical integration of Nagas, fulfilling the vision of the forefathers.” Full text on Page 10
Joint Director (Extension) CBi, Guwahati, Dr. V. R. Gudde Gowda explaining coffee growing techniques to the LRD officials in Diphu on June 8. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express news Dimapur | June 8
After the Land Resources Department (LRD) was assigned as the nodal department for revival of coffee in the state, officers of the department have been working towards creating awareness, getting first hand technical knowledge and disseminating it to the farmers. On Thursday, around 30 LRD officers led by Secretary, Y. Kikheto Sema and Director, Hoto Yeptho visited the Regional Coffee Research Station (RCRS) of the Coffee Board of India (CBI) at Chutianala, Diphu in Assam. The team was enlightened on aspects of growing coffee of two main species – Robusta and Arabica, by Coffee Scientist, Bijaya Barman, RCRS, Diphu. She clarified various doubts, feasibilities and the technicalities involved. Joint Director (Extension) CBI, Guwahati, Dr. V. R. Gudde Gowda and Deputy Director, P.P. Choudhary, CBI also took questions from the visiting team. Gowda spoke on feasibility of growing coffee in the state and encouraged officers to put in best efforts. He said the enthusiasm of the Secretary has been widely recognized by the CBI and assured all
possible assistance to the State. He said once coffee has been properly nurtured to its producing stage, it can yield crop for 30-40 years and more than 100 years depending on the species and feasibility. Gowda further said CBI would visit the state once in two months if the farmers could meet the criteria of cultivating at least 1000 coffee plants per person in an area of one hectare. Informing that there was no dearth of funds, he stated: “in fact we are surrendering funds since there are less coffee farmers.” “We are ready to provide all technical, developmental and financial support to coffee growers but you have to be more enthusiastic,” he added. Kikheto meanwhile thanked the CBI for increasing coffee seed allocation to the state from 350 to 2400 and informed that the department was targeting to cover 4200 hectares with that allocation. He said that the 2400 seeds could produce 60 lakh coffee saplings. However, Kikheto talked about difficulty in sustaining and maintaining the crop since at the nursery stage alone, the cost of nurturing a single coffee sapling comes to Rs 12 per year, which comes to Rs 720 crores approximately for nurturing
60 lakh saplings in a year. He thus requested the CBI to assist farmers for the initial years by crediting the maintenance fund directly into the farmers’ account or through the department. He also urged the CBI to send a report to the LRD about the funds released to the farmers. He added that the current allocation of coffee seeds could provide employment to about 10, 000 people. The Secretary informed that the department has set a target to cover 50, 000 hectares with coffee by 2030, and that the CBI has written an assurance letter to the LRD to establish a Technical Evaluation Centre on Coffee in Nagaland. He meanwhile cautioned officers against imparting half-baked knowledge and improper technical skills to the farmers, since the department was determined to make coffee a resounding success in the state. Director, LRD, Hoto Yeptho meanwhile informed that the department was planning to establish a coffee nursery, and encouraged the officers to get proper knowledge during such field visits. The LRD team was also shown digging pits, planting, centering, topping etc. They were also shown how varieties of mixed cropping could be done along with coffee.