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FriDAY • MArch 10 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 66 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
Swift as the wind. Quiet as the forest. Conquer like the fire. Steady as the mountain Exit polls predict BJP win in states; loss in Punjab
‘Clean election may be the only solution’
PAGE 08
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
MUMbAI, MARCH 9 (IANS): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday said it will shortly issue new Rs 10 denomination currency notes, while clarifying that the old Rs 10 notes will also remain valid. “The Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue Rs 10 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi Series-2005 with inset letter ‘L’ in both the number panels, bearing the signature of Urjit R. Patel, Governor, Reserve Bank of India, and the year of printing ‘2017’ printed on the reverse of the banknote,” a release issued by the apex bank said. “All the banknotes in the denomination of Rs 10 issued by the bank (RBI) in the past will continue to be legal tender,” it clarified.
Unscheduled power interruptions DIMAPUR, MARCH 9 (MExN): All the consumers under Medziphema, Jharnapani, New Chumukedima, Pherima, Piphema, Peducha and Sechu areas are informed that due to the ongoing relocation of electric poles, which has been necessitated by 4-lannning road works between Dimapur and Kohima, there would be unscheduled power interruptions during working hours from time to time. Electrical Division, Chumukedima Executive Engineer, Kasho Chishi in a press note informed that this will continue till the completion of the relocation works. “While all efforts are being made to minimize power interruptions, consumers and the public are requested to kindly cooperate with the Department for completing the works smoothly,” the Executive Engineer added.
15th NLA session from March 21
C M Y K
KoHIMA, MARCH 9 (MExN): The 15th session of to 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly is tentatively scheduled from March 21-30, the NLA Secretariat official informed today. It was decided at a Business Advisory Committee meeting held under the Chairmanship of Imtikumzuk, the Deputy Speaker of NLA to finalize provisional programme for the ensuing 15th Session of 12th Assembly, informed a press release from Commissioner and Secretary N Benjamin Newmai. It holds great significance as several important issues will be taken up during the session. Among others, it will include the Chief Minister’s Vote of Confidences; presentation of C&AG Report; Annual Administrative Report; introduction of new bills, if any; and the annual budget presentation. The Assembly will also elect the new NLA Speaker during the ensuing session.
Barcelona pull off the mother of all comebacks PAGE 12
cambridge Uni exhibition Nagaland CM meets JCC showcases naga artifacts & NTAC, urges dialogue Dimapur | March 9
RBI to issue new Rs 10 notes, old ones to remain valid
T R u T H
— Sun Tzu
PAGE 02
Morung Express News
Ok mates. Let’s take an hour break to discuss the 33% reservation.
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An ongoing exhibition at Cambridge University in England is attempting to give voice to marginalized communities from India, among them the Naga people. On display since March 8, the ‘Another India’ exhibition at the Cambridge University’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) showcases hundreds of objects from the Museum’s historic collections as well as newlycommissioned works from contemporary sculptors. Among the objects going on display are a headhunters skull, pieces of the Taj Mahal and a snakecharmer’s flute. The collection of Naga exhibits include a ‘headtaker’s skull,’ which the description says “was worn on the chest by a Konyak warrior who had captured an enemy head.” The monkey skull, with red, white and black hair woven into the crown, was collected by JH Hutton, Deputy Commissioner of Assam (then including the Naga Hills) and later a Professor of Anthropology at Cambridge, who put it in a glass jar and kept it in his office until he retired. The collection also includes photos of Naga men in their 80s and 90s displaying their tattooed faces and bodies.
(TOP) A head-hunter’s skull from Nagaland. It was worn on the chest by a Konyak warrior who had captured an enemy head. (University of Cambridge) (RIGHT) Image of a Naga man displaying his tattooed face that is part of the ‘Another India’ exhibition at the University of Cambridge’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology that focuses on India’s most marginalized communities. (University of Cambridge)
‘Another India’ tells the stories behind a remarkable collection of artifacts while confronting headon the role played by Empire and colonialism in the gathering together of this material. The exhibition also features 23 works acquired by its curator Mark Elliott, using a New Collecting Award from Art Fund. “This is an exhibition about the India – or the many Indias – that most people in the UK don’t know,” said Mark Elliott. “It’s about 100 million people of Indigenous or Adivasi backgrounds who are marginalised by majority populations and the state.
It’s an exhibition about identity, diversity and belonging; and the role that objects play in creating a sense of who we are.” “These are issues that affect all of us, particularly now when Identity – who we are, where we come from and where we belong – is being fought over here in Britain. Another important story is how these things came to Cambridge in the first place. Many of the artefacts were acquired through colonialism: sometimes fair exchanges, sometimes gifts, sometimes not. This is about legacies of empire for people in the UK and India,” he
added. ‘Another India’ is the centre piece of the University’s wider celebrations entitled India Unboxed. To mark the UK-India Year of Culture 2017, the University of Cambridge Museums and Botanic Garden, are hosting a shared season on the theme of India with a programme of exhibitions, events, digital encounters, discussions, installations and more within the museums and the city of Cambridge. Rooted in the Cambridge collections, the programme will explore themes of identity and connectivity for audiences in both the UK and India.
DIMAPUR, MARCH 9 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu today met members of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) for dialogue to resolve misunderstandings, saying that he “believes any kind of misunderstanding or difference can be resolved only through discussions and free and frank deliberations.” A press note from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) informed that the CM interacted with a 4-member delegation of the NTAC/ JCC led by NTAC Co-convenor Neivor Rutsa and JCC Co-convenor Vekhosayi Nyekha, who called on him this morning to submit a memorandum. The Nagaland CM said as leaders, “all of us do things we believe are best for our people and society” and that if any mistakes have been committed, free and frank discussions should be held to reach better understanding among all stakeholders so that leaders can continue to contribute to the society at large. “There is no reason why we together cannot solve problems,” he said and appealed to the leaders to be “more patient, more steady and solve differences through dialogue.” Assuring that his government would do whatever is in the best interests of the people, the Chief Minister said “nobody
Alert sounded to prevent violence in Assam
GUwAHAtI, MARCH 9 (PtI): Assam police today sounded an alert across the state to prevent violence following the attack on the office of All Assam Students Union (AASU) in Dhemaji district and set up a SIT to investigate the incident. “We have sounded an alert and are determined to strictly stop any violence following the incident. If required, we will do it ruthlessly,” Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay told reporters here. The attack was allegedly carried out by Nikhil Bharat Bengali Udbastu Samanvay Samiti (NBBUSS) on March 6 and protests by various organisations erupted across the state following the incident. The special investigating team (SIT) is headed
24-hour Assam bandh on March 10
DIbRUGARH, MARCH 8 (MExN): A 24 hour Assam bandh has been called on March 10, starting 5:00am. The bandh has been called by the Dibrugarh District Committee members of Tai Ahom Students’ Union (TASU) , Sutia Students’ Union (SSU), Gorkha Students’ Union (GSU) , Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union (KRSU), Adivasi Students’ Union (ASU), Brihattar Axomiya Yuba Mancha ( BAYM) and various other organizations in protest against the Silapathar incident and in demand for the arrest of the mastermind. In a press release , the organizations besides demanding constitutional safeguard to the indigenous people of the State, informed that for the ongoing HSLC and Higher Secondary exams, all educational institutions including transport and essential services had been kept out from the purview of the bandh. by CID Senior Superintendent of Police Raja Martandan and will investigate the incident, he said adding anyone found guilty will be firmly dealt with as per law. “We will ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into all aspects of the incident, particularly the antecedents of the organisation that held the meeting at Silapathar which led to the violence,” Sahay said.
The situation, he said, has been brought under control by senior officials camping at the site and additional security reinforcements who were rushed there. Fourteen companies of Assam Police battalion along with 80 additional constables have been deployed in Silapathar, where the AASU office is located, while some companies of
Nagaland CM claims ‘perfect harmony’ within NPF & DAN
DIMAPUR, MARCH 9 (MExN): Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today asked the Congress party leaders to “exhibit their maturity in their statements.” The CM said this in response to recent statements by the NPCC, which the former termed as making “a mountain out of a molehill when party legislators had expressed their sympathies with the former Chief Minister who had to vacate his seat for the sake of peace and harmony in the society.” Claiming that there is “complete understanding and perfect harmony amongst the NPF and DAN Legislature Parties,” the CM viewed that “no individuals or political parties should try to create misunderstanding and
confusion in the minds of the general public.” “Unlike the Congress party which is used to have someone calling the shots from behind the Prime Minister as the world witnessed in the UPA regimes, the DAN Government is absolutely clear who the Chief Minister is and what his roles and responsibilities are, and there is no question of a dual Chief Minister in the State,” he stated. Regarding accusations of “bankruptcy of leaders in the NPF party,” the CM said the Congress “would do better if it were to look into its own party organization which is now devoid of most of the party stalwarts who had deserted the sinking ship and have now formed a new political party.”
paramilitary forces have been shifted from Jorhat and North Lakhimpur to Silapathar. “The army too has been kept on standby and their help will be sought in case of need,” the DGP said. Sahay said deputy commissioners have been directed to cancel all meetings and rallies of NBBUSS scheduled to be held in their respective districts.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has already announced an inquiry by Additional Chief Secretary V B Pyarelal and directed him to submit the report within a month. NBBUSS members and supporters had on March 6 organised a meeting at Silapathar demanding Indian citizenship for Hindu migrants from Bangladesh. After the meeting its members took out a procession and then allegedly attacked an AASU office near NH15(B), ransacked and damaged its furniture and injured three members of the students union. Protests by different organisations have erupted across the state following the attack, the AASU and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad being in the forefront.
gained out of the unpleasant developments in the recent past. Confrontations with our own people do not benefit anyone and the Government exercised maximum restraint.” The CM further called upon the JCC/NTAC leaders to “refrain from harbouring negative feelings” and to come forward for more discussions about “what will be good for the Naga society.” Reminding the leaders that the population of Nagaland is not even the size of a single colony in metropolitan cities, the Chief Minister suggested that Nagas should “learn to live together as a people and a family” rather than segregating ourselves into different communities and organisations. “Politics can be dirty at times, and some may take advantage of situations some times,” he said, according to the CMO press release, but reminded the leaders that “we ourselves can solve our problems and not by others.” Repeal or amend Nagaland Municipal Act, demands NTAC, JCC The Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) have written to the Nagaland State Chief Minister, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu reiterating their demand for the amendment or repeal of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001.
A letter appended by NTAC President, KT Vilie and JCC Convener, Supu Jamir stated that Nagaland has been passing through a period of unrest and turmoil for the last many days, which it said emanated out of the holding of Urban Local Bodies elections leading to the loss of lives and causing huge loss to the Government. “All such occurrence of unpleasant situations is the by-product of holding ULB elections against the wishes of the people,” it said. The letter pointed out that the existing Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 is “nothing but a bag of borrowings from other municipal laws which do not suit the cultural and social practices of the Nagas.” “We all know that the issue is very delicate but needs remedial measures so as to have a sound and comprehensive legislation to suit with the system applicable in Nagaland,” it said. The NTAC and the JCC stated: “it is deemed fit and appropriate to request your authority to constitute a Committee/ Law Commission consisting of eminent persons and experts in the field to examine for amendment/repeal of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 at an early date preferably within a period of three months.” Till such steps are taken, the organisations felt it would not be appropriate to hold the ULB elections in Nagaland “in the best interest of all concerned.”
STSU opposes transfer of Hindi teacher from GMS (A) Shamator
DIMAPUR, MARCH 9 (MExN): The Shamator Town Students’ Union (STSU) has written to the Director of School Education calling for the nullification of the proposed transfer of the Hindi teacher at Government Middle School (GMS) Station ‘A’ Shamator Town. The STSU, in its representation, said that earlier the GMS Station ‘A’ at Shamator was deprived of its due share “as the department had never done redeployment against the transfer of teachers from the said school earlier. Thereby, the school was compelled to undergo numerous untold problems of shortage in terms of human resources.” The STSU opposed the
transfer of teachers from educational institutions under Shamator Town without their immediate reliever. It asked that the proposed transfer of the Hindi teacher be nullified or a reliever be re deployed in the greater interest of the student community. “Lethargy (if found) on the part of the concerned authority and failing to meet the demand as contained in this representation shall be treated as a direct challenge to the students community,” it cautioned, while further stating that the STSU “shall be compelled to protect and safeguard the interest of the students community through any means of appropriate and befitting democratic protest.”
NGBF for ‘separate political dialogue’ with NNPGs of Nagaland State DIMAPUR, MARCH 9 (MExN): The Nagaland GBs Federation (NGBF) held a meeting with the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) Working Group on March 9 in Dimapur, resolving that “Naga nation building must begin earnestly” and that “a separate political dialogue must be initiated between the Government of India and the NNPGs of present Nagaland State for an acceptable and honourable solution for mainland Nagas.” This was stated in a joint statement appended by NGBF President, I Shalem Konyak; General Secretary, Shikuto Zalipu; N Kitovi Zhimomi, Ato Kilonser, GPRN/NSCN; V Nagi, General Secretary, NNC-Parent Body and Wangtin Naga, President, NSCN (R). The statement informed that this aforesaid resolution was
Dignitaries who attended the meeting held between the Nagaland GBs Federation and the NNPGs Working Group in Dimapur on March 9.
made having “understood the official position of the Government of India that the issue of integration is not possible at a present time and juncture.”
The ultimate desire of the Naga people, it said, “is to live and progress as free and independent people and until such a time arrives, a solution for main-
land Nagas will go a long way in strengthening the Naga identity, preserve and promote emotional integration among Nagas and Myanmar.