March 21th, 2016

C M Y K

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 78 • 12 PAGes • 5

www.morungexpress.com

MonDAY • MArch 21 • 2016

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

It is not always the same thing to be a good man and a good citizen Don’t turn backs on refugees, pope says at Palm Sunday service PAGE 09

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

o F

T R u T H

— Aristotle

Oxygen Gas Manufacturing Plant in Nagaland!

Rosberg wins dramatic season-opener in Melbourne

PAGE 02

PAGE 12

cultural activities a strong CAG report detects anomalies in SARDP-NE project in Nagaland medium to create peace: Gov ‘Despite spending Morung Express news

Rs 602.34, not a single kilometer in any of the four roads under the project were completed’

Dimapur | March 20

Nagaland and Assam Governor, PB Acharya on Sunday said a small state like Nagaland should be very proud that it has abundance of rich cultural activities with each tribe having their own dance, songs and drama.

Inaugurating the ‘PopAree... no welfare pro- ular Music Night’ on the gramme for me? last day of the Spring Festival 2016 organized by the The Morung Express North East Zone Cultural Poll QuEsTion Centre (NEZCC) here in Dimapur, Acharya, who is Vote on www.morungexpress.com also the Chairman of NEsMs your answer to 9862574165 ZCC, wanted that the peoMinister, legislators ple of Nagaland, while beand senior officers have ing proud of their culture, decided to voluntarily to work towards preserving forego allowances as well as promoting them. for refreshments, newspapers and He reminded the gathermagazines. Is Nagaland ing of how a person without government serious about a culture is a helpless man austerity measures? because he has no identity.

At a juncture when Yes no others the whole world requires peace, Acharya mainShould theologians and Church leaders get tained that cultural activiinvolved in politics in ties are a strong medium to Nagaland? Why? create peace in the minds 42% Yes of all the people. Narrating his experience during the 46% no recently held World Cul12% others ture Festival organized by Details on page 7 the Art of Living, Acharya enlightened how 35,000 artistes from all over the world came together in affinity in one platformdemonstrating the greatness of art and music.

He also expressed pride our Correspondent at how Nagaland state with Kohima | March 20 a 100 strong performers The Nagaland State Home Department has disclosed that 1236 cases of crime have been registered and 1066 persons were arrested during 2015 under the DIMAPUR, MARCH 20 IPC. According to the an- (MExN): The Nagaland nual administrative report Pradesh Congress Com2015-16 of the Department mittee (NPCC) President, tabled by Home Minister K Therie today stated that Y. Patton in the just con- talking about the Framecluded NLA session, the work Agreement “for days 1236 cases registered included 55 murder cases, and years without knowing 49 attempt to murder cas- the contents presents the es, 10 culpable homicide sordid state of affairs plagunot amounting to murder ing the so-called opposicases, 30 rape cases, 84 kid- tion-less Government.”

A press note from the napping and abduction cases, 3 dacoity cases, 44 NPCC President claimed robberies, 48 burglaries, that the present state gov432 theft cases, 4 criminal ernment “fear people will breach of trust cases, 46 think they have betrayed cases of cheating, 6 FICN because they have come tocases, 159 extortion cases, gether in the name of Politi4 cases of rioting, and 262 cal Solution. Yet when they other cases. Under local talk, people understand and special laws, 626 cas- that they don’t know what es were registered and 872 they are talking about.” persons arrested. They in“If MLAs are talking clude 156 under the Arms without authentic inforAct, NDPS Act & DC Act- mation and if MLAs are 106, NLTP Act- 216, NSR Act- 38, Explosive Sustenance Act- 32, Foreigners Act- 3 and other Special and Local Law at 75.

1236 crime cases registered in Nagaland during 2015

our Correspondent Kohima | March 20

nagaland Governor PB Acharya beating a traditional drum to signify the opening of the Popular Music night at the last day of the spring Festival 2016 at nEZCC Complex on sunday.

took part in the Destination North East in Delhi and World Culture Festival in Delhi recently.

Pointing out that the North East figures in the top in the whole of the country in the sphere of cultural activities, the Governor highlighted how NEZCC, which is one of the regional cultural centre in India, has been striving to showcase the cultures of all the eight states-with the spring festival being one such event.

Acclaiming the spring festival as a wonderful idea, Acharya said through such events, different states get to showcase their music, drama and cultural activities and at the same time create friendship, peace and happiness.

The Governor, however, termed it unfortunate that

except for Dimapur residents, other parts of Nagaland are denied of witnessing such a show. He therefore suggested that NEZCC authorities decide on four places in Nagaland where the spring festival can be held.

“It may be in faraway Mon, Tuensang or Mokokchung or any of the places apart from Dimapur...they also should have opportunity to witness such wonderful music, drama and song,” he said.

“For this, opinion can be taken from all people and decide on where the festival can be held,” he added.

Sunday evening also witnessed a rewind of the cultural dance and folk music of the North East States with performance of Bro-

Zai dance of Arunachal Pradesh, Dhol Cholom and Thang-Ta Meibul of Manipur, Warrior Dance from Nagaland, Bordioshikla and Bihu Dance from Assam, Wangala from Meghalaya, Hozagiri from Tripura and Cheraw dance from Mizoram.

The evening concluded with performances by Alobo Naga and the Band and Indian Idol Season 3 winner Prashant Tamang to a rapturous crowd.

The Spring Festival is aimed at showcasing the cultural heritage of the North East region. At least 400 performers from North East states took part at the festival. The festival also has cuisine and crafts fair for visitors and competitions, play activities and competitions for children.

The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has found various anomalies in the implementation of the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East (SARDP-NE) in Nagaland State.

The CAG, in its report tabled at the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Saturday stated that the preliminary activities taken up by the Public Works Department (PWD) were inadequate for timely implementation of the project.

It said that the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) prepared for four roads were not based on adequate surveys and investigation. This, the report said resulted in large deviation in the implementation of the works from the approved DPRs. It also stated that a proportionate amount of Rs. 36.44 crore paid to the consultant for preparation of DPRs for four roads was a “waste.” “As a consequence, not a single kilometer in any of the four roads was com-

ACAUT demands action on CAG revelations of corruption

DIMAPUR, MARCH 20 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland has meanwhile stated that the detection of anomalies and rampant corruption in various governmental department by the CAG report is “startling by any standard yet it comes as no surprise.”

A press note from the ACAUT stated that the findings of the CAG are “just the tip of the iceberg in the sea of corruption that goes on in Nagaland…” What strikes, according to the ACAUT is the “impunity of the officials involved in corruption.”

The ACAUT pointed to “gross misappropriation of MGNREGA funds for Aghunaga,” the alleged “payment of Rs. 2.32 crores to 48 ineligible and seven non-functional societies allegedly by the Director of Industries and Commerce,” and the alleged diversion of funds by the Department of Youth Resource and Sports as reported by the CAG, as examples of how “governmental departments are deeply mired in rampant corruption” and practiced with impunity.

The ACAUT demanded that the government immediately suspend the officials implicated/alleged of corruption in the CAG report, immediately seize moveable and non moveable assets of those who have been implicated in the CAG report, prosecute those implicated of corruption, and bring in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for an impartial inquiry. pleted as per the objectives of the scheme despite an expenditure of Rs. 602.34 crore on execution of work so far. No further progress of work has been achieved on any of the four roads since August 2012. The singlelane roads which previously existed had since degraded and have been rendered almost unusable causing hardship to the commuters,” the report stated.

It may be noted that the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH),

Government of India had, in April 2008, initiated a mega road development programme in the North East region under the banner SARDP-NE. On April, 2010, the Ministry approved for two-laning of the four roads in the State of Nagaland in one package for Rs. 1,296 crore including centage charges.

Accordingly, administrative approval, technical approval and financial sanction for the works were accorded in December 2010.

Govt talking for the sake of talking: NPCC Exiled Tibetans to elect leader to sustain struggle against China

F&ES saved property worth Rs. 1851.10 lakhs in 2015 our Correspondent Kohima | March 20

C M Y K

From January 2015 till November 2015, various categories of 100 fire/rescue calls have been to responded to by the state’s fire and emergency services and have saved property worth Rs. 1851.10 lakh. This was stated in the annual administrative report 2015-16 of the State Home Department tabled

by Home Minister Y. Patton in the just concluded NLA session. The report stated that estimated property lost during this period was Rs. 325.52 lakhs. The report further stated that 9 lives were lost during the period due to fire incidents.

talking wishful thinking, who should be presenting the facts to the people?”

Therie questioned.

Therie further claimed that national political leaders have assured support to the PWC of the JLF “provided it is good for the people.” “National leaders have asked them if they know the contents of the Framework Agreement, they could not reply.”

He stated that national Congress President, Sonia Gandhi had “said in clear terms to the Chief Minister, the MP and PWC delegates, that the Congress will support any solution that is good for the people but cannot give a blank cheque.”

“I have also heard leaders talk for an early honourable and acceptable solu-

tion. The words honourable and acceptable sound nice... nice words do not qualify for solution. We have to make a list of things that are honourable and acceptable to the people,” Therie said.

Stating that some people think there is need for a referendum, the NPCC President said: “I don’t know, may be in good time.

For now, people aspire for peace, safety, security, freedom, one tax, one government and development.”

He further asserted that the Congress would not “talk for the sake of talking nor beat around the bush.”

“In our endeavour to solve the political problem, we will present a list of things that we believe are honourable and acceptable to the people,” he added.

DHARAMsAlA, MARCH 20 (REUTERs): Exiled Tibetans across India and overseas started voting on Sunday to elect a political leader for the next five years, in a bid to help sustain their struggle to secure complete autonomy for Chinese-ruled Tibet.

Thousands of monks and nuns in maroon robes, students, and men and women queued to vote outside polling booths in Dharamsala, a town in India’s Himalayan foothills where a community of Tibetans live in exile with the Dalai Lama, hoping for resumption of talks with China.

The second such election follows a decision by the charismatic monk, an 80-year-old Nobel Peace

Laureate, to relinquish his political authority and vest it in a democratic system that could outlast him.

China does not recognise the government that represents nearly 100,000 exiled Tibetans living in around 30 countries including India, Nepal, Canada and the United States.

Election results will be out between April 27 and 28, with more than half of the 90,377 eligible voters expected to exercise their franchise, according to the election commission.

The “Sikyong”, or elected leader, will be solely responsible for political and diplomatic decisions, as the Dalai Lama steps back from the limelight amid uncertainty over how his successor will be chosen.

“With regard to dialogue with China, we have been making initiatives, efforts,” Lobsang Sangay, the incumbent Sikyong, told Reuters after casting his vote. “It takes two to clap. Our side is willing and ready and as soon as the Chinese give us the positive sign, we will be ready to take it further.”

Concern about the Dalai Lama’s health, after his admission to a U.S. hospital this year for treatment, has reinforced the importance of the vote in keeping the issue of Tibet alive.

Tibetan Buddhism holds that the soul of a senior lama is reincarnated in the body of a child after he dies. China says it must sign off on the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, who

fled into exile in 1959 after a failed uprising.

The election will decide who leads the parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in Dharamsala.

Exiled Tibetans consider the CTA to be their legitimate government, but no country recognises it. China has lobbied to sideline the Dalai Lama from the international circuit, although he did address an audience in Geneva last week despite those efforts.

“Many people like us are in exile but more important (are the issues) of the people who are inside (Tibet) and are suffering,” Kelsang, a woman in her 30s who gave just one name, said after voting.

SKK brings together intellectuals for ‘Doing Right’ Morung Express news Dimapur | March 20

In connection with its mission of “Doing Right,” the Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (SKK) on Saturday organized ‘Lotsumi Kukuputsa’ (Intellectuals’ Meet) at Town Hall, Dimapur and deliberated on the four agendas of its mission.

The four agendas on which four resource persons talked included clean election; ban on proxy teachers, clean and sincere execution of public offices and institutions; and right implementation and execution of all contract works under right specifications.

The issues are to be taken up in all Sumi inhabited areas. Resource person Justice H. K. Sema, former Judge, Supreme Court of

India said the election system in Nagaland State is a “mockery of democratic process” which would continue unless people change their mindset. He said every educated person is capable of doing right if s/he so desires and urged upon educated youngsters to correct wrongdoings, in their own capacity.

Stating that value based education was a product of good teaching, he wondered how value based education could be brought about while teachers still practise proxy system.

Justice H.K. Sema spoke about the urgent need to have Nagaland State Human Rights Commission, Law Commission and Lokayukta. He said that the need for human rights commission was

Resource persons of ‘intellectuals’ Meet’ organized by sKK in Dimapur on saturday. (Morung Photo)

needed more in Nagaland which has frequent cases of police/army atrocities and other anti-social elements.

He also reminded about the recent notification of Nagaland Government which stated that a person can be appointed a GB only after s/he attains the age of 40. The retired judge said this particular notification

was contravening Article 371 (A) and contradicting the customary practices of the Sumi community which appoints GBs on a hereditary basis.

Expressing happiness about SKK’s mission, he urged upon the student leaders not to give up halfway and pursue their goal till it reaches logical con-

clusion.

Commissioner & Secretary, Works & Housing, Himato Zhimo IFS said that for a student to do right, the number one priority is to study right. He also encouraged students to take up vocational courses side by side, as skill development was important when it comes to employability. He

also discouraged seeking backdoor appointment.

K.T. Sukhalu IAS, Vigilance Commissioner, said that SKK’s mission is a “herculean task” but it is not impossible if all stakeholders are desirous of positive change, and extended their cooperation and support.

On education, he said the government was providing funds but the failure lay in the implementation.

He said Village Education Committees (VECs) were set up with good intention but many VECs are not functioning as expected.

H.K. Khulu IAS Additional Chief Secretary (Retd) said, “To do right, one has to introspect what went wrong earlier and then carry forward the objective with strong resolve and sincerity.”

He asked students not to be discouraged even if their mission could not be fully achieved during the current tenure since it is a mammoth task.

On proxy system, he said that students and quality education become casualty when proxy teachers were set in place. He also spoke about landowner problem, multiple and unauthorized taxation as a hindrance to development. Khulu asked students to be “modern, scientific and open minded and cut the negativity.”

Western Sumi Hoho, President, Hokiye Yeptho also exhorted the gathering.

In his address, SKK President, Ninoto Awomi appealed people to extend their cooperation towards the mission of “Doing Right.”

2

monDAY 21•03•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Oxygen Gas Manufacturing Plant in Nagaland!

Morung Express News Dimapur | March 20

With barely any major industries functioning in Nagaland, isn’t it nice to know that we have a fully functioning Oxygen Gas Manufacturing Plant in Dimapur? And no, it’s not a government operated unit, but the creation and result of a hardworking entrepreneur by the name B. Imti Aier. This is probably the 4th such oxygen plant in the entire Northeast.

‘BMA Liquid Air Oxygen/ Cylinders’ is located at 4th Mile, towards Referral Hospital, Dimapur. For Sales/Refill & Rental, their outlet is located at Ana-Ki Building, Khermahal, Dimapur. The plant is a fully automatic purification unit, and manufactures and sells oxygen cylinders. The plant is designed and developed by incorporating state-of-the-art technology in order to make them perform as per the plants of national standards.

Oxygen plants are industri-

al systems designed to generate oxygen. They typically use air as a feedstock and separate it from other components of air using pressure swing adsorption or membrane separation techniques.

The idea to set up an oxygen plant in Nagaland State started when B. Imti Aier heard stories and instances of how medical surgeries and operations could not be conducted when Karbi Anglong/Assam bandhs were imposed because of lack of oxygen cylinders which had to be brought from outside Nagaland. He felt certain that an oxygen plant was the need of the hour and would improve and benefit the health sector in Nagaland State.

The entrepreneur had to undergo a long waiting process to set up the plant. It took him close to five years to obtain license, import heavy machineries and even then he had to go around in circles waiting for the power department to Entrepreneur and proprietor of ‘BMA Liquid Air Oxygen/Cylinders,’ B. Imti Aier at the Oxygen Gas Plant hook up the plant with suitable located in Dimapur. (Morung Photo)

power transformer. He finally launched the oxygen plant in the year 2014.

On the financial front, the entrepreneur stated that he has not received any subsidy or grants, despite his attempts to seek help from the State Government. He narrates that he followed the usual drill of trying to approach Government departments and bureaucrats but to no positive result. “As an entrepreneur, when the idea to set up an oxygen plant first came to my head, I was sure that it would be a venture which would be highly beneficial to the people and State of Nagaland. But the way things turned out, I am disappointed,” he said.

But being a determined entrepreneur he did not let this deter his ambition. He managed to take loans from banking institutions and went ahead with the venture. Running an industrial unit solely is no small feat!

B. Imti Aier is presently supplying oxygen cylinders-tanks for medical use to private hospitals

in and around Dimapur. He has eight employees working and in a day the plant has the capacity to produce 5000 cylinders. But the State Government hospitals are yet to purchase from him, which is definitely a big dent to his business. Despite all the setbacks, even with high recurring costs to maintain the oxygen plant, he is still determined to keep it going.

Offering advice to other Naga entrepreneurs he stated, “I want Naga entrepreneurs to come out from their comfort zone and do something which is positive for our own society without depending on outsiders. If we strive hard, everything is possible. This oxygen plant was built through sheer determination, on my own. I want people to be determined and do things boldly.”

To add to this dismal plight, it should be noted that not a single Nagaland State Department official or representative has, so far, ever visited the oxygen plant.

MLAs present reports Book on Naga poets and fiction writers in English released Our Correspondent Kohima | March 20

MLA G. Kaito Aye, Chairman, Committee on Estimates (2015-16) on Saturday presented 121st Report on the Estimates of the Department of Agriculture (Agri link road), 122nd Report on the Estimates of power department and 123rd report on the Examination on the Estimates of Women Resource Development department during the assembly session.

MLA Dr. T.M. Lotha, Chairman of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation (2015-16) presented 42nd Report on Nagaland Police Service Rules, 2006, 43rd Report on Nagaland Secretariat Subordinate Service Rules, 1972, 45th Report on Nagaland Judicial Service Rules, 2009, 46th Report on Nagaland Secretariat (Civil) Stenographers Service Rules, 1973 and 47th Report on Nagaland Fisheries Service Rules, 2006.

Earlier, on Friday, MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu, Chairman of Committee on Public Undertakings presented seventy sixth, seventy seventh, seventy eight, seventy ninth and eighty Reports on the Action Taken by the Government on the Observations and Recommendations contained in the 43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th and 61st Report of the Committee on Public Undertakings on the Examination of the Report of the Comp-

troller & Auditor General of India for the year 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2010- 2011 pertaining to the Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (NHHDC) under the department of industries & commence, Government of Nagaland.

Minister for Social Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs Kiyanilie Peseyie also presented 115 Report of the Committee on Public Accounts (2015-2016) on the Examination of the Report of Comptroller & Auditor General of India for the year 2011-2012 and relevant Appropriation and Finance Accounts, 116th Report of the Committee on Public Accounts (2015-2016) on the Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations contained in the 114th Report of the Committee on Excess expenditures incorporated in the Comptroller & Auditor General of India for the year 2000-2001, 20052006, 2008-2009 and 20092010 and 117th Report of the Committee on Public Accounts (2015-2016) on the Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations contained in the 113th report of the Public Accounts Committee on the C&AG Report of India 2010-2011- Performance Audit on Public Distribution System (PDS) in Nagaland.

Kohima, march 20 (mExN): In the backdrop of picturesque Meriema village near Kohima, senior mothers Thesuo-ü, Lhoulie-ü and Lhoukru-ü released ‘Critical Essays on Naga Poets & Fiction Writers in English’, authored by Dr. Fr. A.J. Sebastian sdb, former Professor and HoD English, Nagaland University.

The organisers of the event felt it most fitting to release the book in a rural setting, dedicating it to the writers and their protagonists living in the rural beauty of the misty mountains of Nagaland. Dr. Vizovono Elizabeth, Head, Department of English, Baptist College, Kohima introduced the book and the literary luminaries.

According to a press release, the volume is a compendium of critical essays on contemporary Naga writers presenting their “Weltanschauung” of life which is an eye-opener to their personal philosophy of human life and the universe. The writers Temsula Ao, Easterine Kire, Monalisa Changkija, Nini Lungalang, Avinuo Kire and others explore contemporary issues of their society and human predicament in its multiple dimensions, coupled with lyrical exuberance, the writer of the book said. They have been very articulate in expressing their thoughts and feelings to instruct as well as to delight the readers, he added.

In the foreword to the

book, Dr. Nigamananda Das, Professor & Head, Department of English, Nagaland University, Kohima Campus wrote: “Prof. A. J. Sebastian sdb has been a promoter of creative and critical writings in English in Nagaland for over a decade. He has been a great source of inspiration for many budding writers and a critic of their writings...

This collection of critical essays is the first critical work on the Naga poets and fictionists writing in English. The work will positively enthuse the writers to be more equipped in their art and craft and also the budding writers to come up with more works.”

The book will be available at Don Bosco College,

The author of Critical Essays on Naga Poets & Fiction Writers in English with others during the release of the book in Meriema.

Kohima (9436011884); Bosco College of Teacher Education Dimapur (9436431786); NEISSR

Bishop’s House Dimapur (03862-233435); Pastoral Centre at Holy Cross Dimapur; and at major book

stalls in Kohima and Dimapur. The book is priced at Rs. 200/- (ISBN 978-935258-465-9).

Free coaching for medical, engineering aspirants from Nagaland

Guwahati, march 20 (mExN): Siksha-OAnusandhan Foundation, a Delhi based NGO, is offering free coaching to medical and engineering aspirants from Nagaland at some top class coaching centers of Guwahati. The project is being sponsored by different Government & Non Government Organizations which would bear the cost of tuition, books, food-lodging, and travel expenses, a press release from Dr. Ravi Verma, Director, Siksha-O-Anusandhan Foundation informed.

Students appearing for Angami youth participates in yell competition during Sekre- AIPMT/JEE/any State Ennyi 2016 Inter Peli competition of T. Khel on March 19 at trance Examination may T.Khel, Kohima Village. (Morung Photo) apply for such type of free

coaching. Selection will be done on first come first basis. Selected students will be placed in different top class coaching centers across Guwahati.

Interested students may apply online at www. safdelhi.org or may obtain/download the application form at www. safdelhi.org and can submit at Office of the SikshaO-Anusandhan Foundation, House No. 14, Beltola Tiniali, Near Beltola Masjid, Guwahati, Kamrup, Pin-781028, Assam either in person or by post or online within the cut off time.

The release further informed that the NGO is also providing MBBS/BDS

admission in some prestigious Medical & Dental Colleges without any donation; only tuition and hostel fee will be charged. Total fee for the entire MBBS course is 18 lakh, which includes tuition, hostel and all other fees. Total fee for entire BDS course is 10 lakh, which includes tuition, hostel and all other fees. Education Loan facility is available for needy students. Students have been instructed to contact the Regional Office of the NGO in Guwahati before March 25, 2016.

Institutions for the Medical & Dental courses are Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, MNR

Medical College & Hospital, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Hospital, Mamata Medical College, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Maharana Pratap College of Dentistry & Research, MNR Dental College & Hospital, Sri Sai College of Dental Surgery & others. Applications forms are available at www. safdelhi.org .

For any queries, students can contact 09859847136 or visit Regional Office of the Foundation, which is at House No. 14, Beltola Tinilai, Near Beltola Masjid, Guwahati, 781028, Assam.

Special get-together service Palm Sunday celebrated across Nagaland for elderly people at DSBC

(LEFT) Children participate in the Palm Sunday procession held at Christ King Church Kohima Village on March 20. (RIGHT) Students of Bethesda Hr. Sec. School with placard and palm leaves during a Palm Sunday procession in Dimapur on March 20 (Photo by Caisii Mao).

DSBC leaders along with the older persons of the church on March 19.

Dimapur, march 20 (mExN): To pay tribute to the elderly members of the church, Dimapur Sumi Baptist Church (DSBC) organized a special gettogether service for people above 70 years of age on Saturday. The theme of the service was “Axukushu Mekua”.

More than 60 elderly members of the church, who are not able to regularly attend church services due to old age, attended the service; 98 years old man was the eldest among

the participants.

The speakers of the service were Rev. S. Vitoshe Swu, Senior Pastor, DSBC and Kanili Aye, Associate Pastor, DSBC. Both speakers presented messages based on Psalms 71. They reminded the gathering to draw close to God in their old age and also encouraged them to continue to be source of blessing and inspiration for the people – the society at large and the church as well. The speakers also shared about the reason behind observing

International Day of Older Persons every year on October 1.

Prayer for good health and long life was offered during the service. Z. Yeholi Aye and Lhokiye spoke on behalf of the elderly people. Juliet Shikhu, Pastor, DSBC and Tohovi Chophy, Associate Pastor, DSBC conducted the service. Air-gun shooting for men and hitting target with soft ball for women were held as part of recreational activity for elderly people.

Kohima, march 20 (mExN): The Catholic Church in Nagaland celebrated Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday that initiates the Christians into the Holy Week on March 20. This year, Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima, officiated the Palm Sunday celebrations at Holy Cross Church, Dimapur along with nine priests and hundreds of Catholic faithful of the parish.

A press release from Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima informed that the Bishop in his introduction exhorted the Christians to be faithful to Christ and Holy Week to

which they are entering is a call to Christian fidelity.

Bishop later prayed and blessed the palm leaves, after which, the community proceeded to the Parish Hall, singing hymns with palm leaves in their hands, commemorating the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

In the second part of the liturgy at the Parish Hall, Passion narrative from the gospel of Luke was read.

The Bishop in his homily said Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday are two sides of the same coin because “we have to rejoice and sing as we receive Jesus into our

lives as our Lord and Savior and we have to weep and morn as his death confronts us with our sin.”

Bishop further urged the faithful to spend this week mediating the great things God has done in the “silence of our heart.”

Rev. Fr. Thomas PJ, Parish Priest of Holy Cross Church, announced to the faithful about the Chrism Mass to be celebrated on March 22 at 4:00 pm in Holy Cross Parish Hall, during which the Bishop along with all the priests working in the diocese celebrate the priesthood day, thus showing the unity in priesthood

and bless the sacred oils – oil of Chrism, oil of the catechumens and oil of the sick.

He invited all the faithful to take part in it.

In Viswema, St. Joseph Church combined the contrasting moments of glory (the royal welcome given to Jesus by his followers) and suffering (the drama of his unjust trial culminating in his crucifixion) during the celebration of Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday today. The congregation held procession holding palm leaves and singing ‘Hosanna’, a Hebrew imperative meaning ‘Grant your salvation’, remember-

ing Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Fr. C. Joseph, the counsellor of St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama presiding over the celebration mentioned the Holy Week challenges and asked the people to remember and relive the events which brought about “our redemption and salvation, to appreciate gratefully the price Jesus paid for our salvation, and to return God’s love for us, expressed through the suffering and death of Jesus, by loving others.” The one hour procession was attended by large number of children, men and women.

MonDAY 21•03•2016

NORTH-EAST | NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

3

No cabinet reshuffle in Gabroo Peace Festival in Nagaland-Assam Border Manipur, says minister Imphal, march 20 (IaNS): There will be no reshuffle in the Manipur cabinet, minister K. Ratankumar said on Sunday, as Congress president Sonia Gandhi summoned Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his deputy Gaikhangam after a group of 25 dissidents demanded dropping of "non-performing ministers".

"There is no question of reshuffle in the state. All differences could be thrashed out through negotiations," Works Minister Ratankumar, known to be a close associate of Okram Ibobi, said at a public function here.

"The party high command has not given any directive for a reshuffle," he said.

Okram Ibobi has had two rounds of talks with Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi over the dissidents issue, but they were inconclusive. The ruling Congress has 48 legislators in the assembly.

The group of 25 dissidents are demanding complete reshuffle of the ministry and enforcement of the 'one man one post' policy so that Gaikhangam is either dropped from the ministry or relieved of the state unit presidency. Sources said the demands of the dissidents "remain unchanged" and it was not immediately known what prompted Ratankumar to say there would be no reshuffle, as he was not the government spokesperson.

The dissidents are also de-

manding dropping of some "nonperforming ministers" including Ratankumar. Manipur is scheduled to go to the polls in February 2017.

Most of the dissidents are hoping that through a cabinet reshuffle, they get to become ministers with an eye on the forthcoming elections. In the past, Ibobi and his associates never yielded to the dissidents. However, this time, the dissidents have made it known that they may take some other steps since they cannot go empty handed to the voters.

Ibobi and Gaikhangam may meet Sonia Gandhi on Sunday night or Monday morning, and are expected to return here by Monday evening.

DImapur, march 20 (mExN): In an attempt to enhance the good relations between the people living in the Assam-Nagaland border areas, Gabroo Festival-2016 is being celebrated at the foot hills located at Gabroo in the adjoining areas of Jorhat and Mokokchung district.

According to a press release, the three day event which kicked off on March 18 with exchanges of pleasantries amongst the people from the 6 surroundings Naga villages and the 9 Assamese villages followed by “Gabroo Peace Flag” hoisting. In the afternoon, Friendly Volley ball league match was held. The final match played on Saturday where Assam team, Sotai,

won beating Tsuremmen village from Nagaland.

Gabroo is a spot filled with scenic natural beauty and considered a renowned heritage site situated near Assam – Nagaland border. Apart from historic identity of Ahom rule, the hear-say about Gabroo and the mighty Bhramaputra River is an attraction for intellectuals towards revealing the concealed mystery for the posterity.

The goal of celebrating this festival is to interchange the culture and literature between the people of Assam and Nagaland, the release stated. The festival also aims to uplift the peace and prosperity among the people living in this region, it added.

The celebration covering public from both hills

and plains is expected to enhance the mission of the Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam-Nagaland), BPCC (A-N), as the BPCC (A-N) is of the opinion that sports and cultural assimilations of the bordering people shall be effective ways of peace coordination.

The festival is organized by the Gabroo Tourism Development Committee in collaboration with the Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam-Nagaland), the release informed.

The organizers have named the main meeting hall in honor of late Ngangshikaba Aier (popularly known as J.N. Aier), father of Nagaland Parliamentary Secretary (Agriculture & Chairman NSAMB) and Alongtaki

MLA, Dr. Benjongliba, who died recently. Today, during the final days celebration, a close interaction session was initiated where public from the surrounding areas both from the Hills and plains participated and deliberated on continuance of such activities in future and to uphold the traditional age old good relations amongst the people.

Assam Parliamentary Secretary (Power) and Mariani MLA, Rupjyoti Kurmi, President of BPCC(A-N) B. P. Bora alongwith Executive members, Village Council Chairmen of Akumen, Tsuremmen, Saringyim and Nokpu (Assiring) and a host of public leaders partook in this session, the release stated.

Huge amounts of cash, liquor seized in poll-bound Assam Manipur teacher held for attempting to rape school girl

GuwahatI, march 20 (IaNS): With the Assam assembly polls round the corner, the Election Commission has so far seized nearly Rs.3 crore in unaccounted money and over four lakh litres of illicit liquor from across the state, officials said on Sunday.

Monitoring teams of the poll panel recovered Rs.2,95,47,834 in cash from different parts of Assam till Saturday evening, and

4,33,417.76 litres of liquor -- both of which were allegedly meant to be distributed among voters.

Around 5.5 kg of drugs have also been seized.

Polling for the 126-seat assembly will be held in two phases on April 4 and 11.

According to the EC officials, there are 34 expenditure-sensitive constituencies and 401 expenditure sensitive pockets in Assam.

The excise depart-

ment has already installed cameras in distilleries and breweries in Assam for monitoring the movement of liquor, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Siddharth Singh said on Sunday.

A total of 1,185 cases have already been registered over the seizure of the illegal liquor.

Siddharth Singh said the poll panel has asked the deputy commissioners and superintendents of po-

lice to intensify operations against illegal arms. So far, 86 illegal arms and 333 rounds of illegal ammunition have been seized.

Additional CEO Gaurav Bothra said 599 candidates filed their nominations for 65 constituencies, which are going to the polls in the first phase on April 4.

"However, 13 nominations were rejected due to technical problems. There are now 586 valid nomina-

tions for the 65 constituencies," Bothra said. Monday is the last date for withdrawal of nominations.

The EC has appointed 47 expenditure observers, 396 flying squads, 378 static surveillance teams, and 126 video surveillance teams for conduction of free and fair polls.

Besides, six air intelligence units have been set up in airports to monitor all developments.

Imphal, march 20 (IaNS): An elderly teacher has been arrested on charges of molesting and attempting to rape a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Thoubal district of Manipur.

The incident happened on Friday night in the hostel of a government-aided school at Bishnu Naha in Thoubal district.

"On March 18 night, the accused barged into the room where some of us were preparing for the next day's examination. He told us to go to our rooms. When I was the last person to leave the room he molested me and tried to rape," said the victim in her complaint.

National Integration Camp in Kohima

"Luckily for me, one student saw what was happening and alerted others," she said.

The accused, Keisham Ibohanbi, 61, also threatened to harm her if she informed anyone of the incident, the victim said. On Saturday, a Thoubal district court remanded Ibohanbi in police custody till March 22.

He has been charged under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, police said.

The accused was not a recognised teacher and "surprisingly there is no female warden despite the fact that there are about 50 girls in the hostel," said police.

NAGALAND MULTISPECIALITY HEALTH & RESEARCH CENTRE

MIDLAND DIMAPUR PH: 03862-248302/248295/9856006026 VISITING DOCTORS FROM DISPUR HOSPITAL GUWAHATI AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION ON 24TH MARCH 2016

DR.P.K.BHATTACHARJEE MS (ORTHOPEDICS), Sr. Consultant Bone & Joint Specialist

Participants of the ongoing National Integration Camp at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima Some of the World War II veterans during the scholarship award ceremony under the aegis staged “Rally for peace” in Kohima on March 19. Organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangaof the Kohima Educational Society and Kohima Educational Trust, United Kingdom which than, Nagaland Zone, the camp will go on till March 21. (Morung Photo) took place on March 18 at Ura Academy Hall, Kohima. (Morung Photo)

KohIma, march 20 (mExN): Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), Nagaland Zone is organising National Integration Camp at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima from March 17-21, which is being attended by 250 participants from Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttaranchal, Bihar, Punjab and neighbouring States of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, and Sikkim.

A press release from NYKS Nagaland Zone Director, Jackie Ruivah informed that the Camp was inaugurated by Dr. Vilhusa Seleyi, President, Angami Public OrParticipants of the three-day national seminar on ‘Impact of commercialization and com- ganisation (APO), who exhorted the youth munalization of Education in Naga society’ which was organized by the All India Forum for participants to be dedicated, connected Right to education (AIFRTE) at Patkai Christian College from March 17 to 19. and honest in bringing about national integration. He apprised that a country needs conscious and energetic young people for constructive and positive mind in the process of nation building. He encouraged the participants for a peaceful coexistence despite many differences among them in terms of food, culture etc.

The APO President further advised the young people to have faith in God. Meanwhile, he highlighted the significance of places in Nagaland like Kohima Village, Asia’s largest village and the world’s third largest village, country’s biggest WW-II Cemetery, Kisama, the Naga Heritage Village and international platform. The chief guest also asked all the participants to fulfil the aspiration of the Government during the Integration Camp and to disseminate the good things, see the hidden treasure and experience the new things learnt through the camp.

The keynote address was delivered by Jackie Ruivah, Zonal Director, NYKS Nagaland. She highlighted the purpose and details of programme. Feel India presentations, cultural programmes, Yoga, all faith prayer, Know India Quiz, Voice of the young people, Padyatra, Interaction with eminent resource persons, Educational Feel visit to Historical Place etc. will be part of the 5-day long programme.

DR.T.A CHOUDHURY

MD DM (NEPHROLOGY), Sr. Consultant Kidney Specialist

ZION HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE Free FIBROSCAN

Date Time Place

: 22nd March 2016 : 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. : Zion Hospital and Research Centre For further information, kindly contact the Reception Ph.: 03862 – 227337, 224117

Peren Govt. College under the aegis of Eco-Beautification and Performing Fine Arts Committee under IQAC (NAAC) conducted a cleanliness drive on March 19, where the participants cleaned the college compound besides setting up garbage bins using eco-friendly materials. Awareness on using eco-friendly products and maintaining a clean environment was emphasized upon during the program.

Town Hall, which was constructed in 2003 with a seating capacity of 2000 people, is an imposing landmark in Mokokchung. Being the only community hall with large seating capacity in the town, it hosts many important programmes, including state level and regional events. Recently, Mokokchung Municipal Council through its own revenue did a major renovation of the hall. (DIPR Photo)

BJP new office bearers hold first meeting

Department of Sociology, Unity College, Dimapur, undertook a field-trip to Suhoi village along with 34 Sociology Honours students and three faculty members on March 12. The students had an interactive session with the Village Council and School representatives on a case study on village system.

Farewell programme for outgoing students of Salt Christian College, Dimapur was held recently. The programme was graced by Nellayappan B, Principal, Government Higher Sec. School, Bandhari, as honorary guest.

DImapur, march 20 (mExN): The first meeting of the new team of Nagaland BJP office bearers was held on March 17 at the party office in Dimapur.

Chaired by the State President Visasolie Lhoungu, the meeting was attended

by BJP State office bearers and senior leaders. The president asked the party members to overcome obstacles and lead the party to even greater heights, a press release from Jaangsillung Gonmei, General Secretary, BJP Nagaland Media informed.

The meeting deliberated on the organizational set up and party programmes.

Explaining the reasons be-

hind the slow pace of setting up party office bearers on different fronts, the president said that competent persons are being appointed in different capacities representing various sections of the society, hence, the gradual pace of setting up the party’s organizational structure.

The meeting also discussed several areas of the party functioning, the hurdles and challenges ahead which would also be addressed to the Central leaders as required. Tour to every district would be undertaken in a short while and existing situation in every district will be reviewed, it was decided.

DIMAPUR DISTRICT WRESTLING ASSOCIATION Date:

23rd March 2016

1st MEET

Venue:

DDSC Stadium, Golaghat Road

Chief Guest:

Shri. Zhaleo Rio Hon’ble MLA Govt of Nagaland

Guest of Honour:

Shri. Kesonyü Yhome DC Dimapur

Official Media Partner The Morung Express

4

MonDAY 21•03•2016

Business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Taxman gets new tool to Jewellers’ strike caused identify, kill duplicate PAN Rs.70,000 crore loss

New delhi, March 20 (PTi): After years of labour, the Income Tax department has finally got a new technology tool to check the menace of duplicate PAN cards which also allows the taxman to 'kill' the second one.

An ambitious electronic smart platform called the Income Tax Business Application-Permanent Account Number (ITBAPAN) has been operationalised by the department which will help the taxman and PAN issuing intermediaries identify such duplicate numbers every time a new application for generation of the fresh IT department-issued unique identity reaches their portals.

"The department ear-

lier used to check against duplicity of PAN in a manual fashion which was not foolproof but the new electronic system is very accurate," a senior official said.

In cases of old PAN cards, he said, however, the manual system has to go on.

"There are not many such cases in the old system. Those are being weeded out as and when information is obtained," he said.

The department, in order to ensure that no entity is able to evade tax by way of holding two PAN cards, has been trying for a number of years to find a smart tool to check the menace.

There have been numerous instances in the past

when while probing tax evasion and black money cases, investigators found duplicate PAN cards were used to perpetrate the economic fraud.

The new system, upon finding on the ITBA-PAN platform that a duplicate PAN exists, will direct the taxman to inform applicants to approach their respective assessing officer and surrender the duplicate identity and, in case the applicant does not do so, the system will check the bonafides and automatically 'kill' the duplicate identity.

As per latest data, while there are over 24.37 crore PANs registered in the country, there are no accurate figures on the number of duplicate ones.

MuMbai, March 20 (iaNS): The 18-day strike by jewellers that ended on Saturday night is estimated to have caused losses of Rs.60,000-70,000 crore, an industry organisation said.

The Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said in a statement said here that the strike has caused "losses of Rs. 60,000-70,000 crore" to the industry.

The jewellers' strike ended on Saturday night following a meeting between the associations and union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi regarding the 1 percent excise duty proposed on jewellery in the Union Budget 2016-17.

A three-member committee, headed by former chief economic adviser to the finance ministry, Ashok Lahiri, has been constituted to look into issues related to excise duty on jewellery and find a solution.

It would submit its report to the government within 60 days, the GJEPC said in a release on Sunday.

At a meeting of various

AI to buy more planes to expand global network hYderabad, March 21 (PTi): Air India is mulling expanding its Boeing wide-body aircraft feet to implement its plans of adding a host of new destinations in its overseas network in a couple of years.

The airline is expected to draw up a firm plan in this regard early next fiscal, highly-placed airline sources said.

As of now, the government-owned carrier has 40 wide-body or twin-aisle planes in its fleet -- 15 Boeing 777s, 21 B-787 (Dreamliners) and jumbo B-747, as against 68 Airbus singleaisle A-320 family aircraft.

"We have not added too many wide-body planes in the fleet in the last couple of years, except the induc-

tion of Dreamliners from the 2005 order. We are now considering expanding this fleet as well by adding some long range Boeing aircraft going forward," the sources said.

A final call on the issue, including the choice of aircraft B-777s or Dreamliners -- is expected to be made early next financial year, they said.

The new routes that are on India's radar include Washington DC and Houston among others in the US, Sweden and some destinations across Africa, sources said.

Air India is expected to take deliveries of another nine wide-body planes by March 2018 which include six Dreamliners and three B777-300ERs. At the same

Soon, Ticket Status in SMS for passengers of select trains Madurai, Marc h 20 (PTi): As part of its ‘go green’ initiative, the Southern railways would do away with the practice of pasting reservation charts on train coaches and instead send SMS alerts to passengers regarding the reservation status of their tickets.

On a trial basis, the passengers of Shatabdi Express and Rajdhani Express will receive SMS information from March 20 to 22, respectively for a period of one month, a press release said today.

However, as per the extinct practice, the wait-list chart will be pasted at the main entrance of the railway stations, the release added,

time, it will induct another around 30 A-320s, includng A-320 neos, during the same period.

"But this will not suffice as we will be adding a number of destinations in the international network and hence require a good number of aircraft to meet the purpose," they said.

leisure

jewellers' associations with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah, Power Minister Piyush Goyal and others in New Delhi, it was decided that the committee would hold discussions with the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) and other stake-holders to evolve an amicable solution to the issue of excise duty.

SUDOKU

ACROSS 1. Sleighs 6. Possess 10. Bites 14. Circumscribe 15. Nile bird 16. modify 17. Friendliness 18. Speaker’s platform 19. don 20. A disorder of memory 22. Rational 23. “Sure” 24. Lemon or canary 26. male undergrad club 30. Reverence 31. South southeast 32. mentally irregular (slang) 33. Cushions or mats 35. An elongated leather strip 39. Postmortem 41. Film material 43. “Beau ___” 44. Aspersion 46. Prima donna problems 47. An unskilled actor 49. Card with one symbol 50. Awestruck 51. Body 54. Puppy sounds 56. Region 57. Loud 63. Edges 64. Adorable 65. Prod 66. death notice 67. Picnic insects 68. A small island 69. Small amount 70. dregs 71. An ancient board game DOWN 1. Smack 2. City in Peru 3. Arab chieftain

Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.”

Game Number # 3525

Answer Number # 3524

Ice cream Flavors ChOCOLATE

ORANgE

VANILLA

APPLE

STRAWBERRY

PEANUTBUTTER

PEACh

COCONUTCREAm

COOkIESANdCREAm ShERBERT COFFEE BUBBLEgUm LIghT YOgURT NEOPOLITAN BLUEBERRY

close to 8-10 million adults making a purchase via the Internet in the last year," Assocham Secretary General DS Rawat said.

The report said computer and consumer electronics, along with apparel and accessories, account for the bulk of India's retail e-commerce sales. These will contribute 40% of the total retail e-commerce sales in 2016 from the current level of 35%.

"Event tickets, music, consumer electronics, games and consoles, sports equipment, flowers, insurance, home appliances and furniture saw strong growth in the last year," it added.

Daily Cross WorD

India fifth largest country with domain name hijacks New delhi, March 20 (iaNS): India has emerged as the fifth highest country that witnessed infections via DNS Hijacks in 2015, F-Secure Threat Round up Report said, adding DNS Hijacks brought bots, downloaders and information stealers last year.

The report details the trends and events in global cyber threats that hit consumers and companies last year and said the majority of the observed hijacks in 2015 occurred in Italy and Poland, followed by Egypt, Sweden, and India. It said although domain name system (DNS) hijacks are a frequent type of attack in today’s threat landscape, a significant spike in these hijacks was observed during the spring and summer months of 2015, specifically April through August.

DNS hijacks’ basic aim is to alter the DNS configurations of their targets in order to monitor or manipulate internet traffic.

The report said various security flaws can lead to these DNS hijacks, including weak passwords, software vulnerabilities or malware. DNS hijacks are an effective way for attackers to make contact with a large number of potential targets at once, as it provides them with the opportunity to compromise all of the devices connected to a particular network.

F-Secure is a Finland-based online security and privacy company that recently warned parents to become more aware of the threats posed by new Internet of Things (IoT) toys designed for kids.

Over 300,000 jewellery shops owing allegiance to more than 300 associations across India went on strike since the excise duty announcement on February 29.

They have also been opposing the government rule making permanent account number (PAN) card as a mandatory proof on purchases of Rs.2 lakh

sumers, it said.

"The smartphone and tablet shoppers will be strong growth drivers. Mobile phones already account for 11% of e-commerce sales, and their share will jump to 25% by 2017," the report said.

It added that the overall e-commerce industry, valued at $25 billion has been growing at a compounded annual growth rate of about 35-40% each year and is expected to cross the $100 billion mark in five years.

"E-commerce is big business and getting bigger every day. Online shopping has been embraced by Indians with

CROSSWORD # 3539

Facebook, Twitter compete for live TV rights - New York Post New York, March 20 (reuTerS): Facebook Inc and Twitter Inc are vying to buy rights to stream conventional TV programming, the New York Post reported on Thursday. Both companies have approached programmers about a deal, the Post said, citing several sources familiar with the situation.

Facebook, which is already in talks with the National Football League for digital rights to Thursday Night Football, has met with a wide range of TV executives over the past few weeks, sources told the Post.

However, it was not known how Facebook would deliver the shows, sources who heard the pitch told the newspaper. "Our goal with live video is to work with our partners to move to a sustainable monetization model quickly," Facebook said in a statement. "We are not focused on acquiring the rights to conventional TV programs." Twitter declined to comment.

to grow to 80 million this year with better infrastructure in terms of logistics, broadband and Internetready devices, it said.

Factors contributing to the growth of e-commerce include aggressive merchandising and discounting from flash sales and daily deals, more online loyalty programmes and increasing popularity of smartphones and tablet computers among con-

PECANPIE PUmPkINPIE ChCOLATEPIE EggNOg PENICOLAdA BIRThdAYCAkE ChEESECAkE

ChOCOLATEChIP

dONUT

BANANACREAm

STRAWBERRIESANd-

OREO

CREAm

gRAhAmCRACkER

COOkIEdOUgh

W

o

S R g W C R P L R Q g W B U S C X h Q Q

R I L d A P g E V V d L F g R O B d h B

T Z J N V A Z J g d Y N Y S T h P A C N

Gudmornin Birthday Boy (AKAI)

A saleswoman shows a gold earring to customers at a jewellery showroom in mumbai on July 21, 2015. (REUTERS FILE PHoTo)

Online shopping to rise by 78% this year: Report New delhi, March 20 (PTi): Average online purchases are expected to increase by 78% this year on the back of attractive deals and aggressive marketing of merchandise, says a report.

"Unfazed by slowdown, average online purchases are expected to increase by 78% in 2016 from 66% in 2015 due to attractive deals and aggressive marketing of ever-expanding range of merchandise from clothes to jewellery, from electronics to books," said the Assocham-PwC report.

About 55 million consumers purchased something online in 2015 and the number is expected

Birthday Greeting

R

A k E Z N P d h X U N P A S A C I I C k

W T A I I L F g T J E O J d W O R Y O g

D

B U B B L E g U m X V O A B B L T J L I

E k A h L O C R B F X F P I E A h P A d

S

R O g R A h A m C R A C k E R T d U T J

R g W C O O k I E S A N d C R E A m E C

E

Y N U C h O C O L A T E C h I P Y P P O

Y E S O P E A N U T B U T T E R C k I C

4. devil tree 5. hinder 6. Retreats 7. Chagrined 8. 8 in Roman numerals 9. Literary compositions 10. An open letter 11. Something to shoot for 12. A keyboard instrument 13. Scatter 21. Some tides 25. Being 26. Banner 27. debauchee 28. does something 29. dentifrice 34. Impertinence 36. Indian music 37. At the peak of 38. Annoyance 40. Legumes 42. Crawled 45. kit for a baby 48. Peyote 51. Billiards bounce 52. Small African antelope 53. Send, as payment 55. Relating to audible sound 58. melody 59. hurry 60. doing nothing 61. Anagram of “Sage” 62. Catches ANSWER TO CROSSWORd 3538

FOR SALE Ph.No: 9615478773

FOR SALE FOR SALE Bajaj Pulsar: 150cc (NL07) Model: 2014 Price: Rs.55,000 (Negotiable) Contact: 7308615811

LAND FOR SALE Land along with RCC Building at Landmark Colony, Dimapur Price : 85 Lacs Negotiable, Area: 70x70 ft.

Contact: 8729871465

dImAPUR Civil Hospital:

MARUTI ESTEEM VXI

model: 2006 Color: S Silver Price: 1.45 Lakhs (Negotiable) Contact No: 8974992511

Xtreme Gaming

Dota 2 Tournament 3rd April 2016 Last Date of Registration 29th March 2016 Near Agri Expo Gate, 4th Mile Dimapur, Nagaland Contact: 9077132309

STd COdE: 03862 232224; Emergency- 229529, 229474

Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital:

227930, 231081 228846

Shamrock Hospital

228254

Zion Hospital:

231864, 224117, 227337

Police Control Room Police Traffic Control East Police Station West Police Station

228400

CIHSR (Referral Hospital) Dimapur hospital

242555/ 242533

Apollo Hospital Info Centre:

230695/ 9402435652

Railway:

131/228404

Indian Airlines

229366

232106 227607 232181

CHUMUKEDIMA: 7085982102 (o) 8732810051 (oC) WOkhA: 03860242215/101 (o) 8974322879 (oC)

224041, 248011

MoKoKCHUNG: 0369-2226225/ 101 (o) 8415830232 (oC) PHEK: 8414853765 (o) 8413822476(oC)

Nagaland Multispe- 248302, cialty Health & 09856006026 Research Centre

Police Control Room: North Police Station: South Police Station: Fire Brigade: Naga Hospital: oking Hospital: Bethel Nursing Home: Northeast Shuttles

STd COdE: 0370 100/2244279 2222222 2222111 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923

08822911011

L P E k N B A N A N A C R E A m k N P N

U O R I I O k k d Z V O R A N g E P E U

E L B E C g P F P L P S g C d E Z I C T

C

B I E d O N U T L U R A O h C I d E A C

E T R O L m N A I O Y O g U R T O J N R

H

R A T U A F P R g C O F F E E A R I P E

R N R g d F P C h E E S E C A k E J I A

Y V V h A V N h T Y N A L V m U O Z E m

TUENSANG: 8414853766 (o) 9856163601 (oC)

kIPhIRE: 8414853767 (o) 9436261577 (oC) PEREN: 7085189932 (o) 9856311205 (oC) LONgLENg: 7085924113 (o) 9862414264 (oC)

WE4WOmEN hELPLINE

R

zUNHEBoTo: 03867-280304/ 101 (o) 9436422730 (oC)

MoN: 03869-251222/ 101 (o) 9862130954 (oC)

Toll free No. 1098 childline

mOkOkChUNg:

KoHIMA SoUTH: 0370-2222952/ 101 (o) 9402003086 (oC)

DIMAPUR: 03862-232201/ 101 (o) 9856156876 (oC)

Chumukedima Fire 282777 Brigade Nikos Hospital and 232032, 231031 Research Centre

kOhImA

FIRE STATIONS

KoHIMA NoRTH: 7085924114 (o)

ChILd WELFARE COmmITTEE

A

B O h O E g g N O g k F I P S P A I E O

Many many Happy returns and above.

The size of the gems of The Day.. and jewellery industry, Happy Birthday Dost...

4rm that is still an unorganised hon'z sector, is estimated to be in the range of between Rs.2.5-3 lakh crore.

The government move was prompted by the aim to bring the growing secBOLERO XL tor into the mainstream of Modified to SLX economic activity by levying a tax.

Location: Dimapur

STd COdE: 0369

Police Station 1:

2226241

Police Station 2 :

2226214

Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home:

2226216 2226263

Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):

2226373/2229343

TAHAMzAM (formerly Senapati) STD CoDE: 03871 Police Station: Fire Brigade

CURRENCY NOTES

222246 222491

BUY(Rs)

SELL(Rs)

US Dollars Sterling Pound Hong Kong Dollar Australian Dollar Singapore Dollar Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen

65.13 93.01 8.12 49.69 47.88 50.2 58.06

68.11 97.56 9.05 52.17 50.27 52.69 61.36

Euro

73.46

77.07

1.81

2.02

0.0537

0.0599

Thai Baht Korean Won UAE Dirham (AED) Chinese Yuan

17.16

19.13

9.7

10.81

mondAY 21•03•2016

NAGALAND

Drinking water & sanitation awareness week programme held across the state

Mokokchug, March 20 (MExN): As part of the one week National Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Awareness campaign (NRDW&SAC), PHED, Mokokchung division with Sungratsu Students’ Union organized an awareness rally at Sungratsu village on March 19, where more than 200 students from Kobulong block participated.

The rally was flagged off

by CMO Mokokchung, Dr SS Akaba Longchar, who stated that the communitized departments in the state- Power, Medical and Education - are implementing the different activities and programmes successfully with the co-ordination of the village councils and the communities. He maintained that community participation is top most important to implement various programmes at the grassroots level for communitized departments.

On drinking water and sanitation, the CMO urged the village councils to start practicing scientific method of waste disposal and maintain proper sanitation to contain the outbreak of disease like Amoebiasis, diarrhoea and hepatitis in the village.

He also encouraged the village council and students not to use chemicals and pollute the streams and drinking water catchment area and to make the village free from infectious diseases and human made environment issues mainly caused by jhum cultivation.

The president of Sungratsu Students’ Union, Imchalemba Walling maintained that the presently, mother earth is striving so hard to save humanity and is deteriorating worse day by day at a rapid pace, all because of human greed and selfish attitude. He called upon the students and elders to change the mindset and attitude to-

gramme cum rally, where they marched from Council Hall to helipad holding banners and placards.

Students under Kobulong Sub-Division taking part at the National Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Awareness campaign rally organized at Sungratsu village on March 19.

launch cum rally was held at Council Hall, Mon on March 18 with President KNSK, B. Lomei Konyak as the chief guest.

Lomei Konyak in her short speech appealed to the students to learn from the programme and disseminate and share with others what they have learned from the program.

She asserted that 70% – 80% of various human diseases are related to waterborne diseases due to lack of proper sanitation and safe drinking water. She urged the students to focus more on development of sanitation and safe drinking water besides other development because it is related to human health and wellbeing.

In his keynote address, MoN: National Rural Executive Engineer, PHED Drinking Water & Sani- Mon, Er Leyang Khiamnitation Awareness Week ungan highlighted the imwards mother earth and start acting from grassroots level, starting from self, home, school and to the higher level.

Meanwhile, the inter school essay competition of Kobulong Block, Mokokchung was held at GMS Sungratsu on March 18, which was participated by 30 students from different schools around the block. The first position was secured by Kilangbenla, while second and third prizes were bagged

by Tekanungsang and Lanusama, all from Clark Memorial Hr. Sec. School, Impur. They were given certificates with cash prizes. Consolation prizes were also given to ten students.

PDLSA observes Int'l Women’s Week

pErEN, March 20 (MExN): Peren District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) in collaboration with the Jalukie Town Women Welfare Association observed International Women’s Week cum legal awareness programme at Jalukie Town in Peren district with the theme ‘Pledge for Parity’.

Deputy Commissioner of Peren, Peter Lichamo, in his keynote address spoke on gender equality and child psychology pointed out that Naga society is a patriarchal society, but 90 % of the household is managed by the women; Therefore, it is very important for the women to be educated about child psychology along with legal rights to shape the children’s future, he added.

A press release received here further informed that ‘Pledge for Parity – Women of the Past, the Present, the Future” was read out by Ajongba Imchen, Secretary, PDLSA and Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Peren, followed by lighting of candle by all the participants. He also highlighted the fundamental duties of every citizen and stated that it is one of the citizens’ duties to exercise Right to Information for the betterment of the society and not to misuse RTI. In the 2nd session, Panel Lawyers of PDLSA Asungbe, Italang Ramlia, Limasenla Longkumer and Esther K Aye spoke on various topics like Child Rights, Maintenance under 125 CrPC, various welfare schemes for women and gender equality.

portance of observing the awareness week. He said that National Rural Drinking Water & Sanitation Awareness Week is a national programme to create awareness on sanitation and safe drinking water. He said students are being targeted to attend the program because they are the future and an important source of disseminating information to their friends and parents back at home.

Stressing on conservation of forest, he said deforestation and jhum cultivation cause shortage of drinking water and urged the students and teachers to encourage and adopt tree plantation.

Resource person & chemist, Watinaro, spoke on the importance of water & human health. Around 1000 students and teachers from various schools and college attended the pro-

‘We all have to come together’

DiMapur, March 20 (MExN): Athrom Konyak, current Konyak Region Chairman of the NSCN (IM), has appealed to the Konyak people to not be “taken away or stay confused” by “hasty provocations or undue allegations against our Baba Kholi” but to remain “firm about the move initiated and taken” by him. Athrom Konyak moved to NSCN (IM) from GPRN/ NSCN along with Gen. (Retd.) Kholi Konyak who joined NSCN (IM) recently.

Through a press release from the MIP of the NSCN (IM), Athrom Konyak conveyed that he knows Gen. (Retd.) Kholi Konyak since he joined the Naga freedom movement on May 15, 1973 as a “loyal soldier.”

He noted that “we all have to come together” with Kholi Konyak due to the Naga urge for peace, unity and reconciliation, since the year 2011, “which eventually led to further split and even great misunderstandings among our Konyak family.”

“Today, it is the different history and we all

can proudly say that it was Baba’s political ideology that one day when all things turn wrong he will sacrifice for our political survival,” stated the press release. Athrom Konyak stressed that many “conspire” against Kholi Konyak and use words like “bribe” or “greed” but “it is better to die through cancer diseases rather than to be enslaved in politics and undergo slow death without any history to write about his 60 years of service.”

“The framework agreement signed on 3rd August 2015 will be the greatest achievement.. because it is based on unique history of Nagas. We need solution for unity and solution for peace,” he asserted.

Further he stated that the people should not “forsake the feelings and urge of oppressed people” as well as the Government of India which has expressed “their sincere approach” for an early IndoNaga political solution. He appealed to all to “pray for our leaders in Delhi for sound health and wisdom to guide Naga People.”

MoN, March 20 (MExN): As part of the global efforts towards total eradication of polio, trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV) currently being used, which contains all three types of polio viruses (type 1, 2 & 3), is being replaced with bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV).

According to a press release received here, bOPV does not contain wild polio virus (type 2 virus) since the strain has been eradicated, globally. The bOPV will contain polio viruses- type 1 & 3 only. All tOPV will be withdrawn, replaced and destroyed in a globally coordinated switch within a two week window in April 2016, the release said.

In this regard, district level workshop on trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV) to bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) was conducted on March 18 in Mon district at Chief Medical Officer’s office for Medical Officers, nurses, vaccinators, cold chain point handlers and Block Programme Managers.

The workshop was conducted by Dr Boroah, WHO, National Polio Surveillance Programme along with Dr Pearson, UNICEF Consultant. The topics discussed were global polio scenario and endgame strategy, National Switch Plan: Overview, components and timelines, roles and responsibilities and online tracking of tOPV,

bOPV and IPV. In Kiphire, district level workshop on trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV) to bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) switch was held at Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) office on March 19. The workshop, attended by programme officers, CMO staffs and block level officers, was held to carry out the switch from tOPV to bOPV successfully in the district, according to a press release from Imnasenla Pongener, District Media Officer, CMO office, Kiphire.

Dr. Nagen Sarmah, SMO, WHO from Assam, the resource person, gave an overview on the national switch plan, components and timelines, and a detailed presentation on the global scenario, polio endgame strategy and online tracking of tOPV, bOPV and IPV. The national switch from tOPV to bOPV date is April 25, 2016, where use of tOPV will be stopped, removed from cold chain and sent for disposal. The switch to bOPV will affect both routine immunization and polio campaigns.

The district level workshop will be followed by block level workshop which will be conducted by the respective block-level Medical Officers and Block Programme Managers.

MEx File

Justice Ajit Singh to inaugurate Legal Aid Clinic at Kohima Village

kohiMa, March 20 (MExN): Justice Ajit Singh, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh and patron-inchief of Nagaland State Legal Services Authority will inaugurate Legal Aid Clinic at Kohima village on March 21. The function will take place at Kohima Village Council (KVC) hall at 9:00 AM. Parliamentary Secretary Khriehu Liezietsu and Kohima Village Council chairman Neivor Rutsa will also address the function. Keynote address will be delivered by Justice Nishitendu Chaudhury, executive chairman, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority and Judge, Gauhati High Court.

KES to publish book on Naga war veterans

held on March 19. The Association also resolved to support the three-point resolutions of the UNTABA in regards to border issue, and decided to cooperate and participate as and when necessary. The meeting was presided over by Tokuho Suhoi Neho, President, and recorded by Kenith Tsopoe, General Secretary, DDGBA, a press release from DDGBA Information & Publicity Secretary Akhu Gangmei said. It was also informed that DDGBA will have office on first and third Saturdays every month from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Ex. Underground Khellers meeting DiMapur, March 20 (MExN): A meeting of Ex. Underground Khellers of Industrial Village Razhüphe has been convened on March 22, 11:00 am at the residence of the village council’s chairman TL Angami at Industrial Village Razhüphe, Dimapur. All members concerned have been requested to attend the said meeting without fail. A press release from Sessional Secretary Theja Angami cautioned that absentees shall be severely dealt with, up to the extent of cancellation of his/her registration.

kohiMa, March 20 (MExN): The Kohima Educational Society (KES) have decided to compile the list of Naga war veterans in the form of book. In this connection, the Naga veterans who fought in the battle of Kohima during World War II have been requested to keep in touch with KES. KES president Charles Chasie said the Society wanted to recognize all the Naga war veterans and put on record and treasure the DiMapur, March 20 (MExN): The same in the form of publication.

Rengma Selo Zi (RSZ), an apex youth organization of Rengma and Red Cross Society of India Tseminyu branch, is organising one day free medical camp at DiMapur, March 20 (MExN): Holy Rengmapani village on March 22 at the Cross School (HCS) Dimapur Alumni will village panchayat compound. Therebe holding its Alumni Nite on April 17, from fore, president of the organization has 6PM onwards at Aiko Green, Jorpukhuri, informed all the neighbouring villages near Zion Hospital Dimapur. A press note also to come and avail the services. Reon behalf of the Alumni said the decision nowned doctors will be attending the for the same was taken at its general meetcamp, according to the president. ing held on March 20. All the batch representatives have been requested to contact their batchmates and inform them about the programme. For further details and queries, one can contact at: 8729862803. kohiMa, March 20 (MExN): The school building inauguration of Government Primary School, Ward No-1, ZienuoDiMapur, March 20 (MExN): Di- badze, Kohima will take place on March 22 mapur District GB Association (DDGBA) at 10:00 am. Kohima Deputy Commissionhas resolved to support the resolutions of er Rovilatuo Mor will grace the occasion as Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) adopt- the chief guest. School Education Director ed on March 15 and also extend full coop- Senthang and Zasilhoulie Zumvü, chaireration to NGBF. This decision was made man, Panchayat Ward No I will also exhort during the executive meeting of DDGBA the gathering.

Free medical camp at Rengmapani village

HCS Alumni Nite on April 17

GPS Zienuobadze school building inauguration

DDGBA adopts resolution

Webcasting of Krishi Mela held at Mon

Disability certification camp held in Changtongya chaNgtoNgya, March 20 (MExN): Free medical checkup, medicine and disability certification camp for mental illness and mental retardation was held on March 19 at Grace Society office complex at Changtongya Town. The programme was organized by Grace Society CBRF (Community Based Rehabilitation Forum), Changtongya in collaboration with District Mental Health Programme. Dr. Yanger, DPO (UIP/RCH/RBSK) Nodal Officer, Mental Health Programme and his five-member staff conducted the said health camp and distributed free medicine and certificate to the patients.

A press release from the Grace Society informed that altogether, 17 patients with mental illness and mental retardation were given free medical checkup, medicine and disability certificate. The program was organized by Grace Society CBRF as part of their project to facilitate People with Disabilities in Langpangkong area in availing their various entitlements available to them from the Central and State government.

Wokha: National Rural Drinking & Sanitation Awareness Week was observed on March 19 at LTC Hall here with SDO (C) Wokha, Thavaseelan (IAS) as the resource person. The programme, organised by WSSO (PHED) Wokha, was attended by WATSAN members and village representatives from 19 villages.

The resource person said that the primary aim of the programme is to accelerate and increase awareness in the villages across the district on sanitation and drinking water.

He pointed out that almost half of the world’s hospitals are filled with patients suffering from water and sanitation related diseases. “To make safe drinking water and sanitation available on sustainable basis, we need to involve the water user community and create awareness, educating them to have discipline apart from constructing infrastructure,” he said.

Stressing that every person should act as a brand ambassador in spreading awareness to use water judiciously, Thavaseelan further stated it is the duty of every right minded citizen, especially staff in the PHED department, to spread and ignite the minds of people in the villages and elsewhere to conserve water through preserving forests and harvesting of rain water. He also emphasized on the importance of safe disposal of human waste, water and solid waste management which can help control vector borne diseases.

IEC Consultant, Nisa also gave a brief highlight of the programme and other follow up programmes to be held.

With DIPR inputs

Workshop on tOPV to bOPV held in Mon, Kiphire

Participants of the Holi Utsav 2016 live organised by Ram Janaki Thakurbari Youth Wing on March 19, Saturday evening in Dimapur. The event was attended

by Dr Neiphreze Keditsu as chief guest and Akato Chophy as guest of honour.

Renowned Bhojpuri singer, Devi Kumar performed during the event.

AR recovers 420 kg of Ganja

DiMapur, March 20 (MExN): Two people were arrested along with 420 kilos of contraband Ganja by Assam Rifles on March 18 after a series of incidents involving a shootout, chasing and ultimately, the arrest of two person.

According to an AR press note, troops of 9 Assam Rifles manning a vehicle check post near Zero Point, Chakhabama intercepted one Mahindra Bolero on March 18 for identification but were fired upon from the car causing bullet injury to an AR troop.

The troops of Assam Rifles retaliated in self defence but the Bolero managed to flee, it said adding that subsequent oper-

ations were launched to nab the culprits and the Bolero was later found toppled near the Zero point with 420 kg of Ganja.

The operation party was later successful in apprehending P K Hoping from Senapati and his subsequent questioning led to arrest of another accomplice identified as Sikhu Mao, a resident of Tedupi, the AR added.

He was arrested by 35 Assam Rifles from Maram. One Pistol along with 3 rounds was also recovered from the site, the AR added.

The apprehended persons along with the recovered items and car were later handed over to the police.

DiMapur, March 20 (MExN): A three days webcasting programme of Krishi Mela Pusa, New Delhi was inaugurated on March 19 at the Conference Hall of the DRDA office, Mon. Organised by ATMA Mon, the programme enabled a large gathering of farmers, scientist, policy makers and stakeholders to engage in discussion, participate in live demonstration of various crops, highlight success stories of farmers and interact between farmers and scientist for better income.

According to a press note received here, Subenthung Odyuo, Deputy Project Director, ATMA, Mon presenting the keynote address at the programme informed the farmers that Krishi Mela is organized by the Ministry of Agriculture to provide information on new farm schemes and technology for farmers.

The main objective of the program is to reach out to the farmers at the block level and equip them and

Some of the attendees at the three days webcasting programme of Krishi Mela Pusa at DRDA Conference Hall, Mon.

agri-entrepreneur with right technology, access to markets, finance etc., he added.

Odyuo further appealed to the farmers to avail the opportunity and disseminate the information to the farmers back at home.

Earlier, the programme begins with welcome address by the chairperson Nemchaba Jamir, Asstt.

Tech. Manager, ATMA, Mon followed by self introduction by the farmer’s participants.

Short speeches were proposed by the participants of Krishi Vasant

from February 4-18, 2014 Wangyem Konyak of Chen Block, Yukjun Konyak of Phomching Block and Yanyak Konyak of Wakching Block.

The inaugural programme concluded with vote of thanks by Mhonchumo Khuvung, Asstt.

Tech. Manager ATMA and followed by webcasting and interaction with the resource persons.

Other resource persons included Roseline Pusa BTM, ATMA Mon; Vimenuo Zao, Botanist, BTM, ATMA Mon; Ch-

ingin Konyak, AI, DAO, Mon (Horti); Imti Jungshi, Plant Pathology, BTM, ATMA Mon; Nunghothung Odyuo, Environmentalist, BTM, ATMA Mon; Mhachamo Ngullie, Entrepreneur, ATM, ATMA, Mon; Mhonchumo Khuvung, Entrepreneur, ATM, ATMA, Mon; Tiamongba Pongen, Soil Conservation, ATM, ATMA, Mon; Moikum T Shongtuk, ATM, ATMA, Mon; Nchumthung Murry, Agri. Economics, ATM, ATMA, Mon and Daniel Konyak, Horti, ATM, ATMA, Mon.

6

MonDAY 21•03•2016

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume Xi issue 78 By moa Jamir

13 minutes for austerity?

A

re Nagaland legislators hell-bent to enter the record books for conducting the shortest Assembly Session in the world? Records seem to suggest so. After earning severe public consternation for conducting a 30 minute session (entire session) last year, they kept their reputation intact when the Eleventh Session of the Twelfth Nagaland Legislative Assembly, which began on March 15, was adjourned sine die on March 19 after a 13 minutes proceeding.

That the Nagaland State legislators have nothing to discuss about the tabling of the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) Report on the same day is perplexing and holds ominous ramification for accountability, fighting corruption, as well as welfare of its populace.

Was holding a 13 minute session a part of austerity or were the matters concerning numerous anomalies in respective departments too close for comfort for the legislators?

The CAG report for the year ended March 2015 has detected, among other things, huge mismanagement of funds, lack of proper planning and implementation of central schemes, non-completion of projects and failure to submit Utilisation Certificates (UCs) for 104 grants in respect of 11 departments aggregating to Rs 217.65 crore till March 31, 2015.

A swift perusal of the report makes one cringe with anxiety over the state of affairs in Nagaland - A block development officer (BDO) transferring Rs. 1.37 crore to his personal account and Rs. 0.43 crores to another officer’s account; Rs. 2.32 crore to 48 ineligible and seven non-functional societies on the basis of false sales details; Non- functional Sports Complex despite incurring an expenditure of Rs. 58 crore on its construction; diversion of fund in all departments; Rs. 602.34 crore expenditure without a single kilometre road built; an SDEO drawing Rs. 2.54 crore fictitiously on behalf of pseudo-anonymous employees; fraudulent withdrawal of Rs. 2.81 crore by 41 Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDOs) etc – stuffs one usually comes across in mainstream thriller and heist stories.

Keeping a sense of humour intact despite ignominious circumstances, the report notes that the only aspect worthy of appreciation is the lack of “gender bias” in selection of sportspersons for imparting training at two establishments in the State.

But such ignominy does not seem to prick the conscience of those at the helm of affairs. Given the enormity of the situation, if at all they were serious about combating corruption and ensure accountability in governance, they must have at least tried to ponder over its implication and ramification.

However, they chose to give the report a silent burial. Lack of any formal opposition to bring the concerned department into scrutiny simplifies matters for them while magnifying the burden and crisis of common people.

Coming at the heels of a budget session where the Chief Minister chose to gloss over positive balance of Rs 71.62 crore in the current account, without outlining any fiscal measure to correct the cumulative deficits of Rs. 1149 crore, explains the scenario well. Whether the surplus is a reflection of unpaid salaries of many departments, is a moot point.

The only austerity measure the Government could come up with was to scrutinise the encashment of 300 leaves by retired government servants, and the decision to “voluntarily” forego allowances for refreshments, newspapers and magazines by Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and senior officers. To make them read less about stark realities? One wonders.

The common refrain of the Government is to lament over the share of employees’ salaries in State expenditure and government job mentality of the youth. But the public has no option as the policy maker cannot offer any viable alternative.

The desolation of common people cannot be solved by organising festivals and road shows.

Those at the helms of affairs might accuse a critic of not understanding the intricacies of administrative mechanism in dealing with such reports. But for any objective observer, the report is too clear and straightforward to be circumvented with a conspiracy angle or administrative entanglement.

The State legislators nonchalant attitude in dealing with such matters has only emboldened those committing such anomalies and fraud in the system. Corruption is entrenched in every organ of the system. Are politicians afraid of possible repercussions in fighting the same?

Nonetheless, it is high time that State legislators walk the talk on corruption instead of uttering sweet nothings in public about accountability, transparency and good governance.

The people of Nagaland deserve better policies. We could do even without a government that is penny wise and pound foolish, sweeping acute anomalies under the rug but adopting austerity measure as a tokenism, much like its 13-minute Assembly session.

For any comment, drop a line to moajamir@live.com

lEfT wiNg |

Alister Doyle Reuters

Trees can adapt to higher temperatures

T

rees can adapt to rising temperatures and limit their natural emissions of greenhouse gases, according to a study published on March 16 that suggests plants may have a smaller than expected role in stoking man-made global warming.

Trees, plants, people and other animals produce carbon dioxide as a waste product from burning energy. As temperatures rise, trees use more energy in respiration and emit more carbon dioxide from their leaves. "Plant respiration results in an annual flux of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere that is six times as large as that due to the emissions from fossil fuel burning, so changes in either will impact future climate," scientists wrote in the journal Nature. They found that 10 types of North American trees, in artificially heated outdoor forest plots, adapted to higher temperatures without drastically boosting the amount of carbon produced by their leaves. "Plants play less of a role than previously thought in speeding up global warming through accelerated respiratory carbon dioxide emissions," lead author Peter Reich of the University of Minnesota told an online news conference. "Given the number of plants on Earth this is a big deal," he said of their role in the carbon cycle.

Apart from respiration, trees also absorb carbon dioxide to build roots, branches and leaves, and release it when they rot or burn. The study, and other experts, cautioned that the research only focused on respiration by leaves. Martijn Slot, of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama who was not involved with the study, said respiration was only part of the story.

"Global warming will also affect other plant properties -- e.g. photosynthesis, growth, mortality and reproduction -- and we are a long way from a complete understanding of the effects of rising temperatures on any of those processes," he told Reuters.

Pierre Friedlingstein, a climate expert at Exeter University who was also not involved, said the study drew too many conclusions from leaf respiration. "I'm afraid this paper is not a game changer," he wrote. In the study, the scientists placed heaters, both above the ground and in the soil, around trees and raised the average temperatures by 3.4 degrees Celsius (6.8 Fahrenheit) above normal in experiments that lasted from three to five years. They found the trees raised their respiration by just 5 percent, against a predicted 23 percent with no acclimatisation, indicating that trees can adapt to higher temperatures.

C O M M E N T A R Y

Coletta A Youngers and Nischa Pieris OpenDemocracy

Women are bearing the brunt of our most ‘punitive’ drug policies

S

ara’s story of cycling in and out of prison has become all too familiar. At age 50, she is again serving time, a plea-bargained, seven-year sentence in the “Buen Pastor” women’s prison in San José, Costa Rica, for selling crack and attempting to bribe a police officer with the equivalent of US$3.75. When she was 13, Sara left home, fleeing sexual abuse by her uncle. She ended up living on the streets (where she has spent most of her life) and began using and then selling drugs to support herself and her habit. Sara has suffered a lifetime of abuse, poverty, violence, and incarceration. Imagine what her life could have been like if social services and other forms of government support had been the response to her situation of vulnerability, rather than prison.

Sara is not alone. The female prison population is growing worldwide. But in Latin America, women are being incarcerated in alarming numbers. While the number of men incarcerated is greater, the incarceration of women is growing at a faster pace. Extremely punitive drug laws are the driving force behind this disturbing trend. Research carried out by the Research Consortium on Drugs and the Law (CEDD) reveals that in Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Peru, more than 60% of women are behind bars for drug-related offences. In Argentina, for example, the population of women incarcerated for drug offences climbed 271% between 1989 and 2008, and 290% in Brazil between 2005 and 2013. The majority of these women are accused of or convicted of low-level, non-violent offences, yet they will spend years behind bars.

This worrying trend is reflected in other parts of the world. According to the Thailand Institute of Justice, 80% of the female prison population in that country is imprisoned for drug-related crime. A similar pattern has also been recorded in Europe and central Asia. A study published by Harm Reduction International in 2012 shows that in these regions, an average of one in every four women deprived of liberty is serving a custodial sentence for drug-related offences. In some countries this figure is as high as 70%. The global data available shows that immediate custodial sentencing is being applied across regions as a first port of call in response to drug offences.

The current drug policies that have resulted in the excessive criminalisation and incarceration of women must be fundamentally reformed. Drug policies should be based on the fundamental legal principle that incarceration should only be used as a last resort. Low-level offences committed by women or men should be addressed through alternatives to incarceration and by ensuring that the penalties are proportional to the offences committed. Special attention should be given to the gender perspective in developing, implementing, and evaluating legislative and drug policy reforms.

Who are these women?

Women who go to prison for drug offences offer diverse explanations as to what led them to be incarcerated. Sara’s story reveals a common pattern: women who become involved in drug use and then begin selling drugs to support their habit; or who are sex workers and use drugs to make their situation more tolerable and then also end up selling them.

Although there are women who report having become involved by their own choice and say they were aware of the risks associated with the drug business, in many cases the women have been coerced by a partner or family member – a situation which is facilitated by emotional bonds fraught with gender stereotypes and unequal power relations between men and women. Some women in prison say they were deceived and did not know what they were doing.

Others say they were not fully aware of all the risks they were taking.

The latter is particularly the case with women who transport drugs from one country to another. These women are often referred to as ‘mules’, a term with obvious derogatory implications. Drug trafficking organisations will sometimes seek out women in situations of vulnerability and entice them into transporting drugs as a means of earning money to support themselves, their family, their drug consumption or a combination of these. In the end, however, these women are engaged in poorly remunerated, high-risk tasks, with a significant probability of being caught, while those running the drug business reap the profits.

From Colombia to Thailand, drug policy reforms are urgently needed to end the mass incarceration of women for drug offences. Here’s what we can do about it While the factors leading to their involvement in the drug trade may differ, most of the women incarcerated for drug crimes share common characteristics, most prevalently, social exclusion and poverty.

They have little or no schooling, leading them to seek out a living in the informal economy, and are responsible for providing care for dependents, whether children, young people, elderly, or persons with disabilities. In many cases they have been victims of violence, sexual abuse, or commercial sexual exploitation at some point in time and possibly repeatedly.

They have had little or no access to government services or support. Some groups have an even greater propensity to be subjected to discrimination in the enforcement of drug laws, such as indigenous women, Afro-descendant women, and LGBTI people.

It is important to stress that these women do not pose a real threat to society. They are arrested for performing low-level tasks, but are locked up in pre-trial detention or with excessive prison terms. Once they have served their sentences and are released, their criminal records make it even harder to find decent work in the legal economy, which perpetuates a vicious cycle of social exclusion and incarceration.

The impact on their families In addition, the vast majority of women incarcerated for drug offences in Latin America are single mothers. Consider Johana, a single mother who is incarcerated in the women’s prison in Bogotá, Colombia with a sentence of six years and four months for drug trafficking. In order to support her three children, Johana became involved in the family business, making calls to drug dealers and users from her aunt’s supermarket, but never handling the product.

She and other members of her family were arrested in a sting operation. The judge reprimanded her for failing as a mother by putting her children at risk; indeed, women are often judged more harshly than men for committing the same crime, as they are seen as defying the gendered social role of caregiver that has been traditionally assigned to them. Johanna’s kids did end up in trouble without their mother to care for them. Was this, as the judge said, a result of what she did? Or was it because of poverty that Johanna was driven into the drug trade and her subsequent incarceration?

According to the Colombian human rights group, Dejusticia, 70% of incarcerated women in Colombia are single mothers. In Costa Rica, to give another example, in 2012 more than 95% of women incarcerated for bringing drugs into prison were the sole caregivers for their children. When incarcerated, these mothers suffer tremendously because they are not able to care for them. The children in turn suffer from being separated from their mothers. In the absence of strong social protection networks, the children are exposed to situations of abandonment and marginality; they often face greater poverty, end up institutionalised or living with strangers, or even on the streets. They too may become involved in drug use and drug-related crime.

While the incarceration of either parent has a devastating impact on children, studies show that when a father is in prison, most children continue to be cared for by his partner, mother or another female family member; however, when mothers are incarcerated, only a small percentage of children remain in the care of their fathers and often other family members are reluctant to take them in, due to the stigmatisation and discrimination that these women face. In short, harsh drug laws disproportionately affect women and their families.

An alternative approach Drug policy reforms are urgently needed to end the mass incarceration of women for drug offences.

In an effort to reduce the female incarcerated prison population in Latin America and the Caribbean, a working group of government officials and experts in the areas of gender, human rights and drug policy from 10 countries came together to develop a “Guide for Policy Reform” on the issue of women, drug policies and incarceration. The guide offers a road map for developing and implementing policy alternatives based on human rights and public health, that are gender-sensitive. The proposed reforms are rooted in the legal principle that incarceration should only be used as a last resort; that gender mainstreaming must be incorporated when developing, implementing and evaluating such reforms; and that the differential impact of the application of drug policies on women must be taken into account.

The guide also underscores the need for more inclusive drug policies. And central to achieving that goal is to incorporate women’s voices into the drug policy debate – the voices of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, of their family members and partners, women drug users, and the mothers, wives or partners of persons who are or have been incarcerated. Constructing more humane, inclusive and sensible drug policies requires more participation of women in their design, implementation and evaluation.

In addition, profound sentencing reforms are needed such that punishments are commensurate with the gravity of the crimes committed. The use, possession and cultivation of drugs for personal use should be decriminalised; no person should go to jail because they choose to put a substance into their own body. In addition, criminal justice systems should be capable of taking attenuating circumstances into account, for example in the case of women who have dependents in their care, or pregnant women. In no case should pregnant and caregiving women accused or convicted of non-violent drug crimes go to jail; instead, alternatives to incarceration should be implemented. Indeed, alternatives to incarceration are less costly and less harmful responses, and more effective for addressing most drug-related offences.

JusticeHome, sponsored by the Women’s Prison Association in the United States, provides an interesting alternative to imprisonment. Rather than go to prison, women in the state of New York convicted of a felony and with a sentence of at least six months can be selected to live at home with their children and participate in treatment, education, and employment programmes.

A good example of legal reforms with a gender perspective can be found in Costa Rica, which in 2013 reduced the penalties for women bringing drugs into prisons. Thanks to the reform, more than 150 women who had been sentenced under the previous law were released. In addition, now, women for whom bringing drugs into prison is their first offence, and who are affected by some of the conditions of vulnerability noted in the new law, can be eligible for alternatives to incarceration, making it possible for them to participate in social insertion programmes aimed at preventing recidivism.

The Costa Rican reform underscores that a human development focus is essential when considering drug policy reforms. Economic development programmes need to be implemented in rural areas where crops for illicit markets are cultivated and in marginalised urban areas where drug markets proliferate. Rather than pouring money into prisons, governments can better spend scarce resources providing education, training, and employment programmes that target women living in vulnerable conditions. For those women who do end up incarcerated, assistance should be provided to help them transition out of prison and to find employment, an even more difficult task with a criminal record.

“In the Bible, it says that women are…the foundation of the home”, Johana tells us, from her prison in Bogotá. “Well then, help us to be a strong foundation. Many of us are here for our children, how would it be if we had opportunities?”

This article is based on the report, “Women, Drug Policies, and Incarceration: A Guide to Policy Reform in Latin America and the Caribbean”, published by WOLA, IDPV, CIM/OAS and Dejusticia in February 2016.

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.

MonDAY 21•03•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Morung Express

7

POLL RESULTS

Should theologianS and ChurCh leaderS get involved in politiCS in nagaland? Why?

Some of those who voted YES had this to say: • Yes. Why not? If they have the right mental attitude of a true Christian, unbiased to any faction or tribal lineage. Infact, such people would be our only hope. Naga society is more like garlic, strong in potent but each on their own, village, clan, tribe take precedence. This bane should be overcome by the e generation of Nagas who continuously look up to the Almighty God's guidance.

• Yes, they should involved in politics in Nagaland but they should not deceive others or handle money.

• Yes, human beings are political animals. It does not matter what you do in life, we are all affected by politics. Even if you are not interested in politics, politics is interested in you.

• Yes. Theologians and church leaders should get involved in politics.

The people play a vital role in politics, ‘the people’ in general means everyone including theologians, church leaders etc. conflicts in politics affects all the people of a country. The ideas and opinions of each individual matters, therefore theologians and church leaders should take active part in politics and understand its importance for the governance of Nagaland.

• Yes for if we look to the Word we see many ruler's governing the state and its people provided one should be very firm in spiritual realm too so that one should not fall to the lust of the world as some did • Yes. Because there is politics in the church too • Theologians should involve in politics actively to cleanse the election system and participate to bring change, both in electioneering and administration, but need to understand politics and have the knowledge to run the state. And i dont see mixing of politics and religion just because theologians participate in politics. If commerce graduate took part in politics what will you say? Or any other stream other than art with political science.

• Must involve in politics to clean the corrupted society. We need honest and sincere person to rule our society.

• Yes. But they should first understand the kind of politics that is played in Nagaland. Secondly they should play the role of educating the voters and making them understand the importance of their vote in choosing the better person with honesty. Lastly and most importantly they should not be selective in their approach and set a good example for other.

• Yes, they should participate. In a broad sense democracy is the participation of the mass. Hence, not participation in da politics by some section or group of people will result in loss of democratic values. And if we are to achieve a stable govt. I suggest we should not confuse politics with religion, it will be a total mess. Secular approach to the government is the only way. thank you • Yes and why not... Ourthis sacred and secular mentality is really affecting us...I guess politics itself is not corrupted, it is we who are corrupted and we dirty the politics by touching it.

Getting involved in politics should be free of choice. We don't have the right to question any person as to why a person is involving or not involving.

• Yes, because every nations rest upon the politics therefore if a God fearing and qualified person hold the position in a nation then only there can be peace and prosperity in a nation.

• Yes theologians should but our church leaders are so ignorant they will crucify anyone who does. And to everyone who says no, tell it to king David or Solomon, etc...

• Yes! Because politics itself has positive connotation. Politics is not just for secular world rather it is for all the citizens. It depends on how one plays a politics.

• Family, Economics (including Science, Technology & Business), Government, Religion, Education, Communications/Media, and Celebration (including Arts, Entertainment & Sports). Each sphere plays a unique role in God's Kingdom here on earth. God's actual purpose of putting us (Social animals) here is to cultivate each spheres in His own society. When God said "Government" that directly talks about Politics. So, every human being living on earth or anywhere in the universe, has a responsibility to act on political front be it theologically trained or untrained.

• It's good that theologians involved in politics, but they should be an example and not confirmed to the present pattern of politics.

• Human Beings are political animal said by Aristotle, the father of Political Science or Polasso family. It is also said you may not like politics but politics likes you. There is no harm of involving the Church Leaders and theologians in politics as long as they go clean. The Church has a big role to play in politics, they should spread awareness through preaching on politics because it is necessary that for every development and advancement we need clean politics and clean election. After all, we have to know that, politics is good but it is human who makes politics dirty.

• Yes. Not in the name of self righteous Reverends, Rev. Dr. so an so etc but as a humble Christian, who first seek Christ's kingdom and his RIGHTEOUSNESS. • It depends on how we term them in our society and their responsibility in the Church. If they hold no major responsibility in the Church, they could be of greater service to the society.

• Yes. In Old Testament we find the kings and rulers were prophets and anointed ones of God. Theologians and Church leaders should get involved in politics in Nagaland for its people to see a time of smile. We can see God by the smiling of the poor.

• The question is about theologians and church leaders involvement in politics. Politics is all about the art of governance and it’s too critical to leave it in the hand of opportunists and unscrupulous people. Anyone from any vocation or profession with credibility, integrity, vision, compassion and commitment is qualified for political leadership.

• Yes. Is politics inherently evil? politics is not inherently evil as we think today but it is us who makes politics dirty and, tends to think that theologians and church leaders should not involves in politics. Jesus was a great politician. He main political aim was the establish kingdom of God here on earth. the same political ideology is vested to all the Christian. The church is not church if they do not involves in politics.

• Theologians and Church leaders should get involved in politics in Nagaland to make a difference in a positive way. This does not mean they should play party politics, but to be agents of change. Christians, especially leaders, are called to be salt and light not only in the church but in the world. Nagaland desperately needs God-fearing politicians!

• Yes. They know the value of truth and also the consequence of the work they are indulged in it. A man with morals will think before he acts it out.

• Yes. Because we need them.

• Yes. Because God is a political God who works for justice and life.

God plays the politics of life not of death.

mixed politics with religion. For the simple reason...politics is DIRTY. • I don't think so...

• No. They can question and put up issues but digging deep into it wont make them better than the politicians.

• Focus on soul saving. To a physician, we say heal yourself. Thus, to a church leader, development of roads and bridges or the pending Naga solution is not a priority. Let undiluted and pure Christianity flow like river.

• No. Politic in practical is most corrupted organisation in Nagaland • No. Nexus of politics and religion negates the concept of secularism.

We cannot relive Moses' era nor should we try to. Faith is a personal matter and it should remain so. Moreover, Rev. XYZ is still a human and power tends to corrupt". Pulpit is where you should remain instead of getting ambitious and further pervert Christianity which already is on the wane.

• Their ways are different in nature. Church should stress on spiritual uplifment and not involved in dirty games of money and muscle power in our present context.

• I don't make a tea with salt but sugar. I am a theologian and I Bible one word that is go and preach the Gospel to the whole world. But any theologian who involved in worldly politics may be he has some interest. I from my site BIG NO!!! Bible say clearly don't confirm to this world and its manner. And there are many shallowed theologian.... we must know where we stand and what for, duty of one theologian is to preach the gospel THat Jesus SAVED!!!

• No, they shouldn't. Religion and politics don't mix too well.

• NO. In my view, they should teach the bible properly so that our people practice Christian beliefs in life. Politics will go on. Perhaps God has planned it this way for us -- always discontented with what we have and expecting others to supply all our needs while we ask for more in discontentment. No please confine to preaching the Word.

• NO. The govt. In the pretext of saving lives is trying to give some portion of aids control program. This is dirty politics. Once the church gets involved then it shall have to also not be able to say that it is free from corruption.

• NO WAY!!Once they have the taste of it they will never be the people of God but people of power, as politics is power. Let them do what they are good at and for what they take their vocation for-spiritual guidance not political.

• No. Politics is like playing a dirty game. Therefore, theologians and church leaders should certainly restraint themselves involving in politics. Of course, they should exercise their franchise other than that its better not to involve. They will just tarnish their good image.

• They should rather be concerned about the soul. Not saying they shouldn't vote. The last time there was a group of prayer "warriors"

46%

42%

Some of those who voted NO had this to say: • Church has nothing to do with politics. So they should not involved in politics. The theologian is only to preach the gospel and save souls.

But these days, many churches and theologians are so interest in politics.... just to feel their pocket!!!

• No, theologians should rather work on changing the politicians...

• No, once they get involved in politics they are drunk with power and money that they get access to. They create divisions within the church for their personal and political ends. No not in Nagaland. We have experienced enough political religious leaders.

• No. well, needless to say. But both are very active in politics during elections. everybody knows..lolz..but plize for heaven sake. do not

• Naga Christians are not committed better not involve otherwise Jesus was politician • First save this world, then automatically our souls will be saved by God. • Church politics already exist let them control that area • As you sow, so shall you reap.

• What's wrong with theologians running for candidature? Being a theologian doesnt make an individual a hermit or a secluse. I for one strongly support a theologian joining the political field as that of Daniel, Moses and Nehemiah. A political leader should know God and His word to lead his people well. But in a society such as ours, only money matters. Its not the quality in the person but the quantity that he possess that do the talking. so even if a theologian contest for election, he/she is likely to lose. Now, Church leaders are for the Church work, so leave them to their ecclesiastical duties.

• Honest and sincere person necessarily doesn't have to be a religious person. Believe me, there are thousands of non Christians in Nagaland who are better than many of the Naga Christians.

• Some years ago there was a debate in a conference regarding the feasibility of theologians involving in politics. Many people had very interesting suggestions in pro and against. Finally someone stood up and shared his opinion, "suppose we train a mouse for years not to eat grains and let it loose on a grain house, what will be the outcome?"

There were silence on the conference floor and the matter was dropped.

My opinion is, we need God fearing leaders, not necessarily theologians nor certainly not just rich individuals. We have leadership drought in our state. We should elect people who are God fearing leaders.

• Either theologian or church leaders won't useful if one doesn't have courage and truthfull in own hearts..Good Leaders never look upon ones' wealth and worked..Good leaders must be the leaders in every fields eithers in politcs, Religions, organisation etc. Only Christian (Religion) cannot fulfilled humans needs in orders to progrss good development human needs only truthfull and thoughtfull leaders not theologians. one may be a theologian but if his personal aim or thought were different from society aim or publics works then hes not useful. only my opinion..

• So now, ask "What is politics?" first. By nature we are all sociopolitical being. Men is automatically connected to politics. No need of discussing whether to join or not to. Person(s) from theological background can do enough things on earth radically. Theologians' job is not just to talk about spiritual wellbeing but, many more. Nagas, we blindly narrowed our concept of being a responsible creatures which in fact hugely portrayed before us which is the actual plans of God. Being a theologian, one must not lack understanding the purpose of God by means of limiting our service to the nation and its people, people created in His own image. Be radical in thinking as well as in acting.

• I see body as me and soul as mine, same thing of different sides, likewise church and politics, both needs me and you.

• I don't mind if God has called them to that area of influence and in the Bible too it does not say Don't do this but it does say how to deal will our daily life, as long as they are true in the eyes of God, studying theology does not have to be in the four walls of the church, they can be Prophets and Apostle to the nation, and in this arena Apostle and Prophets have power and Authority, see 2 Corinthian 5:20 says we are his ambassadors of Christ, this scripture says we are his representative, and in every realms of the society we are to influence the people as God intended there is no boundary, but i know there are lot of controversies about this topic, "radical Christianity is not just mere talk about scripture but also doing that glorify God kingdom, after you are born again every you don't do a secular and spiritual work different, every work you do is a spiritual act a form of worship to God..

• Should the theologians join political administration in any form, I see no good reason why the politicians should not join the church administration as members of Deacon Boards...!!! Politicians are also members of the church, so are the Theologians members of the electorate...!!! If it thus so happen, should we call it Theo-political adjustment for coexistence in our Blessed Nagaland....!!! However, my sincere opinion is that post-retirement Theologians can involve in politics and Vice-versa, whereas during their active careers one should understand the parameters of their credibility...!!! No offense... Pls..!!

• A person cannot jump to the second problem without solving the first problem'... its time for the church to play its role... then only things will take its shape accordingly...

• When most of the theologians, Christians and Churches have started worshipping corruption more than God, the situation does not warrant theologians and churches to involve in Politics. What we need is good Christians and those people with firm determination against corruption and with distinctive merit to involve more into politics. BUT are Nagas ready to accept such radical change when we have practically and virtually accepted corruption as a way of life? We are all guilty. Can we accept the guilt and change? Most of us condemn when we do not have the opportunity to be corrupt, but when given the opportunity to embezzle, we would happily be corrupt! What nonsense. Let me add- what if a person like Arvind Kejriwal is a Naga and he enters Politics, will he even be accepted in our society or by the Church? A man like Kejriwal will not be able to financially contribute much in the Church or society or unions, etc. Nagas definition of Politics and success is mostly about money. We are improving, I believe, but we still need a radical change of mindset. My apologies if any sentiment is hurt, but I beg each one of you to do a thorough soul search within yourselves and see how true are you to yourselves and how true are you to your creator that you claim to worship. Whom do you truly worship?

• State and church have always Co existed together one cannot do without the other....

• Don't have to be a theologian or church leaders alone but a very good honest Christian who follows the Christian principles and loves the Lord can do the job fine....It's always a plus point if the politician knows the Lord ...Btw POLITICS is not dirty but the person who plays it makes it dirty ..

• The bible says give what belongs to caiser and give what belongs to god. A Man cannot serve two masters.

• Every policy is a good policy implemented for the well being of the people.. And its the people who make Politics not the Politics so Politics can never be Dirty rather People are Dirty.. So its high time Church should also interbeing coz wether we like it or not even in church its been influenced by politics directly or indirectly.. We always wish and pray for Honest Leaders but how can we get one when we don't hav a choice to vote for one... its like "Heads you win Tails I Lost" sort of Candidates we usully get in our State.

• I've seen Pastors, Women Pastors praying and Blessing the Candidates before and after the Election and its alwys good to see Church Leaders educating Young generation for clean Election coz we Trust them.. I'll rather say We are all directly influence by Politics.. We must all Come out of our Comfort Zone and work honestly which I strongly believe its not a Sin.. I support NBCC taking initiative of Clean Election..

But "praying to God for Good marks is one thing and Studying hard with prayers is another thing" I Love my Nagaland • I think the question itself is misleading. It very wrongly assumes that people of faith - theologians and church leaders - are morally unique and therefore incorruptible. In fact, what we need more are not people of faith, but leaders who have a rational bent of mind and have a natural aptitude for social service

12%

YES

NO

OTHER

numbering up to 50 fasting and praying for a politician to be elected as CM. The result was unsatisfactory perhaps and such acts are stupid and defaming ownself. In short, NO. • No! It would be a dirty shit. As a religious leader they shouldn't get involve in politics; they should have mind their own works, they should stick onto spiritual and moral life. As the saying goes, "ONE PERSON CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS AT A GO." and yes, it also shows that you are interested in politics. Therefore, in my opinion it would be better for the church leaders and religious groups NOT to involve in politics. They should have mind on their own responsibility!

• No. Politics and church are two distinct entities. One should respect each other but not directly involve with one another.

• Church leaders and theologians are already involved in politics. In some churches, church leaders are playing the role of ruling and opposition parties. Factionalism is increasing among the churches. Such is the state of the church in Nagaland, that if they indulge in state politics, the matters of the state will be much more worser than it is today. I'm not saying all theologians and leaders of the church act such, but politics and churches should never be mingled together but kept seperate as it serves us best.

• No. politics and church should not be involved together. But its already been involved.

• No. And better ask from American and Israelis!!!

• No, theologians and church leaders should not get involved in politics because they are professionally not trained to enter politics. Let the students and people who are studying politics deal with the political situations. We need diplomacy and resolution in Naga politics NOT pastors.

Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say: • Let's talk about Saving the Soul first and Politics can come later • Politics is as tempting as the apple of the Eden garden. Church leaders need not touch it. If you see the church history, the baptist broke away because they wanted politics and church be separated which was a correct decision.

• We cannot serve 2 Masters at a time... Situations make us corrupt not the position we hold...

• Is there a reason they shouldn't? Who says only does who doesn't have anything to do with God or church should care for the affairs of government or society?

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

8

MondAY 21•03•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Spell out steps taken to tackle riots: Sufi outfit to govt New Delhi, Mar 20 (PTi): Noting there is a "sense of fear" among Muslims due to riots, an outfit representing Sufis today urged the government to alleviate this.

It also urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to spell out steps taken with regard to small or big communal incidents and riots that have taken place "so far" across the country.

All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board (AIUMB) president Syed Mohammad Ashraf asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "rectify historical blunders" and pay heed to the community's demands including initiation of measures to tackle the trend of replacing Sufism by extremist ideologies.

Speaking at a mass congregation marking the conclusion of the first World Sufi Forum here, Ashraf said there has been a lack of representation for majority of the Muslim populace on "key positions" and urged the government to look into it.

At the gathering at Ram Lila Maidan, AIUMB also released a 25-point declaration, in which it urged governments across the world including the Modi dispensation to "revive" Su-

PM urged to rectify 'historical blunders' against Muslims

President of All India Ulama & Mashaikh Board (AIUMB) Syed Mohammad Kachhuchvi with Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri in Pakistani politician and Islamic scholar of Sufism, during International Sufi Conference at Ramlila Grounds in New Delhi on Sunday. (PTI Photo)

fism in their bid to combat terrorism. "There is a sense of fear among Muslims due to riots.

Government should alleviate this fear and Union Home Ministry should spell out what steps have been taken with regard to all the small or big communal incidents and riots that have taken place so far in different parts of the country," the declaration reads.

The outfit denounced "every course" of sectarianism and described it as "threat to India's solidarity".

"We request all governments of the world, especially the Government of India, to extend full coop-

NatioN Briefs

42K appear for written test for constable post in J&K

JaMMu, March 20 (PTi): Over 42,000 candidates today appeared in written tests at 75 examination centres across the state for the position of 4,000 constables in Jammu and Kashmir police. The recruitment of 4,000 constables which was initiated in 2015 has passed through various stages, including outdoor tests, after which 42,000 candidates were shortlisted. Director General of Police (DGP), K Rajendra Kumar inspected various examination centres in the state and took stock of the arrangements put in place for transparent recruitment.

"CCTV cameras were installed at all the examination centres to make the process more transparent. Videography of all the centres was also made to avoid any misconduct during the examination," a spokesperson said.

Jaitley defends PPF rate cut, attacks Congress New Delhi, March 20 (iaNS): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday defended the government's decision to slash interest rates on PPF and national small savings, saying this was part of a routine procedure. He said the move will help transform the economy from a "sluggish" state to an "efficient" one. "Now the interest rates have come down and the direction in which the country's economy is moving these days, we cannot have a situation where banks lending rates go down and the deposits rate are high.

Both are inter-linked," Jaitley told reporters here. He claimed the government move was aimed at making "the economy efficient rather than sluggish". "The country has to move towards a lower interest rates in both areas. Similarly the interest on government securities has also come down in the last few months."

The minister, who has come under attack for slashing interest rates, said earlier changes in interest rate used to be announced annually. Henceforth, as the interest rates fluctuate, it will be announced every quarter. The UPA regime also had the same formula, he said. He said the interest rates on government securities were determined by the market.

More Drugs Likely to Be Shelved New Delhi, March 20 (ie): Popular diabetes drugs Triexer, Gemmer and Gluconorm; medicines for fever and flu Sumo, Zerodol P and Nicip; and cough syrups Zedex and Ascoril are among some of the Fixed Drug Combinations (FDC) that have been banned by the government for being “irrational”. Many more medicines are likely to be banned with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare scrutinising applications from 1,700 manufacturers. “We support the government’s decision to ban the drug combinations. Most of these drugs were being manufactured without licenses from the Central Drug Regulatory Authority and were not useful for patients,” honorary secretary of the Indian Medical Association, K K Agrawal, told The Sunday Standard. “The pharma industry feels let down. We were not given a fair chance. The government’s order to ban 344 FDCs is arbitrary and unfair,” president of Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA) S V Veerramani said. The immediate loss to the industry is around `800-1,000 crore. The major players—including Procter and Gamble, Glenmark and Reckitt Benckiser—have got interim relief from Delhi High Court, which stayed the ban till March 21. The notification to ban the 344 FDCs came this month after a lengthy scrutiny of 6,600 applications over three years. The ministry had asked all drug manufacturers to send applications to get their drugs evaluated.

Pakistan frees 86 Indian fishermen iSlaMabaD, March 20 (iaNS): Pakistan on Sunday released 86 Indian fishermen detained for fishing in its waters, officials said. Officials said that the fishermen were released from the Malir prison in the port city of Karachi, Xinhua reported. They will be handed over to the Indian authorities at the Wagah border checkpost on Monday. Pakistan and India routinely arrest fishermen who cross water boundaries for fishing. Groups working for the welfare of such fishermen said they mistakenly enter each other's waters as the two countries have not yet reached an agreement on maritime boundaries.

eration for the revival of Sufism," it added.

Ashraf expressed concern that there have been "concerted efforts" to weaken Sufism in India and to replace it with "extremist and radical" ideologies and sought the government's intervention in arresting the trend.

"In the past few decades, there have been concerted efforts to weaken Sufism in India and replace it with extremist and radical ideology... The phenomenon is dangerous, not just for the Muslim community but also for the country. We request the Prime Minister to rectify these historical blunders,"

he said.

Asked about the alleged "atmosphere of intolerance", Ashraf said, "We cannot determine the picture based on a few incidents. We should treat these as causes for alarm.

We should try and ensure that our Ganga-Yamuna culture is not affected since there are signs that it is being weakened. Then we should try and strengthen it."

The four-day World Sufi Forum, inaugurated by the Prime Minister and being attended by delegates from 22 countries, concluded today with the declaration of the 25-point agenda by AIUMB. .

New Delhi, March 20 (iaNS): The organisers of the first World Sufi Forum on Sunday urged the government to rectify the "historical blunders" against Muslims and to introduce Sufism at all levels of education.

Speaking at the Ramlila Ground on the final day of a four-day event, renowned Sufi leader Hazrat Syed Muhammad Ashraf said: "Over the last few decades, there have been concerted efforts to weaken Sufism in India and replace it with an extremist and radical ideology."

"This recent phenomenon is dangerous not just for the Muslim community, but also for the country itself," added the founder president of All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board (AIUMB), the organisers of the event. "We request our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) to rectify these historical blunders and meet the demands of millions of Sufi followers in India." He also demanded that the home ministry to spell out what steps had been taken with regard to the small and big communal incidents that have taken place in different parts of the country.

Ashraf also raised concerns over low Muslim representation in various minority institutions. "Indian Muslims having faith in Sufi traditions should be given representation according to their share in population" in various bodies such as Central Waqf Council, State Waqf Boards, Central and State Hajj Committees and National Minority Finance Development Corp.

AIUMB, the apex body representing Sufis in India, unveiled its 25-point charter on the occasion.

AIUMB appealed to the government to establish a Sufi university in the name of revered Sufi saint Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz. It said a central Sufi centre should be established in New Delhi and in all capital cities to promote Sufi literature, Sufi culture and music.

In order to promote Sufi tourism, it suggested that a 'Sufi corridor' be created to connect all the shrines in the country.

Obscene acts in private place not an offence under Indian law: Bombay HC MuMbai, March 20 (PTi): Quashing a case against 13 men who were arrested for allegedly indulging in obscene acts with women in a flat, the Bombay High Court has said any such action done in a private place is not a criminal offence under the Indian Penal Code.

A division bench of Justices N H Patil and A M Badar was hearing a petition recently filed by the men seeking quashing of the FIR registered against them by Andheri Police in December last year under IPC section 294 (anyone indulging in an obscene act in any public place or sings or utters any obscene songs or words in any public place causing annoyance to others).

According to police, on December 12, 2015, they received a complaint from a journalist about loud music emanating from a flat in the neighbourhood and that scantily dressed women were seen from the window dancing and men showering money at them.

On perusal of the complaint, the police raided the flat and found six scantily dressed women who were dancing and 13 men con-

suming liquor in the flat.

All the men were taken into custody and an FIR was registered against them.

Petitioners advocate Rajendra Shirodkar argued that the flat in question cannot be said to be a public place where anyone had access.

The court accepted this argument and said, "Obscene act done in a private place or viewed in privacy is not covered by the provisions of section 294 of IPC. The flat in building owned by some private person meant for private use of such owner cannot be said to be a public place."

"Section 294 of IPC is meant for punishing persons indulging in obscene act in any public place causing annoyance to others. As such, the places where such obscene act is committed needs to be a public place and meant for use of public at large.

"Public must have free access to such place so as to call it a public place. The place where public have no right rather a lawful right to enter into, cannot be said to be a public place for invoking the penal provisions of section 294 of IPC," the court said.

'Toppling govts by blatant use of money BJP's new model' New Delhi, March 20 (PTi): Rahul Gandhi today mounted a sharp attack on the Prime Minister and the BJP in the wake of the Uttarakhand crisis, saying it has exposed the "true face of Modiji's BJP" and declared that the Congress would fight this "demagoguery with democracy".

Targeting the ruling party at the Centre over the issue, he said in a series of tweets, "Toppling elected Govts by indulging in horse trading & blatant misuse of money & muscle, seems to be BJP's new model, after failure in Bihar".

"Congress Party will fight demagoguery with democracy.

This attack on our democracy & Constitution, first in Arunachal & now Uttarakhand, is the true face of Modiji's BJP", the Congress Vice President said.

Congress government in Uttarkhand led by Harish Rawat plunged in a crisis two days back with nine party MLAs turning rebels and opposition BJP approaching the Governor staking claim to form the government.

Governor Krishna Kant Paul had yesterday asked Rawat to prove his majority on the floor of the state Assembly by March 28.

The Governor's directive to Rawat came even as BJP, claiming majority with support of nine rebel Con-

gress MLAs in the 70-member Assembly, stepped up efforts to form its government, contending that the Rawat ministry has been reduced to a minority.

While BJP claimed the support of 35 MLAs including the rebel Congress legislators, Rawat said he still enjoys a majority in the Assembly as none of the rebel MLAs have quit the party or the CLP. He also said that five of the rebels were in touch with him. Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal had said the "anti-defection law is in place and whoever is found guilty of violating it will have to be acted against".

"All Congress MLAs voted with the government when the previous bill was passed in the Assembly and nobody had challenged the bill. Even the BJP accepts the voice vote," he said.

Congress had yesterday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah of seeking to destabilise non-BJP governments through lure of money and political power.

"The duo of Modi and Shah are infamous for forcible eviction of elected governments in this country.

Elected government are being destabilised by a sinister conspiracy.

After Arunachal Pradesh, it is Uttarakhand," Congress chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala Surjewala had said.

An Indian Christian girl holds a cross made of blessed palm during a Palm Sunday mass at a church in Bhubaneswar, India, Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday's liturgy recalls Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

(AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)

908 posts of IPS officers lying vacant

New Delhi, March 20 (PTi): More than 900 Indian Police Service posts are lying vacant across the country with the highest number being in Uttar Pradesh, where 114 positions of senior police officers are yet to be filled.

There is a shortage of 908 IPS officers in the country as on January 1, 2016, out of a sanctioned strength of 4,802 personnel, Home Ministry data shows. At present, 3,894 IPS officers are in service while 140 probationers of the 2015 batch are undergoing training.

Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state, has 114 IPS vacancies with the sanctioned strength being 517 while West Bengal has 88 vacancies against the sanctioned strength of 347.

There are 79 vacancies in Odisha, where there are 188 IPS posts while 72 posts in Karnataka (sanctioned strength 215) are yet to be filled. "The gap is huge considering the fact of the country's ever-increasing population. We are trying to recruit more and more officers in IPS every year," a senior Home Ministry official said.

The government's efforts to mitigate the shortage of IPS officers by holding Limited Competitive Examination was stalled due to a number of litigations in different courts. Officers in the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police of State Police Services, Assistant Commandants of Central Paramilitary Forces and Captains and Majors of Defence

Forces fulfilling certain criteria were eligible for appearing in the said examination. "A large number of court cases have been filed against Home Ministry, UPSC, Department of Personnel and Training and Ministry of Defence challenging various aspects of the scheme.

"At present, the matter is subjudice," the official said. Among the other states where there are a large number of vacancies of IPS officers are Maharashtra (63 vacancies, sanctioned strength 302 officers), Madhya Pradesh (56 vacancies, sanctioned strength 305), Jammu and Kashmir (56 vacancies, sanctioned strength 147) and Union Territories (50 vacancies, sanctioned strength 295).

Freedom of expression gives no right to destroy nation: BJP New Delhi, March 20 (PTi): With the debate on nationalism coming to the fore, BJP today said freedom of expression does not give a right to seek the country's destruction, as the issue found the pride of place in the political resolution adopted at its National Executive meeting here.

The issue of nationalism continued to take the centre stage in the deliberations at the two-day meet after party chief Amit Shah set the tone in his inaugural address yesterday saying BJP will not tolerate any attack on the nation.

"Freedom of expression and nationalism do necessarily co -exist" and the Constitution gives full freedom for expressing dissent and disagreement, but not the country's destruction, Union Minister Arun Jaitley said while briefing reporters on the meeting.

"The ideology of nationalism guides our beliefs and philosophy," he asserted as the meeting

saw the dominant mood among party leaders to put the Congress in the mat over the recent JNU-related developments.

Asked whether the Executive also discussed the row over the slogan 'Bharat mata ki jai', Jaitley said the party believes it is an issue over which there should be no debate.

People have no problem with this slogan and "we saw this in Kolkata yesterday", he said as he sought to buttress his point by referring to the spectators raising the slogan after India's win in the cricket match with Pakistan.

The Finance Minister, a key party strategist, also targeted Congress over its political strength, saying the main opposition party had "lowered" its stature and was "content to be a tail-ender of any alliance" in states like Bihar, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

Though issues of government formation in Uttarakhand where Congress

BJP won't tolerate antinationalism: Rajnath

Arun Jaitley speaking at the National Executive meeting on Sunday, March 20.

government is facing a rebellion in its ranks, and Jammu and Kashmir did not come up for discussion at the meet, Jaitley said the resolution emphasised the party's commitment to the 'agenda of governance' in J&K. Talks between BJP and PDP to revive their coalition government in J & K have fallen through but the saffron party has insisted that its doors are not shut on its former partner which will however have to stop putting more conditions.

"There was a time when the country was being governed without any sense of direction. There was uncertainty and lack of purpose. Now we have a government with a determined leadership, nationalist policies and progressive governance," Jaitley said.

The resolution also dealt with economically and socially inclusive policies of the government, good governance and its thrust on infrastructure development, he said.

New Delhi, March 20 (iaNS): Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asserted that the BJP was open to political opposition but will never tolerate any antinational thought process.

"We expect political opposition as a normal course but at any cost, we cannot tolerate any anti-national thought process," he told reporters in a briefing on the discussions in the two-day BJP national executive meeting here.

He said unlike other parties, the BJP was a different political party and was clear about its priorities and commitment. "On three grounds -- leadership, policy and ideology -- we are different. We have a decisive leadership, progressive policies and nationalistic ideology," he said.

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the ideology of "nationalism" guides the party's belief and that chanting "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" was an issue which should not be debated at all. "We believe that this is one issue on which there should be no debate. People in India should have absolutely no difficulty as far as this slogan is concerned and the best example we saw yesterday (Saturday) at Eden Gardens (during the India-Pakistan World Twenty20 match)," Jaitley said. He also said that while the Constitution allows complete freedom to dissent and disagree, it does not permit destruction of the nation.

Rajnath Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address urged party workers to focus solely on development. "The prime minister lauded the success of a Sufi conference in Delhi," he said. "The prime minister said development is the only solution to all problems confronting the country," he added.

MondaY 21•03 •2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

Paris attack suspect charged in Belgium PARIS, MARCH 20 (REUTERS): The prime surviving suspect for the November 13 Paris attacks planned to blow himself up at a sports stadium with fellow Islamic State militants but changed his mind, he told Belgian investigators on Saturday.

The admission by Salah Abdeslam came a day after he was shot in the leg and captured during a police raid in Brussels, ending an intensive four-month manhunt.

"He wanted to blow himself up at the Stade de France and ... backed out," said the lead French investigator, Francois Molins,quoting Abdeslam's statement to a magistrate in Brussels before he was transferred to a secure jail in Bruges.

The gun and bomb attacks on the stadium, bars and a concert hall killed 130 people and marked the deadliest militant assault in Europe since 2004.

Molins told reporters in Paris that people should treat with caution initial statements by the 26-yearold French national. But his capture and apparent urge to talk marked a major breakthrough for investigators after the trail had seemed to go cold.

Abdeslam's lawyer said

he admitted being in Paris during the attacks but gave no details. He told reporters his client, born and raised by Moroccan immigrants in Brussels, had cooperated with investigators but would fight extradition to France.

Legal experts said his challenge was unlikely to succeed but would buy him weeks, possibly months, to prepare his defence.

Belgian prosecutors charged Abdeslam and a man arrested with him with "participation in terrorist murder".

Abdeslam's elder brother Brahim, with whom he used to run a bar, was among the suicide bombers. Salah's confession suggested he was the 10th man mentioned in an Islamic State claim of responsibility for the attacks, after which police found one suicide vest abandoned in garbage.

Abdeslam's family, who had urged him to give himself up, said through their lawyer that they had a "sense of relief".

Authorities hope the arrest may help disrupt other militant cells that Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said were certainly "out there" and planning further violence.

French security services

was charged with belonging to a terrorist organisation.

He and a woman who was present were charged with concealing criminals.

Police had sought Abdeslam since he called two acquaintances in Belgium in a panic, hours after the attacks, to have them collect him and bring him home. Suspected to be as far away as Syria, it seems he was in Brussels all or most of the time.

Failure to complete his mission could have limited his access to any support from Syria-based Islamic State; the chief Belgian investigator on the case said he had instead relied on a network of friends, family and neighbours with whom he had a history of drug trafficking and petty crime.

Security agencies' difficulties in penetrating some Muslim communities, particularly in pursuit of Police forces secure the entrance of the Saint Pierre hospital where Salah Abdeslam, the most-wanted fugitive from No- Belgium's unusually high vember’s Paris attacks, is admitted after being arrested on Friday, in Brussels, Belgium on March 18, 2016. (Reuters Photo) number of citizens fighting in Syria, have been a key stepped up their measures The case has raised ten- at the Stade de France mented by German police factor in the inquiry. at frontier crossings after sions with France but Mi- when the bombers struck. in the city of Ulm in Octoa global warning from In- chel and French President ber when he was stopped PARIS RELIEF As Parisians, and famiterpol that other fugitives Francois Hollande, who FLIGHT RISK in a car with Abdeslam. might try to move country. was in Brussels for an EU A man using false pa- French prosecutor Molins lies of the victims, voiced "We've won a battle summit when Abdeslam pers in the names of Amine said Abdeslam travelled relief at the arrest, French against the forces of igno- was arrested, praised each Choukri and Monir Ahmed widely to prepare the at- Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said after an rance but the struggle isn't other's security services. Alaaj was also charged tacks. over," Belgian Prime Minis- Hollande was attending an with terrorist murder. As A third man in the house emergency cabinet meetter Charles Michel said. international soccer match Choukri, he was docu- when the pair were arrested ing that a trial could answer

questions for those who suffered in the attacks.

"Abdeslam will have to answer to French justice for his acts," he said. "It is an important blow to the terrorist organisation Daesh (Islamic State) in Europe."

A trickle of people came to a makeshift memorial in central Paris, near the scene of much of the bloodshed, to pay their respects.

"It's really a relief," said Emilien Bouthillier, who works in the neighbourhood. "I can't wait for Belgium to transfer and return him to France so he can be tried the way he should be."

Friday's armed swoop came after Abdeslam's fingerprints were found at an apartment following a bloody raid on Tuesday in which an Algerian was shot dead and police officers wounded.

Later, local media said, a tip-off and a tapped telephone led police to a mobile phone number used by Abdeslam and, by triangulating the device's location, established where he was.

At his nearby newspaper store, a vendor named Dominique said Abdeslam had been well known and liked in the community: "He was a very nice lad before," he said. "How can things go this far?"

Flight recorders EU-Turkey deal fails to stem Congo presidential election opens badly damaged in refugee flight to Greece under communications blackout Russia plane crash

LESBOS, MARCH 20 (REUTERS): They waved, cheered and smiled, elated to have made it to Europe at dawn on Sunday in a packed blue rubber motor boat.

The 50 or so refugees and migrants were among the first to arrive on the Greek island of Lesbos on day one after an EU deal with Turkey designed to close the route by which a million people crossed the Aegean Sea to Greece in 2015.

Exhausted but relieved, the new arrivals wrapped their wet feet in thermal blankets as volunteers handed out dry clothes and supplies.

Reuters witnesses saw three boats arrive within an hour in darkness in the early hours of Sunday. Two men were pulled out unconscious from one of the boats amid the screams of fellow passengers and were later pronounced dead.

Twelve boats had arrived on the shoreline near the airport by 6 a.m. (0400 GMT), a police official said.

Under the European Union deal with Turkey, all migrants and refugees, including Syrians, who cross to Greece illegally by sea from Sunday will be sent back to Turkey once they are registered and their asylum claims have been processed.

In return, the EU will take in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey and reward it with more money, early visa-free travel and progress in its EU membership negotiations.

Among the arrivals on the seaweed strewn beach on the south of Lesbos was Syrian Hussein Ali Muhammad, whose studies were interrupted after the war began. He said he wanted to go to Denmark to continue university. Asked if he was aware of the European decision, he said: "I know that. I hope to cross these borders. I hope I complete my studies here (in Europe), just this. I don't want money, I just want to complete my studies. This is my message."

Muhammed, who worked odd jobs in Turkey to pay a smuggler to bring him

across, said he did not want to go back.

"I worked very, very hard in Turkey, I collected the money to come here ... It's very dangerous and not good."

Another arrival, 30-year-old computer engineer Mohammed from Daraa in Syria, said he hoped to stay in Greece until he found a way to be reunited with his wife and son in Germany.

"I know the decision. I hope to (meet with) my wife and children," he said.

DOUBTS The returns to Turkey are due to begin on April 4, as would resettlement of Syrian refugees in Europe.

Doubts remain about whether the deal is legal or workable. It was not clear what would happen to the tens of thousands of migrants and refugees already in Greece.

Authorities in Lesbos began removing refugees and migrants from the island on Saturday to make space for new arrivals. The island has a capacity to host 3,500 people at a place set up to register arrivals.

At least 144,000 people, mostly Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans, have arrived in Greece so far in 2016 according to U.N. refugee agency data. About 60 percent were women and children.

Of those people, more than half landed on Lesbos, the island on the frontline of Europe's biggest migration crisis since World War Two. Some 1,150 people a day continued to arrive in Greece from Turkey this month.

Few, if any, had planned to stay in the country, seeking instead a route to northern Europe where more support and jobs are available than in Greece, which is in the grip of an economic crisis.

But border closures along the main route north through the Balkans have meant at least 47,000 people are stranded in Greece, in camps and ports across the country. More than 10,500 people remain at a squalid tent camp near the Macedonian border hoping to cross.

BRAZZAVILLE, MARCH 20 (REUTERS): Voting in a presidential election in Congo Republic opened on Sunday under a government-imposed communications blackout as long-time leader Denis Sassou Nguesso sought to extend his rule over the Central African oil producer.

Sassou Nguesso is heavily favoured to win the polls. He faces eight opponents, including retired General Jean-Marie Mokoko who is seen as the strongest challenger.

The government also banned the use of motor vehicles nationwide during the vote, and police checkpoints were erected across the capital Brazzaville to verify that those circulating had obtained special permission.

Voters queued outside a polling station in Brazzaville's Mafouta neighbourhood ahead of the scheduled 7 AM (0600 GMT) start time for the election but faced more than two hours of delays.

"I want this to go well.

I don't want war, which is often what happens after these elections," said Damien Kiongazi, who returned home from Paris to vote in the poll.

Having ruled from 1979 to 1992, when he lost an election, Sassou Nguesso regained power in 1997 after a brief civil war and then went on to win disputed elections in 2002 and 2009.

Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso waves as he arrives to attend a meeting with Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi at Chigi Palace in Rome February 26, 2015.

(REUTERS/Photo/File)

He pushed through constitutional changes in October to remove term and age limits that would have prevented him from standing again.

His supporters credit him with restoring stability and developing the country's infrastructure. Critics, however, say Congo's oil wealth has enriched a small elite. Around half of the population of 4.5 million lives in poverty.

The polls will be watched closely by other leaders in Africa - notably in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo - where a number of longserving presidents are seeking to stay on beyond constitutionally mandated term limits.

A government official said on Saturday that mobile phone companies MTN Congo and Airtel Congo had been ordered to

interrupt service on March 20 and 21 "for reasons of security and public tranquillity".

The opposition criticised the decision, which they said would hamper the work of elections monitors.

The opposition said on Friday it had documented preparations for widespread vote rigging, including voters registered at multiple polling sites, individuals with multiple voter cards and the distribution of voter cards to non-citizens.

The government rejected the accusations, claiming its opponents were preparing the ground for post-election chaos. The opposition in turn denied it was inciting violence but warned that people would not accept a tainted result.

At the polling station in Mafouta, in southern Braz-

zaville's opposition stronghold, some of those waiting to cast their ballots on Sunday morning complained that the posted voter list contained the names of people who had died years before.

A Reuters reporter saw three names repeated twice, listing the same birthdays and parents.

"I'm not confident.

I see already that our voices are being stolen.

The real results will not be given," said voter Boclelon Ganga, 28, as he smoked a cigarette waiting for voting to begin.

Former colonial power France criticised the conditions of October's constitutional referendum, saying they did not allow an accurate assessment of the result. And the European Union has decided not to send a mission to observe Sunday's vote.

Don’t turn backs on refugees, pope says at Palm Sunday service VAT I C A N C I T Y, MARCH 20 (REUTERS): Pope Francis, leading the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics in Palm Sunday services leading up to Easter, on Sunday criticised those who he said were washing their hands of the fate of desperate refugees.

Francis blessed palm and olive branches in St. Peter's Square before tens of thousands of people to commemorate Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem the week before the crowd turned against him and he was crucified.

He departed from his prepared homily to appeal to nations not to turn their backs on refugees.

After mentioning the part of the gospel recounting how Jesus was

denied justice and abandoned to his fate, Francis added in unscripted remarks: "I am thinking of so many other people, so many marginalised people, so many asylum seekers, so many refugees. There are so many who don't want to take responsibility for their destiny."

Over 1.1 million migrants fleeing war and failed states flowed into the European Union in 2015 and the influx has continued, prompting countries straddling the main migration corridor through the Balkans to the wealthy north of the EU to seal their borders, trapping tens of thousands in Greece.

Pope Francis performs a blessing at the start of the Palm Sunday mass at Saint Peter’s Last week, Macedonia Square at the Vatican March 20, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

trucked 1,500 migrants back to Greece after they forced their way across the border. Images of exhausted migrants fording a fastmoving stream in the cold were splashed across Italian newspapers.

Under a European Union deal reached last week with Turkey, all migrants and refugees, including Syrians, who cross to Greece illegally by sea will be sent back to Turkey once they are registered and their asylum claims have been processed.

In return, the EU will take in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey and reward it with more money, early visafree travel and progress in its EU membership negotiations.

Palm Sunday marks

the start of the busiest week in the Catholic liturgical calendar.

Francis has two events on Holy Thursday, including a ritual where he washes and kisses the feet of 12 people commemorating Christ's gesture of humility towards his apostles on the night before he died.

The pope presides at two services on Good Friday, including a candlelight Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession around Rome's Colosseum.

He leads an Easter vigil service on Saturday and on Easter Sunday he delivers his twice-yearly "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) blessing and message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

MOSCOW, MARCH 20 (REUTERS): The flight recorders from a passenger jet which crashed in southern Russia killing all 62 people on board are badly damaged and could take up to a month to decode, Russia's airline regulator said on Sunday.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operated by Dubaibased budget carrier Flydubai, crashed on its second attempt to land at Russia's Rostov-on-Don airport in the early hours of Saturday morning. Most of those on board were Russian.

"The received recorders are badly damaged mechanically," Russia's Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) said in a statement on its website, alongside a photo of a crumpled recorder. "Specialists ... have started the inspection, opening and removing the memory modules from their protective coverings for further work to restore the cable connections and prepare to copy the data," the IAC said. RIA news agency cited an IAC official as saying it could take one month to decode information from the recorders.

Under international aviation rules, the investigation will be led by Russia's air safety investigation agency with representatives from the United States, where the jet was made, and the United Arab Emirates, where the airline is based.

Flydubai's CEO Ghaith al-Ghaith said at a news conference in Dubai on Sunday: "We have high confidence in the Russian authorities who are capable of managing local conditions for flights," he said. "We fully trust the Russian authorities in this."

Al-Ghaith said: "The airport was open. It was good enough to operate and good enough to land, as per the authorities." "The weather conditions were good enough for the flight."

In Rostov-on-Don on Sunday, Russian workers continued to search the crash site in temperatures of minus 5 Celsius, sifting through snow-covered debris strewn across the airfield. After laying flowers next to piles of candles, children's toys and photos of the dead, Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov said the airport would reopen on Monday morning.

Al-Ghaith said on Saturday it was too early to determine the cause of the crash, but officials have suggested it could have been caused by pilot error, a technical problem or strong winds at the airport.

10

MonDAY 21•03•2016

NAGALAND/SPORTS

4th Altrura Football Tournament Kohima, march 20 (mExN): The 4th Altrura open football tournament 2016 under the aegis of Altrura Society, Chumukedima will start from April 4 at Medziphema town. The champion will be awarded with a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 while the runner-up will receive Rs. 30,000. The best discipline team will be awarded Rs. 10,000. There will also be individual cash prizes. Entry forms are available at Kiran Sports Dimapur; CM Bazaar 4th Mile; Exceed, Opposite Urban Station 6th Mile; Akholie Bakery Chumukedima; Popular Bakery Medziphema; Kimho Bharat Gas Piphema and Sports World, Old Taxi stand Kohima. For further detail, contact 8575127849 / 9774724756.

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

UFC: Hunt floors Mir with vicious KO brisbaNE, march 20 (aap): Australia’s Mark Hunt scored a stunning first-round knockout of two-time UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir in the UFC Fight Night at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

After a tentative opening the 41-year-old landed the decisive blow with the first real scoring punch of the fight – his right hand to the head of Mir ended the contest with one minute and 59 seconds remaining in the round – delighting the home crowd.

Mir shimmied to avoid a left jab from Hunt but did not see the follow-up right hand which sent him to the canvas and led the referee to wave the fight off, to give Hunt his ninth knockout in UFC. Sydney’s Super Samo-

WACYA Sports Meet culminates Kohima, march 20 (mExN): The Western Angami Catholic Youth Association’s (WACYA) 5th Sports Meet 2016 culminated on March 19. Around 250 members from 5 villages participated in the Sports Meet which witnessed competitions in football, volleyball and tug-of-war. In Men’s Football, Jotsoma CYA emerged as the champions while Khonoma CYA secured the runners up position. In Men’s Volleyball, Khonoma CYA edged Jotsoma CYA to emerge as champions. In Women’s Volleyball, Khonoma CYA emerged as the champions while Sechü-Zubza CYA secured the runners up position. In Women’s Tug-of-War, Khonoma CYA emerged as champions while Mezoma and Peducha CYA secured the runners up position.

silver cup: Tourniquet, bluestar, Hornbills move into quarters Our Correspondent Kohima | March 20

Royal Tourniquet, Bluestar Cricket Club, Dimapur and Kohima Hornbills moved into the quarter finals of the 7th Silver Cup T-20 Cricket Tournament organized by the Nepali Baptist Church Kohima Youth Department at Jakhama Ground. In the first of the pre-quarter final matches played today, Royal Tourniquet defeated Police Union Baptist Church (PUBC) by 4 wickets. Electing to bat first, PUBC set a target of 143 runs losing 6 wickets with Puchu contributing 46 runs. Royal Tourniquet bowlers Pio took 3 wickets while Opan picked 2 wickets. Royal Tourniquet achieved the target in 18.1 overs. Nirban top scored with 47 runs and was ably assisted by Abishek who pitched in with 34 runs. PUBC bowler Avizo took 3 wickets. Nirban was adjudged

World Water Day Kohima, march 20 (mExN): The Word Water Day cum closing function of National Rural Water & Sanitation Awareness Week 2016 will take place on March 22, 10:00 am at the conference hall of the Executive Engineer, Kohima Rural Division, Tsiepfü Tsiepfhe Colony Kohima.

PHED Chief Engineer Er. Kevisekho Kruse will share a message on World Water Day on the occasion.

KG Sumi, Director, WSSO, PHED will also exhort the gathering.

man of the match.

In the second match, former champions Bluestar CC Dimapur defeated Wriggles by 95 runs. Deciding to bat first, Bluestar scored 183 runs losing 6 wickets. Imliwati and Bharat both got to the half century mark scoring 52 and 50 runs respectively. Wriggles bowler Nungsangwati picked 3 wickets. Chasing the mammoth target, Wriggles’ batsmen were bundled out in 17 overs for 87.

Imliwati, who was sublime with the bat, also claimed 3 wickets and was awarded man of the match.

Kohima Hornbills defeated Electrical Colony by 7 wickets in the last match of the day. Batting first, Electrical Colony scored 130 runs with Mar scoring 22 runs. Hornbill bowlers, Rusuovotso, Dito and Dzüzü picked two wickets each. A sterling effort from Sobin (65 runs) saw Kohima Hornbills achieve the target in just 16.2 overs.

Mark Hunt delivers the knock out punch against Frank Mir. (Getty Images)

De Villiers stars as S. Africa beat Afghanistan

mumbai, march 20 (aFp): AB de Villiers hit a quick-fire half century as South Africa defeated Afghanistan by 37 runs in their World Twenty20 clash in Mumbai on Sunday.

The right-handed batsman scored 64 off just 29 balls after Proteas captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and opted to bat first in the Super 10 Group One match. De Villiers smashed five sixes and four fours as South Africa got their bid for a first international trophy back on track after an opening day loss to England.

Afghanistan made a flying start to their run chase, racing to 50 in 3.4 overs, but the gulf in class was evident as they eventually fell short on 172 all out on the last ball.

Chris Morris was the star of the South African bowling, taking four for 27.

South African left-hander Quinton de Kock made 45 off 31 balls, including six fours and two sixes, before

Neighborhood Youth Parliament held in Longleng

LoNgLENg, march 20 (mExN): Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) organized Neighborhood Youth Parliament on the topic “Collaboration Effective Leadership and Rural Welfare Society” at Sakshi village in Longleng district on March 18. Held under the supervision of John Makhabo, District Youth Coordinator, the programme was attended by more than 70 participants from 10 different Youth

Clubs with Yimli, PLV and former NYK volunteer as a resource person. Yimli highlighted the main objective of the programme, which is to develop leadership qualities among the youth to enable them to realize their full potential to contribute to the nation building process. He also dwelled on Pradhan Mantra Jan Dhan Yojna, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.

Ayurveda medical health camp, yoga prog held

Kohima, march 20 (mExN): The Utkarsh Society for Social Change & Economic Reform (USSCER), New Delhi organized a yoga programme and free Ayurveda medical health camp in Viswema.

The chief guest, Dr. Seyiekhrietuo, State Programme Officer, AYUSH, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, GovWoKha, march 20 ernment of Nagaland, deliberated on the (mExN): The free distri- AYUSH system of medicine. He informed bution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) at Bhandari Block was officially launched by Commandant, 7th NAP Bat- Kohima, march 20 (mExN): A protalion, Videlale on March gramme on Nagaland Health Project 16. In Yamhon area, it was (NHP) baseline survey report validation launched by Randanbe- & dissemination will take place on March mo Ezung, Assistant Com- 22, 11:00 am at Capital Convention Centre, mandant, ‘B’ Company. At Bhandari Town, two private Kohima. Signing of baseline survey report run hostels and the Police & will be done by Pankaj Kumar, Chief SecreArmy personnel residing at tary and Chairman, Project Steering Comthe designated camp were provided LLINs and Do’s & Don’ts pamphlets. The nets were distributed in seven villages in the foothill, informed a press release. The various categories of NVBDCP field staffs, ASHAs, Gaon Buras and NGOs participated during the LLINs distribution, where the importance and proper usage of the impregnated nets and health benefits were highlighted to the beneficiaries.

Dr. Zuben Kikon, DVBO (District Vector Borne Officer), Wokha, has informed that the issued nets must be moKoKchuNg, march 20 (mExN): used immediately during The Tenyimi Students' Union Mokokcthis transmission period of hung (TSUM) observed its 19th Annual mosquito borne diseases General conference under the theme and further thanked all the "Strong Together, Grow Together" on village council members, March 19 at Cosmos Hall, Mokokchung.

NGOs, and also the ComRukulu Tunyi, Asst. Commandant, mandant 7th NAP battalion 2nd NAP Battalion, Alichen and Vikhofor all the assistance and co- to Richa, EAC, Tuli were the resource operation to NVBDCP dur- persons at the conference. Tunyi, in her ing the LLINs distribution. speech, talked about how hard work,

LLINs distributed in Bhandari Block

that AYUSH is an abbreviation which stands for A=Ayurveda Y=Yoga & Naturopathy U=Unani, S=Sidha, H=Homeopathy.

The yoga training was led by Yoga Instructor K. Lawrence and medical camp was led by Dr. Mary Belho and Dr. Vicino Nakhro from NHAK. Altogether, 120 persons attended the programme and over 50 patients were treated during the medical camp.

NHP baseline survey report validation & dissemination

mittee, NHP. The overview of NHP will be given by Dr. Vizolie Suokhrie, Project Director, NHP. The function will be chaired by Dr. Atoshe Sema, Additional Project Director, NHP while welcome address will be given

by M. Patton, Commissioner & Secretary to Government of Nagaland and Chairman, Project Executive Committee, NHP.

TSUM observes 19th annual conference

being caught by wicket-keeper Mohammad Shahzad off Amir Hamza in the 12th over at the Wankhede Stadium.

Du Plessis made a tidy 41, which included seven fours and one six, before being run out in messy fashion in the tenth over.

South Africa sat on 92/2 at the half-way stage of their innings before de Villiers came in and upped their run-rate, hitting Rashid Khan for an astonishing four sixes in the 17th over. He was caught by Noor Ali Zadran off Mohammad Nabi near the boundary in the 18th though as he attempted yet another six.

David Miller made 19 while JP Duminy was not out on 29 as South Africa set the Afghans a formidable run-chase of 210.

Destructive opener and Afghan talisman Shahzad did his best to frighten South Africa's bowlers in the early stages, hitting three sixes and a

AB de Villiers comes up with a reverse swat en route to his 29-ball 64, Afghanistan v South Africa, World T20 2016, Group 1, Mumbai, March 20. (Getty Images)

four off Kyle Abbott over.

But any hopes the Afghans had of causing a sensational upset were effectively over when Shahzad was bowled by Morris for 44 with the last

ball of the fourth over.

The only sour note for South Africa was the withdrawal from the field of Duminy because of a hamstring injury.

Fletcher leads WI to victory over SL

bENgaLuru, march 20 (agENciEs): West Indies took a big step towards the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 with a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Darren Sammy's men produced a superb performance with the ball to re-

strict Sri Lanka to 122-9.

Samuel Badree took 3-12 and Dwayne Bravo 2-20 as regular wickets derailed Sri Lanka, with only Thisara Perera's 29-ball 40 offering any resistance.

Andre Fletcher blasted an unbeaten 84 off 64 balls as the West Indies reached the target with 10 balls to spare.

It's a second victory for West Indies, who beat England by six wickets on Wednesday, meaning they will qualify for the last four if they beat South Africa on Friday.

But defending champions Sri Lanka face a battle to advance, and their match against England in Delhi on Saturday now

looms large, with the loser likely to be eliminated.

Scores: Sri Lanka: 122 for 9 in 20 overs (Thisara Perera 40; Samuel Badree 3/12, Dwayne Bravo 2/20).

West Indies: 127 for 3 in 18.2 overs.( Andre Fletcher 84 not out, M Siriwardana 2/33).

2nd Cosmos Rifle & Pistol Shooting C’ship

Dimapur, march 20 (mExN): The 2nd Cosmos Rifle & Pistol Shooting Championship 2016 organised by the Cosmos Rifle Club was held from March 15 to 18 2016 at Cosmos Entertainment Hall and Yimchalu Ground.

Shooters from Mokokchung town participated in the Training Camp.

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7)

The youngest, a 9 year old scored 93% in the 10m Air Rifle Test bench category. The Championship was conducted in 7 events: Air Rifle- Senior Men & Women; 25m Standard Pistol-Men; 25m Pistol-Women; and 50m Peep sight Rifle prone- Men & Women.

Winners of the championship have

Events 10m .177 Air Rifle (Senior Men) 10m .177 Air Rifle (Senior Women) 10m .177 Air Rifle (Youth) 25m Pistol (Senior) 25m Standard Pistol (Senior) 50m Peep Sight Rifle Prone (Men) 50 Meter Peep Sight Rifle Prone (Women)

been invited for free training starting from March 28 at Aries Rifle & Pistol Shooting Academy Range at NST Colony and Aries Sports Complex at Bamunpukhuri-A, and will be allowed to participate in all forthcoming Championships for 2016. Registration for New Shooters will start from March 24.

Gold Imlikokba

Silver Longriwati

Bronze Anok Imsong

Sentienla Imchen

Toshienla Ao

XXX

Lanumenla T.Changkiri

Imsor Longkumer

XXX

Naro Walling

XXX

XXX

Walunir

Longriwati

Longriwati

Jonathan Lemtur

Walunir

Naro Walling

XXX

XXX

Jonathan Lemtur

public discourse

36th Naga Republic Day Speech by Y. Wangtin Naga, President NSCN/GPRN-Reformation

being focused and commitment to God helps in unlocking any confined settings, while Richa challenged the youths to be more informative and highlighted the various competitive exams, both in public and private sector.

Induction and dedication of new Executives (2016-17) of TSUM was performed

by Atho Yano, Pastor Tenyimi Church, Mokokchung. A special number 'Lift my Life Up' was performed by CTC students.

KVK Zunheboto holds Scientific Advisory Committee meeting

ZuNhEboto, march 20 (mExN): Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Zunheboto, Nagaland University conducted its 7th Scientific Advisory Committee meeting at Lumami on March 18, which was chaired by Vice Chancellor Professor BK Konwar, chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee.

The Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University appealed to all the stakeholders to work hand in hand to

an, who was ranked as the No9 heavyweight contender will now climb the rankings and is one step closer to a shot at the heavyweight title he craves. As for Mir (now 18-11), at 36 his dreams of equalling a record by winning the heavyweight crown three times appears in tatters.

Hunt is now targeting a rematch with UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum after his stunning showing against Mir. He hopes he will now get the opportunity to avenge his losses against either Stipe Miocic (No2), Junior Dos Santos (No5) or ideally champion Werdum.

“I’d like to rematch any of the top guys, JDS (Dos Santos), Stipe or Werdum,” Hunt said. “I’ve never lost a rematch, so I’d love to do that. I can party anywhere.”

improve the economic condition of farming community.

The main objective of the SAC was to find out the agricultural technologies which is location specific and can be taken up by farmers to improve productivity, a press release said.

Earlier, Dean SASRD (School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development) welcomed the members and farmers. Edenly Chishi, SMS (Horticulture), presented the An-

nual Report for the year 2015 to 16, while Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chaurasia presented the Annual Action plan for the year 2016 to 17.

Director Research, HoD of different departments from SASRD, Scientist from ICAR Jharnapani, DSCO and ATMA PD and SMS of KVK participated in the programe. Progressive farmers Zunheboto were also present and gave suggestions for improving productivity of crops and animals.

M

y dearest fellow Nagas, I on behalf of NSCN/ G PRN- Re f o r mati o n seized this opportunity on this auspicious day of 36th Naga Republic Day to salute the Naga Nation and also to tell to the world that, Naga country is a free Nation although it was invaded by Indian Government and continue her forcible occupation for almost 6 decades by violating human rights and universal laws. No history or any record and even the Indian Government can lie that Naga country was part of India as it was a free nation even before India became a free Nation. In other words, at no point of time Naga people surrendered their sovereign rights before any nation including India and Myanmar. I also salute our great leaders under whom the first memorandum was submitted to Simon Commission in 1929 stating that, Naga people with their Nation be

left alone, further stated that, it would not be part of Indian Union which was followed by 9th points agreement of 1946, declaration of Naga Independence on 14th Aug. 1947 and Plebiscite of 1951. It was under our firm leaders, the Naga people and their Nation with stand thus far.

That, the dark days clouded the entire Naga country after the signing of Shillong Accord in 1975 where sovereign rights of the Nagas was surrendered before Indian Government by some NNC workers expediting the formation of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) under the leadership of Mr. Isak Chisi Swu, Mr. Th. Muivah, Mr. S.S. Khaplang and Gen. (Retd) Khole who firmly defended the Naga nation through historic republic day on 21st March 1980. Thus, Naga nationhood was restored, for which I am saluting them.

The NSCN/GPRN-Reformation is

only one year old, yet no criteria was lacked to be Naga Revolutionary Government as young and committed leaders are ready to sacrifice and firmly stand for the Naga nation under any circumstances against all odds and forces what so ever.

His Excellency, The President of NSCN/GPRN-Reformation, Mr. Y. Wangtin Naga appeal to all Naga freedom fighters to love one another as we all are for single cause. Defecting from one faction to another faction at this juncture will not help the Nagas as such practices will only create enmity and antagonism among different NPGs. Rather, Naga people must try to know to live together as one people although they work under different NPGs. LONG LIVE NAGALAND AND NAGA NATION MIP NSCN/GPRN-Reformation

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.

Monday 21•03•2016

EntErtainmEnt

Puerto Rico's Miss Universe contestant sacked because she 'doesn't like cameras'

Alobo Naga and the Band and Indian Idol Season 3 winner Prashant Tamang performing to a rapturous crowd at the Popular Music Night on the last day of the Spring Festival 2016 at NEZCC complex Sunday evening. The event was organized by the North East Zone Cultural Centre.

P

C M Y K

uerto Rico's 2016 Miss Universe contestant has been stripped of her crown after revealing in an interview that she did not like having her picture taken. Kristhielee Caride, 24, shocked competition officials when she told a Puerto Rican newspaper: 'I just do not like cameras'.

Desiree Lowry, the national director of Miss Universe Puerto Rico, said she wanted the earth to swallow her as she witnessed the controversial interview.

'I saw the damage that she was doing and the damage that she was doing to the organization,' Lowry said during a press conference on Thursday.

'Miss Puerto Rico is a public figure and part of your job is to be in front of the camera.' 'You always have to put your best face forward. It's a given that we are going to be in front of cameras and that we have to answer all types of questions.'

Lowry said Caride told pageant officials that she was having a personal problem and that the incident would not happen again, but said the beauty queen never apologized.

She added that Caride, who won the crown four months ago, then canceled public appearances because of a doctor's appointment she said she could not reschedule.

Caride will no longer represent the US territory in the international beauty contest, which most recently crowned Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach.

Caride, who was representing the municipality of Isabel, took to Facebook on Thursday to apologize to her fans and explain her interview. 'Beauty queens are not exempt from hav-

Runner' star Dylan Big B didn't charge fee for 'Maze O'Brien injured on set singing anthem, says CAB aze Runner' star Dylan O'Brien has ing a bad day,' she wrote in Spanish. 'I allowed my feelings to get in the way of my work.'

Caride explained she had been having personal problems in the past few days but that she continued to fulfill her commitments as Puerto Rico's Miss Universe contestant. 'I would like to express my most sincere apologies to each and every one of my fans first of all those who have supported me from the first moment, to my work team and the organisation of miss universe Puerto Rico,' she wrote.

'It was never my intention to make you feel bad, hurting or damaging the image of those who have helped me to be where I am today.' 'It is human to err, it is also courageous to recognize our errors and I want to continue being an example of a real woman with purpose that maintains their head held high before all adversity that happens in life.'

Caride wrote that she did not agree with the organization's decision but said she accepted it 'with dignity'. 'I will always remember that night of November 12,' she wrote. 'When I won the title, and all the experiences and lovely memories of having been Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2016.'

Caride was crowned in her second attempt, after finishing in the top 16 while representing Dorado in the Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2014 pageant. The college graduate has a harrowing life story, including being kidnapped with her mother and sister and losing her family home on Christmas day. Puerto Rico has won the Miss Universe title five times, most recently in 2006.

I

ndia's cine megastar Amitabh Bachchan did not take any appearance fee for singing the national anthem in the India-Pakistan World Twenty 20 clash, confirmed a senior official of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) on Sunday. India beat Pakistan by six wickets at the Eden Gardens here on Saturday night.

A report in the social media claimed that the megastar had taken Rs.4 crore to sing the national anthem and be present for the gala pre-match ceremony where former cricketers were felicitated. Many fans reacted to the report with some questioning his patriotism.

However, a top CAB official cleared the air on Sunday."No, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan did not take any money from us," the official told IANS. The 73-yearold actor reportedly also booked his flight tickets and paid his hotel bills himself.

Source: IANS

‘M

been rushed to hospital after being hit by a car in a scene gone wrong. The 24-year-old who plays Thomas in the film suffered multiple injuries including either a broken cheekbone or orbital socket shooting the franchise's upcoming dystopian science-fiction sequel 'The Death Cure' on Thursday in Vancouver, British Columbia.

O’Brien reportedly fell off the back of a set that was designed to look like the rear of a train, according to Deadline. He was taken to a local hospital in British Columbia for observation and treatment following the accident. 'Production on the film will be shut down while he recovers,' a Fox spokesperson said. 'Our thoughts go out to Dylan for a full and speedy recovery.'

The first two movies in the franchise, released in 2014 and 2015, made about $660 million at the global box office and established O'Brien as one of the hottest young movie stars. O'Brien first found fame on YouTube some 10 years ago through posting his original videos. He later starred in the MTV series 'Teen Wolf and the Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson comedy 'The Internship. He is also close friends with actress and pop star Selena Gomez.

Source: MailOnline

Aditi Rao Hydari Finds Link-up Rumours 'EntErtaining'

A

ctress Aditi Rao Hydari, who was on a media trial recently for a rumoured link-up with Bollywood actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, says that initially she used to feel pressure as she was new to the industry but now she laughs off such reports and thinks them “interesting”.

“It’s part of our job,” Aditi told IANS when asked

about her reaction to how media rumours affects her as a woman than as an actress. “There are some days when I am irritated for five minutes and then we all laugh and get on with our work. I actually find it entertaining,” she added.

The “Rock On” star and his celebrity hair-stylist wife Adhuna announced their decision to separate “mutually and amicably” earlier this year and it was reported that Aditi, who worked with Farhan in “Wazir” was the reason behind the split.

Source: MailOnline

However Aditi, who walked for designer Shruti Sancheti at the ongoing Amazon India Fashion Week (AIFW) Winter-Festive 2016, here on Friday, says that Our lives are sometimes far more exciting on print then it actually is because we are working back to back, not sleeping, taking flights from here to there but you (media) attribute (it) as a very exciting life.”

She also says that though she is now five years old in the industry, such link ups used to affect her in initially. “I have been working here for five years and earlier I used to feel pressure as I was new to it. I was not from the film world. I had not grown up there but today I am happy

'Star Wars' director sued by former agent Now, an animated film on MJ's pet chimpanzee

K

ing of Pop Michael Jackson's pet chimpanzee Bubbles is heading to the big screen -- in an animated avatar. Bubbles will be the centre of a stopmotion animated film aptly titled Bubbles, which will be produced by Community creator Dan Harmon and his Starburns Industries, reports deadline.com.

Adapted from Isaac Adamson's script that has just

‘S

tar Wars: Episode VIII' director Rian Johnson's former agent Brian Dreyfuss has sued him over a 10 percent commission for the film.

Dreyfuss is suing Johnson for breach of implied contract, claiming the director is refusing to pay him his 10 percent commission, according to the complaint filed on Friday in Los Angeles county superior court, reports hollywoodreporter. com.

Producer Ram Berg-

been acquired by Andrew Kortschak's End Cue, the film tells the story of Michael Jackson's life and history from the perspective of the pet chimpanzee which got a close-up view after being adopted by Jackson from an Austin, Texas research facility and given residence at the Neverland Ranch in 1983.

He became Jackson's constant companion until he became overaggressive

and was moved to a monkey sanctuary in Florida.

The script has been considered a very inventive way to tell an unauthorised story

he agreed to represent Johnson for a 10 percent commission on any and all projects that he facilitated, including "renewals and/or options that are exercised or contracts that have been renewed". The suit claims Johnson agreed to pay that commission whether or not the employment contracts were procured as a result of Dreyfuss' efforts and whether or not the employment continued after the end of their agreement.

Source: IANS

S

inger Madonna is reportedly keen to hold "peace talks" with her former husband Guy Ritchie here next week when her Rebel Heart world tour comes to an end. The 57-year-old is said to be planning to fly straight out to see Rocco, who has been living with his father here since December, reports dailymail. co.uk. "Madonna is going to do whatever it takes to see Rocco. She wants to meet with Guy as well to

Source: IANS

Hillstar NOW SHOWING

Ticket Rates PlaTinuM - `320 Gold - `150 SilveR - `80

of Jackson without needing permission. So far, the film has no director or actors attached to it.

Source: IANS

Madonna to hold 'peace talks' with ex-husband? man is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Dreyfuss claims Bergman "orchestrated much of Johnson's business life" and "adopted a course of conduct to marginalise Dreyfuss and limit his influence". According to the complaint, Dreyfuss began representing Johnson early in his career and helped him land writing and directing projects, including 'Looper' and 'Breaking Bad' that launched him into the spotlight.

Dreyfuss claims in 2002

being like that. Either from being fashion, style or whoever you are, one should actually be effortless. It is about being yourself and being happy, being unique.

“I think when people love you for who you are and not what you are trying to be, I think then you are fine. There is no pressure on you. You are really happy and happy girls are really pretty,” she said.

sort out the situation once and for all," said a source.

Madonna reportedly told friends that she is prepared to live in London for the time being in order to be close to her eldest son. "If it means staying in London for a long period of time then she will," the insider said.

Madonna has been on the road since last year and is currently in Australia until the tour draws to an end on Sunday.

Source: IANS

11:00 am | 2:00 pm 8:00 pm

05:00 PM

12

monDAY 21•03•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Rosberg wins dramatic season-opener in Melbourne 1

2

3

4

1. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany celebrates on the podium after winning the Australian Formula One Grand Prix. (AP Photo) 2. Fernando Alonso of McLaren and Spain crashes heavily. (Getty Images) 3. McLaren driver Fernando Alonso of Spain climbs out of his wrecked car. (AP Photo) 4. McLaren Honda's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso gives the crowd the thumbs-up. (AFP Photo)

C M Y K

MELBOURNE, MaRch 20 (REUtERs): Nico Rosberg won a dramatic Australian Grand Prix on Sunday after a bungled tire strategy dashed Sebastian Vettel's chances of a season-opening triumph and Fernando Alonso survived a spectacular crash that left his McLaren wrecked.

Rosberg's 15th Formula One victory was also his fourth in succession after the German Mercedes driver won the final three races of last season.

Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton battled back to secure a Mercedes one-two after the defending world champion recovered from a chaotic start that pushed him back to sixth at the first turn to finish eight seconds

Alonso 'lucky' to be alive after huge crash

F

ernando Alonso felt lucky to be alive after walking away from a spectacular crash that left his obliterated McLaren scattered across the Albert Park circuit and brought a halt to the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday. Alonso's right wheel clipped Esteban Gutierrez's Haas at high speed going into turn three of the 18th lap and the impact sent the Spaniard's McLaren careening into a barrier, smashing it to pieces, before it flipped, rolled and flew end-over-end into another barrier. The two-time Formula One

behind his team mate.

Four-times world champion Vettel came third for Ferrari after leading for much of the race, but the German's victory hopes faded with an ag-

world champion emerged from the wreckage and walked gingerly over to Mexican Gutierrez, where the pair embraced. "I'm okay, I'm trying to put everything in place again," the 34-year-old told Sky Sports in the paddock after Nico Rosberg won the race for Mercedes.

"It was a scary crash. Lucky to be here and happy to be here, and thankful to be here -- especially to the (governing body) FIA and all the safety, thanks to that probably I'm alive.

"We lost the power unit and the

gressive tire strategy that fell flat after the race was halted due to Alonso's crash.

"The strategy was crucial today, so I'm really thankful the team did a

car because there was a lot of damage, but I'm super happy to be talking." Race control said Alonso's contact with Gutierrez would be investigated but the Spaniard said neither driver was to blame.

"We were racing, I kept in the slip-stream as late as I could and at the last moment I tried to move.

"It's tough, you can only see the rear wing, you don't have the full view of the track. And same for him, he's defending and can't see what the other guy is doing. So we are both happy."

(Reuters)

good job on that," ecstatic German Rosberg told reporters. "The car's just been unreal today... We've got to keep an eye on the red guys (Ferrari), they are very close as you saw today."

Ferrari enjoyed a brilliant start, with Vettel able to carve through the frontrow occupying Mercedes duo on the run to the first turn. His Finnish team mate Kimi Raikkonen also

got off to a flyer and he darted up the side to claim second place as Rosberg's rear left tire made contact with Hamilton's front wing.

Ve t t e l a p p e a r e d poised for an unlikely win but the race turned on its head when Alonso crashed into Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez at high speed going into turn three of the 18th lap.

The Spaniard's car careened into a barrier and was smashed to pieces before it flipped, rolled and flew end-over-end into another barrier. Alonso walked away from the wreckage but the red flag came out to halt the race for around 10 minutes as track staff swept away debris and repaired the barriers.

During the break, Mercedes opted to run both cars on medium compound tires and rode them to the finish, while Ferrari took the more aggressive route, sticking with their super-softs, which were quicker but ultimately required another stop.

The mistake proved

costly and was compounded when Vettel's next tire change was botched, while Raikkonen's race was over on lap 23 when an engine failure forced him out and he reached the pits with flames shooting out of the top of his car.

"Obviously the red flag didn't help us," Vettel said.

Mitrovic saves Newcastle, Mane sinks Liverpool

Sadio Mane scores Southampton's third goal. (Getty Images)

MaNchEstER, MaRch 20 (aFP): Aleksandar Mitrovic scored an 83rd-minute equaliser as Newcastle United prevented northeast rivals Sunderland from escaping the Premier League relegation zone in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

Seeking a seventh successive win over Newcastle, Sunderland took the lead in the 44th minute at St James’ Park when Jermain Defoe volleyed

home left-footed after Rob Elliot had parried a shot from Fabio Borini.

But with seven minutes remaining, Georginio Wijnaldum crossed for Serbian striker Mitrovic to score with a downward header, sparing Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez from defeat in his first home game and keeping both teams in the bottom three.

With eight games each to play, third-bottom Sunderland are two

points from safety, with Newcastle a point behind in 19th place.

In the day’s other early game, Sadio Mane scored twice — and squandered a penalty — as Southampton checked Liverpool’s charge towards the top four by coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at St Mary’s.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool went 2-0 up inside 22 minutes, Philippe Coutinho curling in a fine effort from 25 yards and Divock Origi teeing up Daniel Sturridge to score.

Senegal international Mane, a half-time replacement for Dusan Tadic, saw a penalty saved by Simon Mignolet early in the second half after Martin Skrtel was adjudged to have fouled Graziano Pelle.

But Mane sped past Mamadou Sakho to reduce the arrears and after Pelle equalised with a vicious shot in the 83rd minute, the Italian freed Mane to run through and score an 86th-minute winner.

It meant that Liverpool failed to put pressure on Manchester City and Manchester United, who face off at the Etihad Stadium later on Sunday.

Published, Printed and Edited by Dr. Aküm Longchari from House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur at Themba Printers and Morung Publications , Padum Pukhuri Village, Dimapur, Nagaland.

RNI No : NAGENG /2005/15430. House No.4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur 797112, Nagaland. Phone: Dimapur -(03862) 248854, Fax: (03862) 235194, Kohima - (0370) 2291952

For news email: morung@gmail.com and for advertisements and circulation contact: (03862) 248854, Fax-235194 or email : morungad@yahoo.com

PO Reg No. NE/RN-722