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tuesDAY • MArch 22 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 79 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
o F
T R u T H
The welfare of the people is the ultimate law — Cicero Barack Obama meets Raul Castro in the heart of revolutionary Havana PAGE 09
IoFC conduct educators workshop at Kiphire
Wasteful Barca held 2-2 at Villarreal, Real down Sevilla
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‘time to build bridGes, not walls’ naga movement cannot be washed away: GPrn/nscn
NSCN (IM) Chairman Isak Chishi Swu says Framework Agreement will guarantee rights of the Nagas and address India’s security concern Morung Express News Dimapur | March 21
NSCN (IM) Chairman, Isak Chishi Swu, today said the August 3, 2015, ‘Framework Agreement’ upholds the “recognition of unique history of the Nagas by the Government of India” and would guarantee the rights of the Nagas. The NSCN (IM) chairman said the Agreement affirms the universal principle of democracy that sovereignty lies with people and that sovereignty of the Nagas and Indians lie with their respective people. “However, it (Agreement) says that there will be ‘shared sovereignty of the two equals’ in some areas. It also speaks about ‘co-existence of the two entities’ based on the principle of interdependent relationship”, Swu said in his speech, which was read out by Convenor, Steering Committee NSCN (IM), Qhevihe Chishi Swu, on the occasion of the Naga Republic Day celebration at Council HQ Hebron. Swu also said both the parties have agreed in principle to “building bridges between the two people, not walls.” The NSCN (IM) Chairman said since GoI has now recognized the “sovereign right” of the Nagas, including ownership of land and resources, unique history and identity. “India and Nagas will be closely interrelated. We will be exercising maximum power for maximum development in all fields. This agreement will guarantee the rights of the Nagas and also address the security concern of India to a large extent”, Swu said. He also said that both parties agreed that the Indo-Naga conflict
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Yea, yea. I know. your son is innocent ! As innocent as our politicians!
President of the GPRN/NSCN, General Rtd MB Neokpao speaking on the occasion of the Naga Republic Day at Khehoi Headquarter on March 21. NSCN (IM) cadres march during the Naga Republic Day celebration at Council Headquarter Hebron, Dimapur on March 21. Photo by Caisii Mao
is highly political and that it should be solved politically. “Fighting and killing did not solve the problem; rather they hardened the hearts of the oppressed Nagas. Physical oppressions and persecutions never touch the heart of man. Government of India should address to the hearts of the Nagas. We highly appreciate the bold step taken by the present leadership of India”, he said. On the protracted Naga problem and search for peace and Naga political settlement under successive governments at the Centre, Swu said he believed that all MPs of the Indian Parliament, ruling and opposition, are well informed of these hard realities. The NSCN (IM) chairman said the national Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi, cannot feign ignorance of what successive Indian Governments have done visà-vis the Indo-Naga peace process. “This is too big an issue to be overlooked”, he said. NSCN (IM) Kilo kilonser (Home minister), Rh. Raising meanwhile said since the peace process has entered a crucial stage, it is time for Nagas to build bridges among themselves and with In-
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Prohibitory orders imposed in Doldoli Reserved Forest area
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DIMAPUR, MARCH 21 (MExN): The District Magistrate of Dimapur, Kesonyu Yhome has imposed prohibitory orders in the Doldoli Reserved Forest area on the Nagaland side of the AssamNagaland border. An order from the District Magistrate informed that there are reports of developmental activities being carried out by certain groups of people in the reserved forest, which may lead to law and order problem.
from our rural mindset to that of the urban. We must move out of the land of scarcity and un-productivity to greener pasture. Urbanization of people is the beginning of development...Let us rebuild our psychology, our faith, our land and our economy”, Raising said. Supplementing the NSCN (IM) Chairman’s speech on “shared sovereignty and co-existence of the two equals/entities”, as reportedly contained in the Framework Agreement, Raising said, “We are Nagas and that is our natural as well as our political identity…Naga is now a recognized entity.” Further, Raising said Chairman Swu has “proclaimed jubilee, stating that we have forgiven the past mistakes committed against the nation and us by others; let them also forgive our past mistakes.” He also said Swu had appealed to all groups to get on board the Framework Agreement. “Let us move forward together to finish the historic task”, the Kilo Kilonser added. Representatives from various tribe hohos and NGOs, including the Naga Hoho, United Naga Council, NSF, GBs and others attended the celebration.
Banks to remain shut for four-days from Thursday
NEw DElHI, MARCH 21 (PTI): Customers won’t be able to conduct bank transactions at various bank branches for four days in a row this week as all the banks will remain shut from Thursday. However, the lenders have assured that they will load the ATMs fully for meeting people’s cash needs. Thursday will be a holiday for celebrating the Holi festival, followed by Good Friday and the weekend.
Banks are closed on second and fourth Saturdays every month. Hence, it will be four continuous day offs for bank employees. Banks are trying to ensure that ATMs remain operational during these days so that people don’t have any cash problem, a senior public sector bank official said. They are trying to put higher denomination notes in ATM machines to ensure meeting the cash demand, the official added.
Morung Express News
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s (CAG) investigation into the Nagaland School Education Department on the implementation of Mid Day Meal Schemes has revealed various inadequacies in the National Program on Nutritional Support to Primary Education, MDM. The performance audit of the scheme covered 120 schools among the 1034 schools in Nagaland State.
Excess projection of number of students
Records revealed that in the preparation of the Annual Work Plan & Budget (AWP&B), the department projected the children enrolment on the basis of information from District information System of Education (DISE)/ Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) provided by SSA, instead of independently compiling from the information maintained at school levels. The enrolment of children from class I to class VIII (20102015) as per the MDM AWP&B was 12,79,792, while the report as per DISE/UDISE–SSA was 9,28 934. Thus, the inflated enrolment figure amounts to 3,50,858
excess projection. The department stated that the enrolment projections were inclusive of pre-primary and National Child Labour Project. However the CAG informed that the pre-primary children are covered by the Supplementary Nutrition Program implemented by the Social Welfare Department and are not eligible to be covered under the MDM program. The CAG highlighted that “the State Government during 2010-2015 inflated the number of children enrolled by a total of 3,50,358 over the figures of SSA to avail funds under the MDM scheme.”
Inadequacies in enrolment, retention and attendance
Meanwhile, the enrolment figure of children in government schools has decreased from 2,96,061 in 2010-2011 to 2,08,121 in 2014-2015. The department reasoned that decrease in enrolment in government schools was because of increased enrolment in the private schools. The CAG however noted that this indicates that the government schools were unable to attract the students despite a number of welfare measures such as MDM. Further, the department was found not to have any system of
He asserted that “the movement and the legacy that we have today cannot be just washed away with mere propagandas or fancy utterance; it is purely the right of every Naga who has sacrificed enough of blood, sweat and wealth.” The GPRN/NSCN President claimed it is the “will of the people that governs and
Naga rights will not change: FGN
DIMAPUR, MARCH 21 (MExN): Brigadier Retd S. Singnya, Kedahge of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) today stated that Nagas are “divided in defining who we were and what we must be now.” In his message on the Naga Republic Day, he stated that Naga nationalism is in “danger because we seem to be losing the spirit that gave birth to our nationalism.” “We are cowed down by modernism and ideology that says the world is changing and we too must change,” he added. He however termed this as the “language of those who play the politics of convenience and adaptation.” Knowledge and adaptation is important as a nation, he conceded while asserting that Nagas must not import knowledge that may “destroy the very fabric of our nationalism.” “Rights,
whether it be birth right, historical right, political right or any other will not change. Thus our nationalism at the threshold of losing its identity and the fear of evolving into a nationalism of convenience stands before us as our greatest challenge. We have to realize the danger of attempting to popularize our national issues in the same plane as existential knowledge.” He stated that “we must travel back to the past to reclaim our rights that was declared in unity and trust and struggle forward together with pride and dignity. We must continue to show the world that we have the moral strength and power to suffer for truth and not allow our oppressors to use civilization and advancement as tools to suppress our rights to live as a free nation.” Full text on Page 10
Power comes from you - The People
IDBI Bank may be closed for an extra day if the strike call given by a section of officers and employees of the bank on March 28 (Monday) materialises. The staffers, belonging to the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA), have given the strike call to protest against the government Ajit Singh with government representatives and village move to privatise IDBI Bank. The Justice heads during the opening of the Legal Aid Clinic held on March 21 government owns around 80% at Kohima village. (Morung Photo) stake in the bank. dition of settling disputes within the community, marginalization and poverty continue to persist in the society. Therefore, Justice Chaudhur urged capturing daily attendance of the people of the village as well children in primary/upper prihas the authorities to tackle the Morung Express News mary schools covered under the problem of marginalization and Kohima | March 21 MDM scheme. Neither did the oppression through legal servicDepartment have any system es. “Power comes from you-the A legal aid clinic was opened of data capturing on retention/ people,” said Justice Chaudhuaon March 21 at Kohima village, dropout rate of students. The CAG examination of re- jointly organised by the Kohima ry encouraging the people to cords and physical inspection District Legal Services Author- question the anomalies in leadof selected 120 schools reveals ity and the Nagaland State Legal ership and governance. Neivor Rutsa, Chairman, a stark trend of the increasing Services Authority with Justice number of children (Class 1 to Ajit Singh, Chief Justice, Guwa- Kohima Village Council who 8) who could not be retained on hati High Court of Assam, Naga- also spoke at the occasion menpromotion from lower class to land, Mizoram and Arunachal tioned that 90 percent of cases are settled inside the commuhigher class. This resulted in 722 Pradesh as the chief guest. children leaving school in 2011Referring to the significance nity/village by village heads 2012 and 2,633 children leaving of Naga Customary laws and while only 10 percent goes to school in 2015-2016. settling disputes, Justice Nishi- the court. Rutsa, thus appealed The investigation also re- tendu Chaudhury, Executive to the higher courts, to treat the vealed that in 101 schools, teach- Chairman, Nagaland State Le- cases not only from the legal ers were found engaged directly gal Services Authority & Judge point of view but to give imporin cooking or supervising cook- Gauhati High Court who gave tance to traditions and customing of food which may have im- the keynote address stated that ary ways of life. pact on quality of teaching. Khriehu Liezietsu, Parliathis tradition of settling disThe Commissioner & Secre- putes within the community is mentary Secretary for Youth tary to the Government of NagaResources & Sports, Music Task land, Education Department is a lesson to the modern world. Force & State Lotteries appreciJustice Chaudhury also menthe head of the MDM program ated the presence of Chief Justioned that it is the first time in in the State while the Director of School education is the State the history of the village that tice Ajit Singh to the state and level Nodal officer responsible Chief Justice has come in the other North Eastern regions for planning, implementation second largest village in the which was an indicator of his strong sense of justice and also and monitoring of the program. country. The basic idea of the Legal willingness to work with the The CAG further states that there were delays in transmis- Clinic Aid, according to Justice local people and taking stock sion of funds through hierar- Chaudhary was, “If you cannot of the situation from the grass chical chain to implementing go to the court, the court will roots in delivering justice. Furagencies and short releases of come to you.” thering thanking the Kohima state share. Despite the remarkable tra- District Legal Services Authori-
CAG find discrepancies in MDM scheme in Nagaland Kohima | March 21
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dia and neighbours. “Let us give thanks to Him (Lord) who has given us an era. It is now the era of the Nagas”, the Kilo kilonser said. Alluding to the NSCN (IM) Chairman’s comment of “building bridges between the two people, not walls”, the Kilo Kilonser in his address said Nagas cannot stay divided for long and that building bridges among the broken Naga family is “inevitable.” Raising also said building bridges between India and Nagas and with neighbouring people is a matter of “political necessity.” “We cannot keep fighting our enemies; we must make peace with them through dialogue. We cannot say we have nothing to depend on others; we have many reasons to depend on others…We cannot keep criticizing each other; we must also learn how to cooperate and appreciate each other”, he said. He said the Naga issue has reached a crucial stage- from confrontation to negotiation and presently to “nation building.” “The Nagas have now come to the stage of building material, mental and spiritual developments. This demands us to change
DIMAPUR, MARCH 21 (MExN): Observing the Naga Republic day at its Khehoi Headquarters, President of the GPRN/ NSCN, General Rtd MB Neokpao said that the “Naga freedom movement is very sensitive as well as a blessing destiny that every Naga had endured and struggled.”
the decision of the people that will destine the future of Nagas.” “Leaders and workers may keep running from one camp to another basing on their personal needs and requirements, every human being ambitious social animal, weaker person or less determined person may be seen changing their colours but it’s the problem of individuals,” he maintained, while stating that the nation gains nothing but steps into more confusion when “such people try to cover their own weakness and misadventures.” He urged all Nagas to “build a nation of our own and try to solve the problem that we face and safeguard the future of every Naga.”
Legal Aid Clinic launched in Kohima village
ty and the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority, Liezietsu said that the initiative in bringing basic and inexpensive legal service to our doorsteps is significant and highly commendable. Legal Aid clinic has been set up to provide legal services to the poor, marginalized and weaker section of the society in rendering legal services of basic nature like legal advice, drafting legal documents and also for resolving the dispute of the local people by making the parties to see reason ad preventing the dispute reaching courts. “Not only are court cases expensive but most times it is slow and time consuming, further the litigants faces lots of hardships and mental torture and thus pettier cases it becomes a lose situation for the contesting parties. With the setting up of legal aid clinics, hoped that the local people will be educated and at the same time their basic legal needs will be provided,” stated Liezietsu. Chief Justice Ajit Singh in his speech mentioned that the purpose of the legal aid clinic is to ensure access of justice to all which is enshrined in Article 39A of the Indian Constitution mandating the operation of legal system on the basis of equal opportunities. The legal aid clinic will be a law centre for facilitating legal awareness, informed Justice Singh which will be an effective machinery to provide accessibility, affordability and free legal aid to all. “The poor and marginalized of the rural population are neither aware of legal aids, as well as legal schemes available to them nor do they have the capacity to avail,” pointed out Justice Singh, adding that the legal aid clinic shall cater towards the needs.