C M Y K
www.morungexpress.com
FriDAY • MAY 12 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 128• 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read New South Korean president Moon vows to tackle North Korea, broader tensions “urgently” PAGE 09
o F
T R u T H
— Mark Twain
Name Your Career: seminar for science students held
Real survive early Atletico onslaught to reach final
PAGE 02
PAGE 12
Kashmir turmoil: spontaneous lokayukta an urgent need for nagaland: nVco protests loosening india’s grip?
PULWAMA, MAY 11 (REUTERS): Images of students confronting police on campuses have come to symbolise Kashmiri protests against Indian rule as much as guntoting militants in fatigues, in what security officials and separatist leaders say is a dangerous new phase of the conflict. The sharp rise in violence in recent weeks is more spontaneous than before, complicating the task of Indian security forces trained largely in counter-insurgency and poorly equipped to contain broader unrest. A political stalemate in India’s only Muslim-majority state is a further hurdle to resolving the long-running Kashmir dispute, as is rising Hindu nationalism in some parts of India since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014. “We can ensure that militant numbers remain relatively low and we have stopped the weapons flow. The bigger challenge is how to control protesters, how to engage with them,” said one senior army official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak to media. When security forces entered a college last month in Pulwama, 30 km (19 miles) south of Kashmir’s summer capital of Srinagar, hundreds of students threw stones at their vehicles before fighting
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
pitched battles inside college corridors and bathrooms. Within days, widespread protests forced most colleges and secondary schools in Indian-controlled Kashmir to close. Teenaged girls took to the streets for the first time in years. At least 100 protesters were wounded. A local police chief said security forces were steering clear of campuses to avoid provoking more violence. Police were appealing to parents to ensure children “do not indulge” in violence, Kashmir inspector general of police S.J.M. Gillani said, adding that most areas were back under control. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, leader of a moderate Kashmiri separatist faction, said protesters were for the first time ignoring calls to stop. “Today there is absolute hate for India. They don’t listen to anyone,” he told Reuters in Srinagar. India’s former spy chief, A.S. Dulat, said the Kashmir situation “has never been so bad”. Still, New Delhi has stuck to its tough line, demanding an end to violence before talking with separatists. “All these activities of stone pelting have to stop. Then will the government consider talking,” said K.S. Dhatwalia, a home ministry spokesman. Politicians also say that, in contrast to earlier unrest,
indian policemen detain a Kashmiri student during a protest in srinagar. (REUTERS/File)
there is no obvious leader to negotiate with. Previous waves of violence in 2008 and 2010 fizzled out after a year or so as local people tired of shutdowns. There is little sign the current protests will end soon, however. In villages set amid the mustard fields and apple orchardsofKashmirValley,people openly praise militants and protesters. Locals complain of more police checkpoints, while grieving mothers show photos of loved ones killedintheunrest. Shabir Ahmad, a doctor, said he began supporting militants and protesters after his brother-in-law, 21,
was shot dead in Chadoora amid a stand-off with security forces. “India is losing Kashmir because of its own doing,” the 35-year-old said at his family home, sitting next to his grieving motherin-law. Some Kashmiris warn that rising nationalist sentiment across parts of India, led by Modi’s hardline Hindu supporters, is deepening their sense of estrangement. Modi last month asked Kashmiri youngsters to choose between “tourism and terrorism”, comments that angered locals. Several Kashmiris living in ‘mainland’ India have returned home after
facing discrimination, including student Hashim Sofi, 27, who arrived at his hostel room in Rajasthan state to a T-shirt with “Kashmiri dog” scribbled on the front. “They are saying that all Kashmiris are terrorists,” he said by telephone. Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, an aide to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who governs in an alliance with Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, said he remained hopeful that Delhi would launch a new dialogue. “Kashmir cannot be seen as an isolated place,” he said. “Indian politics are becoming more polarised.”
DiMAPUR, MAY 11 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) today submitted a representation to the Nagaland State Chief Minister, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu asking for the setting up of a Lokayukta in Nagaland State. The NVCO said that to have a Lokayukta in Nagaland is “the need of the hour,” considering the corruption prevalent in the state. It lamented that in Nagaland some officers use their position or status to discriminate somebody or gain something from that person. “Some officers avail or use the services of government employees for their own personal work and benefit,” it added. The NVCO further pointed out that jobs are being given relatives and family members, and appointments are being made without any advertisement or selection process. It further specified the instances of fictitious and ghost employees, minors and over aged persons. Regarding favoritism, the NVCO said that there are instances where contract works and tenders are being made “in total violation of all ethics of technicalities.” “The influential section of people taking away the shares of the genuine candidates such as relief, grant, subsidy, etc and also materials meant for farmers/cultivator, villagers, widow, BPL, children, old people or senior citizen, persons with disability, including power-tiller meant for cultivators, etc.” It also lamented the prevalence of extortion, bribery, embezzlement of funds and fraud which is rife in the state. The NVCO also stressed on the need to fight against backdoor appointment by ensuring “equality of appointment in matters of public appointment.” “It is also the fight against all those employed who have been appointed/recruited in various departments of the Government of Nagaland bypassing the constitutional scheme of public employment through the modus operandi of illegal, backdoor, contractual,” it added. It stated that the Nagaland Govern-
ment’s own Office Memorandum dated January 13, 2010 on the subject “reveals the naked truth about the most unethical ‘department ethics’ that has taken a stranglehold on governance in the State.” It quoted the OM as stating: “It has come to the notice of the Government that a number of unauthorized appointments have been made by certain Heads of Departments on the eve of their retirements without following the prescribed procedure. Now, the Government has taken a decision that all those irregular appointments made by them should be immediately cancelled by the concerned Administrative Heads of Depts. and also criminal prosecution of the guilty officials be taken up by filing an FIR in the Vigilance Commission and all payments of pensionary benefits should be withheld till criminal case is disposed off”. In light of the above circumstance, the NVCO stated that the setting up of a Lokayukta is urgently required in order to eradicate corruption in the state. This, it stated would provide a clean, transparent, and accountable government of the people. “The main objective of Lokayukta is to curb the menace of corruption providing within the State. When any individual makes a complaint against the public servant relating to corruption, mal-administration, favoritism, nepotism, etc, the Lokayukta looks into such matters and investigates and if they find out that the allegations are true, the public servant is punished. Public servant includes the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, the MLA, the Vice-Chancellor of Universities, Bureaucrats, Secretaries and the higher-ups of the Government department. Lokayukta is a great check on corruption, bring about transparency in the system, to make state administrative machinery citizen friendly,” the NVCO explained. As such, it urged the Nagaland Chief Minister to ensure that necessary action is taken in order to set up the anti-corruption body in the state at the earliest.
SRSU cautions irregular teachers New DIETs for Peren, Longleng, Kiphire
DiMAPUR , MAY 11 (MExN): The Satoi Range Students union (SRSU) today informed that it will be conducting surprise checking to curb down on irregular teachers in government primary schools and high schools of all eleven villages under Satoi area. A press note from the SRSU said that it would look into the irregularities of those irresponsible teachers for illegal practices of proxy at Government High School Satoi, Head Quarter Sub Division, Zunheboto District, which has adversely affected the student’s academic careers. It further informed that with effect from the date of appointment all the government teachers under various categories are also liable for termination if any teachers concerned are absent from duty for more than one month without leave or if found to keep Finally cleared his class 10 exam with distinction, but proxy teachers in his or her place of posting how? He’s been lodged in accordance with the undertaking signed by the individual appointee. here since 2013... miracle!! The union stated that the same yardstick would be applied and reported to the higher ups regarding all irregularities under Satoi Head Quarter for strict and necessary action even to the extent of termination of service. It further informed that “no grace pe-
riod” will be given with effect from May 30, 2017 and reminded all the teachers of Government High School Satoi (GHSS) to be stationed at Satoi head quarter in the next thirty days. The union reminded that in 2016, under the concerned GHSS, only four students appeared in the matriculation exams, and in 2017 only three appeared. Of this, only one qualified. At present, the SRSU informed that GHSS Satoi comprises of seven graduate teachers, two under graduate teachers and two Hindi teachers. There are meanwhile five primary teachers at Government Primary School Satoi. The SRSU further informed that it had held a meeting with all the unit presidents of the eleven villages on April 19 and resolved to strictly adhere to the directives of the All Sumi Students Union (SKK) regarding proxy teachers and related matters. The union appealed to the Minister for School Education to bring corrective measures at the earliest to stop illegal proxy teachers in the state. It suggested installing fingerprint biometric systems in all schools to ensure teachers attendance and check irregularities.
our Correspondent Kohima | May 11
The main thrust of the State Council of Educational Research & Training (SCERT) Nagaland during 2017-18 will be on the successful setting up of the new District Institute of Education & Training (DIET) at Peren, Longleng and Kip-
hire including the new Block Institute of Teacher Education (BITE) at Sechii (Kohima), Longkhim (Tuensang), Chuchuyimlang (Mokokchung), Meluri (Phek) Bhandari (Wokha), Aboi (Mon), Akuluto (Zunheboto) and Medziphema (Dimapur). This was stated in the annual administrative report of SCERT 2016-
17 tabled in the recent assembly session here. The Ministry of Human Resource Department, Government of India has approved and sanctioned the establishment of such new institutes and the civil works are underway. The department has also decided to declare the year 2017 as the “Year of
Research” for the department. Though all ongoing programmes like teachers’ training, development of textbooks and curriculum, vocational guidance & counseling, workshops and seminars etc. would be continued and strengthened, special emphasis would be given to research works, the report added.
cntc condemns life bid on member
DiMAPUR, MAY 11 (MExN): The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) today condemned what it said was an assassination bid made on one of its members, Benri Mozhui, Executive Officer of Nagaland State Agriculture Marketing Board. A press note from the CNTC informed that the shooting incident occurred on the night of May 8 at his residence in Duncan Basti, where two miscreants
were involved. The CNTC demanded that befitting action be taken on those perpetrators. “At the same time the CNTC also warned sternly of those non-locals conniving with local people indulging in such behavior and which will result in dire consequences,” it said. It further asked “all citizens, both overground and underground to stop patronizing anti-socials which is det-
rimental for a peaceful society.” The CNTC asked the authorities to investigate into the incident promptly and book those involved at the earliest. It meanwhile conveyed sympathy to the injured and prayed for a speedy recovery. The Dimapur District GBs Association (DDGBA), in a separate press not, also condemned the incident and urged the Dimapur Police to apprehend the culprits at the earliest.
Nagaland: 61% households Autorickshaw drivers protest ‘no 7990 cooperative societies practice shifting cultivation passenger beside driver’ directive in existence in Nagaland our Correspondent Kohima | May 11
The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 Can an inclusive mechanism of cooperation help in addressing differences and building common ground among Nagas? Why? Yes
C M Y K
no
others
Public Information
Press statements, memorandums, articles, reports and news related documents should be sent to
morung@gmail.com
Editor, The Morung Express
About 61 per cent of the total households in the state of Nagaland practice shifting cultivation, in about 1.00 lakh hectares of land annually. This exposed about 5.65 per cent of the total geographical area of the state to soil hazard. At this rate, it is estimated that over 70 per cent of soil depletion, degradation of land and deterioration of water resources are on account of extensive practice of shifting cultivation, without proper conservation measures. Conservation of soil and water has important bearing on sustainable livelihood security of the people of the state in the
present scenario, according to Nagaland Economic Survey 2016-17. The geo-physio graphically the state is highly susceptible to soil erosion as only 8.48 per cent of the total geographical area of 16, 579 sq.km can be considered plain and the rest are constituted by undulating and hilly terrain with altitude varying from 200m to 3840m. The survey report also stated that high annual rainfall with excessive surface run-off during summer and drought like situation in winter. The annual rainfall which varies from 150cm to 250cm can either be a blessing if properly harnessed or become a curse if allowed to flow freely as surface run-off.
Morung Express news Dimapur | May 11
Autorickshaws drivers were on protest mode today crying foul over the recent directive from the Regional Transport Authority, Dimapur limiting seating capacity, while prohibiting the practice of accommodating passengers beside the driver. The drivers estimated to be around a hundred in number stopped plying and began to publicly express their resentment on the road. According to the police, the drivers began their protest near the Dhansiri bridge by stopping and asking other autorickshaws to stop plying and join them. As the police intervened, the protestors later relo-
cated to the Burma Camp junction to culminate at the Dimapur-Chumukedima autorickshaw parking lot. The police maintained that the drivers can protest but not through the means of stopping others and creating road jams. On the whole, the protest was over the RTA directive, which practically diminished per day earnings; the undercurrent however was over alleged random imposition of monetary penalty on defaulters of the directive. As per some autorickshaw drivers, since the directive came into force on May 1, the frequency of fines has increased, while it was further alleged that there has been no uniformity on the amount imposed.
The protestors disbanded after it was informed that the Dimapur District Autorickshaw Drivers Union (DDADU) will be taking up the matter with the Deputy Commissioner later in the afternoon. The DC when contacted maintained that since it was a directive of the RTA, the district administration alone cannot decide. “(However) If they have any specific concerns, it will be taken up,” said the DC, while adding that the matter will be discussed at an RTA meeting scheduled on May 12. While stating that DDADU executives are also scheduled to attend the meeting, the DC said that the standing RTA directive was taken after taking into consideration the views of the DDADU.
our Correspondent Kohima | May 11
There was an increase of 375 registered cooperative societies of varied activities predominantly for agriculture and allied activities during 2016-17 in the state. As of date a total of 7990 cooperative societies are in existence and are registered with the government, according to Nagaland Economic Survey 2016-17. The report stated that despite efforts to elevate the economy of rural Nagaland through the intervention of the activities of the cooperative societies during 2016-17, 342 registered primary cooperative societies remained defunct and subsequently their registration were cancelled
by the government. Nagaland being a state where economic activities are concentrated only in small scale, the role of primary cooperative societies have gained importance. To a large extent, the type of existing societies are basically primary cooperative societies which are engaged in agriculture and allied activities, marginal business houses and small cottage industries. Audit for 926 societies as conducted for primary cooperatives during 2016-17 with the highest in Mokokchung district numbering 196 followed by Dimapur 191, Kohima 121, Phek 98, Wokha 71, Tuensang 61, Longleng 58, Mon 52, Kiphire 40, Zunheboto 16, Mangkolemba 15 and Peren 7.