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wednesdAY • MAY 18 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 135 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
A chain is no stronger than its weakest link, and life is after all a chain
Diesel hiked Rs.1.26 a litre, petrol by 83 paise
Storm affects Chiechama, Phezha & Sechü Zubza areas
o F
— William James
Westbrook stars as Thunder stun Warriors
PAGE 02
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
T R u T H
PAGE 10
intangki national Park: Haven for illegal logging Morung Express News
HISTORY OF INTANGKI NATIONAL PARK
Intangki | May 17
One of the last refuges of forest wildlife in Nagalandthe Intangki National Park in Peren district is fast diminishing under the axe of illegal logging. A trek inside the Intangki National Park brings a sense of the helpless despondency They’re losing their ability it is facing - hardly any huge to walk. he he !! trees in sight; felled trees strewn around and no, the chance of crossing paths OKING HOSPITAL, with a wild animal is highly unlikely. KOHIMA The entrance to the forAmbulance service: est is no longer dense, as 24x7 Advance life supillegal loggers have paved port with trained paralogging roads for huge medics; Equipped for trucks to enter. Although transportation of critical fishing is banned in Intangand trauma patients. ki River, some young men, Contact: - 0370-2290080 who claim themselves as 0370-2290146 from “the Camp,” are seen making their way to the Intangki River for fishing. Illegal logging inside the Park goes back to the 1960s. Several including politicians, educationists and businessmen are said to have accumulated their wealth through illegal logCITIZEN UMBRELLA ging inside the Intangki. Wholesalers may contact Illegal loggers would also CITIZEN UMBRELLA MANUFACTURER LTD. buy land in the adjoining H.O.: 147, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kolkata-7 Ph. No. 033-2268-1396, 2271-2152 areas of Intangki forest and Fax : (033) 2271-2151 E-mail : citizenkolkata@gmail.com use the property for logging
S
Trucks waiting to upload timber , illegally, at Intangki National Park
inside the Park. The Intangki National Park is surrounded by over 13 villages namely Phajang, Lilen, L.Lilen, Phaijol, Vongkithem, New Chamcha, Pelhang B. Pelhang, Bongkolong, Phaikholum, New Soget, Beisumpuilo, Khelma, Beisumpuikam. After witnessing the destruction done to the forest, Beisumpuikam Village Council Chairman narrates, how, in an effort to protect the Park, the villagers shifted to its current
location, which is located right next to the Park. However, they (concerned village) remain helpless- having to reckon with ‘powerful’ forces like those from Naga underground group (s) and high profile contractors and politicians who mint money by ruthlessly bring down the trees. Villagers say there are more than five entry and exit points used by illegal loggers. All vehicles exit through Ahthibung village. Earlier, loggers would take
their vehicles directly to Lilen village but after the road was blocked, the timbers are transported till the village and then dragged with ropes detouring the village. The Zeliangrong Baudi claims that almost 60 per cent of the Intangki forest is gone due to illegal logging and hunting. This is despite the fact that under the Nagaland Forest Act 1968, cutting and felling of trees, fishing, hunting and shooting in a reserved forest are all punishable with fines
ince the inception of making the forest a national property, which dates back to the early 1920s, Intangki, once known as a virgin forest, has been a victim to illegal logging, hunting, poaching and encroachment. In 1920, during the British Colonial period, the then Deputy Commissioner of Naga Hills, J H Hutton gave the idea for the creation of a reserved forest at the Intangki –Dhansiri valley. According to documents in possession of the Forest Department, Beisumpui village agreed to donate their land, and in return received receipts for the entitlement of muzzle loading gun, two blankets, two bags of rice and Rs.10, from the Commissioner’s office. A survey team was sent on February 7, 1921, which took three months to complete. On May 7, 1923, the Govand imprisonments. Department of Forests, Ecology, Environment and Wildlife, Nagaland has deployed 70 forest guards, 16 foresters and 2 Forest Rangers at the Intangki National Park, which apparently is not enough.
THE UNDERGROUND FACTOR
Timber extraction by Naga underground group (s) is one of the major threats leading to the disappearance of the Park’s
ernor in council declared the formation of Intangki Reserved Forest covering an area of 44, 800 acres. Another 5,120 acres of forestland was added to Intangki which came into effect on August 15, 1927. There is also a report about how after a few decades, a group from Beisumpui village went to Kohima to claim the payment only to be told that the receipts were no longer valid since India had attained independence from the British. On April 22, 1975, the Government of Nagaland declared the Intangki Reserved Forest covering an area of 20,202 hectares as Intangki Wildlife Sanctuary. Further, on March 3, 1993, the Government of Nagaland changed the Intangki Wildlife Sanctuary to Intangki National Park. The Park was declared as an Elephant Reserve on February 2, 2005.
natural habitat, villagers residing nearby Intangki have alleged. “Not only are the UGs involved in the illegal logging business but they also fell trees for domestic use in their camps,” a villager from Beisumpuikam village revealed. On the pretext of cutting dry wood for domestic use, they fell fresh trees too. In a day, we see them making three to four trips to the forest and these trips are made more than twice a week,” the villager alleged.
The villager explains how they are powerless to stop such illegal activities of the national workers. “They are the ones violating the law. They will warn us not to fell trees or fish in the river but they are the ones who goes first to break the rules.” “They know what they are doing is illegal. They say they are national workers. They need to realize how to protect the national property and safeguard it,” a member of Zeliangrong Baudi (N) maintained.
NPF president orders Neiphiu Rio’s suspension AAP state body launched in Nagaland
KohimA, mAy 17 (mExN): Naga People’s Front (NPF) President, Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu has ordered the suspension of Nagaland State Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio from the primary and active membership of the party with immediate effect and until further orders. The ‘Suspension Order’ to this effect was passed by the NPF President today. Following this, Rio ceases to be a primary and active member of the political party. However, he shall continue “to be bound by the whip of the Naga People’s Front on the floor of Lok Sabha as per judicial decisions of the Apex Court.” The order has been forwarded to the Speaker, Lok Sabha, the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, the leaders of legislature parties in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha with whom the NPF has alliance, the Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the leaders of legislature parties in the NLA with whom NPF has alliance.
standing and unity of the NPF, and in the true spirit of reconciliation and oneness of the NPF party.” Having “considered” the replies and “proper application of mind to the matter,” the DAC, however, recommended the President of NPF for Rio’s suspension from the party.
Why
Neiphiu Rio
Rio, on April 4 and April 13 this year, seeking his explanation on “why suitable action under the NPF Constitution should not be initiated against him for his antiparty activities.” Rio had responded to the notices on April 14 and April 27 respectively. In the latter, he had reHow The NPF’s Disciplinary Action quested the DAC to withdraw the Committee (DAC) had sent two show-cause notices issued to him show-cause notices to Neiphiu in the “greater interest of under-
Following the recommendation, the NPF President concluded that the Lok Sabha MP, “ever since his demission of office of the Chief Minister of Nagaland, had been indulging in activities squarely contrary to the aims and objectives of the NPF” and that he had “indulged in anti-party activities in order to dislodge the party’s Government” so that he could “regain the position of the Chief Minister.” The ‘Suspension Order’ also noted that the MP’s “anti-party activities” were “singularly aimed at dividing the Party so that, at the cost of the party, he could reposition himself in power in the Party and the Government, as would be evident from his faction filing a pe-
tition before the Election Commission of India for claiming control of the Party, which ultimately failed when the Election Commission of India, by its order dated 27.3.2015, directed the NPF factions to arrive at – reconciliation.” However, despite declaration of reconciliation at the NPF General Convention, the MP “continued with his anti-party activities thereby disrupting unity and the peaceful atmosphere within the party,” the Party President concluded, noting that retaining Rio would be “inimical to the interests of the Party and the Government.” This remained “inevitable” for the Party in order to “keep utmost peace both in the Party and the Government so that the noble aims and objectives of the Party are carried out amongst the Naga masses in a seamless fashion,” maintained the Order. In his response of April 27, Rio had denied the “false allegation of anti-party activism and harbouring of dissident movement,” terming them to be “completely untrue.”
5 arrested in fake certificate racketeering case Morung Express News Dimapur | May 17
Five persons were arrested in a fake certificate racketeering case in Dimapur. Among the arrested included a 20 year-old woman, who attempted to get admission to a school in Dimapur using forged educational documents. The case came to light on May 13 when East Police Station received an FIR about the receipt of a doubtful class 10 pass certificate by a school in Dimapur. The FIR was lodged by the principal of the school (name withheld). According to the police, the school received an application from a student seeking admission to class 11 for the academic session 2016-17. Along with the application, a class 10 pass certificate purportedly issued by the NBSE and Transfer and Character certificates bearing the school principal’s signature and seal were also submitted by the applicant. The police said that scrutiny of the documents revealed it were of doubtful origin as the applicant’s roll number as entered in the pass certificate
Accused Lichotri Sangtam (third from right) in police custody on May 17. Yankiu, Thrilongba and the student were stated to be in judicial custody, while proceedings were in progress against Daniel following his arrest on May 17.
clashed with that of another who had passed out of the school. The school subsequently informed the police resulting in the arrest of the woman on May 13 and four others, from whom the
woman procured the forged certificates. The four were identified as Yankiu Yimchung, Thrilongba Sangtam, Lichotri Sangtam and Daniel Aye. Yankiu and Thrilongba were
arrested on May 14 from Kohima and were followed by the arrest of Lichotri, stated to be the main accused, on May 15 in Dimapur. Daniel, who was arrested today from Midland, according to the police, was the one responsible for crafting and printing the counterfeit certificates. As per the investigation, the student approached Yankiu to help her get a class 10 pass certificate. The latter in turn approached Thrilongba, who procured the certificate from Lichotri. The student reportedly paid Rs. 20,000 to the three. The police further confiscated an assortment of “unauthorised seals”, a desktop set, a polymer machine and more fake documents from the residence of Lichotri at Oriental colony. Among the confiscated certificates included forged NU mark sheets and admit cards and provisional transfer certificate bearing the name of a Shillongbased college. Without ruling out the possibility of it being part of a larger network, police said that investigation is continuing headed by investigation officer Mhasievolie Chadi.
Morung Express News Dimapur | May 17
Nagaland State Aam Aaadmi Party (AAP) parent body was launched in Dimapur on Tuesday in the presence of northeast incharge, AAP, Habung Payeng. A total of 12 office bearers headed by Dr. S. Amos Longkumer as the Coordinator were inducted into the team. Addressing media persons, Payeng termed the day as “historic” for the state and AAP. He expressed the hope that the state AAP with energetic young people would work to the expectations of the people by taking up issues that concern
Officer bearers of State AAP along with party incharge of NE, Habung Payeng addressing press conference in Dimapur on Tuesday. (Morung Photo)
the common people. He called upon young people in the state to come forward in rooting out evils from the society if they wish to see changes. State AAP Spokesperson, Lemwang
Chuhwanglim said that the party does not encourage enrolling opportunists into the party but those who were committed to honestly and sincerely work for the common people.
How long to wait for all to join as one: NSCN (IM) asks DimApur, mAy 17 (mExN): How long should the NSCN (IM) wait for all Naga political groups to “join as one?” The NSCN (IM), which is in a ceasefire as well as political negotiations with the Government of India (GoI), has raised this question today through a press release from its MIP. Acknowledging the contribution of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) as well as persons and organisations from across the world who have “helped the Nagas to cease violence and create conducive environment to reconcile for united Nagalim,” the NSCN (IM) revealed that the political negotiations have now reached the “most crucial and concluding stage.” Therefore, it stated, it will be “unwise” and “rather absurd” on the part of the Nagas to “prolong or wait indefinitely.” “The World is racing even for a split of second and how can the Nagas think of nineteen (19) years of negotiation as not long enough?” asked the NSCN (IM). It recalled that the Covenant of Naga Reconciliation was “duly signed” on July 13, 2009 by S.S. Khaplang, Singnya and Isak Chishi Swu. “We have committed to the Naga people and to God that we will achieve Naga Reconciliation on the basis of the Historical and Political rights of the Nagas,” it observed. However, in due course of time, S.S. Khaplang “backed out” from this agreement. Kitovi Jimomi, who parted ways with Khaplang, “blaming the latter for withdrawal from the Naga Reconciliation process,” later issued a statement when the reconciliation was reaching a serious
stage that “they will not join force” with the NSCN (IM), and would rather seek “separate talks” only for the Nagas of Nagaland. In 2014, S. Singnya and his group “confessed” at a Naga Reconciliation meeting in Kolkata that their President was Adinno Phizo, stated the NSCN (IM) press release. Observing that in 2008, S. Singnya and his group had “declared to the Naga people that they opposed the Shillong Accord,” the NSCN (IM) noted that this group is not only identifying itself with “Shillong Accordists” but have also “misled” the Nagas in general and the signatories of the Naga Concordant in particular. In spite of “these failures,” Isak Chishi Swu had issued a statement from his hospital bed on August 25, 2015, appealed all Nagas to “come forward and to unite by forgetting the past mistakes.” “Today at this very important turning point of our history, the Naga people should know and understand that, the past is past, and that we must all come together in the name of Christ and also respecting and acknowledging our Historical and Political rights,” he had stated. To carve out a “common future,” Swu had urged all Nagas to “come forward so as to march forward in a united strength to reach a lasting peace and prosperous future of the Nagas.” “With forgiveness all the Nagas should come together and in one accord of mind we should enter the Promised Land,” Swu had said. In that, the NSCN (IM) today “highly appreciated” the “large numbers” who responded to that call and stated that “still many are expected to respond.”