C M Y K
C M Y K
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monDAY • mAY 09 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 126 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
Life without liberty is like a body without spirit
P o W e R
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
T R u T H
— Khalil Gibran
Canada fire rages for seventh day, ‘Peace is most important word in Naga context’ evacuees brace for long wait PAGE 09
o F
Alvarez KOs Khan to retain WBC middleweight title
PAGE 02
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‘opportunity to make peace should not be lost’ We stand for inclusive talks. All stakeholders should be part of the peace process: Sumi Hoho
Morung Express news
peaceful hub.
Zunheboto | May 8
Great sermon Pastor. Today you really spoke to my soul.....by the way were you speaking in English or .....?
The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion
Vote on www.morungexpress.com sMs your answer to 9862574165 Is the lack of foundation (eg: infrastructure, proxy teachers, delayed salary, text books) the primary cause for poor results in Nagaland Government High Schools? Yes
no
others
Would an active media fraternity help in fighting corruption in Nagaland? How? Yes
70%
no
16%
others
14%
Details on page 7
Global warming may up chronic kidney disease NEW YoRk, MAY 8 (IANS) Climate change is likely to accelerate rates of chronic kidney disease worldwide as rising temperatures and heat stress harm kidneys. New findings show that heat stress nephropathy -- chronic kidney diseases are on the rise, especially in many rural communities in hot regions. With rise in temperature worldwide, dehydration and heat stress are likely to take a toll on the kidneys. “A new type of kidney disease, occurring throughout the world in hot areas, is linked with temperature and climate and may be one of the first epidemics due to global warming,” said Richard Johnson, from the University of Colorado in the US. Also, rise in extreme heat waves has increased the risk of kidney disease, especially for the agricultural workers.
Sumi Hoho statistics suggest that there are 403 Sumi villages in Nagaland State—every district has a presence of Sumi villages except Mon and Longleng. This is the geographical presence. Sumi people have been a major part of the Naga national movement and continue to be important stakeholders and decision shapers in the political arena. It may be convenient to assume that the power this wields would put the Sumi people at the pinnacle of development and justice. But reality suggests otherwise. Sumi people, particularly those living in Zunheboto district, continue to struggle. Today, their central point of assertion is ‘Inclusive (political) Talks’ and peace. Unofficial Battleground “The political aspiration of self governance of the Sumi people was not fulfilled by past accords. We are free people; Indians neither by consent nor conquest,” asserts Vihuto Asumi, General Secretary
sumi youth witnessing an ongoing festival in April 2016 in Zunheboto Town. While sumi youth await a brighter future, their elders hope to forge it by applying inclusive principles to political process. (Morung Photo)
of the Sumi Hoho, the apex decision making body of the Sumi people. So the struggle continues. But this plays out in many different ways on the ground. From 2000-2010, for instance, ‘turf wars’ between some Naga political groups became an everyday reality for people living in Zunheboto. “There may be many different political groups but only one turf. Everyone used to come to Zun-
heboto to seek refuge and hunt each other down. It became the unofficial battleground,” explains Vinokha Rotokha, General Secretary of the Zunheboto Town Youth Organisation (ZTYO). A team of ZTYO members explain the dynamics. After 1988, according to them, NSCN (IM) ruled the Zunheboto roost. Inter group battles gained intensity after 2005, when the then united NSCN (K)
had to vacate Mokokchung town. “They fled from there and came here (Zunheboto town), and battles intensified.” “Women had to come out to make peace whenever the situation got out of hand,” notes Eunice Yepthomi, a member of the ZTYO. This inspired the ZTYO to begin its own movement for justice and peace through active participation of the youth in Zunheboto town. In 2013,
Demand for widening works at NH2 Wokha & Tseminyu sectors DIMAPUR, MAY 8 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho and the Rengma Hoho have jointly submitted anultimatum to the National Highways Authorities, Nagaland, for immediate widening works on National Highway No. 2, Wokha & Tseminyu Sectors, within 15 days from date of receipt of the ultimatum. A joint statement from the Lotha Hoho, Wokha and Rengma Hoho, Tseminyu informed that they had on May 26 submitted a memorandum for the same matter, following which the Chief Engineer, National Highways clarified “with assuring comments saying it has been observed regretfully that
the Tseminyu and Wokha stretch of road is in deplorable condition because of litigation in the Supreme Court; but the court case is settled and the work on this stretch is proposed in the Annual Plan of 2014-15 and the updated DPR has been submitted to the MORT&H for sanction.” The statement however said that the Annual Plan 2014 -15 “is over more than a year ago (ending March 2015).” “What about Annual Plan 2015-16? It is now 2016-17?” it questioned. It added that the Minister for National Highways, Nagaland had assured on September 30 that work on Tseminyu & Wokha road sectors would begin within
2 weeks. While acknowledging that the department has done “some pothole filling here and there,” it however lamented that “no work, as assured, is forthcoming.” “Also in the meeting of LH & RH with the Commissioner & Secretary and the Chief Engineer, NH, on the 3rd October 2015, the Hohos were assured that the Detailed Project Report can be ready for sanction within two months,” it informed. The Hohos however said that it is now more than seven months since assurances were given. They informed that the court case between contractors “was settled by 23.8.2013.” “What are NH authorities
doing for the last nearly three years? Does it reflect inefficiency or indifference or deliberate discrimination or abhorrence?” they further questioned. Alleging that their sectors of the highway have received discriminatory treatment, the two Hohos demanded that work begin immediately within 15 days from date of receipt of this ultimatum “failing which the Hohos will take its own course of action and the NH authorities will be held responsible, for any eventuality.” “The Rights of the people cannot be suppressed by any amount of clarifications or assurances, except by satisfactory works,” they stated.
Mukalimi happened—following an incident of sexual harassment, an armed camp of the NSCN (IM) was forcefully vacated by civilians, some of them armed. Encouraged by the “newfound vigour,” one that most youth in Zunheboto are proud of, today they are set to rejuvenate themselves through festivals, sports, literary events, arts and crafts and activism for better development of the district as a
Inclusive talks Beyond Zunheboto, the Sumi people are invested in larger Naga politics, often running at the forefront. The Sumi Hoho, in February this year, visited Myanmar to meet the NSCK (K) leader SS Khaplang. “Sumi Hoho gave a clear message to the leadership—make the right decision at the right time,” says the General Secretary of the Hoho, Vihuto Asumi. An opportunity to make peace should not be lost. From Khaplang, the Sumi Hoho received the message that the Government of India (GoI) was trying to bring more division in Naga society through the ceasefire. It was not moving towards a “genuine solution.” So, while it hopes that “peace and solution will come soon,” the Hoho has let the NSCN (IM) leadership know that everyone, at least on the Indian side of Naga affairs, should be brought under one umbrella. “We stand for inclusive talks. All stakeholders should be part of the peace process, and apex bodies
should work without fear or favour towards bringing everyone on board,” Asumi lists out. His conclusions are a result of observing the peace process and the stance taken by Naga civil bodies at various junctures. Some of them, he feels, have become “one sided.” “We did not go to Myanmar because someone sent us. Nobody sponsored us. We are meeting all stakeholders and sharing our findings with everyone,” he puts it straight. The GoI, Asumi holds, is prepared to give a “full and final solution” while the Naga political groups “may not be thinking so,” a conclusion he has drawn from his interactions also with GoI representatives. This, however, should not stop the Naga apex bodies from working towards “inclusiveness.” On a parting note, he reflects, “If the Sumis have good bonding in the East, West, North, South, it will bring all the Nagas together too.” Formed in 1979, the Sumi Hoho pledges itself to this, and encourages its youth to carry forward a positive light of the struggle.
cigarette Burns, nudity, Hung by Wires: life of a Death row convict in india
NEW DELHI, MAY 8 (PTI): More than threefourth of death row convicts in the Indian Union belong to socially, economically and educationally backward section of the society, according to a report. Burning skin with cigarettes, inserting needles into fingernails, forced nudity, forced anal penetration with rods and glass bottles, forced to drink urine, made to urinate on heater, hung by wires, extreme beating etc are a few forms of torture that have been revealed in the report by Centre for Death Penalty of Delhi National Law University. The study which documents the socio-eco-
nomic profile of prisoners sentenced to death in India identifies that almost three-fourth of the prisoners were economically vulnerable and a major chunk of them were either primary or sole earners in their family. Seventy six per cent of convicts awaiting gallows belong to backward classes and religious minorities, as per the report which also includes all the 12 female death row convicts of the country. Two hundred and sixteen of 270 prisoners, (i.e, 80%) in this study spoke about custodial torture faced by them which includes the most inhuman,
degrading and extreme forms of physical and mental torture inside the dark walls. The study also found that 23% of prisoners sentenced to death had never attended school and 61.6% had not completed their secondary education. “If the accused is illiterate, it affects his defence,” Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B Lokur said during a panel discussion regarding the report. The report identifies 385 death row convicts lodged in various prisons across different states among which Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 79 convicts in line to gallows.
NPRAAF allege excess appointment Great that legislators are concerned of officers in Tourism Department about North East: Nagaland MP Rio
DIMAPUR, MAY 8 (MExN): The Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) today alleged discrepancies in the appointment of Tourism Officers (TO) in the Nagaland State Tourism Department. A press note from the President of the NPRAAF, Wedieu Krome, citing information revealed through an RTI filed by the organisation, said that against the sanctioned strength of 12 posts for TOs, the Department of Tourism has 17 TOs, showing an excess of five such officers. It claimed that out of the 17 TOs, only two entered service through the NPSC as Tourist Assistant and Tourist Guide, who were later promoted to TO. The NPRAAF said that the excess number of TOs can be traced back to a government order stating that employees who have remained stagnant in the same post for 15 years or more should be promoted. Following this order, the government promoted 8 employees to TOs all of whose dates of appointment is 09/10/2014. Of this, only five remained in the same post for more than 15 years and “their promotion was
justified,” it stated. The NPRAAF however said that during this “bulk promotion exercise,” the department promoted another three employees who remained in the same post for less than 15 years. “Thus, taking advantage of the government order, 3 employees were prematurely promoted adding to excess TOs,” it alleged. The NPRAAF further alleged that out of the 17 TOs, “only three of them have educational qualifications in Tourism related subjects like diplomas in catering and Hotel Management.” Further, it expressed surprise that despite the excess number of officers, Kiphire does not have a TO and the Phek TO is taking additional charge of it. It further alleged that of the total employee strength of 148 in the department, “only seven of them have qualifications related to Tourism.” Moreover, out of the seven, the department could furnish documentary evidence for only three of its employees having qualified in Tourism related subjects, it added. The NPRAAF, citing the RTI, alleged that “instead of advertising occupied posts for open competition, the Tourism de-
partment resorted to absorbing the services of employees” thereby “depriving employment opportunities for the educated unemployed.” It added that “several cases of premature promotions and absorption of services have led to excess number of officers.” The NPRAAF demanded that direct recruitment should be held by requisitioning it to the NPSC as per laid down norms for all appointments made as a stop-gap measure for Class- III Non-Gazetted posts. “After which, the said stop-gap measure appointments should be cancelled. The same step should be taken for appointments of TOs.” It urged that all employees whose deputation services have been absorbed be sent back to their parent department and the resultant vacancies be advertised for open competition as per laid down norms. “The policy of absorbing deputation services is depriving all available opportunities for the educated unemployed youth to be employed,” it added. Stating that posts of all employees on deputation services are in principle ‘vacant,’ it de-
manded that direct recruitment be held against such posts. Further referring to the department’s Engineering and Accounts Service, which has a total of 12 employees, the NPRAAF informed that “all of them are on deputation from other departments.” “Open tenders are normally invited for undertaking various projects which reduces cost to a large extent. However, the Department, by creating this separate section with all employees on deputation, it is creating a liability to the exchequer as salaries and all other allowances as are admissible are being paid,” it claimed. The NPRAAF said that if at all, there is a necessity for the Department to have this Engineering and Accounts Service section, “then direct recruitment should be held from the entry point. Higher posts may be roped in on deputation from other departments till the posts are gradually filled by promotion from within the staff.” It demanded that the department recruit employees through open competition instead of requesting deputation services which are mostly absorbed later on.
NEW DELHI, MAY 8 (IANS): It’s heart-warming for the lawmakers from regional parties to be speaking in parliament on the problems faced by the “long neglected” northeast, MP and former Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio said on Sunday. “This new trend is definitely encouraging. We appreciate that members from other parties in various parts of the country are taking keen interest in the region,” Rio, who is the lone Nagaland MP in Lok Sabha, said. Rio was referring in particular to the Lok Sabha debate on April 27 on demand for grants for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) in which several members from across the country participated. Those who spoke their heart out were Tatagatha Sathpathy of Biju Janata Dal (Odisha), Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena (Maharashtra), Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu of Telugu Desam Party (Andhra Pradesh), and Saugata Roy of Trinamool Congress (West Bengal). What they said was a far cry from the parochialism that MPs, especially from the regional parties, are often accused of. Sawant, for instance, suggested that the government
should set up a sports university in the northeast and Kinjrapu called for immediate restoration of the northeast industrial and investment promotion policy which, he said, greatly helped the people of the region. Sawant told IANS: “Shiv Sena is Maharashtra-based. That does not mean we are not concerned about the rest of India. Northeast is an important constituent of India, but it did not get its due.” “Though not neglected always, it definitely deserved better attention. That was our point in the Lok Sabha,” said the MP from Mumbai South. Sawant said he had also suggested developing the tourism potential of the northeast. Biju Janata Dal’s Sathpathy even claimed that Indian armed forces have killed over “50,000 civilians in the region”. “The Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) has been the biggest deterrent to integrating the youth of the North-east with the rest of India,” he said. Sathpathy also called for honouring Manipur’s Irom Sharmila, a longtime campaigner against AFSPA, with a Padma award. TDP’s Kinjarapu said: “The North-east region has been a
huge victim of lot of different things, starting from bad governance, bad policy making and bad political will”. The government should immediately increase funding for the North-eastern states, especially to promote organic farming, Kinjarapu said. Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy took a critical stand in the April 27 debate against the Centre for dismissing the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh. “All you have done is to topple the government in Arunachal Pradesh. North-east is not the place for political manipulation,” he said. Roy said the region ought to be dealt with “in a sensitive way” so that the people of the North-east “feel that they are not ruled from Delhi and they have some say in what is happening in Delhi”. “The money you give for the Ministry of DoNER is not sufficient. Last year, the budget estimate was Rs.2,334 crore and the revised estimate was Rs.1,973 crore. That means you could not spend the full plan estimates,” he said. Neiphiu Rio said: “Much has been said, but we have to be very serious on the implementation of the government programmes and policies.”