November 12th, 2015

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www.morungexpress.com

thursDAY • November 12 • 2015

DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 308 • 12 PAGes • 4

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

The older I grow the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom

PAGe 9

T R u T H

— H. L. Mencken

Russian athletics doping row could spread to other sports

The lady who saved the falcon

Suu Kyi reaches out to military with win in sight

o F

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PAGe 2

PAGe 12

Bangladesh hands over UlfA leader to india after 18 years

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As the winter season approaches, scarcity of water has hit many parts of nagaland. A boy helps his sister carry the water basket as they go on their way to fetch water in Mongsenyimti village under Mokokchung district. Photo by Temjenlemba Longchar

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

ENSF to start indefinite agitation from nov 24 RJPB

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TUeNSaNG, November 11 (mexN): The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) in an emergency presidential meeting today decided that it would initiate indefinite agitation against the state government starting November 24. A press note from the ENSF informed that this decision has been taken due to They? They’re all asleep. We’re the ones bursting the the state government’s failure to abide by the Novemfire crackers. ber 26, 2013 agreement, The Morung Express wherein 302 teachers under were supposed to be Poll QuEsTion RMSA posted in schools of eastVote on www.morungexpress.com ern Nagaland on day one of SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 the first academic session 2014. Two years since the Will you be willing to provide your private agreement, the ENSF said land towards road that schools in eastern Naconstruction and galand are “still sustaining development in your area? Yes

no

others

YTC bans movement of weapons and people in camouflaged clothes

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TUeNSaNG, November 11 (mexN): The Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC) has imposed a “blanket ban” on the movement of individuals or groups with arms, ammunition, dangerous weapons and camouflaged clothes within its jurisdiction. A press note from the YTC stated that this has been done based on the “purported movement of anti social elements and the sensitive nature of the areas.” The YTC has asked all the Naga political groups, villages and neighbouring tribes to extend necessary co-operation and accordingly “dissuade” individuals and groups moving around with weapons and camouflaged clothing.

Former Nagaland CS wins in Bihar polls

DImaPUr, November 11 (mexN): Former Nagaland Chief Secretary and Interlocutor to the IndoNaga peace talks, RS Pandey has won from 4th Bagaha A/C in the recently held Bihar elections. Pandey, who stood on a ticket from the BJP, defeated his nearest rival, Bhishm Sahani from the JDU by a margin of 8183 votes. Pandey polled 74476 votes, while Sahani polled 66293 votes. RS Pandey was Chief Secretary of Nagaland state from 2000 to 2004. He was also the interlocutor to the Indo-Naga peace talks from 2010 to 2013.

without sufficient teacher.” It reminded that the Nagaland CM had also assured that if RMSA and SSA failed to provide the required posts of teachers, then the state government would provide it. “Today, the issue might be concentrated only on 302 Teachers but its infliction is more hazardous upon 20000 students’ career which is undoubtedly curtailing all dreams and ambition of the poor students in the class room,” the ENSF cautioned. The ENSF said that if the demands are not met with, their agitation would affect examinations within the jurisdiction of the 6 eastern tribes of Nagaland.

Therefore, it informed all the 6 federating units to be “mentally prepared for any incidences that may arise.” “No Nation is built without imparting good education,” the ENSF stated, while lamenting the “multi-facial game played upon by the state government in depriving the children from being taught in the classroom.” “The state government had not only manipulated the agreement but violated the right to education which is an educational offence under the law,” it said. It cautioned that the state government would be held “fully responsible for dismantling such dreams and aspiration.”

We have to learn to stand on our own feet: SI Jamir Morung Express news Dimapur | November 11

As a tax payer we have the right to complain but if we don’t give anything to the government, we have no right to criticize it, asserted SI Jamir, Advisor to Nagaland’s Urban Development department today. “You complain about road, water, sewage but what do you give to the government?” he questioned as the chief guest of the Residency Colony Silver Jubilee Celebration here today at Unity College Premises, Dimapur. He claimed that Naga abhorrence for tax incepted during the formation of NNC has remained. “That mentality still exists today,” Jamir maintained, adding that “We have to learn to stand on our own feet.” Are we paying for electricity, roads, sewage, electricity or other public utilities, the Advisor, Urban Development asked, and added, “We complain but do not give.” “Even for electricity, the public pays only for usage, but its infrastructural development is borne by the government,” Jamir informed. Further, he updated that in the past decades Dimapur City area has been neglected in the developmental process, though other parts of the district, like Medziphima and Chumoukedima, have seen huge development. Dimapur II constituency with 13 Wards and villages is most neglected, he said. Talking about the rampant corruption in Nagaland State, he recalled that during the 1987 election, the expenditure for erstwhile Nagaland Nationalist Organisation’s (NNO) youth wing was mere

Rs. 87. “Since then corruption has increased exponentially by volume in every preceding election,” he claimed. Corruption started from Mokokchung, he alleged. “I even know the constituency, but will not name it.” Taking the argument a step further, he postulated that we pay 10% as tithe. If I as a minister take 10% from a project as a commission, the Secretary, Directors and other in the hierarchy takes their share, every project will suffer, he maintained. “Contractors are not doing social works, if 50% goes up in air, how can they work properly,” he insisted, “We have become such a society.” In order to cure the menace of corruption, he said non-violent “revolution” is need of the hour. To that effect, he extended his utmost support to ACAUT’s fight against the menace. He also informed that he stopped going to functions or events, a conscious personal decision as well as the outcome of the order of the day. Ministers, contractors, government servants who can “steal more” are often called as chief guests, since they pay more, he further maintained. If we don’t stop this culture, we won’t progress. He also admitted that the Local Area Development Fund (LADP) is often used to assist party workers and workmanship suffers as a result. If I develop something today, will the public ask for money in future election? Jamir posed. Related story on page 2

New DelhI/Dhaka, November 11 (IaNS): Outlawed ULFA’s fugitive leader Golap Baruah alias Anup Chetia was on Wednesday handed over to India by Bangladesh, 18 years after his arrest -- a move that is expected to give a push to peace talks in Assam. According to a top official, Bangladesh Rifles handed over Chetia to the Border Security Force (BSF) at Dawki -- a border trade centre between India and Bangladesh -- in Meghalaya around 2 on Wednesday morning. He was later flown to New Delhi by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). India described this as a major breakthrough and said it would help the authorities crack several other major cases related to the outfit and its affiliates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina “and thanked her for the help in fighting terrorism”. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju told IANS: “It’s India’s team effort led by the prime minister... and as far as the handing over of Chetia is concerned, it will be decided by relevant agencies.” India has been of late successful in getting custody of underworld dons Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje alias Chhota Rajan and Abu Salem, and ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa. Chhota Rajan, once a close aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was arrested in Indonesia in October and brought to India on November 6. Abu Salem, wanted for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, was brought to India from Portugal in November 2005. Rajkhowa was brought to India from Bangladesh in December 2009, after he surrendered before Indian authorities at Dawki in Meghalaya. A PMO official told IANS, requesting anonymity: “He (Chetia) has been handed over to India following the request of Prime Minister Modi and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.” “The Central Bureau of Investigation will take custody of Chetia. (Chetia) will have to face trial in India for

Golap Baruah alias Anup Chetia (File Photo)

various crimes committed by him in Assam, which include murder, kidnapping and extortion,” he said. Chetia is wanted by India to stand trial in various criminal cases of extortion, kidnapping, murder and attempt to murder. Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal confirmed in Dhaka that Chetia has been handed over to India. “Chetia has been handed over to India legally after completing his prison term,” the Bangladesh home minister told IANS. Chetia being handed over to India is seen as an effort to speed up the paralysed peace talks between the Indian government and the pro-talks faction of ULFA led by the outfit’s former chairman, Rajkhowa, who along with a group of other senior ULFA leaders had surrendered to the Indian authorities in 2009. Both the Assam government and the members of the pro-talks faction of ULFA have been demanding the extradition of Chetia since the peace process got underway in 2010. The deportation of the 48-yearold founder member of ULFA comes after a extradition treaty was inked between India and Bangladesh in 2013. The treaty’s absence was the major reason behind the delay in the deportation of the insurgent leader. Chetia and his two bodyguards were arrested from his plush apart-

Diwali diyas cause major fire in Kohima

ment in North Adabar under Muhammedpur police station in Dhaka on December 21, 1997, for illegally entering Bangladesh and for illegally carrying foreign currency and a satellite phone. Chetia was tried and sent to jail. His prison term ended on February 25, 2007, and he was kept in the Kashimpur Jail on the outskirts of Dhaka since 2012 in view of a Dhaka High Court directive to keep him in safe custody until the Bangladesh government decided on his plea for political asylum. The rebel leader was earlier arrested by Assam Police in 1991, but released later on the intervention of then chief minister Hiteshwar Saikia, after which the ULFA leader fled to Bangladesh. In Assam, Chetia faces charges of extortion, murders and attempts to murder. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi called the development a great achievement and said he will write a letter to the central government to hand over Chetia to Assam Police as soon as possible. “I am happy... we have been demanding his extradition for so long. He is very influential and his presence will help the India-ULFA talks see a solution. He is more influential than the chief of ULFA anti-talks faction Paresh Barua,” Gogoi told a TV channel. Chetia founded the ULFA in 1979 with five other leaders, including the outfit’s commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah who is now believed to be hiding somewhere in China or Myanmar, having escaped Bangladesh earlier. The Assamese separatist leader had sought political asylum in Bangladesh on three occasions - in 2005, 2008 and in 2011. He also applied to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for political asylum in Bangladesh, contending he had been fighting for a sovereign Assam. But later Chetia sought that his application for political asylum in Bangladesh should be cancelled as he wanted to be part of the ongoing peace talks between the government of India and the ULFA. Related news on page 3

A major fire broke out at Kiezekie (north Block), below north Police station, near bus parking in Kohima this evening. The fire reportedly started at around 6:15pm and engulfed an entire three storied wooden house. Fire department sources informed that the fire was caused by Diwali diyas. no injuries or casualties were reported. sources informed that at first two fire trucks reached the spot, but they had to return as the trucks were not fully loaded with water. They returned within a few minutes and were reinforced with more trucks. With the help and neighbours, the fire fighters helped prevent the fire from spreading to nearby houses. sources further informed that the damage caused by the fire could amount to Rs 50 lakhs.

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NE air pollution sets alarm bells ringing

GUwahaTI, November 11 (TNN): Some cities in Assam and the northeast have reported a drastic drop in air quality over the past few years. This was revealed in World Health Organization’s ‘Ambient (outdoor) Air Pollution (AAP) in Cities Database’ released in April this year. Experts termed the pollution situation here ‘borderline alarming’ and sought effective pollution-curbing policy from the government for the sake of people’s health. The report covered 1,600 cities across the world and focused on data collected from monitoring stations in residential, commercial and other areas between 2008 and 2013. The report termed New Delhi ‘the

most polluted city on the planet’. The air quality in the cities of the northeast was measured in terms of the presence of annual mean concentration of particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5, i.e., particles smaller than 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively) in the air. Particulate matter or PM are coarse or fine particles present in the air that people breathe and most of the particles cannot be seen. They can be in any shape or size and are present in both solid or liquid droplets. The main difference between PM 10 and 2.5 is the size of the particles. Bigger particles are placed between 2.5 and 10 micrometer. The smaller particles, PM 2.5, are smaller than 2.5 micrometer

and are 100 times thinner than human hair. The coarse particles of PM 10 mostly comprise smoke, dirt, dust from factories or farms and construction of roads, while PM 2.5 particles comprise those making up automobile exhaust, heavy metals and toxic compounds. They are lighter, float in the air longer and have the ability to traverse long distances. The health risks they pose are many as PM 2.5 can travel deep into human lungs and cause cancer and respiratory problems. Guwahati, Roha, Sivasagar, and Silchar in Assam, along with Dimapur in Nagaland, reported 40, 53, 48, 40 and 40 microgram of PM 2.5 per cubic meter annual mean, respectively. The WHO’s safety

threshold of PM 2.5 for humans is 10 microgram per cubic meter annual mean. On the other hand, Roha, Nalbari, Nagaon, Guwahati, Dimapur, Sivasagar and Silchar reported 121, 82, 79, 92, 92, 109 and 91 microgram of PM 10 per cubic meter annual mean, respectively. Sharad Gokhale, professor of environmental engineering in the department of civil engineering at IIT-G, said, “An effective policy in terms of improving traffic infrastructure is the need of the hour. The situation here is not as severe as that in some other cities of the country. But pollution is on the rise here and will ring alarm bells in the near future if it is not tackled.”

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