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wednesdAY • november 18 • 2015
DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 314 • 12 PAGes • 4
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
o F
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T R u T H
We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are — Max de Pree Peace worker Lhusi Haralu passes away
France, Russia strike Islamic State in Syria
17.08.1932 ~ 17.11.2015 PAGE 5
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Fourth day’s play also called off in Bengaluru Test
PAGe 9
PAGE 12
together as one; peace as the language
Nagaland Peace Centre commemorates 50 years Work for one common goal: CM since inception with tribute to past peace-makers our Correspondent
feel the pain and ache of life because they have been far removed from civilization and only hope for one thing- to be free from the domain of those who try to take advantage of their freedom, their inborn freedom to stand for what is right and live a life that is liberating.
November 17 | Kohima
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Dimapur to Kohima? Accha, if you take today’s 5:00am Dmr-Kma bus ..er, you’ll reach Kma in Feb 2016!
The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 Rather than taking honest responsibility for failures and challenges are Nagas hiding behind the cloak of religion? Yes
no
others
Assam bandh today
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DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 17 (MExN): Six tribal organizations comprising of Tai Ahom, Moran, Motok, Chitia, Kuchh, Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes have called a 12- hour Assam Bandh effective from 6 am November 18 in protest against non fulfillment of awarding ST status to them by the government. Bandh impact is expected to be very high in the districts of Golaghat, Jorhat and Sivasagar. Nagaland travelers have been advised to avoid travelling via Assam’s road.
GPRN/NSCN investigating Nov 15 shooting incident
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DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 17 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN, which is currently in ceasefire with the Government of India, has extended condolence to the family of four of its cadres, who were killed in a shooting at Leongkonger village, Tuensang on November 15. The ‘Ministry of Information & Publicity’ of the GPRN/NSCN, in a press release, while stating, “Naga history has been time and again marked with such atrocities,” added that the GPRN/NSCN is investigating the incident thoroughly and the findings of which will determine its reaction. While asking the Indian military to “provide information about the actual facts” the MIP said that the incident was a question of “insincerity” and was “provoking the integrity of Nagas towards the Ceasefire agreements.” The Assam Rifles had termed the killing as “accidental.”
The Morung Express extends condolences
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The Morung Express conveys our heartfelt condolences to Bano Haralu, a fellow journalist and former Editor of Eastern Mirror on the passing away of her mother Lhusi Haralu on November 17. In this time of profound pain and sorrow, The Morung Express extends its support to the bereaved family; and offers our prayers, that your family will find solace and be surrounded by the grace and love of God. May peace, courage and comfort find you and your family during this very difficult time! And may her soul rest in peace. The Morung Express
Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) general secretary, Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho on Tuesday called upon the people to come together as one and speak the language of peace in unison. Speaking at the 50th anniversary of Nagaland Peace Centre (NPC) here at The Heritage, Keyho asserted that the NBCC has always worked for peace and it will continue to do so as its mission. He said peace in Nagaland that was established 50 years ago is a hard earned commodity. “It speaks volumes of the sacrifices and the efforts put into it. What we are today is because of those who took the pain, the courage, and the initiatives 50 years back. We are what we are today because of them. We owe them our gratitude and we salute them for what they did to save our people from the dagger of destruction. What we are not is not of their fault,” he said. In a homily, Keyho said peace is not the absence of war but the presence of trust. “When there is no trust there can be no peace. When trust is established peace will automatically flow and flourish,” he said. Elaborating further, Keyho noted that sincerity gives birth to trust and today
Peace cannot be imposed
Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho addressing the 50th anniversary of nagaland Peace Centre in Kohima on november 17 in Kohima. (Morung Photo)
what is lacking is this aspect in our talk about peace. “What raised the hope of the people who lived in fear and in apprehension 50 years ago must be made a reality today. The laying down of arms must follow with sincere dialogue, a dialogue that sees the weaker and the lesser as equals,” he emphasized. And to bring this into reality demand boldness and statesmanship of those who see themselves
as stronger as and mightier than the other counterpart, he added. On the other hand, Keyho said peace cannot be build with a threatening attitude nor for that matter at gun point, that is not peace but a challenge to war like situation. In peace like situation, one must be willing to look at the other face to face and feel the heart beat and sense the pain deep inside, he underlined.
Framework of engagement Commenting on the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, Keyho said the said agreement has become a catch phrase in the present Naga society. According to Keyho, this phrase must be regenerated contextually into a framework of engagement with the common people who
Keyho said peace cannot be imposed, it has to be embraced. He explained: “what must be embraced is internal and what is imposed is external.” Towards this, the NBCC general secretary dwelt on the need for internal transformation in our pursuance for peace. “If we truly long for peace and I believe we are, we cannot negate this aspect in our journey as people. For true peace comes from God and God alone,” he averred. But peace other than true peace which comes from God alone will lead us to become our own god. This pseudo peace-liketalks and peace-look-alike invitation will only lead to selfishness and fragmentation, Keyho pointed out. “For to embrace peace is to embrace each other as equals…And unless we do so, Nagas as one, as a people and a nation under God cannot be accomplished nor be achieved,” he averred.
Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang today issued a clarion call to the Naga people to come together, forgive and forget the past and work together for the common good of the people. Speaking as chief guest at the 50th Anniversary of the formation of NPC at Kohima, Zeliang said the Naga political issue has entered a new era with the signing of the “Framework Agreement” between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015. “At this crucial juncture of our Naga political history, the situation demands that we sink all our petty differences, and forget and forgive the past bitterness and pains, and come together for our common good and our common goal,” he said. “I appeal to all tribal hohos, NGOs, churches, civil societies and even commoners to encourage and appeal all Naga Political Groups to come together and talk with GoI to resolve the decades old Naga political problem,” the chief minister said. Recalling the history of the Peace Centre, he stated that the ceasefire Agreement of 1964 had its origin in the Baptist Church Convention held at Wokha during January 31 to February 2, 1964. He informed that it was during this convention, the Naga Peace Mission was formed, consisting of three famous personalities- Jayaprakash Narayan, Rev Michael Scott, and BP Chaliha. Through the dedicated efforts of the Naga Peace Mission, supported by the prayers and resolutions of the Baptist Church Convention led by Rev Longri Ao, a ceasefire agreement between the GoI and the NNC was arrived at on May 23, 1964 at Sakhaba village in Phek District. But it was officially declared and made effective from September 6, 1964. In the following year, the NPC was established in Kohima under the patronage of Jayaprakash Narayan and the NBCC to pursue the peace process, and work for the establishment of permanent peace in Nagaland, he added. N Theyo, Chairman, NPC in his welcome speech dedicated the jubilee to all the past and present leaders who made great sacrifices to centre what it is today. He also added that the celebration will not simply be an occasion to revisit the past but a time to look forward with confidence and hope. He challenged all to promote peace and make Nagaland a land of peace. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Lhusi Haralu, Executive Director NPC who passed away today at 1:30 am just hours before the NPC commemorated its 50th anniversary, for which she had taken active part as its Executive Director.
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‘nagas tired of gun battles and bloodshed’ IJF in solidarity with Nagaland Editors ENWO appeals security forces and NPGs to maintain peace and tranquility
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 17 (MExN): The Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation (ENWO) has appealed both the security forces and all Naga political groups to maintain peace and tranquility in all length and breadth of Nagaland, and ENPO jurisdiction in particular. It expressed resentment and dismay over the November 15 unfortunate incident at Leangkonger Village, under Shamator Sub Division, in Tuensang District where four (4) cadres of the NSCN (U) were killed. “The people are tired of gun battles and bloodshed everywhere, causing fear psychosis in the minds of every common man, thereby, af-
fecting normal lives of everyone, especially the innocent and young budding generation,” lamented ENWO in a press statement received today. It reiterated appeal to the security forces to exercise utmost restraint while carrying out their duties, keeping in mind that there are always innocent lives affected in the event of firing and killings amongst themselves. While acknowledging the many Samaritan works done by the security forces for the welfare and uplift of the economy of the Nagas, the ENWO pointed out that it should also continue to maintain their motto ‘Friends of the Hill People’ in true
spirit and also look upon Naga brothers and sisters as friends and not as enemies. Both the security forces and the Naga armed cadres must respect the December 18, 2007 resolution wherein ENPO jurisdiction has been declared as a ‘peace zone,’ it stated. ENWO also appealed the Naga armed cadres to refrain themselves from intimidating and threatening people of various professions and to respect the sentiments of the common people by not roaming about in public places with arms, as such movements invite unwanted situations leading to loss of many precious lives.
Nagaland swamped by backdoor appointment
KSU allege 7,737 backdoor appointments in Nagaland Home dept from 2005 till date
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 17 (MExN): More allegations of “backdoor appointments” in the Nagaland Home department have surfaced, this time with implication on five Director General of Police (DGP) and three Home Ministers. In a telling revelation, Kyong Students’ Union (KSU) said on Tuesday that a total of 7,737 backdoor appointments were made in the State Home department since the year 2005 till date. The information was received after the KSU reportedly filed an RTI seeking details from the PHQ on the appointments made.
According to the press statement received here, a total of 1727 appointments were made between the years 2005-2007 which was during the tenure of Thenucho as the Home Minister. The DGP was late Changkija during that period of time. From year 2008 till 2012 when the Home Minister was Imkong L Imchen, a total of 5036 backdoor appointments were made, the KSU said. Z Kire and O Alem were DGPs during the time. Between 2013-2014, when G Kaito was the Home Minister and B Kezo the DGP, 715 backdoor appointments were made, the press statement said. In 2015, with Y Patton as the Home Minister and Doungel as the DGP, 259 backdoor appointments were allegedly made, the KSU statement informed.
“Backdoor” appointments in the Home department from 2005 till date 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Total:
416 381 930 1081 1563 850 925 617 206 509 259 7,737
Data source KSU
Only recently, the Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) had alleged of 3930 backdoor appointments in the Home department. However, the figures were a tally made from the year 2010 onwards. The CSU had also decided to take legal recourse
against its fight against alleged backdoor appointments in the State Police Department after the State Government failed to initiate any action within the given ten days deadline which concluded on November 14. Meanwhile, KSU while asserting that it stands behind the CSU in their fight against backdoor appointment, however said the latter’s stand of pointing out only 1 (one) department “appears to be driven by vested interest and tribalism attitude.” “If this is a social cause and not driven by nepotism and tribalism, CSU will not give the cut off year as 2010 for investigation,” it alleged while pointing out that Thenucho, a Chakhesang, was the Home Minister from 2005 during whose tenure more than 1700 were directly appointed by him.
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 17 (MExN): The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliates - the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) and the National Union of Journalists, India (NUJI) on Tuesday condemned the directive made to Editors of five Nagaland-based media houses by a Colonel of the General Staff for Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force on October 24. The directive issued by the Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force in India, bans the re-publication of press statements from the banned organization, NSCN (K). The directive said that ‘publication of press statements of a banned organization was complicit in the illegal activities of the banned organization.’ Responding to the notification, the Editors had stated that ‘the role of the media in an environment of conflict is a critical component in the search for peace and
justice.’ They also said that ‘By implying that the Nagaland-based media is supporting a particular banned organization, the Assam Rifles is jeopardizing the personal safety and well being of the Editors and the media fraternity in Nagaland.’ On November 16, National Press Day in India, three daily newspapers in Nagaland carried blank editorials to protest against the directive. In this connection, the press statement received from the IFJ said the directive stifles press freedom and urged that it be immediately withdrawn. It stated that the paramilitary force has no right to directly communicate with the Editors regarding the content and coverage of the media. The IJU has protested against the notice to editors last week and is taking up the matter with the Press Council of India, it also informed.
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Did not issue any gag order: AR DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 17 (MExN): The Assam Rifles today claimed that it had in no way issued any “gag order” on the Press. A statement received today from PRO, AR alleged that the sequence of events over the past couple of days appears to be a “well conceived plan by vested interests to use the press and muzzle the voice of the Assam Rifles, which is the only organisation having faced the full brunt of terrorist actions and achieved tangible results against a terrorist organisation.” The AR maintained that it had written the letter to the editors of five media houses of Nagaland highlighting the fact that NSCN (K) has been notified as an Unlawful Association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and amplified some of the clauses of the gazette notification which have its own legal implications. It said publishing an “extortion notice of a banned organisation against business establishments is akin to abetting the banned organisation in collection of funds which will be used to carry out subversive activities against the government agencies and security forces. “If media houses feel it is correct to issue them to public through their medium,
it’s their call and answer to the Press Council of India for violation of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967,” the AR statement read. It also stated that the media houses are free to publish any article about the NSCN (K) organization which would add to the peace process, air their opinion about the security forces and their conduct of operations. At no stage has the media been asked to dilute their free reporting, the AR statement asserted while maintaining that the contents of the advisory making the media houses aware of the MHA notification and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act are being deliberately misinterpreted. The intent of the letter was to prevent contact of NSCN (K) with the public for conveying their extortion demands or extortion threats through medium of mass communication, it claimed. “Even today, as in the past, the editors are free to publish any press release they receive from NSCN(K), however, it would not be possible for them to feign ignorance of the MHA notification declaring NSCN(K) a banned terrorist organisation and any consequent legal repercussions leading to it,” the AR informed. Full text on page 10
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