November 18th, 2016

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

FriDAY • November 18• 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 317 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it China’s interference in Hong Kong reaching alarming levels: US panel

‘Art Ensemble’ brings artist together

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o F

T R u T H

— Dwight D. Eisenhower

Kohli and Pujara put India on course for big total

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Gov urged to address issues of concern in Mkg cash withdrawal norms eased for

MTLT seeks better healthcare, education, transport and infrastructure

DIMAPUR, NOVEMEBER 17 (MExN): The Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) today submitted a representation to the Nagaland State Governor highlighting issues of concern in Mokokchung district regarding healthcare, infrastructure, education, transport and power.

The MTLT listed out demands with regard to the Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH). It asked that a technician be appointed to run the ultrasound equipment; repair/replace malfunctioning CT scan; technician be appointed to run the ECG equipment; establish an ICU; appoint more gynaecologists; provide paediatricians; and make the Radiotherapy Unit functional.

Regarding the PHED, the MTLT informed that more than half of the consumers are paying meter rent without any drop of water supply. It revealed that there are 2460 pipeline connections (as per the Department’s disclosure) against an approximate 30,000 households in Mokokchung town.

Further, it stated that the pump house located at Salangtem ward has a tank that is always overflowing with water.

Hence, provisions must be made to pump the surplus water to reservoirs already located at different locations in town, the MTLT demanded.

Meanwhile, it pointed out that as the Mokokchung-Mariani road has now been declared a national highway, responsibility lies on the Governor as a representative of the Centre.

The MTLT also proposed that the library at the Fazl Ali College be pgraded with state-of-the-art facilities. In addition, it asked for more colleges to offer various disciplines.

Meanwhile, it pointed out that Mangkolemba and Changtongya

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Have you been going around my constituency, telling my supporters that Modi banned 500 and 1000 notes because of me?

The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion

Vote on www.morungexpress.com sMs your answer to 9862574165 Do you think that demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 will serve only as a shortterm measure in rooting out black money? Why? Yes

no

others

Public Notice

C M Y K

Effective immediately, The Morung Express has decided to refrain from publishing any news and advertisements that contravene the call of “Clean Elections in Nagaland,” and the universal principle of ‘One Person – One Vote.’

For instance, this includes all news and advertisements by village councils, or any other non-political organisation that endorses one particular candidate, or any other item which goes against the tenets of ‘Clean Elections,’ and ‘One Person – One Vote.’

The Morung Express

Time to change our mindset: Governor

MOKOKCHUNG, NOVEMBER 17 (DIPR): “It is high time to change our mind-set, for to bring about a change in the Naga society only Nagas can do it”, said the Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya during the civic reception programme at Town Hall Mokokchung today.

The Governor said corruption has diluted Naga culture and it is time for people to realize that the worst enemy for development is insurgency and corruption.

While reiterating on the development issues in the state, he said crores of rupees that come from the centre should be well monitored.

Lamenting on the poor infrastructure in the state he said in most of the district Hospitals there are less

number of patients as compared to the capacity of the hospital and to move to other hospitals involves immense hardship due to pathetic road connectivity.

He also stated that the basic foundation for a society is education and called for change in the present educational system. He opined that certain subjects need to be added so that students would be employable. He also urged empowered young Naga people to come to Nagaland so that they could contribute to Naga society.

The Governor then said raw materials in the state need to be exploited and industries should be set up to solve the unemployment problem in the state.

are two places developing rapidly, and hence asked that this growth must be complemented by emphasis on educational growth. Towards this, it proposed setting up of at least one college in each location.

The MTLT further lamented that the Inter State Bus Terminus in Mokokchung is “still left to rot since its inauguration in 2011.” It noted that the district administration has also issued several directives to shift everything to the new ISBT. Keeping in view the traffic congestions in town and the potential economic benefits if shifted to the new facility, the MTLT petitioned the Governor to intervene.

It meanwhile stated that the proposed ‘Northern Peripheral Road’ approved by the District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) in 2015 needs to be sped up. As per the report, the PWD R&B division of Mokokchung has already prepared the project’s concept note and submitted it to the government for approval, it revealed, and asked the Governor to

take up the matter with urgency.

The MTLT also pointed out that the current Youth Hostel is lying unutilised. Such a facility needs to be made fully functional, it said and proposed that a sports academy be set up in the district.

The PDS scam, it also stated has “spread far and wide in Nagaland.” It claimed that the Mokokchung PDS scam is “just the tip of the iceberg and has bigger implications in the Nagaland context and beyond.” Hence, the MTLT asked that a CBI probe must begin with immediate effect. It further informed that the MTLT “is still not satisfied with the outcome of the things with regard to this issue.”

Regarding the power scenario in the district, the MTLT stated that earlier promises made by the government to establish a new substation at Majakong ward and upgrade of the current substation at Salangtem have not seen the light of day. It informed that with the increasing number of consumers and urbanisation, such projects must be finished with high priority.

farmers, agri-traders & weddings PAN made mandatory for some bank transactions

sBi staff setting up a Micro ATM at Dimapur Civil Hospital on Thursday.

This will also apply to employees NEw DElHI, NOVEMBER 17 and Rs 1,000 notes has been lowered (IANS): The government on Thurs- to Rs 2,000 from Rs 4,500 with effect of Indian Railways, defence and stateday announced a set of seven deci- from Friday. The use of indelible ink run units. sions pertaining to demonetisation, for such withdrawals will continue.

Similarly, agri-traders registered SBI Dimapur setting mainly aimed at smooth sowing season ahead, including permission to with such marketing committees, can up mico ATMs The State Bank of India (SBI) in farmers to withdraw up to Rs 25,000 withdraw up to Rs 50,000 per week per week and registered agri-traders from their designated bank accounts. Dimapur is setting up Cash@POS Two other decisions taken on terminals or a micro ATMs at differRs 50,00 per week from their bank acent locations where peocounts. ple can withdraw Rs.1000 This apart, for fam- • Farmers entitled to withdraw 25,000 per week through their ATM / Debit ilies that have an up- • Registered agri-traders 50,000 per week coming wedding, one • Families having upcoming wedding can withdraw card and the cash is made available in lower denomimember of the houseup to 250,000 one-time nations of Rs.100 / Rs. 50 / hold can withdraw Rs. 20 / Rs. 10. up to Rs 250,000 one- • Exchange limit lowered to 2,000 from 4,500 Cash@POS is already time, subject to furnishing an undertaking that no other Thursday are: A 15-day extension functional in the Supermarket area individual will be availing such a con- in the payment of crop insurance by and on Thursday such outlets were cession for the purpose and also upon farmers and an allowance for with- set up in the Dimapur Railway Station drawing Rs 10,000 as advance for and Dimapur Civil Hospital. giving the PAN card details.

On Friday, the micro ATM will also However, the amount of money central government employees up to that an individual can exchange from Group ‘C’ to be adjusted against their be available at Zion Hospital, ICAR and Referral Hospital. banks by handing over the old Rs 500 November salary.

Only way to solution is collective effort: CM

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 17 (MExN): Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today said that Nagas cannot afford to bestow the legacy of factionalism and drawn-out Naga political issue unresolved to the younger generation.

In Jalukie today, the CM said that factionalism has created chaos and emasculated the Nagas in its sustained struggle for self determination and reiterated his appeal to all Naga political groups to come together and collectively strive for speedy settle-

ment of the fluid Naga political problem.

The CM further stated that the only way out for the Nagas from factionalism is an early solution and the only way to early solution is a collective effort.

Meanwhile,hestatedthatNagaland is now at the threshold of “rapid progress” since many major projects, especially regarding road connectivity are in the pipeline. He disclosed that Nagalandreceivedthehighestapprovalinthe road sector among the NE states.

He also informed that the Na-

galand Vision Documents for the next 25 years will be released during Hornbill Festival by the Chairman of NITI AYOG. Soliciting the support of land owners for developmental projects, the CM stated: “If people want development they must also be willing to sacrifice.” He added that Jalukie, with its rich land resources, has the potential to become an important commercial hub, provided its people are willing to work hard and exploit resources judiciously.

‘the church must become a truly redemptive, inclusive community’ our Correspondent Kohima | November 17

A one day advocacy programme on HIV and AIDS and harm reduction with church leaders, jointly organized by Kripa Foundation, NBCC, NSACS & FHI 360 took place here today at NBCC Platinum Hall.

Speaking at the programme, Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) General Secretary, Rev Dr Z Keyho said that the view that HIV and AIDS is a judgment of God is “history” and “now the church is also entering into the ministry of reaching out, caring and showing compassion though much is desired to be done.”

He said the programme is an opportunity for the church leaders to educate themselves so that the church can dispense more grace and more compassion to reaching out.

“One image of the church is being a redemptive community and this is not only confined to ministering to the redeemed but also redeeming the fallen, the hurting and people who are suffering outside of the church. The church

Participants of the advocacy programme on HiV and AiDs held in Kohima on november 17.

must become a truly redemptive, inclusive community-a kinder, a gentler community of faith and love. We must dispense grace not only within the four walls of the church but also outside of the church by way of reaching out to people in need,” Rev Dr Keyho said.

As pastors and church workers, he said, we must view drug addicts, alcoholics, and people with HIV and AIDS as constituent members needing to be reached out and ministered to.

“We must build bridges,” he said and quoted Henri JM Nouwen as saying: “what I have to offer to others is not my in-

telligence, skill, power, influence, or connections, but my own brokenness through which the love of God can manifest itself.”

As clergy we must admit our brokenness only then can we learn to reach out to broken people in love and in compassion, he said.

Challenging church leaders to dispense grace in compassion and love, he said “Together we can reach out to our hurting, suffering world with the love of God bringing healing, care and comfort to areas where it is needed most. The spirituality of the church must be holy worldly.”

Talking on overcoming stigma and discrimination

NEw DElHI, NOVEMBER 17 (IANS): The Income Tax department on Thursday made the Permanent Account Number (PAN) mandatory for a string of bank transactions, including cash deposits of Rs 2.5 lakh or more, till December 30.

In a notification, the department has made it mandatory that PAN be mentioned for : • Cash deposit in any bank above Rs 50,000 during any one day.

• Cash deposits of Rs 250,000 or more up to December 30, 2016.

• Time deposit in any scheduled or cooperative bank or post office.

• Purchase of demand drafts or pay orders or banker’s cheques in cash for above Rs 50,000 on any single day.

• Opening an account other than a timedeposit or a Jan Dhan/basic bank deposit account.

relating to HRGs in context of HIV and AIDS, Dr. Joyce Angami said stigma can be defined as “negative thoughts about a person or group based on a prejudiced position.” She said stigma is driven by fear, ignorance and prejudice, adding that discrimination is action that results from stigma – the unfair and unjust treatment of an individual.

Dr. Rose Chakhesang meanwhile spoke on drug use and its co-relation with HIV and AIDS, other risk groups and their vulnerability towards HIV and AIDS harm reduction, while representative from NSACS gave an overview of HIV and AIDS scenario in the state.

three student bodies disassociate from DnsU

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 17 (MExN): Three student bodies, including the Ao Students’ Union Dimapur (ASUD), Dimapur Lotha Students’ Union (DLSU) and Dimapur Sumi Students’ Union (DSSU) have disassociated themselves from the Dimapur Naga Students’ Unin (DNSU).

A joint statement from the three student bodies informed that this decision was taken during a joint meeting held on November 16 in Dimapur.

The statement informed that on November 14, the three bodies had “conditionally agreed to extend its fullest cooperation to the NSF Committee for DNSU Restoration on the assurance that the union assembly in its first sitting itself will

take up the agenda put forth by the three units for redrafting/re-amending the constitution of DNSU.” It reminded that since 2011, the three units has been putting up a joint effort to counter the “shadow bloc system” of two third majority enshrined in the constitution of DNSU “due to which the decisions taken thus far were never in the best interest of Naga Society as a whole.”

In the first union assembly held on November 15, 2016, the statement informed that the three units submitted an ultimatum to the speaker urging him to take up the agenda put forth by the three constituent units as per the earlier representation given to NSF. However, it stated that the

speaker “denied having had received any written representation/ endorsement from the NSF Committee for DNSU Restoration.”

“However after being forced to, the agenda was taken up for discussion and was put up for vote. However it was out rightly rejected by vote system projecting the clear image of the shadow bloc system,” it added This, the statement reasoned has compelled the three student bodies to disassociate from DNSU with immediate effect. They further called upon the DNSU Union Assembly Speaker to immediately dissolve the executive council of DNSU “as it cannot function without the executive head to look after the day to day functioning of the office of DNSU.”

GPRN/NSCN affirms right to self-determination To observe 9th Unification Day at Khehoi Designated Camp, invites Tribal Hohos and Civil Societies DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 17 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN is set to observe the 9th Unification Day at Khehoi Designated Camp on November 22.

A press note from the MIP of the GPRN/NSCN has extended invitations to all apex organisations of Nagaland, including Tribe Hohos, GBs, interdenominational religious associations, mother’s associations, student bodies, non-Naga community associations in Nagaland, Naga social welfare associations, media groups and well wishers of Naga political right.

It stated that the GPRN/NSCN under the leadership of Chairman Gen (Retd.)

MB Neokpao Konyak and General Secretary N Kitovi Zhimomi has made it

clear that “practical wisdom and necessity has forced Myanmar Naga leaders and Southern Naga Leaders to pursue peace deals with Myanmar and GoI respectively.” “The alternative political arrangements however do not meet the desire and political aspiration of the tribes living in present Nagaland state,” it added.

The GPRN/NSCN, it stated “while affirming the right to self determination of all Nagas irrespective of artificial boundaries, believes that the tribes in the present state of Nagaland must exercise their inherent right to decide any political arrangement, as is visible in Myanmar Naga areas and Naga areas in Manipur (which is in the offing).”

“Where necessary it is natural for Nagas of Nagaland to sit down together and discuss their future existence pending final political solution encompassing all Naga inhabited areas,” it added.

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FriDAY 18•11•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Monyakshu VSU office, ‘Art Ensemble’ brings artist together library hall inaugurated Our Correspondent

Kohima | November 17

Officials along with others during the inauguration of office cum library hall of the Monyakshu Village Students’ Union on November 17.

m o n, n ov e m b e r 17 (mexn): The office cum library hall of the Monyakshu Village Students’ Union (MVSU) constructed under youth share of the Grant-in-Aid of Monyakshu VDB was inaugurated on November 17

by A. Zibenthung Kithan, ADC Tobu after a dedication prayer by S. Heihwang, Pastor MVBC. Speaking at the occasion, ADC Tobu extended

his sincere appreciation to the RD Department and MVSU for the successful completion of the building and encouraged the student community to make full use of the facilities for the benefit of the community.

Earlier, Phaiba President MVSU in his speech thanked the BDO Tobu and the RD Dept for the realization of the project and stated that the library hall

would go a long way in developing the student community of the village. The programme was chaired

by E. Moba General Secretary, MVSU. Short speeches were delivered by BDO Tobu, Monyakshu VCC and President Tobu Area Students’ Union.

The programme was attended by SDO (civil) Monyakshu, EAC Probationers, GBs, students and Church officials.

The Directorate of Art & Culture (Art Wing) Nagaland in collaboration with Nagaland Art Society today successfully organized ‘Art Ensemble’ under the theme ‘Explore’ here at its Directorate Office.

The event witnessed live music performance

by Divine Connection and Ayim Longchar, origami demonstration by Atoulie Zatsu, live painting, Naga art gallery, open Android phone photography competition and students’ painting competition.

Gugs Chishi, Project Director Music Task Force (MTF) formally launched ‘A Thousand Art Project,’ an initiative of the Directorate of Art & Culture, Nagaland.

Speaking on the occasion, Chishi congratulated the department for coming up with such event to promote art in the state. He also appreciated the launch of ‘A Thousand Art Project’ and hoped that it will go a long way in taking the artist forward. “You can be a vehicle of change,” he told the artists present on the oc-

Gugs Chishi, Project Director MTF and others after launching ‘A Thousand Art Project’ in Kohima held on November 17. (Morung Photo)

casion adding that they connect the people. He also said that both music and art are creative expression of life.

Vilalhou Noudi, Art Executive, Directorate of Art & Culture said ‘Art Ensemble’ has been initiated to bring artist together and find a better way to promote art and also boost the talents of youth and students. It also aims to make art a useful tool and bring positive

change in the society.

‘A Thousand Art Project’ Initiate, Interact & Impact Talking on ‘A Thousand Art Project’ (Initiate, Interact & Impact), N. Mhao Odyuo said the project is for 1000 art work collection for every event’s, connecting with 1000 artist, meeting and helping 1000 young upcoming artist.

He said that the project

is not based on individual interest or benefit. It is a common vision for artist of all discipline to work independently under one goal, a common achievement for all. The project is an open platform, for all artists of all discipline to work together, a fresh approach for our people towards arts.

Explaining the reasons for launching ‘A thousand art project,’ the concept note

stated that art promotes true prosperity, art improves academic performance, art strengthens the economy, art is good for local merchants, art drives tourism, art is an export industry, art sparks creativity and innovation, art has social impact, art improves healthcare and art means business.

On reasons why art is good for kids and the world, it stated that art generates a love of learning and creativity, art develops a willingness to explore what has not existed before, art teaches risk taking, learning from one’s mistakes, and being open to other possibilities, kids who are creative are also curious and passionate about knowing more, art develops the whole brain, art prepares kids for the future, art teaches problem solving, art supports emotional intelligence, art build community, art improves holistic health, builds self-esteem, increases motivation and student attendance, improves grades and communication, nurtures team work and strengthen relationship to the environment. It also awakens the senses.

HIV-TB Coordination meeting held at Mon 'Major irrigation project to

mon, november 17 (mexn): The HIV-TB Coordination meeting which was held at DAPCU Mon on November 16 begun with introductory note by Longyim Tzudir, District Programme Officer, DAPCU Mon. While highlighting the status of ICTC-DMC cross referrals, he said that there is a need for strengthening linkages and referrals among the facility staff of ICTC-DMC and partner NGOs to enhance number of service access and to ensure quality service to the people in need.

Dr. Tiasunep, DTO highlighted the key activities of RNTCP and the new guideParticipants of the -TB Coordination meeting held at DAPCU lines for treatment of HIV-TB co-infection while Dr. Yingnei, MO I/c LAC+ DH Mon Mon held on November 16.

shared about the treatment issues.

Nishant Apekka, APM CHAI (Project Axshya) and Kehile Semp, District Coordinator, CHAI Mon briefly shared their key activities and mentioned that they look forward to continue to work together towards TB care and control in the district.

Dr. UK Konyak, CMO Mon while acknowledging the efforts of DAPCU and RNTCP towards prevention and care of HIV-TB, and also expressed sincere gratitude to CHAI (Project Axshya) for extending support in sensitizing general population and TB patients by carrying out different activities in the district.

NEZCC informs on new weekend series Dimapur, november 17 (mexn): North East Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India invites cultural groups who are based at Dimapur and already registered with the Centre for participation in the new weekend series programme to be held at the NEZCC headquarters at Dimapur. Therefore, interested groups/ individuals may avail this opportunity to perform during the weekends at the NEZCC Park. For application form and other information, please contact the office or the undersigned during office hours.

State to observe ‘Constitution Day’ Kohima, november 17 (Dipr): As India observe the Indian constitution day on November 26, the birth anniversary of Dr. BR Ambedkar, who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, Nagaland will be observed the same on November 28.

26th November 2016 (fourth Saturday) being a holiday, the Government of Nagaland has declared to observe the day on the 28th November 2016. In this regard all the district administration, government offices and educational institutions have been directed to organize program and read out the ‘Preamble’ of the constitution of India. Instructions may also be issued to all the subordinate offices.

be taken up in Zunheboto'

Parliamentary Secretary, I&FC, N. Jacob Zhimomi along with officials and staffs of I&FC Zunheboto during his visit on November 17.

Zunheboto, november 17 (mexn): Parliamentary Secretary for Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC), N. Jacob Zhimomi visited I&FC Office on November 17. Interacting with the staffs, Jacob encouraged them to be more sincere in their work and serve public with transparency.

The Parliamentary Secretary said that he is in touch with Union Minister, Water Resources, Uma Bharti for funds and other projects for the state. Jacob lamented that a new concept was started by the Ministry of Water Resources, GOI where the projects has to be implemented in an integrated manner with Agri and Allied departments to yield maximum benefits for the beneficiaries vis-a-viz Community oriented projects.

“Major irrigation project in the district will be taken up where there is a requirement at strategic river locations for the benefit pertaining to the agri and allied sectors to increase agricultural activities and to boost agro economy,” stated Jacob.

Expressing concern over development projects, Jacob urged the officials to ear-

mark projects only to genuine beneficiaries so that development will be visible and is people oriented.

Jacob also said State government under the leadership of TR Zeliang who is also a member of CSS under NITI Aayog, many projects have been made grass root oriented and is under consideration which should be appreciated and supported by the people.

Executive Engineer, I&FC, Zunheboto Huska Yeptho thanked the Parliamentary Secretary for the concern and submitted a proposal for construction of staff quarters which is a long felt need for the staffs. Renovation of Office building and shortage of staffs which is hampering the smooth functioning of office were also highlighted whereby the Parliamentary Secretary agreed in principle to looked into the matter on priority. Kivika, IA, Zunheboto in a press release said that Vice President, Sumi Hoho, Khehoshe Yepthomi, DSO, Lhokiye, and other dignitaries accompanied the Parliamentary Secretary.

Thuwu-ni Festival 'Celebrating indigenous life' concludes Morung Express News

Pughoboto | November 17

The third-edition of the 3-day Thuwu-ni Festival on the theme “Celebrating indigenous life” concluded here at Pughoboto public ground on Wednesday (November 16), with Nagaland Minister for School Education and SCERT, Yitachu, gracing the valedictory function as chief guest.

Addressing a mammoth gathering, the minister said traditional games and culture were practiced and observed by Naga forefathers since time immemorial and such practices have become the very identity of the Naga people.

Yitachu called upon the present generation to take the lead in acknowledging and preserving the culture and tradition of the Naga people.

“Good or bad, Nagas have boldly taken the decision that Nagas are a separate tribe and community and therefore will remain sovereign and independent,” he said, and added the Government of India too should acknowledge the fact and bring about solution to the vexed Naga political problem.

On the ongoing peace talks, Yitachu said all the public and factions should

(LEFT) School Education Minister Yitachu and Minister for R&B, Y Vikheho Swu, Parliamentary Secretary, L Khumo and others with winners of Akikiti (Sumi kick fight) on the closing function of Thuwu-ni Festival at Pughoboto on November 16.

(RIGHT) Home Minister, Y Patton along with R&B Minister, Vikheho Swu, inspecting the agri and allied stalls as part of the Thuwu-Ni festival at Pughoboto public ground on the inaugural day (November14) of the festival. (Morung Photo)

be willing to accept a peaceful and negotiated solution.

“If we achieve solution only then Nagas will have a transformed life and progress ahead in the land given by the Almighty to the Nagas... but if we continue not to accept the solution and remain disturbed with suspicion against each other, Nagas will go backward instead of moving forward”, the minister said.

Meanwhile, Yitachu also said once the proposed Niuland-Zunheboto-Tuensang- Kiphire-Phek-Myanmar road is completed, Zunheboto district would become the most centrally located district in Nagaland and therefore people of the district should prepare themselves to take full advantage.

Earlier in the morning,

ma and 3rd – Raj Kaushal Yitachu also inaugurated the office of the Execufrom Himachal Pradesh. tive Engineer PWD (R&B) • Sumi Kick Fight (Akikiti) Above 60 Kg: 1st – Ahobo Pughoboto in presence of Shesulimi village, 2nd of officials Parliamentary – Mughato of Shesulimi Secretary L Khumo, engineer-in-chief Khupi Natso, village and 3rd – Shekuto of Mukalimi village chief engineer K. Rhetso • Sumi Kick Fight (Akikiti) and other dignitaries.

Below 60 Kg: 1st – Niloto of Ghathashi village, 2nd Results of traditional competitions of 3-day – Kimiyeto of Awohumi village, 3rd – Shekuto of Thuwuni Festival Ighanumi village and 4th • Basket Weaving Compe– Bokato of Pughoboto tition (Amuto Ghokuxuni): 1st – Hoboto of • Sümi Hopping: 1st – LiMudutsugho village, 2nd tomi of Hebolimi village, 2nd – Nighalimi of Tsaphi– Ghokiye of Shesulimi mi village and 3rd – Pelito village and 3rd – Nishena of Chishilimi village of Mishilimi village.

• Fire Making (Ami Kukula • Naga Karting (Asu Gari): 1st – Swuto Swu & Kato Kukuzu): 1st – Kitobo Kiho Wotsa of Mishilimi vilof Hebolimi village; 2nd – Khulu of Kitami village. lage, 2nd – Sheto & Apuvi • Enduro Cycling Race: 1st of Hebolimi village and 3rd – Ivika Zhimo & Ka– Ismamul from Shillong, vito of Ighanumi village 2nd – Alemba from Kohi-

• Stilt Race (Kakapo Kukuzu): 1st – Vixuto of Hebolimi village, 2nd – Hosheto Wotsa of Ghokimi village and 3rd – Hevishe of Mudutsugho village • Taste Of Sümi (Cooking): 1st – Visheli Kinnimi of Pughoboto village, 2nd – Nisheli Shohe of Shesulimi village and 3rd – Phukuto Zhimo Chishilimi village • Spear Kicking: 1st – Toka of Shesulimi village, 2nd – Kahovi of Iphonumi village and 3rd – Pukhavi of Kilomi village • Greased Pole Climbing (Aqhedu Kimli): 1st – Pukhavi, Jupito & Yepeto of Mudutsugho village, 2nd – Vikiho Sheqi, Kanito S Swu & Kughavi W Wotsa of Mishilimi village and 3rd – Kavito, Toqheho & Juwoto of Tukuliqa village.

Friday 18•11•2016

Regional 3

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Manipur celebrates Ningol Chakkouba

On the occasion, married sisters and daughters are invited to their parental home to renew and strengthen family bonds

Imphal, November 17 (IaNS): For generations, Manipur has been celebrating a unique festival called Ningol Chakkouba every November when married sisters and daughters are invited to their parental house for a sumptuous lunch to renew and strengthen family bonds. Over the years, it had threatened to deteriorate into a show of oustentatiousness but now, thankfully, has returned to its roots as a means of inclusiveness.

A welcome move is that NGOs have started inviting women of

other communities in general and tribals in particular to wellorganised mass lunches.

Besides, some churches and tribal groups have started hosting lunches for the women of all communities. Some communities elsewhere in the country have also emulated the Manipuris in this social practice.

History says that this social practice was introduced in the 4th century in the ancient land of Kangleipak, now renamed Manipur. In the beginning, married sisters used to invite their brothers to lunch on this auspicious day.

History records that Queen Laishna used to invite her brother Poireiton to lunches. In those days it was known as Piba (meaning son) chakkouba.

Later married sisters and daughters were treated to lunches. Being Vaishnava Hindus, the feasting revolves around fish and

its various preparations. After the lunch, the sisters and daughters are given gifts in the forms of handloom clothes and the women bless their brothers to be more prosperous and successful in life.

However, about five decades ago a metamorphosis happened in Manipuri society, when easy money was made available and those with millions of rupees to burn started doling out expensive gifts, including costly gadgets and sleek cars. The divide between the haves and have-nots caused embarrassment to the parents and brothers of slender means since they could not compete with the affluent families.

For over 30 years there has been a relentless campaign to desist from the shameless show of ill-gotten money on the occasion of Ningol Chakkouba. Many sections are happy that it has started having the desired impact. More and more educated women are

Post demonetisation Assam records 25% trade loss: FINER guwahatI, November 17 (IaNS): With demonetisation continuing to hit businesses across the country, a leading trade and commerce body of the northeast on Thursday said that at least 25 per cent loss was recorded in the markets across the hilly states post-demonetisation.

The Federation of Industry and Commerce of the Northeastern Region (FINER) appealed to the central and state governments to place emphasis on having more banking infrastructure in the region so that the economy of the area does not suffer.

FINER also appealed to the government to devise effective measures to reduce the problems faced by the common man and the sectors dependent on cash payment.

"In Assam and other parts of the northeast, the agriculture and horticultural sectors are dependent on cash and the government must help the petty traders and vendors involved in the sector who had been hit hard post-demonetisation," said FINER President Pabitra Burhagohain.

He said the government must allow the roadside vendors across the region to continue transaction in old currency till December 30 with ceiling limit per day.

"The vendors thus should be instructed to deposit the cash in their account daily so that they could pay their suppliers in cheque," Burhagohain said, adding that the FINER would soon meet Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and submit a memorandum in this regard.

He said that although all the sectors have been hit due to demonetisation, construction sector, consumer goods, highvalue items, and service sector are some of the worst hit in the region.

The FINER President, however, termed the move for demonetisation as a bold step towards cashless economy and said although the country's GDP will be affected negatively for the time being due to the move, it will be beneficial for the country as the currency is expected to be stronger in the long run.

refusing expensive gifts. They do not grumble if handloom clothes are given to them on this occasion.

Another headache is the tendency to squander money among most of women while buying fruits and sweets to take to the homes of their brothers and parents. Manipur does not produce sweets, fruits and other items in plenty and this explains why there has not been much response to the campaign to buy local produce by the women on this day.

For decades, unscrupulous traders have been doing multibillion rupees worth of business during this festival. Since local products are not enough, truckloads of iced fish are imported from Hyderabad, Kolkata and Guwahati. Some local fish farmers have been rearing delicious indigenous fish. But as these are sold at Rs 1,000 or more a kilo,

only those with undisclosed incomes can afford to buy them.

As the Vaishnava grip is loosening, almost all families also have chicken and other meat items in the feasts. Besides, Manipuri handloom clothes are replicated elsewhere and brought for sale on huge profit.

Staggering quantities of apples, oranges and other costly fruits, tinned sweets, bananas from neighbouring states, coconuts from Assam and many other packed eatable items are brought for brisk sale. In the absence of local substitutes the women have to depend on these items brought from other states.

Though this has become a multibillion festival, many sections are happy that now it has become a social thread to string together all communities in Manipur and the Manipuri-inhabited areas in the northeast, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Assam mourns death of former guv S K Sinha

guwahatI, November 17 (ptI): Assam government condoled the death of its former governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha, who passed away today in New Delhi, and declared state mourning.

The National Flag will be flown at halfmast in the state capital and all districts and sub-divisional headquarters of Assam, a government release said here.

Lt Gen (Retd) Sinha served as Governor of Assam from September 1, 1997 to June 4, 2003. He was also the governor of Jammu and Kashmir.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit condoling Sinha's death in his message said Assam has lost a true hero whose heroic actions brought the state virtually out of insurgency. As a leader who made all efforts to make Assam advanced on all fronts and served it with deep commitment, Sinha had focussed primarily on the marginalised communities and served as the voice of the voiceless and the oppressed,

he said. "His death is an irreparable loss to the country," Purohit said. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal too condoled the death and said Sinha's service to the state will always be remembered by its people.

"Late S K Sinha was a true friend of the state who always stood by its people. "His role as the Governor of Assam on the issue of illegal migration will be remembered by the people of the state forever," he said in his condolence message. Recalling Sinha's "invaluable contributions" in crafting the Unified Command Structure to tackle insurgency in the state as well as in its economic development, Sonowal said the nation would remember his leadership and valiant service in the Army as well as distinguished service as governor of Jammu & Kashmir and ambassador to Nepal. Sinha would also be remembered for his contribution in projecting saint Srimanta Sankardev, General Lachit Borphukan and Assam's first chief minister Gopinath Bordoloi as national heroes.

India, Bangladesh officials meeting over disputed enclave

agartala, November 17 (IaNS): India and Bangladesh officials on Thursday began a two-day meeting to resolve differences over southern Tripura's Muhurichar -- the lone disputed enclave between the two neighbours.

The fate of Muhurichar had remained undecided even though the two neighbours swapped 161 enclaves in July last year.

An official of the Tripura government's Revenue Department said the officials of the two countries held a meeting at Majumder Haat on Thursday in Bangladesh, opposite southern Tripura's subdivisional town Belonia.

The final meeting would be held in Dhaka on Friday to resolve the dispute over Muhurichar

enclave, he said.

The official said the Indian delegation was led

by External Affairs Ministry's Joint Secretary (Border Management) Sripriya Ranganathan, while the Bangladesh side was headed by Additional Secretary (Political) of the Home Affairs Ministry of that country Abu Hena Mohammad Rahamatul Muneem.

"Ranganathan held a meeting with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar in Agartala on Wednesday and discussed about the Muhurichar enclave," the official said but refused to divulge anything about the outcome of the meeting.

Tripura's Revenue, PWD and Health Minister Badal Choudhury told

Three-day-old rail blockade in North East withdrawn agartala/SIlchar, November 17 (IaNS): A rail blockade that snapped the crucial rail link of Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and southern Assam in the north-east with the rest of the country since November 15 was withdrawn on Thursday. A Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) spokesman said rail services were likely to resume from Thursday evening or from Friday morning after inspection of tracks.

The North Cachar Hill Indigenous Students Forum (NCHISF) members had blockaded tracks since Tuesday morning at Haflong, the district headquarters of Dima Hasao district, to demand compensation to families whose land and homes were acquired by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) during conversion of tracks to broad gauge in 2014 and 2015.

The NFR had to cancel several important trains passing through the Lumding-Badarpur hill section due to the indefinite rail blockade.

"We have received a letter from NFR General Manager (Construction) H.K. Jaggi for a meeting with NCHISF leaders at

NFR headquarters at Maligaon on November 24 to discuss the compensation issue. We have decided to call off the rail blockade," NCHISF President David Kevom told reporters at Haflong, 279 km from Guwahati.

Dima Hasao Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar told the media that he had received a letter from Jaggi about the compensation issue. Dima Hasao was formerly known as North Cachar Hills district.

"The NCHISF leaders told me about withdrawal of rail blockade from Thursday afternoon," Manoj Kumar said.

NCHISF President David Kevom said railway authorities had promised compensation to 500 families whose 300 hectares of land was acquired, but nothing was done. NFR officials, however, said compensation of around Rs 55 crore was given to the affected families but they are demanding Rs 3-5 crore more.

The north-east region is dependent on the railways for the supply of food grain, fertilisers, petroleum products, construction materials and other consumer goods.

IANS: "Decades before creation of Bangladesh in 1971, around 60 Indian farmers have been cultivating in the 63-acre Muhurichar enclave area."

"The India-Bangladesh Joint Boundary Working Group meeting held in Dhaka last year had decided that the two countries would once again conduct joint survey in the 63-acre Muhurichar area to resolve the deadlock," he said.

As part of the implementation of the Land Boundary Agreement of 1974 and its 2011 Protocol, India gave away to Bangladesh 110 of the 111 enclaves and received 51 enclaves in return on July 31 midnight last year, but the talks over Muhurichar had remained inconclusive.

"There is no problem over other enclaves. But as the Survey of India, along with its Bangladeshi counterpart, demarcated Muhurichar without any consultation and contact with the Tripura government, the enclave has remained undecided so far," Choudhury added.

Around 60 Indian farmers have been cultivating in Muhurichar area for several decades even before creation of Bangladesh in 1971.

Joint Secretary Ranganathan, in a letter earlier this year, had assured the Tripura Chief Secretary that "the MEA would not take any steps that are at variance with the provision contained in the LBA 1974 and 2011 Protocol".

The Tripura Minister

said: "Of the 63-acre Muhurichar area, we have no objection in giving some portion of land to Bangladesh after ensuring a perfect demarcation of the areas. There are three separate cremation grounds of three religious communities in the Muhurichar area for several decades."

"The real tussle between India and the then East Pakistan over Muhurichar area started since early 1965. For many years, soldiers of the then East Pakistan and subsequently Bangladeshi border guards occasionally fired on the Indian side, killing and injuring many," said the 67-years-old Left leader, who hails from this area.

According to the officials of South Tripura

Campaign ends for Tripura assembly by-polls

agartala, November 17 (IaNS): Over a month-long hectic campaign for by-polls to two Tripura assembly seats ended on Thursday evening with opposition parties and ruling Left treating these by-elections as "prestigious electoral battle".

The Election Commission will hold the byelections on Saturday in the Scheduled Caste (Reserved) Barjala and Khowai assembly constituencies in Tripura.

The Barjala seat fell vacant after Congress legislator Jitendra Sarkar resigned on June 6, 2016, following an internal feud with the party while the Khowai seat has been vacant since the death of veteran CPI-M legislator Samir Deb Sarkar.

The by-polls would be a four-cornered contest, among Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)led ruling Left Front, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress.

Five candidates each are contesting for the two seats. In all 39,007 electorate, including 18,935

female, will be eligible to vote in the Barjala seat, while 39,400 voters, including 19,436 women, will cast votes in Khowai.

Political analyst S.K. Datta said: "Split in the Congress and emergence of the TMC and the BJP as two major political forces, the outcome of the by-elections would be very interesting.

In view of the next assembly elections in Left ruled Tripura in 2018, the result of the by-elections would be a significant indicator."

"If we defeat the CPI-M candidates in the two assembly seats, the Left Front government would not fall, but an indicative encouraging message would go across the state before the 2018 assembly elections," TMC leader Sudip Roy Barman said, explaining the party's philosophy behind its strident poll effort.

Bharatiya Janata Party's Tripura state President Biplab Kumar Deb also said that if the Left Front nominees are defeated in the byelections, a clear political signal would emerge ahead of the next crucial assembly elections.

"A large number of the CPI-M, Congress and the TMC supporters have joined the BJP and our party would be the main political force in the state," Deb said.

The BJP has fielded former Tripura Civil Service Officer Shista Mohan Das for the Barjala seat and Tapan Kumar Paul in Khowai.

The TMC has nominated former minister Prakash Das for the Barjala constituency and former CPI-M leader Manoj Das for the Khowai constituency.

The Left Front has fielded youth leader Jhumu Sarkar in Barjala and district party secretary Biswajit Datta in Khowai.

"People would vote for the Left Front candidates for the success of the state government in maintaining peace, development and tranquillity in the mixed populated state," said Bijan Dhar, who is the State Secretary of the CPI-M. State Congress chief Birajit Sinha said his party has laid emphasis on the doorto-door campaign and mostly the local leaders are spearheading the mass contact for the by-polls.

district administration, a proposal has been submitted to the union government to provide compensation to the affected Indian farmers, who had been farming in the area for many tears.

After the 517-year rule by 184 kings, the erstwhile Princely State of Tripura merged with the Indian union on October 15, 1949.

Since the partition of India in 1947, the Muhuri river along Muhurichar was considered a natural boundary between the two nations. Over 84 per cent of Tripura's total border (856 km) is international border.

Manipur newspapers to halt publication Newmai News Network Imphal | November 17

Newspapers in Manipur will not hit the stands from Friday, November 18 as the Newspaper Publishers’ Association and the All Manipur Newspaper Sales and Distributors have said distribution of newspapers will not be possible as they are not in the position to transact legal tenders and hence they have decided to keep publication shut from Thursday.

The decision to stop publication of papers was announced after a joint meeting of the Newspaper Publishers’ Association, All Manipur Newspaper Sales and Distributors Association and Editors’ Guild at Hueiyen Lanpao office here today, according to a statement.

Since the withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes from November 8, the distributors/ hawkers are facing a problem in carrying the business. The newspaper owners are no more accepting the scrapped old notes from them. At the same time, they are now unable to make payment of lower denominations as well as the new notes to the media houses.

On November 15, the publishers’ body said media houses were facing inconveniences in transacting business follow-

ing demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes by the Narendra Modi government. The publishers had said they would not accept these notes from distributors and urged the government to include the media houses in these categories.

People here have not been able to get sufficient legal tenders since then.

Even a number of shops in Khwairamband Keithel here have started downing shutters due to the continued cash disruption.

Media houses are not included in the categories where the demonitised notes can be transacted till November 24 midnight, the time limit given by the government. Government hospitals, bus ticket counters, railways, airports, milk booths, fuel stations authorized by the state governments, crematoria and burial grounds will accept these notes till the above extended time.

Besides the cash crunch gripping Manipur, people here are facing acute shortage of consumer goods and fuel due to the ongoing indefinite economic blockade called by the United Naga Council (UNC) along the two important highways linking Manipur with rest of the country over the Manipur government's plan to convert Sadar Hills and Jiribam into fullfledged revenue districts.

PUBLIC NOTICE

I, Anungbo Zeliang S/o Lt. Tarui Zeliang resident of Midland Colony, District Dimapur, declare that my son Chunlubo Chawang (Vicky) is out of my control. I debar him from all my movable and immovable properties. Anybody dealing with him will do so at their own risk. I and my family will not be responsible for it and will not tolerate any mental/ physical harassment either.

Anybody is doing so will be unlawful and it can be taken as criminal offence.

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Note: Hardcopy submission to this Directorate will be accepted till 15th December 2016 (ER. ARJUN SINGH), Director Issued by: DIPR

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Dated: Kohima, the 17th of November 2016

With reference to the Advertisement No.NSSWB/SRCW/Advt. & Pub/2016-2017/534 dated Kohima, the 25th October 2016, based on the interview and written/practical test conducted on the 16th of November, 2016; the following are the selected candidates for the various posts under One Stop Centre/Sakhi, Kohima, a scheme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, GOI. Sl. No Post

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The Selected candidates are hereby directed to report to the State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) in the office of the Nagaland State Social Welfare Board on the 21st November 2016 at 11 am positively.

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THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Mon District observes 63rd All India Cooperative Week

moN, November 17 (mexN): Mon District observed the 63rd All India Cooperative Week on November 16 at DRDA Resource Centre in Mon town.

TiyongmerenJamir,Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies (DRCS), delivered the keynote addressed. He informed that importance of cooperation in the new Independent country was put forward by Jawaharlal Nehru.

He assured all possible help to upcoming generation in order to make Mon a vibrant cooperative district.

Rokovisa Chase, Assistant Registrar Cooperative Societies (ARCS) Mon, gave a power point presentation on the Cooperative movement in India. He shared the principles of cooperatives as well as success stories of different Cooperative Societies in other parts of the country.

Rajuselie Lhousa, District Program Coordinator (Financial Inclusion), Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM) Mon, spoke on ‘Coopera-

tives and Banking’.

He reminded the gathering that Cooperation is the parental department of Nagaland State Cooperative Bank (NSCB) and the Cooperative Societies having its share in NSCB are owners of the Bank, while the shares and deposits are generated into loans for the underprivileged so as to release them from the bondage of debt/poverty.

He opined that the need inthepresentsocietalcontext is judicious spending, awareness in savings and proper financial planning to remove cash-crunch poverty.

He advised Cooperative Societies to also take leadership role on social responsibilities viz. opening Saving Bank Account, Aadhaar enrolment, Electoral roll, Insurance, Pension, Census, BPL, Old Age Pension etc.

Sharing his experiences of NRLM, he confidently declared that the NRLM SHGs are doing fine in credit linkage with Banks and opined that the success of SHGs/

VLOs will create a cooperative resurgence in the State.

He also appealed the departmental staff to provide dignified service during registrations, audits and project preparations to motivate Cooperative Societies.

The interactive session had a good participation from various societies while Mongyo, Vice President, Konyak Nyupuh ShekoKhong (KNSK) and Board of Director of Nguptang MPCS expressed happiness on the initiative of the Cooperative Department for reigniting the Cooperative movement in the district.

A press release said that the celebratory function was chaired by Tsijungse Sangtam, Senior Inspector Cooperative Societies (SICS).

Invocation prayer was pronounced by Okap Konyak, Beth-zatha Prayer Society.

Vote of thanks was delivered

by John Lorin, SICS. The celebration was attended by Cooperative Societies, APMC officials and Village Level Organizations (VLO) of NRLM.

Govt tightens notes exchange norms New Delhi, November 17 (PTi): Government today lowered the exchange limit for now-defunct 500 and 1,000 rupee notes to Rs. 2,000 from the existing cap of Rs. 4,500, effective tomorrow.

Among other measures, it has allowed up to Rs. 2.5 lakh cash withdrawal from bank account of a bride or groom or their parents for a marriage during the ongoing wedding season.

"To enable larger number of people to get benefit of over-the-counter exchange of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes, the existing limit of Rs. 4,500 will be reduced to Rs. 2,000 with effect from tomorrow," Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das told reporters.

The over-the-counter exchange of Rs. 500/1,000 in return of new currency will be available "once per person till December 30".

"This will enable larger number of people to exchange notes. There is no cash shortage and enough

No new Rs 1,000 notes for now: Arun Jaitley

mumbai, November 17 (DNa): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Thursday, that new Rs 1,000 notes will bot be introduced into the system. The government's demonetization move took out Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from the system. The government had said that the decommissioned notes would be replaced with Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes, several ATMs are now dispensing the new notes.

Meanwhile, there was talk about the government introducing new cash is available," he said.

The decision comes a day after the government directed banks to put indelible ink mark on the right index finger of persons to screen them from using the exchange facility more than once.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November 8 demonetised Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes in his bigger war against black money, terror financing and counterfeit notes.

Since then a lot of representations have come to Prime Minister and Fi-

Rs 1,000 notes also. However, Jaitley said "Rs 1,000 notes will not be reintroduced for now."

Jaitley also commented on the government's latest measures amid demonetization. Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das, while speaking to the media, said that the exchange limit for notes would be cut to Rs 2,000 from Rs 4,500 currently, effective November 18. Jaitley said that the move was to stop the misuse of funds.

The government also allowed for

nance Minister to ease withdrawal norms for wedding purposes.

"This has been considered by the government and decided that for wedding ceremonies, up to Rs. 2.5 lakh will be allowed to be withdrawn from account if father or mother or the bride and groom," Das said.

He said the account has to be KYC compliant and self declaration has to be given to the bank.

The Rs. 2.5 lakh can be withdrawn from only one account.

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Seminar on National Food Security Act in Dimapur DimaPur, November 17 (mexN): A one day awareness seminar on the National Food Security Act (NFSA) was organized by the Dimapur based Pathfinders at Hotel Acacia which was attended by officials from the Department of Food & Civil Supplies, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) of Kohima and Dimapur, GBs’ Union/ Federation and other stakeholders of the society.

NFSA is to ensure food and nutrition to the beneficiaries at an affordable price and presently, Nagaland has a total of as little more than 14 lakh targeted beneficiaries out of the total population of a little less than 20 lakh, said the Department of Food & Civil Supplies, Alun Hangsing, Director of F &CS. Hangsing said “end to end computerization” is being maintained to ensure transparency and that local authority such as Gaon Buras and Chairmen of Village Councils/ Wards/ Colonies are involved in identification of beneficiaries. He also pointed out FiRe StatiOnS

KoHIMA soUtH: 0370-2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC) KoHIMA nortH: 7085924114 (O) dIMAPUr: 03862-232201/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC) CHUMUKedIMA: 7085982102 (O) 8732810051 (OC) woKHA: 03860-242215/101 (O) 8974322879 (OC) MoKoKCHUnG: 0369-2226225/ 101 (O) 8415830232 (OC) PHeK: 8414853765 (O) 8413822476(OC) ZUnHeBoto: 03867-280304/ 101 (O) 9436422730 (OC) tUensAnG: 8414853766 (O) 9856163601 (OC) Mon: 03869-251222/ 101 (O) 9862130954 (OC) Kiphire: 8414853767 (O) 9436261577 (OC) Peren: 7085189932 (O) 9856311205 (OC) LonGLenG: 7085924113 (O) 9862414264 (OC)

that those having an income of less than 1.5 lakh per year are entitled to be included in the Priority Household (PHH) or the AAY, and that beneficiaries would get 5 kilogram of rice delivered at their doorsteps every month.

T. Onen Jamir of Dimapur GB Union, pointing out the practical problem such as the size of population and also the floating population in urban areas such as Dimapur, he said all the beneficiaries may not have been identified in such a short period of time, but requested the cooperation of the grassroots functionaries

and the departmental officials to include more genuine beneficiaries in future.

Another GB representing the GB Federation requested the department to include all the six administrative blocks in Dimapur in the distribution system instead of only the four currently in place, namely, Dimapur Sadar, Medziphema, Dhansiripar and Niuland. He suggested that the department move the Food Corporation of India to construct quality godowns in all the district headquarters.

President of Kohima GB Association said his we4 woMen HeLPLIne

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Khel in Kohima Village has 328 PHHs but has a total of 890 households which pays house tax, and that when distribution time comes, the limited food items meant for the 328 PHH card holders have to be shared with more than 500 households. He requested that the department should go on for another drive to add more beneficiaries to the list of PHH card holders.

Representatives of the District Legal Services Authority from Kohima and Dimapur spoke on the provision of the NFSA which entitles a beneficiary to receive 5 kilogram of rice taHaMZaM (formerly senapati) Police station Fire Brigade

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every month; meeting the costs of transportation of food items to the beneficiaries by the Government; and provision of scientific storage facilities to ensure quality food stuff to the beneficiaries.

Spillage of rice grains in godowns was also another major issue discussed since it was alleged that a bag of rice supposed to contain 50 kilos hardly has 45 or more kilos thereby, placing the distributors/ Fair Price shops in an embarrassing position when at the distribution point, they end up with lesser amount than specified.

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To this, the department pointed out that, spillages do occur while loading and unloading the items, and that the food items do not come directly to their godowns from the source but routed through several godowns before reaching them.

The department assured the gathering that the process of identifying the beneficiaries is going on in full swing and that fraudulent ones would soon be taken off the list and genuine and deserving households would be added to the list of beneficiaries.

“We need the support of grassroots leaders and functionaries to improve our performance in delivering the food items to the needy and targeted groups of people in the society,” department officials said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Pathfinder, Vitono Gugu Haralu delivered the welcome address while Bano Haralu invoked God’s blessing at the programme.

The event concluded with closing remark by Pranay Massey, stated a press release issued by Pathfinders.

families that had an upcoming wedding to withdraw Rs 2.5 lakh from the bank account of one family member, a move that would be a huge relief for the common man, Jaitley said.

He also added that nearly 22,500 ATMs would be re-calibrated on Thursday to dispense cash effectively.

The government increased the daily limit of cash withdrawals from ATMs to Rs 2,400 on Tuesday, provided the money was being withdrawn from re-caliberated ATMs.

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Game Number # 3762

Answer Number # 3761

ACROSS 1. Fraud 5. Region 9. Decay from overripening 13. Hubs 14. Liabilities 16. Boorish 17. Circle fragments 18. Wooden shoe 19. Module 20. Magnetic induction unit 22. Remedy 24. Transgressions 26. Layers 27. Type of shellfish 30. Sneaks 33. Portable computer 35. Goodwill 37. Pair 38. Mosquitoes 41. Directed 42. Small finch 45. Boating 48. Words to a song 51. Tournament 52. Whip 54. Noxious plant 55. Disagreed 59. Pub game 62. Within 63. Sentry 65. Achy 66. Pond gunk 67. Knight’s “suit” 68. Portent 69. Walking stick 70. Catch a glimpse of 71. Colorful salamander DOWN 1. Smelting waste 2. Daughter of Zeus and Demeter 3. Making an assertion against 4. Rocket 5. Commercials 6. Back

7. A common green newt 8. Nuclear 9. A strong and heavyset man 10. Roman moon goddess 11. Modify 12. French for “Head” 15. Drive 21. Prig 23. Remnant 25. Kiss 27. Picnic insects 28. Intestine 29. A very long period 31. The same backward as forward 32. Display 34. K 36. Jittery 39. Make lace 40. Flat-bottomed boat 43. Annoying 44. 3 times 3 46. Tinted 47. Treachery 49. Line dance 50. Surgical stitch 53. League members 55. Platter 56. Ancient Peruvian 57. Render unconscious 58. Let go 60. An old spelling of “True” 61. Dispatched 64. Not wet Answer to Crossword 3776

Friday 18•11•2016

NAGALAND

State revenue increased to Rs 600 crores within 13 years: SCERT Minister Pughoboto, November 17 (mexN)): Minister for School Education, SCERT Yitachu has called for building the state’s economy stating that the state’s revenue, after the DAN government took over, “has increased to Rs 600 crores within 13 years.”

He was addressing the inaugural of the newly upgraded office for the Executive Engineer (Road & Bridges), Pughoboto in the presence of the R&B Minister, Y. Vikheho on November 16, a press release from the DIPR stated.

The Minister opined that the lack of “truthfulness” was the root cause of corruption in Naga society and urged the elected leaders, government official, farmers, business-

men and all age groups not to depend on easy money stating that it will not bring progress in our society.

Yitachu further informed that the government was trying its best to start the National Highway road connectivity to Phek, Kiphire, Tuensang and Myanmar via Pughoboto and therefore asked the people to give support for the benefit of all.

Minister for R&B who also spoke on the occasion informed that Pughoboto town was marking a “red letter day” after a gap of 29 years as the PWD office was established in 1987.

He stressed on the need to change the man power management and Government office functioning system.

Minister Yitachu and Minister Vikheho with others during the inaugural of the newly upgraded office for the Executive Engineer (Road & Bridges), Pughoboto on November 16. (DIPR Photo)

Parliamentary Secretaries Pukhayi and Er Picto lauded R&B Minister Vikheho and the department officials, Pughoboto for the landmark develop-

ment and sought co-operation to bring further development in their areas.

ADC, Avelu Ruho and President NPF, Kughakhu Sheqi also delivered short

speeches.

E n g i n e e r- i n - c h i e f NPWD, Khupi Natso said that the division has to look after 345 kilometers of road headed by EE with a total

manpower of 240. However, the total coverage of black-topped roads in the division is just 14 kms.

According to the DIPR report, the newly created PWD (R&B) Division with its Head Quarter at Pughoboto is to be maintained by way of redeployment and adjustment from the existing strength. The office will be headed by EE, including SDO (TC), 15 engineers from SDO to So, DAO, HA and others subordinate staff.

Congratulating the R&B Minister for bringing a new development which is the need the hour, the NPWD Engineer-in-chief appealed for more help to serve the public and also asked the officials assigned to this division to work with sincerity and dedication.

MCJC clarifies on pinewood ‘smuggling’ Hindi teachers call off agitation as DoSE assurance DImaPur, November 7 (mexN): The Mimi Circle Joint Council (MCJC) has strongly denounced the “baseless allegation” labeled by the Lüruri Students’ Union (LSU) on November 7 that pinewoods were being “smuggled” from encroached area of Lüruri.

The LSU had said that one truck loaded with pinewood allegedly'smuggled' by one Züngküm from the “encroached area” of Lüruri was seized and made to un-

load at Sütsü local ground.

In its rebuttal, the MCJC in a press note through its President Azho Paul and Secretary Kamtsu said that the pinewoods were collected by Züngküm of Mutingkhong Village which fall under the jurisdiction of Mimi and surrounding villages. “So the point of smuggled (sic) and encroachment is irrelevant and does not hold any truth,” it maintained. The MCJC further claimed that Züngküm sold the pinewood to

‘Maj’ Lapong of Mimi village, thereby transferring the ownership. “An individual does not require the permission on any person or organization to sell the resources that belongs to him,” it added.

In this connection, the council said that the ‘seized’ pinewood kept at Sütsü local ground should be transported immediately in congenial manner. It also called for sorting out the differences by sitting across table for the benefits of both the parties.

ANGPTA informs DImaPur, November 17 (mexN): The All Nagaland Government Primary Teachers’ Association (ANGPTA) has informed all its districts’ units that final submission of primary teachers’ data for preparation of seniority list & membership fee

towards the association is fixed on November 23.

Primary teachers, who are yet to submit their Data, are also advised to contact their respective district units, said a press note from ANGPTA President James Ruokuoselhou. The defaulting teachers failing

Meetings & AppointMents NERSNA social work on Nov 19 The Executives and Members of the North Eastern Region Service Nepali Association (NERSNA), Kohima is organising social work on November 19 in Kohima Town from PHQ Junction to TCP Gate, Kohima Town from 6:00 am to 9:00 am (Saturday) with a theme ‘Swach Kohima Town’. All members of the Association are requested to participate in the social work.

Zbto Area GBs Association annual session on Nov 23 Zunheboto Area GBs Association annual session will be held November 23, 9:00 am in Youth Hall, Zunheboto with Dr. Kheshito Z. Zhimo, Medical Superintendent, Hezukhu Memorial District Hospital Zunheboto as chief guest. Association chairman, Vikaho T. Jimomi has informed all the GBs under Zunheboto area to attend session positively.

NDMSA Annual General Meeting on Nov 22 All the members of Nagaland Directorate Ministerial Service Association (NDMSA) are informed that there will be an Annual General Meeting at the Conference Hall, Red Cross Building, Kohima on November 22 (Tuesday) November 2016 at 2.00 pm. A press release informed that some serious issues pertaining to the welfare of the Association will be discussed, hence all NDMSA members including the NDMSA Dimapur unit are requested to attend the meeting positively.

Those Directorates failing to represent will be viewed seriously and action taken as per the decision of the general body. Further, all the Directorates are requested to come along with the annual membership fee collections and bring agendas for discussions if any.

Agri-Electrical-Forest-Council social work on Nov 26 In view of the upcoming Hornbill festival and Christmas, the Agri-Electrical-Forest-Council (AEF) consisting of five sub union/council viz Upper Agri, Mewibogei, Electrical, Agri farm and Forest Colony union under Ward-17 KMC is organizing whole day mass social work on November 26 at 8:00 am onward. The social work is mainly for repairing of circular roads such as cleaning of Road side, drains, filling of potholes and painting of roadside walls. The social work is compulsory for all the members residing in their respective colonies. The Chairman of the sub-council/union is requested to organize well in advance with Office Bearers and chalk out the detail programmes for that day.

NPF CEC Meeting on Nov 29 In exercise of the powers conferred on him vide Article No V Clause 3 read with Article No IV Clause – 3 Sub-clause (c) I of the Constitution, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu President Naga People’s Front has convened the next Central Executive Council (CEC) Meeting on November 29, (Tuesday) 2016 at 11:00 am in the Central Office H.Qs. Kohima. Therefore all the Central Executive Council (CEC) members are directed to attend the meeting without fail.

to submit the same will be doing so at their own risk as the association will not entertain any members after the final Data submission by their respective District Units, it added. For further inquiry, contact the following numbers: 9856802060 & 9862190741.

DImaPur, November 17 (mexN): The Directorate of School Education (DoSE) has assured to release 2 months’ salaries of Hindi teachers working under centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) within the month of November.

It was decided at a meeting of CSS Hindi teacher and All Nagaland Hindi Teachers' Union (ANHTU)

with Director of School Education and Account officer on November 16.

In the meeting the DOSE given assurance that the 2 months’ salary will be released within November, though the MHRD have release only for 1 month, informed a press note from Ilika, Convenor CSS Hindi Teacher.

The department and

the CSS Hindi teacher and ANTHU decided in mutual understanding to try with every possible way to work out together at the earliest for the remaining pending salary within December, it added.

In this regard, the ANHTU and CSS executive members had resolved to call off its proposed agitation from November 22.

Mass social work in Dimapur on Nov 21 DImaPur, November 17 (mexN): As a measures to combat the outbreak of dengue in the district, the district administration has decided to organise a mass social work in all household of Dimapur on November 21.

The social work will be undertaken between from 6 AM-7AM in respective residential colonies with special focus on household drainages, sewages, flower pots, unused car tyres etc, informed a press note from Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Kesonyu Yhome.

The DC further informed that intensive measures are being taken up to fight the outbreak of dengue led the medical department, municipal council and other civil society.

A meeting of the DMC officials, Medical Department, Ward Authorities to review the situation has also appealed all the citizens of Dimapur to sanitize their respective houses and premises to contain the breeding or spreading of mosquitoes responsible for dengue infection.

The administration also appealed willing volunteers to register their names and details at Dimapur District Blood Bank so that they can be contacted immediately when required.

Meanwhile, in connection with the current situation, the Administrator of Dimapur Municipal Council H Atokhe Aye informed that an emergency meeting of Colony Council Chairmans, representatives and GBs under its jurisdiction has been convened at DMC Office premises from 10AM on November 19.

All the concerned entities are requested to attend the meeting positively.

VCs, Workers union apprise union ministers on NPCC

NLA informs on car and gallery passes kohIma, November 17 (DIPr): Commissioner & Secretary, NLA, Benjamin Newmai has informed that in view of the Fourteenth Session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly to be held from November 22-24, Car Passes and Official Gallery Passes will be issued from November 18 as under:

• Ministers/Adviser (Cabinet Status)/Parliamentary Secretaries and AHODs are to collect Car Passes and Gallery Passes from the Special Secretary (Home Department), Civil Secretariat, Nagaland, Kohima.

• HODs/Medias are to collect Car Passes from Reception Counter Gate NoI, Nagaland Legislative As-

DImaPur, Novem- BJP Mandal President, 21 ber 17 (mexN): Eight Tuli Constituency Imsu N. Village Council members Jamir, who ‘led’ the team.

Rijiju assured that from from Tuli Area and Nagaland Pulp & Paper Com- their ends they will take the pany Ltd (NPPC) Workers matter to the Prime MinisUnion office bearers jointly ter Narendra Modi, it addmeet several central union ed.

The NPCC workers’ ministers, including Minister Home (MoS) Kiren Riji- union also apprised the ju, at New Delhi on Novem- Minister on nonpayment of ber 15 and 16 and apprised salary for the last 2-3 month them about the pathetic to the employees, it said.

The mandal president condition of NPCC. The Village Council on behalf of the Nagaland team presented all neces- State BJP Unit supplementsary documents related to ed them and requested all the Mill and requested to the ministers to give serilook into the matter seri- ous attention their demand ously at the earliest and as the “Mill is not only paralso to deploy the Man- ticularly for Mokokchung and efficient functioning aging Director (MD), in- District but for entire Naof the medical profession formed a press note from galand,” it added. since the past one year, yet key issues remain unsolved.

The proposed NMC bill is undemocratic and must be done away with.”

SP Phek informs on firing practice The PCPNDT Act is unjust and the inclusion of Phek, November 17 (DIPr): The Superintendent doctors under the purview of Police, Phek will be carrying out firing practice with of the Consumer Protec- effect from November 18 to 24 from 7:00 hrs onwards at firing range 5th NAP Battalion, Phek. All the public and tion Act unfair, he added.

“Protecting doctors nearby villagers have been requested not to go near the against the increasing inci- firing range or let loose any domesticated animals at dence of violence is the re- the firing range area on the aforementioned period. sponsibility of all including the government. Together KLCSU parting social prog today we stand unified as a medi- kohIma, November 17 (mexN): The Kohima cal profession and hope that Law College Students’ Union will hold its 36th annual are demands are heard”. parting social cum magazine release on November 18 The association is also at 10:30 AM at Red Cross Complex, Kohima. demanding individual Minister for power C. Kipili Sangtam will grace the ocdoctor clinics to be taken casion as the chief guest. out of the purview of the Clinical Establishment Act Annual recital of and enforcement of any penal action on doctors for Music Academy Kohima clerical mistakes. kohIma, November 17 (mexN): The annual recital of Music Academy Kohima will take place on November 19 at 3:30 PM at The Deck, Hotel Vivor, Kohima.

Temjen Toy, IAS will grace the occasion as the chief guest.

sembly Secretariat.

• MLAs/PS/PA and other Department are directed to collect Car Passes from Reception Counter Gate No-II, Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat.

It is further informed that Car Passes and Gallery Passes may be collected in advance to avoid the eleventh hour rush.

IMA organises ‘Nationwide Satyagraha’ to protest proposed NMC Bill

DImaPur, November 17 (mexN): Along with the rest of the country, the Nagaland chapter of Indian Medical Association, on November 16, organised “IMA Stop NMC Satyagraha” to protest against the government’s proposal to dissolve the Medical Council of India (MCI) and replace it with National Medical Commission.

Around 2.7 lakhs members participated in the pan India protest held simultaneously across 500 cities between 11:00 am – 1:00 pm on the occasion of International Tolerance Day. “We must together work towards restoring the nobility of the profession and seek the governments help in this. These are issues affecting not one individual but the entire fraternity at large and

must be addressed immediately,” said Dr. Ashit Baran Choudhury, State President & Dr. Data Ram Sharma, President IMA Dimapur branch & Dr R N Tandon - Honorary Secretary General (Elect) IMA in a joint statement.

IMA, the only representative national voluntary organisation of Doctors of Modern Scientific System of Medicine, has been demanding key reforms towards the betterment of the medical profession since over a year, it added.

The Satyagraha originally proposed on November 2015, was later postponed on the assurance of Health Minister of India, JP Nadda that IMA’s demands will be addressed within 6 weeks by an Inter-Ministerial Committee. While the government accepted

some demands initially, key issues remain unresolved. The Inter-Ministerial Committee is also only recommendatory in nature making them incapable of any action, it said.

Consequently, in a joint statement by IMA National President Dr SS Agarwal and Immediate Past President Dr A. Marthanda Pillai, the association asked for the government to consider the demands that it has put forward on behalf of 2.7 lakh doctors and take actions within a six weeks period. “These are genuine demands and need to be considered on priority,” it said.

Elaborating on the demands, IMA National President Elect Dr KK Aggarwal at the dharna said, "IMA has been demanding swift action against serious issues affecting the transparent

MEx FILE

Livingstone school bags National Science Project Award DImaPur, November 17 (mexN): Livingstone Foundation Hr. Sec. School (LFHSS) Dimapur has won the Best Science Project Award at the first ever National Science Concours of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT).

The event organized to mark the UNESCO initiative of observing the World Science Day for Peace & Development 2016 (Nov 10), was held at SMIT Campus in Majitar, East Sikkim from November 10-11 with the Vice-Chancellor of Sikkim Manipal University, Brig. (Dr.) Somnath Mishra was the Chief Guest.

The two-day event was marked by a Quiz Contest and a Science Project Exhibition where 72 teams from 58 schools from all over India participated including Maharishi Vidya Mandir School from Guwahati; Army Public School from

Kolkata; PNG School from Gangtok; Guru Nanak Hr. Sec. School from Ranchi; Gyan Vigyan School from Dibrugarh;Namchi Sr. Sec. School from Namchi; and Millenium Institute of Science from Imphal.

According to a press note, LFHSS was repre-

sented by four students and two faculty members Loli Heni and Abijit Roy. During the competition, Bishal Paul of GradeXII and Nishad Chettri of Grade-XI were the Champion Team members of Science Exhibition as well as the 1st Runners-Up

Team members for the Quiz Contest. The other team members included Abid Arman Tapadar and Imsungit Lkr. The LFHSS won the Science Project Exhibition by bagging the Champion’s Trophy and a Cash Award of Rs. 20,000 along with certificates. The Quiz Contest 1st Runners-Up Prize also carries a Trophy and Cash Award of Rs. 10,000.

The Science Project Exhibition by LFHSS was on Bio-Plastic which is based on the Eco-friendly usage of Bio-Degradable Plastic which is produced with the help of Gelatin and other bi-degradable materials which are readily and cheaply available.

On their return the entire team was felicitated by the Administrator of LFHSS, Arthur Edwards during the School Morning Assembly on November 16, the press note added.

All India Cooperative Week celebration kohIma, November 17 (mexN): The valedictory function of the 63rd All India Cooperative Week celebration will take place on November 19 at 11:00 AM at the conference hall of the office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Kohima. Lithrongla G. Chishi, IAS, secretary to Government of Nagaland will be the chief guest while Kohima deputy commissioner Rovilatuo Mor will be the guest of honour.

International day for elimination of violence against women kohIma, November 17 (mexN): The Nagaland State Social Welfare Board and State Resource Centre for Women will be observing “International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women” on November 25 at 1:00 PM at SIRD Auditorium Kohima. To mark the event, “Mission Effloresce” and “1st Generation Women Entrepreneurs” will be launched as a mark of commitment to provide platform for women entrepreneurs to foster their dynamism. “Observing this event we advocate the United Nations Secretary-General’s Campaign UNiTE to end violence against women and on this significant occasion, are also introducing the One Stop Centre Scheme in Kohima,” stated Daisy Mezhur, Secretary & Mission Director SRCW. Minister for social welfare and parliamentary affairs Kiyanilie Peseyie will grace the occasion as the chief guest.

6

Friday 18•11•2016

IN FOCUS The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume Xi issue 317

By Witoubou Newmai

A govt-made catastrophe?

T

he “please one, dump the other” approach of successive Manipur Governments which has often resulted in disastrous ramification in the past, is unfolding yet again.

In such a situation, it is pertinent to question what Manipur Government has done to earn the trust of the Nagas and the Kukis in the State. If current imbroglio is all the Government has to offer, then the people cannot be blamed for nurturing the labyrinthine issues germinated from the poor handling of the situation by the government.

The most misleading rhetoric of the Manipur Government is the continuous parroting of “communal harmony” when it really ignores the chord that promotes the same. The rhetoric has been the standard smokescreen of Government’s policy of pitting one section against another to serve its own interest over the years.

Today, the Sadar Hills issue is boiling again as a consequence of this smokescreen policy. The prevailing situation is a concern for everyone. If the situation is not handled carefully, it may go out of control leading to unpredictable but catastrophic consequences.

The United Naga Council (UNC) has hardened its position on the ongoing indefinite economic-blockade over Sadar Hills and Jiribam district creation issue while the pro-Sadar Hills group has given three days’ time to the Government to ‘act’ on its demand. Both the lobbies are accusing the Manipur Government of betrayal.

The people also have every reason to be unhappy with the Central Government. Media, at all levels, has been reporting the looming catastrophe for several days, but it has cut no ice with the centre. The response of the Central Government has been insipid, at best.

With the Manipur Assembly election due in few months’ time, the lukewarm dealings of New Delhi with the highly charged situation is therefore put under severe scrutiny. Is the Centre waiting for the needed environment in Manipur to impose the President’s Rule for the vantage of the Saffron wave?

Going by the recent trend, the Central Government is not utilizing its resourceful resources to arrest the volatile situation in Manipur. The Centre’s indifference to the situation, perhaps, also confirms the ‘step-motherly treatment’ tag labeled to it by people from the State.

On the other hand, the Nagas and the Kukis, a victim of vote bank politics of the Manipur Government, has often resorted to drastic means of agitation against the State Government. In desperation, often they reluctantly employ economic blockade on highways against the ‘pressure oblige’ Manipur Government, the only language the latter understands.

However, it is the proverbial that in any economic blockade, the common man is hit the hardest. With the counter blockade supporters barring goods from going to the hill districts of Manipur, the situation may deteriorate in the coming days. The Manipur Government may also resort of other forceful measures to fetch goods from outside.

In such eventuality, rather than seeking a solution to the situation, one can only expect more complications. The prudent intervention of the Central Government is imperative to resolve the current imbroglio.

lEfT wiNg |

Antonia Wulff, Kelly McBride, and Rosemary Bechler

"What is a fair and good way of measuring human rights education?"

On Teacher Autonomy: “Teachers across the world struggle especially with some of these demands that are presented more ‘at’ them than as a joint project of “OK. Let’s work together. How do we improve our education systems? How do we make them more democratic?” There is one piece around what is taught, what is our curriculum saying, what is included in our curricula today.

And then there is another piece around how schools are run, what kinds of teaching and learning methods, what kind of school governance. What might surprise people is that often the teachers have similar reflections as the students when somehow feeling let down by the limited space for activism, influence and agency. Looking at education today you have an incredible push for value for money, for standardised outcomes that are easily measurable, that neatly fit into the League Table, preferably one that presents your country in a good place in relation to your neighbouring countries, and all of this means that individual teachers often struggle to have the professional autonomy that they would need to be really able to do the quality education that they would like to do.”

On Equity: "I think we are dealing with a tension between the broader aims of education and allowing for all of those to be covered across the school day; the need to ensure equity across the board so that regardless of where they live, whether they are boys or girls, what language they speak at home, they have the same quality of education; and then the external expectations of being able to measure everything that happens in school – these things don’t easily fit together and this is where the public discourse about education often becomes a bit contradictory and struggles because we end up discussing very different issues. I think we need a curriculum that outlines the basics of what children have a right to learn – that is part of how you ensure quality and equity across the board. Then you need a system that allows for teachers to deliver that curriculum in a way that works for him or her as an educator, as a professional, and for the group of students. So you need to have that freedom to exercise your professional autonomy. You also need to be able to somehow measure and assess what you have been doing. Again I would look at it more from an equity point of view. I don’t want countries to compete in League Tables, but I do want teachers to regularly check in, making sure that all the students are still on board, and are getting the kind of support that they need… One of our main challenges is that the things that we really value are difficult to measure...”

On the Sustainable Development Goals for Education: “The Sustainable Development Goals definitely are the road-map and it is super important that they are being referred to as the road map at the centre of discussions here today…

The new agenda recognises that when it comes to sustainable development and democratic education, all of the countries are still pretty much developing countries, and what the SDG on Education is doing is not only guaranteeing the completion of free primary and secondary education for everybody in all countries, it is also actually including a commitment around education for human rights, for sustainable development, for gender equality, for peace that is really quite a revolutionary commitment. Because there is a promise that this now will have to be given more attention at a global level, it will have to be looked at as an integral part of quality education moving forward and this is really where the Council of Europe really comes in. The Council of Europe has done lots of good work around education for citizenship and human rights. It has done some great work on setting European norms.”

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

C O M M E N T A R Y

George Lakey yesmagazine

The Hopeful Thing About Our Ugly and Painful Polarization

Look to Norway and Sweden, where cooperative, socially democratic countries emerged after a frightening period of extreme polarization and social fracturing

A

n artist’s drawing of the American body politic in 2016 might picture furrowed brow, hand-wringing, hunched shoulders. Anxiety abounds, when not overridden by anger. Our extreme polarization is political, economic, social—but individuals feel it on a personal level. Small wonder if we seek relief in the hope that the social fracturing might be healed by one candidate or another.

Certainly, polarization in the U.S. pre-dates the Donald Trump candidacy. Our gridlocked federal government has for years struggled to guarantee that it will stay open for business and pay its bills, much less address the urgent climate crisis. An increasing number of state governments are going into dysfunction as well.

Even if polarization is unlikely to go away soon, the good news is that if Americans can respond to this period creatively, it may be an opportunity for progress. If we look at the Nordic models, we will see that in each instance of breakthrough on the path toward progressive government was an apparently necessary time of extreme and painful polarization.

A great fracturing allowed a strong and organized Left to move forward.

Before we reach for a better place we need to how we got into such a tough spot.

Political scientists Nolan McCarty, Keith T. Poole, and Howard Rosenthal researched polarization in the U.S. In Polarized America (MIT Press, 2006) we learn that, in the decades following World War II, Democrats and Republicans governed with a bipartisan spirit, and politics was known as the art of compromise. The scholars checked other measures in that era and found that economic inequality was also relatively low.

In the 1970s and ’80s, the income gap grew rapidly, and so did political polarization. In fact, the scholars found no other correlation matched so closely: political polarization seemed to be intimately linked to income inequality. So no surprise then that since the economic crash of 2007, inequality has accelerated right along with political polarization.

Especially with a Trump presidency and Republican controlled Congress, I see no policies in place or any likely to be passed that will substantially check inequality’s growth. So polarization is likely to get worse, and uglier. To stay clear-headed in the years ahead, we need to accept the reality of our present situation.

Gandhi used to remind his people that the British Empire would not go away through denying its existence. To end the suffering brought by the Empire, he thought it necessary first to acknowledge its presence. The next step: a creative response.

And what does a creative response to polarization look like?

In researching my book Viking Economics, I dug into the history of Sweden’s and Norway’s intense polarization in the 1920s and ’30s. I was interested because of the enormous achievements those countries had following their time of fracturing.

The Nordics managed an immense turnaround from the days when they experienced so much misery and oppression that they hemorrhaged population to the U.S. and Canada. Many Americans today trace their lineage to Scandinavian immigrants fleeing the hunger and lack of opportunity of their homelands.

Now Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark are at the top of the international charts for economic wellbeing: high employment, debt-free grads of universities, paid parental leave, high wages, “best place to be an elder,” lack of poverty. They are even setting records for rapid response to the climate crisis.

It wasn’t the oil. Only Norway found oil, and that country had its breakthrough before the oil flowed.

Nor can we say it’s easy to experience shared abundance if you’re a small and homogeneous country: A century ago, the Scandinavians were small and homogeneous —and had massive poverty and inequality.

To my surprise, I found that the decisive moment of breakthrough for the Swedes and Norwegians happened when their societies were at their most polarized.

In the 1920s and ’30s, Nazis openly paraded and spewed their anti-Semitism, embrace of violence, and hatred of democracy. At the same time, the Left had extreme opinions. Cities and towns were split.

To live in that period was stressful and frightening.

Fortunately, a critical mass of people in Sweden and Norway chose a creative response. And that decision gave rise to the world’s most progressive nations.

That response had many dimensions, but four stand out: cooperative ownership models, wide agreement among the Left on a vision, inclusivity, and commitment to a nonviolent strategy.

Swedes and Danes first, with Norwegians following, built a large infrastructure of cooperatives: Farmers organized dairies, loggers built mills, fishers banded together to build larger boats and canneries. Together, families hired contractors and built apartment buildings. Consumers erected their own stores and banks.

Co-ops delivered tangible benefits, like retaining more wealth for workers and consumers. They pro-

moted organizing skills and innovation, in that way increasing productivity. They developed a sense of power at the grassroots – a “can-do” spirit that was also once the hallmark of Americans’ self-image.

Co-ops showed that capitalism was not the most effective way to make an economy work. Most important, perhaps, was the knitting together of networks of confidence when it seemed that the larger society was pulling apart.

Swedes and Norwegians achieved majority support for a vision of an alternative economy to the one that that was failing them. That meant people could take action beyond angry protests; they could be for something as well as against something. Harnessing the positive energy that goes with an affirmative vision adds to the power of the movement.

Just as important, the broad unity of a positive vision makes it easier to mend the inevitable splits that come up in the life of a social movement. Feuding allies can be reminded that they need to mend their fences in order to achieve the vision that they hold in common.

At a difficult time when some Swedes and Norwegians were sharpening ideological differences, the creative responders valued inclusivity. An old fracture between town and country (industrial workers vs. farmers) was partially mended through coalition for shared goals. The Norwegian Labor Party, formerly restricted to union members, opened its membership to middle class people. When the Great Depression increased joblessness, unions decided members could retain membership even after they lost their jobs.

And importantly, Swedes and Norwegians strongly preferred nonviolent struggle for their confrontations and campaigns. When they were attacked by Nazis at their demonstrations, for example, they didn’t use those occasions to fight it out in the streets. When striking workers were repressed by government troops, they didn’t assassinate soldiers or blow up barracks.

Instead, the usual pattern of response to repressive violence was to escalate the nonviolent tactics.

In 1931, Swedish soldiers shot into a march of striking workers, killing five and injuring five more. The workers’ response was to declare a general strike in the region, which then spread to the national level.

That, in turn, led to a power shift from the governing economic elite to the workers and farmers who represented the democratic majority of the people.

In Norway workers and farmers used nonviolent tactics on such a large scale that they made their country ungovernable by the economic elite.

The majority then took over, establishing democracy. They opened up the political space and invented what economists now call the Nordic model.

The U.S. has its own past experiences with major polarizations: The 1930s and the 1960s. In the ’30s Father Coughlin gave fascist rants on national radio broadcasts. The Ku Klux Klan grew in both the 1930s and 1960s, while extremist groups grew on the left as well. During the tension of the Vietnam war sons were disowned and pastors dismissed; even the Army reeled from the impact of division in the ranks.

Strikingly, those two periods also stand out in our history for progress. The former head of the American Sociological Association, Frances Fox Piven, lists gains that Americans take for granted that came out of those two eras in her book Challenging Authority: How ordinary people change America. Social Security, Medicare, limits on the length of the workweek, rights for people with different abilities, rights for Black people and others of color, rights for women and elders and children.

Those gains were the results of creative responses at heights of polarization.

Three of the creative response ingredients were present: ideas of nonviolence, inclusivity, and cooperative models. I believe even more progress would have come out of those periods had there been the fourth, a wide agreement on a vision for a just and democratic alternative to the prevailing poverty, war, and racism.

Clearly, Americans do know a thing or two about how to navigate a period of raw conflict.

So even though we are headed for more extreme polarization as President-elect Trump heads to the White House without the support of the popular vote, we know what to do. We know what the creative response needs to look like.

Build more cooperative alternative structures, with higher visibility Americans are increasingly turning to cooperative economic alternatives, as producers, consumers, and generators of services. The heightened climate crisis stimulates more of this trend, building skills, relationships, confidence in the grassroots, and a sense of power.

As polarization deepens, co-ops and other civic groups need to proclaim themselves to be safe and reliable institutions to rally around. Such proactivity is more important now than even in the 1930s and 1960s because government and politicians are fast losing their legitimacy, heightening people’s anxiety as climate and other crises grow. Alternative sources of social solidarity need to drop old habits of modesty and brand themselves as reliable, robust nodes of the networks of goodwill that we need.

Expand inclusively In a period of polarization, it is tempting to define oneself by a smaller and smaller circle, to retreat into a bubble, perhaps reinforced by Facebook and other social media. I suspect that during the 2016 presidential campaign there were many middle class liberals that did not have a single thoughtful conversation with a supporter of Donald Trump. That’s the opposite of smart navigation of polarization, which is to expand the circle, to broaden our acquaintance, to engage in ongoing dialogue with those our fear might lead us to dismiss.

Agree on a vision I doubt that the Scandinavians could have designed the most successful economic model in history for delivering equality, individual freedom, and shared abundance if they had not first created broad agreement among the Left on their vision. For them, agreeing required study, research, compromise, intense dialogue, and willingness to pay attention to pragmatic results.

The good news for us in the U.S. is that we do not need to start from scratch in generating a vision. We can take the Nordics’ high-performance model and adapt it to our own needs and history.

Poll data indicate that majorities of Americans are already in agreement with many features of the Nordic model, including a narrower scale of income difference, single payer health care, free access to higher education, paid parental leave, and higher wages for workers. The overwhelming popularity of the Bernie Sanders campaign and the platform of his “Our Revolution” movement illustrates that.

So does the release in August of the vision of the Movement for Black Lives, an organization that brings together some of the thinking of the grassroots phenomenon called Black Lives Matter. The economic dimension of the vision is remarkably in alignment with the Nordic model and is therefore an immediately available “rough draft” for progressives of all ethnicities to address. Many credible national groups have endorsed the vision of the Movement for Black Lives.

It’s not about word-for-word agreement; the task is to create shared understanding of a model that will decisively improve equality and democracy.

Focus on an effective nonviolent strategy Seeing through democratic pretense, which is what the Scandinavians did for themselves a century ago and we must do today, frees us to maximize power for change. Facing the truth that billionaire Warren Buffett acknowledged to the New York Times in 2006 empowers citizens for the task ahead. When asked by reporter Ben Stein about the speculation that there is class war in the U.S., Buffett said, “There’s class warfare, all right, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.” One implication of Buffett’s admission is that we need to shift from actions that make moral statements to nonviolent actions that exert actual power.

Social scientific research in recent decades suggests that our most powerful means, when an opponent is blocking change, is to organize a campaign.

One-off protests make little if any difference. A nonviolent campaign, by contrast, makes a specific demand of a clearly identified target. It then organizes a series of escalating nonviolent actions, effectively clustered around a singular issue, until some or all of the demand is met.

Americans have extensive experience with nonviolent campaigns. Consider the civil rights victories in the 1960s, and even recently, the halting of the KXL pipeline.

Currently we see grassroots nonviolent campaigns at the Standing Rock Sioux camps. This cluster of campaigns—aimed at corporations building the pipeline along with the federal government giving them the land to do it, aimed at the banks that invest in fossil fuel infrastructure, aimed at politicians who favor oil infrastructure over indigenous rights-for example, has become a full-blown movement.

The question is whether the many Americans who are deeply concerned for change will step up their strategic skills so more nonviolent campaigns will cluster into more movements and, as a whole, create an Era of Change.

Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The morung express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender.

Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

Friday 18•11•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The road To Ward 17

a journalist's battle with PTSd

W

Reuters

hen the psychiatrist diagnosed me with post-traumatic stress disorder at the end of our first session early this March, I finally had to accept I was unwell. The flashbacks, the anxiety, my emotional numbness and poor sleep had long worried my wife, Mary. I had played down the symptoms, denied I had a problem. Five months later I’d be in a psychiatric ward.

I covered some big stories as a Reuters journalist. The Bali nightclub bombings in 2002, the Boxing Day tsunami in Indonesia’s Aceh province in 2004, three stints in Iraq from 2003 to 2004 and then a posting to Baghdad as bureau chief from 2007 to 2008. From 2010 to 2012, based in Singapore, I oversaw coverage of the top stories across Asia each day.

Then, after 20 years working in Asia and the Middle East, it was time to settle down. I moved my family in early 2013 to the Tasmanian village of Evandale, population 1,000, to edit stories for Reuters from home.

Rather than relaxing in Tasmania, the beautiful Australian island where my wife was born, I unravelled.

In a letter that was painful for her to write, Mary, a former journalist, outlined her concerns to the psychiatrist ahead of that first session: “When we came home to Tasmania three years ago it was a real ‘tree change’ for Dean and he spent much more time with the family. Very soon I began to notice changes – a loud-noise sensitivity, a quick temper, irritability, impatience, and an atmosphere of what seemed like misery that sat like a pall over the household,” Mary wrote.

“I began to wonder if he had PTSD. He does say there are certain images that will remain with him for the rest of his life.”

Dozens of sights, sounds and smells are indeed seared into my memory. The severed hand I nearly trod on in the wreckage of the Sari nightclub in Bali. The more than 150 bloated bodies I counted in a mosque in Banda Aceh after the tsunami. The wailing that pierced the Baghdad office on the morning of July 12, 2007, when word reached our Iraqi staff that photographer Namir Noor-Eldeen, 22, and driver Saeed Chmagh, 40, had been killed in an attack by a U.S. Apache helicopter.

CALM, RATIONAL, DECISIVE PTSD results from exposure to a single traumatic event or an accumulation of traumatic experiences.

The term is relatively new. It first appeared in the benchmark of modern psychiatry, the U.S. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, in 1980. That came after years of lobbying by the Vietnam Veterans Against the War organization and by psychiatrists who had treated soldiers with problems stemming from their service in Vietnam.

Psychological trauma has been around far longer, of course. The term shell shock was used to describe soldiers who broke down during the trench warfare of World War One. PTSD doesn’t just affect soldiers. Police and rescue workers are at risk. So are civilians caught in war zones or natural disasters, as well as victims of sexual assault and car crashes.

Most journalists are resilient despite repeated exposure to work-related traumatic events, according to research on the website of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, a project of the Columbia Journalism School in New York. But a significant minority are at risk of long-term psychological problems, including PTSD, depression and substance abuse, it adds.

I never thought I’d get PTSD. I was calm, rational and decisive. I enjoyed being in charge of large editorial teams. I felt I could detach myself from tough situations when needed.

But occasionally last year I couldn’t get out of bed.

I’d sit at my desk in my study trying to work, barely able to lift my head. When I got stressed, I was flung back in time to our office in Baghdad, as if I had never left. I would bang my fists on the desk, scream at the walls.

I was so sensitive to noise that my teenage children would freeze if they dropped something. Mary wouldn’t vacuum if I was in the room. On several occasions last year, after having read about PTSD and spoken to an expert on the condition, she told me I needed help.

But when I gave in and saw a psychologist in mid2015, he ruled out PTSD, saying I was suffering from an identity crisis because I no longer had a high-profile job and had moved to a quiet country area where no one knew me. I didn’t have PTSD, I insisted to Mary.

Months later my irritability, numbness and simmering anger reached a stage where, with my marriage at breaking point this March, I finally agreed to see the psychiatrist who diagnosed me with PTSD. BUSHWALKING AND ANTI-DEPRESSANTS Without hesitation, my editors gave me three months off. I started taking anti-depressants. In the weeks after the diagnosis, I was often fatigued. In early May, I postponed my return to work to July. I did an eight-week mindfulness course through May and June, hoping meditation would help me cope with stress and anxiety.

The best therapy, or so I thought, was bushwalking.

In Tasmania’s rainforest I found what I was looking for – peace. I loved walking trails where I could touch ancient trees, sit by swift rivers or stare at misty mountains.

I’d leave my troubled mind behind and just breathe the rainforest. I began devouring books on Tasmania’s wilderness and the history of its wild West Coast.

In line with risk-taking behaviour associated with PTSD, I began planning multi-day hikes alone, in the middle of winter. Worried, my father-in-law, an experienced bushwalker, gave me his pocket-sized personal locator beacon. In the end, I took his advice and stuck to less dangerous hikes.

When I wasn’t bushwalking, I was agitated, anxious and often craving solitude. In early June, when Mary said she and the children were walking on eggshells at home because of my state of mind, I raged at her, pacing around like a caged animal. Mary left the room, thinking I’d hit her if she challenged me.

On June 27, I wrote in my journal: “I’m one brain snap away from a 'ledakan.'" I used the Indonesian word for “explosion,” worried that if Mary saw it in my journal, she’d freak out.

The next day, I sent my editors an email saying I could not resume editing stories because it would be too stressful. My psychiatrist agreed.

In July, I deteriorated. I was severely depressed. I felt

1 in 3 Europeans believe their lawmakers, officials are corrupt

O

Dean Yates

ened. In the most frightening dreams, I ran through the streets of Baghdad pursued by insurgents. On most nights, Mary said my feet were moving in my sleep, as if I was running. To get to sleep I took paracetamol and codeine tablets. I started drinking heavily. Some days I just stayed in bed.

In the week before the ninth anniversary of the deaths of Namir and Saeed, I began thinking deeply about them and my actions as bureau chief at the time.

I scrutinised emails I had kept from that period, asking myself if I did enough to investigate their deaths. In particular, I dwelt on the classified U.S. military video released by WikiLeaks in 2010, three years after the attack, that showed helicopter gunsight footage of them being killed along with around 10 other people.

The attack came on the morning of July 12, 2007. I was sitting in the bureau “slot position” – responsible for writing the lead story of the day and manning the main phone line to regional headquarters in London. All of a sudden, a loud wailing broke out near the entrance to the two-storey house that served as our office. I knew instantly something horrific had happened. I still remember the anguished face of the colleague who burst through the door to break the news. Another colleague translated for me: Namir and Saeed had been killed.

They had gone to east Baghdad after hearing of a U.S. airstrike on a building around dawn that day. As they walked down a street, they found themselves among a half dozen or so people, the WikiLeaks footage later showed, some of whom appeared to be armed. A U.S. Apache helicopter opened fire with 30 mm cannon, apparently mistaking Namir and Saeed for combatants.

Namir was killed in the first wave, the footage showed; Saeed was gunned down in a second attack.

The banter between the chopper pilots was shocking.

“Oh, yeah, look at those dead bastards,” a pilot is heard saying. “Nice,” a comrade replies.

Outwardly, I kept calm and focused on trying to find out what led to the attack, dealing with the U.S. military and consoling our staff. Compounding the bureau’s grief, an Iraqi translator working for Reuters was shot dead in Baghdad by gunmen the day before Namir and Saeed were killed. We only found out a couple of days later, when he didn’t show up for work. (The translator’s parents asked that we not reveal his name.)

Inside, I was falling apart.

A few days after Namir and Saeed died, I nearly had a nervous breakdown in my office. As I wept, I thought the best thing to do was resign. The stress was too much.

Someone stronger needed to take over. But I pressed on.

I was on holiday in Tasmania when the WikiLeaks video was released on April 5, 2010, but I felt cowardly because I had left it to others in Reuters to respond to what was a major global story, even though I felt I knew the situation better than anyone. The video, titled “Collateral Murder,” was viewed millions of times.

With all this consuming me more than six years on, I reached out to colleagues I’d worked with in Baghdad, both Iraqis and foreigners, to ask what they thought. All said I had done what I could. But the guilt and shame remained.

In late July, I told Mary I was desperate to find peace, any way I could. She told me I needed treatment in a psychiatric hospital, and quickly. “You’ve reached rock bottom,” she said.

IN WARD 17 Two weeks later I stood outside the glass door of Ward 17, the in-patient PTSD unit at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital in Melbourne.

I felt crippled with anxiety. I was about to cross a line, be admitted to a psych ward.

“Will I emerge healthier?” I had written before boarding the flight that morning to Melbourne. “Wiser? More in control? I HAVE to for the sake of my family.”

The admissions office was next to the dining room.

Grizzled men covered in tattoos were finishing lunch.

All had bags under their eyes.

A nurse showed me to my room and asked to check my bags for alcohol. She confiscated my medication and said staff sometimes conducted random breath tests. No more rum and Cokes, I thought. Ward 17 has 20 patient rooms built around a couple of courtyards. It has a long history of treating Australian soldiers.

During my five weeks there, my fellow patients included veterans of the wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan and the conflict in East Timor. There were male and female police officers and prison guards along with civilians who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. While not a locked facility, patients needed to sign out to go anywhere for a short time. Weekend leave was permitted.

The next day I spent two hours with the psychiatrist assigned to me. What troubled me most, I said, was guilt over the deaths of Namir and Saeed. As bureau chief in Iraq, I was responsible for their safety, I said. And shame that I hadn’t stepped in to guide our coverage of the WikiLeaks video.

Toward the end of the session, the psychiatrist said I was intellectualising my trauma too much and not

these events as if I was describing someone else. Earlier traumas, such as covering the Bali bombings and the tsunami, had softened me up, she said. She confirmed the PTSD diagnosis, saying I was suffering cumulative trauma and also had depression. The psychiatrist changed my anti-depressants and put me on Prazosin, a medication used to reduce nightmares. She prescribed Valium for my anxiety and sleeping tablets.

Back in my room, I thought, how do I deal with this emotionally? Do I just try to cry?

During my stay, a social worker saw me regularly, focusing on my emotional numbness and how it had hurt my marriage and my relationship with my children. One of the goals I wrote down on the admission documents was to “find that old husband and father I used to be.”

REFLEXOLOGY AND “JASON BOURNE” Group sessions covered the basics of PTSD, managing depression, anxiety and anger, and coping with sensory overload. There were classes on spirituality, mindfulness, reflexology, art therapy, even cooking.

I learnt a lot from the other patients, some of whom had been to Ward 17 several times. Barriers came down fast, even though I was a journalist. What mattered was that I was a fellow sufferer of PTSD. It was validating to hear others say they had symptoms like mine, that they hated noise and crowds and had relationship problems.

There were also lighter moments.

During my first weekend, I thought I’d watch the movie “Jason Bourne” at a nearby cinema. Halfway there I turned and walked back to the hospital, somehow having forgotten the movie theater would be too crowded.

When I later told a young nurse, he looked at me and said: “I thought you’d watch something a bit more highbrow than that.” Journalists watch Hollywood action movies too, I replied.

From the first day in Ward 17, I read voraciously about PTSD or war and its impact on soldiers, reporters or civilians. I also wrote every day in my journal.

As the weeks went by, I felt I was making progress.

On Aug. 28, I wrote a note for my treating team: “I was cowardly when WikiLeaks released that video. I was stunned. I was shocked but I wanted someone else to deal with it. It was someone else’s problem but I should have made it my problem. That is what I have to live with.”

In early September, the week before my discharge, my psychiatrist asked me to write down what I’d achieved in Ward 17. On my list: a breakthrough in honesty with Mary; starting to come to acceptance of my actions in relation to the deaths of Namir and Saeed; learning techniques to control my anxiety and stress.

My goals on discharge were to have realistic expectations of the initial days and weeks after getting home, monitoring my stress levels, getting back to work gradually and staying off alcohol. I would start weekly psychotherapy sessions as well.

Going home on Sept. 16 was wonderful. I was determined to reconnect with my family. Tasmania was so quiet compared to Melbourne.

ONE STEP BACK Before leaving Ward 17, my treating team said recovery would be two steps forward, one step back.

Sept. 23 was a “step back” day.

I was in the nearby town of Launceston waiting for Mary to pick me up when a loud alarm close to the public library sounded. “Emergency, evacuate”, said a recorded voice. You’ve got to be kidding, I thought. I didn’t have my headphones. It lasted 10 minutes. Stay calm.

Breathe.

When I got home about mid-morning, I went back to bed. I finished reading “Dispatches,” the memoir by Michael Herr, who covered some of the major events of the Vietnam War. What those reporters in Vietnam did made me think about my time in Iraq. I was a wimp compared to them.

I dragged myself out of bed to pick my daughter up from a school excursion at about 2 pm. After returning, I found that our dog had left a pile of foul-smelling diarrhoea on the floor. I started to feel myself teetering.

It was another good excuse to go back to bed.

Then a gardener arrived to mow our lawn. It hadn’t been cut in six weeks, so the grass was long. Instead of using a lawn mower, he took out a large whipper-snipper with a three-pronged metal blade. The noise reminded me of the little Kiowa armed reconnaissance helicopters that flitted over the Baghdad rooftops. It gave me a headache.

It had been a week since I had left Ward 17. Was the honeymoon over, I asked myself? I knew I was starting to isolate myself again. I told Mary I’m having a “one step back” day but it felt deeper than that. I sensed she was worried.

The next day, still feeling miserable, I went to a Buddhist temple to meditate. After sitting in the lotus position for probably 45 minutes, I got up, amazed to find my energy had returned.

I then plunged into writing this story. Writing has been cathartic. In my early weeks in Ward 17, my legs would tap non-stop on the floor during therapy, a reflec-

7

Inter Press Service

ne in three people living in Europe and Central Asia think that corruption is one of the biggest problems facing their country, a figure that rises to two in three in Spain, Moldova and Kosovo, showing that urgent action against the abuse of power and secret deals is needed.

These are some of the key findings that Transparency International (TI) has revealed in a new report, which adds that a nearly a third of citizens across Europe and Central Asia believe that their government officials and lawmakers are highly corrupt. A majority of people say their governments are not doing enough to stop corruption.

Over half the people in European Union (EU) countries (53 per cent), EU accession candidate countries (53 per cent) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), mainly former Soviet Union countries, (56 per cent) said their governments had failed to curb corruption, according to the TI new report People and Corruption: Europe and Central Asia.

The governments of Ukraine (86 per cent), Moldova (84 per cent), Bosnia and Herzegovina (82 per cent), and Spain (80 per cent) were judged worst by their citizens, adds the report, which was released on November 16.

Transparency International spoke to nearly 60,000 citizens in 42 countries in Europe and Central Asia on their experiences with corruption in their daily lives for its, which is part of the Global Corruption Barometer 2016 series.

On average, it adds one in six households paid a bribe when they accessed public services. Although fewer households paid bribes for public services in many EU member states, rates were significantly higher further east; the highest rates were in Tajikistan (50 per cent), Moldova (42 per cent), Azerbaijan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Ukraine (38 per cent), and Russia (34 per cent), says TI. Romania had the highest rate for a EU member state at 29 per cent, followed by Lithuania with 24 per cent.

In the richest countries, it adds, almost two out of three people (65 per cent) believe the wealthy have too much influence on policy compared to 44 per cent in the EU accession countries and 46 per cent in CIS countries.

In Spain, 88 per cent of people said wealthy individuals had undue influence over government decisions; in Portugal, it was 85 per cent, in France 79 per cent, in Germany and the United Kingdom 77 per cent.

“Corruption is a significant problem all across the Europe and Central Asia region. In EU countries many citizens see how the wealthy and those in government distort the system to their advantage,” said José Ugaz, chair of Transparency International.

“Governments are simply not doing enough to tackle corruption because individuals at the top are benefiting. To end this deeply troubling relationship between wealth, power and corruption, governments must require higher levels of transparency, including around who owns and controls companies through public beneficial ownership registries.”

“By their very positions at the top of the power pyramid, corrupt elites and oligarchs are hard to remove. But we have seen that it can be done if people stand together to demand higher standards from their leaders and the judiciary acts independently to hold them to account,” said Ugaz.

Yet one key stumbling block to fighting corruption is the lack of protection for those who speak up against it, the Berlin-based organisation says.

“And 30 per cent of all those questioned across Europe and Central Asia said that the main reason more people don’t report cases of corruption is because they fear the consequences. Two out of five who blew the whistle suffered retaliation as a result.”

Fear of Speaking Out There is also a stigma attached to speaking out, according to the new report. Particularly in CIS countries, only a quarter of people think that reporting corruption was socially acceptable (27 per cent).

“Few citizens feel empowered to help stop corruption in their country: Less than half of people (47 per cent) in EU countries feel that they can make a difference in the fight against corruption, and this falls to less than a third (31 per cent) in CIS countries.”

Transparency International makes four key recommendations to reduce political corruption and help people speak up without fear of retaliation. Governments across Europe and Central Asia should: • Have transparent rules on lobbying and a public lobbying register, so that policy decisions can be better scrutinised.

• Ensure the independence of the judiciary, particularly in EU accession and CIS countries, by reducing the influence of the executive over the judiciary and prosecutorial services and including transparent and objective systems for the appointment, transferral and dismissal of judges and prosecutors.

• Adopt and enforce comprehensive legislation to protect whistle-blowers.

• Support whistle-blowers and reporters of corruption and ensure appropriate follow-up to their disclosures.

Transparency International is a global movement working for a world free of corruption. Through chapters in more than 100 countries and an international secretariat in Berlin, it works together with governments, businesses and citizens to stop the abuse of power, bribery and secret deals.

8

FriDAY 18•11•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Mamata, Kejriwal want demonetisation axed, warn of public revolt

New Delhi, Nov 17 (iANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday jointly tore into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation move and warned of a public revolt if the decision was not rolled back in three days.

But the government denied any possibility of reversing its decision to spike 500 and 1,000 rupee notes aimed at curbing black money, corruption and terror funding.

Addressing a public rally at the Azadpur fruit wholesale market here, Kejriwal and Banerjee both alleged a conspiracy behind the demonetisaion, which has led to a massive cash crunch in the country.

Calling its after-effects a "crisis", Kejriwal said people didn't have cash even to buy basic essentials.

"If this was indeed against corruption and black money, the first to support you would have been Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party," he said.

"Take back this decision in three days... Don't test people's patience.

Otherwise, there will be a 'bagaawat' (revolt)."

Demonetisation paralyses Parl; Clash in RS over Azad remarks

New Delhi, November 17 (PTi): Parliament was paralysed today over demonetisation, with Rajya Sabha witnessing a sharp clash over certain remarks by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, leaving a debate on the issue incomplete in the House which had a lively discussion yesterday.

Opposition parties, led by Congress, created uproar in both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha as soon as the Houses met for the day and it continued throughout.

The Lok Sabha could carry out business only during the Question Hour, that too amid the uproar, after which it was adjourned for the day minutes past 12 PM. The Rajya Sabha could not transact any business.

In the Upper House, which witnessed about six-hour-long debate on demonetisation yesterday, Congress and some other opposition parties pressed, from the word go, for the presence of Prime Minister NaAddressing the rally earlier, Banerjee mocked at Modi's "achche din" slogans and said the currency spike decision had caused economic instability in India.

"Is this achche din? If in three days you don't withdraw (the move), we will step up our protests."

But Finance Minister said there was "no question of rolling back the demonetisation move" and accused

19 countries sign up for solar alliance

New Delhi, November 17 (iANS): A total of 19 countries have signed the framework agreement of the India-initiated International Solar Alliance (ISA) on the sidelines of the Conference of Parties (CoP) 22 climate summit in Marrakech, Morocco, a senior official said on Thursday. According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup, after the framework agreement was opened for signing on November 15, the countries that have signed up are India, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Republic of Guinea, Mali, Nauru, Niger, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh, Madagascar, Guinea Bissau, Fiji, Vanuatu and Liberia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the ISA on the sidelines of the CoP 21 climate summit in Paris last year. It will be an alliance of 121 solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The ISA is envisioned as a 21st century international organisation and will work like a start-up. "More countries are expected to sign the framework agreement in the coming weeks," he said. "France and US are also expected to join after completing some internal formalities."

Indelible ink use 'eyewash', says bank staff union

KolKATA, November 17 (iANS): The Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) on Thursday dismissed as "eyewash" the governments' decision to use indelible ink to prevent people from making multiple cash withdrawals from banks. The BEFI said banks had no idea where from they would collect indelible ink or who would supply it. "The use of indelible ink has been an eyewash. Most bank officials were unable to procure the ink till Wednesday night. Even on Thursday, supply of indelible ink was not satisfactory. The Election Commission refused to provide indelible ink... Bank officials have no alternative but to use delible ink," said BEFI General Secretary Pradip Biswas. The federation said the exclusion of district central cooperative banks and cooperatives from exchanging and accepting demonetised notes had created a "mess" in the cooperative sector. The government on Thursday reduced the new money an individual can exchange for old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes to Rs 2,000 from Rs 4,500. "This will make the situation worse," Biswas said.

India issues demarche to Pak over ceasefire breach

New Delhi, November 17 (PTi): India has issued a demarche to Pakistan on continued violation of ceasefire along the LoC and strongly condemned increased concentration of terrorists observed across the border in the vicinity of Pakistani forward posts.The Ministry of External Affairs called in a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission yesterday and made a demarche on the continued violation of ceasefire along the Line of Control, the ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said today. This is the third such demarche this month. "We conveyed that despite calls for restraint, Pakistan forces have committed twelve ceasefire violations between 9 and 15 November, 2016 during which Pakistan Army deliberately resorted to calibre escalation by employing artillery and 120 millimetre heavy mortars against Indian posts. "These violent acts constitute a clear violation of the Ceasefire Agreement of 2003," Sawrup said. A counsellor rank officer from the Pakistan High Commission was called in. India has also conveyed its strong condemnation of the "increase in concentration of terrorists observed across the Line of Control in the vicinity of Pakistani forward posts.

India's road length increased by 4.2% from 1951-2015: Minister

New Delhi, November 17 (iANS): The government on Thursday said that the total road length in the country increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of just 4.2 per cent from 1951 to 2015. "India's road density is 1.66 km per sq km of area, which is higher than that of Japan, USA, China, Brazil and Russian Federation," Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Pon. Radhakrishnan informed the Lok Sabha. According to the minister, the total length of National Highways (NH) currently is about 103,613 km and about 47,890 km length of state roads have been approved in-principle as new NHs are subject to outcome of their detailed project reports (DPRs). During the years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16, about 4,260 km, 4,410 km and 6,061 km length of NHs were developed, respectively, according to the figures provided by the minister.

Kejriwal and Banerjee of "spreading panic", after the two leaders addressed the rally at one of India's largest wholesale hubs, which has also been in crisis.

Small businesses in India have taken a huge hit in the aftermath of the currency spike, with people struggling to manage cash for ration, medicines and commuting.

At least 42 deaths - including suicides, cardiac

arrests and hospital casualties - in the past few days have been attributed to the demonetisation that has caused a stress in India's mostly cash-dependent economy.

Kejriwal reminded the audience that he had been an Income Tax commissioner and that it was beyond his understanding how corruption and black money could be checked by introducing new 2,000

rupee notes.

He said banks had given out loans totaling Rs 8 lakh crore to corporate houses.

This money, he said, had been siphoned off by the super rich or had been partly written off by banks.

"Nothing is left of the 8 lakh crore loan money," he said, emphasizing that the government wanted to write off the bad debts as it expected to net 10 lakh crore rupees by asking peo-

rendra Modi in the House and a response from him over the hardships caused to people by the November 8 decision to make Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes invalid.

AIADMK members, meanwhile, trooped into the Well and created uproar demanding that Karnataka release Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu.

The uproar forced repeated adjournments of the House, whose proceedings for the day were ended minutes past 3 PM following a major clash between opposition and ruling members after Congress leader Azad compared Uri terror attack casualties to the number of deaths which occurred due to demonetisation "crisis". Taking strong objection to this, the ruling side termed the comments as "anti-national" and demanded an apology from Congress besides seeking deletion of the remarks from the official records of the Upper House.

Azad, while demanding presence

ple to surrender the spiked currency.

"Why are Ambanis and Adanis not being raided?

Why are those with Swiss bank accounts not being raided? Why is the rest of India in a queue?"

Kejriwal hurled corruption allegations at Prime Minister Modi -- a man he "once thought was honest".

He flashed what he said were Income Tax department's documents to allege

of the Prime Minister and asserting that the House will not be allowed to function till he comes there, said 40 people had died following government's decision on demonetisation.

"People are suffering because of demonetisation. The death toll has reached 40. In the attack by Pakistani terrorists (on army camp) in Uri (in Kashmir), even half of the deaths did not take place. People double than that figure have died due to wrong policy of the government," he said.

In the Uri attack, 18 army personnel had been killed.

In an apparent reference to the cross-LoC surgical strikes carried out

by India in PoK after the Uri attack, Azad said, "There should be air strike on BJP....Your wrong policies are responsible for their murders."

He said since the Prime Minister had made the demonetisation announcement, he should come to the House.

that two corporate houses paid some Rs 40 crore in bribe to Modi when he was the Gujarat Chief Minister and demanded an investigation.

The Trinamool Congress chief said she supported the government's move to curb black money but won't let the mayhem continue in the name of fighting corruption.

"Truckers tell me they don't have money to pay

drivers. Trucks are the lifeline of the nation. What will happen if trucks stop running and mandis stop getting vegetables and fruits?

"What will people eat?

Diamonds? ATMs? What kind of a joke is this? There is no money for people to buy food, baby food, medicines? What will farmers do?" she asked, adding the situation was not this bad even during the 1975-77 Emergency period.

NHRC summons Chattisgarh A chaiwallah's perspective Chief Secretary, Bastar IG DeMonetIsAtIon

NoiDA, November 17 (iANS): Bhola, who had celebrated the day a fellow "chaiwallah" (tea vendor) like him rose to become the Prime Minister of India, cannot just help pour invectives on the man and the government he leads.

His roadside tea business -- a ubiquitous sight across the length and breadth of this country -- is on the verge of collapse and he has not enough to feed his family of four.

"I used to make Rs 1,600 a day," Bhola confided to one of his regular daily customers from the clutch of ITES offices in a commercial hub just at the edge of Delhi. "Now I barely make Rs 150.

"My customers have dwindled because everyone is protecting their small notes, if they at all has been able to get something from the banks, while I am not able to replenish by desi biscuit stock because the people from whom I purchase won't accept the big notes that I usually give them to buy stocks once or twice a week.

"And if I go and stand in a bank queue to change my money, I shall lose even the little business I am getting," Bhola rued to IANS. Bhola's is not a singular story of business gone bad and the "aam admi' being badly hit by a measure that was ostensibly meant to unearth the black mon-

ey hoards of the rich. Millions of people like Bhola are telling the same story -- and chaiwallahs and petty roadside traders and street vendors like him are the hardest hit.

Suhani, a widow, who sells vegetables at a roadside market in Rohini, in north Delhi, has five kids -- all under 8 -- to look after.

But for the past three days, she has not been able buy vegetables from the wholesale market because she has no cash in acceptable lower denominations.

"I don't know what to do.

Have exhausted all my stock and from tomorrow there is going to be no business at all," said Suhani with her half-naked kids sitting near her.

"It is not about business basically. It is about my small kids.

I have to feed them. From tomorrow, if the situation doesn't change and you see me begging at a crossing, don't be shocked," she said, tears welling in her eyes.

The vegetable seller said she has to pay in cash to buy her stocks and cash is not available.

She has a Jan-Dhan bank account in which she said she has saved some Rs 1,000 in the past few months. "But I live alone with my kids; how can I go to a bank and wait in a queue?"

Similar problems are being faced by millions of other cash-

dependent small vendors and grocery store owners after the government announced a shock move to demonetise high-value currency notes of 500 and 1,000 rupees on November 8.

Sabheri is usually a crowded market place in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh where people flock in the hundreds every morning and evening to buy basic essentials like fruits, vegetables, chicken, mutton and other groceries. But for the past two days, the sprawling market has had few customers.

Ishan Qureshi, who has been selling mutton and chicken in the market for the past five years, said he used to sell at least four to five goats and 50 chickens a day. But he has sold only five goats and 30 chickens in the past one week, which is a nearly 80 per cent dip in his business.

"I barely get customers willing to pay cash (in lower denominations). I extended credit facility also, but perhaps people have started thinking eating mutton is a luxury.

I hardly get customers now."

The depressing stories of such vendors play out similarly almost in every corner of India, a heavily cash-transaction dependent country that is far from transforming into a cashless nation as the government wants it to -- in one executive stroke.

New Delhi, November 17 (iANS): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday summoned the Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary and Bastar Range Inspector General of Police S.R.P. Kalluri over alleged hostility and abuse of power against human rights defenders.

The NHRC took suo motu cognisance of a "nationwide outcry and protest" against Kalluri over the FIR registered against Delhi University Professor Nandini Sundar, Jawaharlal Nehru University Professor Archana Prasad and others.

"The media reports over the last week have alleged that the Chhattisgarh Police named Prof. Nandini Sundar and 10 others as accused in the murder of tribal Somnath Baghel in Sukma district.

"It is reported that he was killed by Maoists as he had been leading a campaign against their activities since April. There is no apparent connection between murder and visit of these human rights activists and, therefore, it has been alleged that they have been framed in a mala fide manner by police to settle scores," an NHRC statement said.

The commission also took note of Sundar's petition in the Supreme Court against the alleged police atrocities on Bastar tribals by burning their homes.

"The commission took suo

motu cognisance of unprecedented acts of hostility and indiscipline by the Chhattisgarh Auxiliary Police in burning the effigies of Sundar and other lawyers and journalists as they were instrumental in exposing police deeds," said the statement.

"The NHRC is also of the view that since allegations are made against Kalluri, it would like to know from them why the investigation in the registered first information report should not be handed over to an independent agency like the Crime Branch, Crime Investigation Department or the Central Bureau of Investigation," it added.

The Chhattisgarh Police said on November 8 that the case was registered against Sundar, Archana Prasad and others on November 5 at Tongpal police station.

According to police, armed Maoists killed Baghel at his home in Nama village in Tongpal area of Chhattisgarh on November 4.

The police said six months ago, the accused had issued death threats to the villagers on behalf of the Maoists.

Maoist leaders Vinod and Shyamla and Communist Party of India leader Sanjay Parate were among those booked under the Indian Penal Code sections dealing with murder, attempt to murder, trespassing and rioting, and the Arms Act.

Disowned by family, women rescued from Indian brothels turn to counselling

KADiri, November 17 (ThomSoN reuTerS FouNDATioN): At a village counselling centre in Andhra Pradesh, a woman dressed in a bright pink sari starts the conversation on a bright note. But 10 minutes into her session she is weeping.

"I ran away from the brothel and came back home 10 years ago but it still seems like yesterday," the 40-year-old victim of sex trafficking tells her counsellor, Shakuntala Byalla.

"I don't like to think about the past but coming back hasn't been easy either. Even my parents asked why I had come back."

The woman, who declined to be identified, is one of thousands who are trafficked from in and around Kadiri town in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district to the brothels of Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune every year.

Agents and gangs prey on the poverty of thousands of women and girls in rural areas, promising them a good job and decent income in other cities before selling them into the sex trade, activists say.

Many women are rescued or escape only to return home and face a new struggle to overcome their past and deal with the present.

In Gandlapenta village, counsellor Byalla is their only friend and confidant.

"Many of them were practically sold by their own parents, who then live off the money the trafficked girl sends home," Byalla said. "When they come back, the shock of being rejected by their mother and father drives them to despair. They

lose the will to live."

India alone is home to 40 percent of the world's estimated 45.8 million slaves, according to a 2016 global slavery index published by the Australia-based Walk Free Foundation.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau, there were nearly 5,500 cases of forced prostitution in 2014 across India, which does not differentiate between human trafficking and sex work in its antitrafficking laws.

EASY TARGETS A recent government survey identified Kadiri, where Chittoor, Kadappa and Anantapur districts meet, as a hot spot for human trafficking in Andhra Pradesh, the coastal state which is home to India's space research centre.

"Many women from the Lambada tribe in particular fall victim to traffickers," senior district official Kona Sasidhar told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"Not only are the women very pretty, they are also very poor, making them easy targets for agents. We have started a crackdown to stop this."

A 2016 survey by Anantapur district officials identified 6,200 women as "being susceptible to trafficking" due to poverty, a lack of awareness about trafficking and drought in agriculture-dependent areas.

The woman in the pink sari, who left her toddler behind with her mother when she was trafficked to Mumbai, was one of them. Wiping her tears, she told Byalla

about the woman from her neighbourhood who promised her a job as a maid but instead sold her to a brothel in Kamathipura, Mumbai's red light district.

In graphic detail, she described the "gharwali" (madam) who ran the brothel, the first time she was raped and how she managed to hide a few rupees in the seams of her clothes.

However it was when she started talking about her family that the tears flowed down her cheeks.

"They are very poor and lived off the money I sent. I still take care of them but we don't live under the same roof," she said as Byalla held her hand.

"SPOILT WOMEN" For 10 years, the counsellor has been listening to women who "left home as adolescents and came back looking different".

"They are suddenly perceived as modern, spoilt women and have nowhere to hide," said Byalla.

"The nail polish, hair cuts, clothes and urban slang gives them away. They come to the centres with anger, frustration and guilt. For years, I have listened and seen that nothing has changed."

Later, a 28-year-old touched Byalla's feet in the counselling centre asking for help to get her own house. The woman said she had thought of killing herself.

Byalla admonished her gently.

"We have to fight with everyone for everything. It is normal," she said.

Byalla's counselling centre is one of six in

the region that are run by the non-profit Rural Development Trust. Between April 2015 and March 2016, more than 600 women sought help at the centres, many of them victims of trafficking, others of domestic abuse.

Byalla also sends out teams to 124 villages identified in 2004 as having high rates of migration. They go looking for trafficked victims and also those on the verge of migrating.

The Gandlapenta centre also offers vocational training based on the belief that if women are taught a skill, which they can earn a living from, they will be less likely to fall victim to traffickers.

"Rehabilitation of victims is a big concern and we are in the process of forming small self-help groups in villages for these women," Sasidhar said.

"They are being given access to banks and soft skill training will follow."

Many of the women who go to Byalla are directed to the vocational centre, where they are trained to make sanitary pads, incense sticks, notebooks and taught tailoring. Some stay on after their training and earn a monthly salary to run their homes. Byalla spoke to the 28-yearold about the possibility of learning a skill and working. She nodded eagerly.

"I try to be strong because I have a daughter to raise," she told Byalla.

"It's very difficult but the one thing I look forward to is meeting you. I feel happy sharing my feelings with you. I am relieved of some of my pain."

FridAY 18•11•2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Duterte says may follow Russia’s withdrawal from “useless” ICC

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures while delivering a speech during the 80th National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) founding anniversary at the NBI headquarters in metro Manila, Philippines November 14. (REUTERS)

mANILA, NOvember 17 (reuTerS): Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he might follow Russia and withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing criticism from Western nations for a rash of killings unleashed by his war on drugs.

Duterte described the ICC as “useless” and expressed frustration about the West’s allegations of extrajudicial killings and its failure to understand his crackdown on narcotics. He also appeared to blame the United Nations for failing to prevent wars all over the world.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order removing Russia’s signature from the founding treaty of the ICC on Wednesday, and Duterte said he might consider doing the same.

“They are useless, those in the international criminal (court). They (Russia) withdrew. I might follow. Why? Only the small ones like us are battered,” Duterte said before his departure for Lima to attend an Asia-Pacific summit. Duterte is seeking a meeting with Putin in Lima this weekend, which comes as he pursues an independent foreign policy aimed at weaning the Philippines off dependence on longtime ally the United States. He has frequently praised Russia and China.

Duterte, known for his frank statements, speculated that Russia’s ICC move might be because of its air strikes in Syria. “What could be the reason? I really would not know,” he said. “Maybe to protect what they are doing in Syria, the incessant bombing and the killing of civilians.”

Russia is under international pressure over the Syria air strikes, with some human rights activists and U.S. officials accusing it of bombing civilians and civilian targets.

Russia has denied those allegations.

The ICC, which the Philippines became a member of in 2011, has received an ear-bashing from the outspoken Philippine leader, like all those who have showed concern about his war on drugs and the more than 2,400 people killed. An ICC prosecutor last month said the Haguebased tribunal may have jurisdiction to prosecute the perpetrators of the killings.

Duterte said he was annoyed about the criticism he had received and that “nobody was listening” to his reasons for having the crackdown, including U.S. President Barack Obama. He took aim at U.S. foreign policy and the United Nations and said he would be happier if China and Russia called the shots. “You know, if China and Russia would decide to create a new order, I will be the first to join,” he said. “The killings is endless,” he said, referring to conflicts in the past and current. “The amount is splattering. That is our lesson. Just because it is America, it does not mean that it is good.”

China’s interference in Hong Kong reaching alarming levels: US panel

HONG KONG, NOvember 17 (reuTerS): A U.S. congressional panel has warned of an “alarming” rise in China’s interference in Hong Kong, noting fears over the city’s continued role as a global financial hub.

In its annual report to the Congress on Wednesday, the bipartisan U.S.China Economic and Security Review Commission highlights the “chilling” abduction and detention of five booksellers based in Hong Kong as well as pressure on media and academic freedoms.

The commission, in a detailed 33-page section on the former British colony, urges a fresh probe from the State Department on Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms, as well as continued congressional oversight.

“Hong Kong’s traditional standing as a global financial hub has significant economic implications for the United States, as U.S. trade and investment ties with Hong Kong are substantial,” the report notes.

Britain handed Hong Kong back to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” agreement that its freedoms and legal and governmental autonomy would remain intact.

The U.S. report notes that the booksellers’ detentions - including two foreign nationals and one who was abducted inside Hong Kong - broadened domestic fears of mainland encroachment and sparked a record turnout in September’s legislative election.

“This incident has threatened the maintenance of the ‘one country, two systems’ framework and led some observers to question Hong Kong’s status as a leading global financial hub,” the report warns. “The election took place against the backdrop

E-cigarettes as harmful for your gum as smoking: Study NeW YOrK, NOvember 17 (IANS): Electronic cigarettes are as equally damaging to gums and teeth as conventional cigarettes, new research has found.

“We showed that when the vapours from an e-cigarette are burned, it causes cells to release inflammatory proteins, which in turn aggravate stress within cells, resulting in damage that could lead to various oral diseases,” explained lead researcher Irfan Rahman, Professor at University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in the US. Most e-cigarettes contain a battery, a heating

device, and a cartridge to hold liquid, which typically contains nicotine, flavourings, and other chemicals.

The battery-powered device heats the liquid in the cartridge into an aerosol that the user inhales.

Previously, scientists thought that the chemicals found in cigarette smoke were the culprits behind adverse health effects, but a growing body of scientific data, including this study published in the journal Oncotarget, suggests otherwise. “How much and how often someone is smoking e-cigarettes will determine the extent of

9

damage to the gums and oral cavity,” Rahman said.

The study, which exposed 3-D human, nonsmoker gum tissue to the vapours of e-cigarettes, also found that the flavouring chemicals play a role in damaging cells in the mouth. “We learned that the flavourings -- some more than others -- made the damage to the cells even worse,” Fawad Javed from University of Rochester Medical Center added.

“It’s important to remember that e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is known to contribute to gum disease,” Javed said.

of an alarming rise in mainland interference in Hong Kong.”

The report comes amid deepening concerns in Beijing over a fledgling independence movement in the city. The High Court this week backed a government demand to bar two recently elected lawmakers, who insulted China when taking their oath of office, from the legislature.

A Hong Kong government statement after the report’s release said the “one country, two systems” principle was being implemented successfully, as was the city’s role as a global commercial hub.

It urged foreign parties not to interfere in the internal affairs of Hong Kong.

The booksellers were involved in the production and sale of gossipy political titles banned in mainland China but freely available in Hong Kong. Their plight deepened Western governments’ concerns about the situation in Hong Kong and sparked formal diplomatic protests.

One of the five men, Swedish passport holder Gui Minhai, who disappeared from the Thai resort of Pattaya last October, is the only one still in detention in China.

Another, Lam Wingkee, returned to Hong Kong in June, saying he had been held captive by Chinese agents for eight months.

The report places the worsening climate in the city in the context of China’s broader disregard for international legal agreements and norms in issues such as the South China Sea and Taiwan.

“China’s efforts to exert influence over Hong Kong in ways that undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy under the Basic Law reflect a broader pattern of reliance on tools of pressure and coercion ... to advance its interests vis-à-vis its neighbors,” it says.

Demonstrators protest against what they call Beijing’s interference over local politics and the rule of law in Hong Kong, China November 6. (REUTERS)

China & US must avoid excessive mutual suspicion: Chinese envoy

WASHINGTON, NOvember 17 (reuTerS): China and the United States must avoid being overly suspicious of each other’s strategic intentions, China’s ambassador to the United States said on Wednesday while looking ahead to the Presidency of Donald Trump.

Trump lambasted China throughout the U.S. election campaign, drumming up headlines with his pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and to label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office.

He has also vowed to build up the U.S. Navy in what advisers say will be a strategy to reassure countries in the Asia-Pacific worried about China’s assertive pursuit of territorial claims.

China’s Washington envoy, Cui Tiankai, told a film screening to commemorate the 1979 normalization of U.S.-China ties that after “a most unusual political season,” it was important to build consensus and identify common ground.

He said both countries were already cooperating on many issues, but added: “We have to make greater efforts

to promote better mutual understanding and we should be careful not to be overly suspicious about each other’s strategic intentions.

“There are people here in the United States who believe that everything that China does is aimed at challenging the United States’ s global dominance, and there are people who believe that everything the U.S. is doing is aimed at containing China.

“I think both views are wrong.”

There would inevitably be problems and challenges in the next four years, Cui said, “but ... I am quite confident that, on the whole, the relationship will move forward on a stable and right track.”

Cui said the countries had a shared responsibility to cooperate on issues such as terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

“We both want stability in the world.

We both strive for a stronger global economy, and we both need a better natural environment. Common goals call for a close partnership.”

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone on Monday and Xi told the U.S. Presidentelect cooperation was the only

choice for the world’s two largest economies, while Trump said they had established a “clear sense of mutual respect.”

Nevertheless, Trump’s election has created uncertainty when Beijing hopes for stability as it faces daunting reform challenges at home, slowing growth and a leadership reshuffle that will assemble a new party elite around Xi in late 2017.

Zbigniew Brzezinski, who as U.S. National Security Adviser drove normalization with China in the late 1970s told the same Washington event the world was watching U.S. political developments “with some stupefaction.”

“We are now living in a political system, a worldwide system, that is experiencing a very serious crisis... .

(I)t is potentially threatening to both sides, to the well-being of global stability,” he said.

“You can have serious political problems in China … there are serious problems in the United States.

We don’t know how we will be managing responsibilities in the foreseeable future, given some of the initial warning signals,” Brzezinski said.

Myanmar refugee doctor wins humanitarian prize

LONDON, NOvember 17 (THOmSON reuTerS FOuNDATION): When Cynthia Maung saw the suffering of fellow refugees who had fled Myanmar’s crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising in the late 1980s and sought sanctuary in neighbouring Thailand, she knew she had to do something about it.

Maung, a doctor, decided to rally other medical professionals in the refugee camps in northwestern Thailand to help her open a clinic in the border town of Mae Sot. Starting in 1988 with only four beds, the clinic has developed into a fully-fledged health facil-

ity providing inpatient services, surgery and trauma care, dental care, vaccinations and HIV prevention.

It treats more than 75,000 patients a year.

“The number of patients that arrive at the clinic each year is on the rise,” said Maung, who received an international award on Wednesday in recognition of her humanitarian work.

“We also train health workers and provide outreach services for patients who require access to medical attention closer to their communities,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “But the biggest challenge we face is in dealing with the trauma suffered

by the displaced and their concerns about food, health care and job insecurities,” Maung said before she was due to receive the AidEx Humanitarian Hero of the Year Award in Brussels.

Maung, from the Karen ethnic group, said she was concerned about a military crackdown in western Myanmar which has forced hundreds of Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh, trying to escape violence that has brought the number of dead confirmed by the army to more than 130.

Some of the Rohingya were gunned down as they tried to cross the Naaf river that separates Myanmar and Bangladesh, while oth-

ers arriving by boat were pushed away by Bangladeshi border guards and may be stranded at sea, residents said.

The bloodshed is the most serious since hundreds were killed in communal clashes in the western Myanmar state of Rakhine in 2012. It has exposed the lack of oversight of the military by the sevenmonth-old administration of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. “Fighting along the borders is still going on.

That has left thousands of people displaced as a result and there hasn’t been much improvement in regions still controlled by the

military,” Maung said. “... those especially from ethnic minorities remain very anxious about their future. They want to see if the government in Burma will be all inclusive.”

Mae Sot in Thailand is home to thousands of refugees from Myanmar who have fled conflict and violence, as well as tens of thousands of migrant workers, many of whom are in lowskilled, backbreaking jobs.

“As long as there is a need for us to be here and there are refugees and migrant workers that need protection, medical care and support, we will continue to be here and do what we do,” Maung said.

Islamic State killed 300 former policemen south of Mosul: HRW Drinking whole-fat milk

bAGHDAD, NOvember 17 (reuTerS): Islamic State militants probably killed more than 300 Iraqi former police three weeks ago and buried them in a mass grave near the town of Hammam al-Alil south of Mosul, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday.

A Reuters reporter visited the site of the mass grave, where residents said the ultra-hardline militants buried victims who had been shot or beheaded. The residents said they believed up to 200 people were killed in the weeks before Islamic State withdrew from the town.

Human Rights Watch said some of the former policemen were separated from a group of about 2,000 people from nearby villages and towns who were forced to march alongside the militants last month as they retreated north to Mosul and the town of Tal Afar.

It quoted a labourer who said he saw Islamic State fighters drive four large trucks carrying 100 to 125 men, some of whom he recognised as former policemen, past an agricultural college close to the site which was to become the mass grave.

Minutes later, he heard automatic gunfire and cries of distress, he said. The next night, on Oct. 29, a similar scene was repeated, with between 130 to 145 men, he told HRW. Another witness, a resident of Hammam al-Alil, said he heard automatic gunfire in the area for approximately seven minutes, three nights in a row.

“This is another piece of evidence of the horrific mass murder by ISIS (Islamic State) of former law enforcement officers in and around Mosul,” said Joe Stork, deputy MidA member of Iraqi security forces gestures towards a mass grave for corpses in the town of Hammam al-Alil which dle East director at Human Rights Watch. “ISIS should was seized from Islamic State last week, Iraq November 9. (REUTERS) be held accountable for these crimes against humanity.”

may make kids leaner

TOrONTO, NOvember 17 (IANS): Struggling to reduce obesity in your kid? Opt for whole milk. A new study shows drinking whole milk may make kids leaner and increase their vitamin D levels, in comparison to low-fat or skimmed milk.

In the study, children who drank whole milk (containing 3.25 per cent fat content) had a body mass index (BMI) score of 0.72 units lower than those who drank one or two per cent lowfat milk.

That’s comparable to the difference between having a healthy weight and being overweight, said lead author Jonathon Maguire, pediatrician at St. Michael’s Hospital in Ontario, Canada.

It may be because children who drank full-fat milk were likely to end up less hungry, making them less likely to snack on high calorie foods, the researchers explained.

Further, children who drank one cup of whole milk each day

had better vitamin D levels -known to protects bones and immune system -- than those who drank nearly three times as much skimmed milk.

This could be because vitamin D is fat soluble, meaning it dissolves in fat rather than water. Milk with higher fat content therefore contains more vitamin D. “Children who drink lower fat milk don’t have less body fat, and they also don’t benefit from the higher vitamin D levels in whole milk,” Maguire said, adding “it’s a double negative with low fat milk.”

For this study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers studied 2,745 children ages two to six years.

The findings indicate a need to closely examine existing nutritional guidelines that recommend two servings of low fat (one per cent or two per cent) milk for children over the age of two to reduce the risk of childhood obesity, the researchers suggested.

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FriDAY 18•11•2016

public discourse

Milan official wants clarity on AC Milan's Chinese owners mILAn, november 17 (reuters): An anti-Mafia official at Milan's city council called on Wednesday for the Chinese buyers of soccer club AC Milan to reveal their identities, saying town hall would notify anti-money laundering authorities if there was not full disclosure.

In August, former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi agreed to sell the Serie A club to China's Sino-Europe Sports Investment Management Changxing, which is backed by Haixia Capital and entrepreneur Yonghong Li. But the full make-up of the consortium was not disclosed and, according to a source, has yet to be finalised.

In a statement, Sino-

Europe Sports (SES) said AC Milan belonged to Berlusconi's holding company Fininvest until completion of the deal.

"Upon completion, SES will comply with all aspects of the existing law regarding its holding in AC Milan, including any obligation to communicate the list of its shareholders," SES said.

David Gentili, a politician from the centre-left Democratic Party who heads the city council's anti-Mafia commission, told reporters on Wednesday that the council had a duty to ask about the identities of the club's "effective owners".

He said that if this was not disclosed, council authorities would notify the Bank of Italy's unit respon-

sible for fighting moneylaundering.

The council owns AC Milan's home stadium, San Siro, which is also used by cross-town rival Inter Milan. The two clubs pay the council around 14 million euros ($15 million) a year for the use of the stadium, Gentili said.

The AC Milan deal is due to be completed in early December, with the full list of investors expected to be released at the time of the closing.

Sino-Europe Sports is still finalising the consortium, a source familiar with the situation said this month.

Besides Haixia Capital and Yonghong Li, there will be two or three other investors, the source added.

Rooney apologises for hotel conduct London, november 17 (AFP): England football captain Wayne Rooney has apologised after "inappropriate" photos of him the worse for wear at the team hotel were published.

Interim manager Gareth Southgate said meanwhile that a review would be carried out of how players spend their free time while on international duty.

Rooney was thrown into the spotlight after The Sun tabloid alleged the Manchester United forward drunkenly gatecrashed a wedding at England's hotel in Watford, north of London, on Saturday.

Rooney started England's 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Scotland on Friday, but suffered a knee injury that ruled him out of Tuesday's 2-2 friendly draw at home to Spain.

A statement issued on Rooney's behalf, said: "Naturally Wayne is sorry that pictures taken with fans have been published today.

"Although it was a day off for the whole squad and staff, he fully recognises

that the images are inappropriate for someone in his position."

The statement said Rooney had spoken to Southgate and FA technical director Dan Ashworth "to unreservedly apologise".

"He would like to further extend that apology to any young fans who have seen these pictures."

An FA spokesperson said: "All England personnel have a responsibility to behave appropriately at all times. We will be reviewing our policy around free time whilst on international duty."

Southgate was adamant that Rooney had not been left out of the Spain game as a disciplinary measure.

"Wayne picked up an injury in the game (against Scotland) on Friday," said Southgate. "He couldn't train on Sunday and that's it."

Southgate, who is still waiting to hear whether he will get the England job full time, said he would review players' free time.

"Over the last few years, the players have been al-

lowed to go home during a period of time," Southgate told reporters after England's 2-2 friendly draw with Spain at Wembley.

"They trained Saturday morning and they trained again on Sunday afternoon, and I gave the players a period of time off (in between). I'm not aware of anything else.

"There were lots of changes we made to routines. Some things we thought we should keep the same and I'll have to review (it) -- or maybe I won't have to review! Someone will have to review it."

Rooney's representatives have indicated that he believes he has been an unfair victim of the incessant media glare around top footballers.

A Rooney spokesman said: "As he has always been, Wayne was happy to sign (autographs), pose for photos and chat with guests.

"It is sad that one or two of them have now sought to turn Wayne's friendly good nature to their advantage."

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

curry, durant lift Warriors, cavs crumble without James

Los AngeLes, no vember 17 (AFP): Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant combined for 65 points to give the Golden State Warriors their fifth consecutive victory on Wednesday as the Cleveland Cavaliers slumped to defeat in the absence of LeBron James.

Reigning NBA MVP Curry scored 35 points while Durant weighed in with 30 as the Warriors launched a four-game road trip with a 127-121 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Durant added nine rebounds and six assists while Klay Thompson finished with 14 points.

Draymond Green (11 points) and Andre Iguodala (10) also made double digits as the Warriors improved to 9-2.

The Warriors were made to sweat for victory however, seeing an 18-point fourth quarter lead reduced to just six points before they held on to win.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the game was effectively won in the second quarter, when his team outscored Toronto by 32-15 to forge a 66-53 lead at half-time.

"The second quarter was great, one of the best quarters we have played," Kerr said.

"That's probably the only quarter we've played tonight the way we want to play. Defense was good, we didn't foul. We rebounded, and that was obviously the key to the game, that whole stretch.

Draymond (Green) was brilliant. The whole quarter, I thought he was great.

"It was a good way to start the (four-game) trip," Kerr added. "Beating a really, really, good team in a very tough environment."

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives against Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, November 16 in Toronto. (AP Photo)

Cavaliers outpaced While the Warriors celebrated a hard-earned win, Cleveland were given a reminder of how difficult life can be without LeBron James after they went down 103-93 to the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis.

James was rested for the game and the Pacers took full advantage to become only the second team to beat the reigning NBA Finals Champions this season.

Paul George had 21 points and 11 rebounds while Jeff Teague added 20 for the Pacers.

"They were a dangerous team, even if LeBron is

not in the lineup," Indiana coach Nate McMillan said.

"When our guys got the news he was not playing, my concern was a letdown.

Guys were excited about LeBron and the World Champions being in town.

"Our guys did the job defensively, and especially in the first half, we had good ball movement. Tonight, the key was simply to take care of business, even it LeBron is not in uniform."

Kevin Love topscored for the Cavaliers with 27 points while Kyrie Irving added 24.

"We had our chances," Love said. "We cut the lead to four or five a couple of

times, and it just felt like we either had a bad possession, a turnover and then that lead went to eight or nine points."

A 'dangerous' man The individual performance of the night arguably belonged to Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks, who produced a career-best 35 points in his team's win over the Detroit Pistons.

The Knicks' heavy-hitters also weighed in, with Carmelo Anthony scoring 22 points, Derrick Rose adding 16 and Joakim Noah snaffling 15 rebounds.

Rose was left in awe of

Porzingis's performance.

"He is dangerous," Rose said. "For a second-year player that doesn't really know the game like that, for him to come out and play the way he plays is incredible. And for him to be 7-foot-3 and move the way that he moves is kind of crazy. A unique, unique player."

Porzingis meanwhile soaked up the plaudits with modesty, attributing his display to the work of his team-mates.

"Shots were falling. I was playing my game. My teammates were finding me. I was in good position, and my shot felt good," he said.

public discourse

"And it all started "One Day Census” is the only answer for clean election in Nagaland with the smell of a cigarette..."

T

hat fateful night, the sky was pitch dark, with the creeping sounds of insects, the early winter breeze was blowing softly through my ear, slowly faint of burnt smell was feeling up the air. I thought maybe the electrical circuit was burning... I called my friend to investigate, feeling ourselves as immature detectives, we sniffed around the corridor. Right and left, backwards and forwards we sniffed through. Finally! the air was filling up from the basement.

Footsteps and figures were visible through the shadow of the moonlight. We took a pause and hid behind the wall but it was not possible for us to catch. So I called another colleague of mine to investigate. Five minutes later...

Caught them Red Handed!!

The next morning, truth was on the table. Five witnesses, a cigarette case and a match box with three culprits seated at the front desk. After hours of interrogation there was a twist in the story.

The question of curiosity in the air with slight rumors puffed up at every corner. Was the problem solved? Were the culprits framed? Did they confess their mistakes? Were they forgiven?

But the twist was, the innocence became the culprit and the culprit was given the verdict as innocence. All the truth, all those witnesses, the incident and all of the hours spent in interrogation were replaced by injustice, beautiful lies and ugly tales.

This is our society today! When the culprits go home joyfully as they won the battle, innocence is caged within the four walls of beautiful lies. A generation where the truth cannot be seen though it is visible on our faces. People run away from the truth and only cover it with hay and weeds.

How long will we stay patiently? How long will the innocent hearts be burnt alive? How long shall we keep silent? After destroying the world, can we bring peace? After all the wrong decisions, how can we say that the conclusion was good? while searching for the lost sheep, if we instead lose the found sheep, is it alright?

Innocence in the society is been tortured, broken, and shuttered mentally and emotionally everyday. Therefore is it not we, but everyone collectively must voice out to bring peace when it is not too late.

When there is no Justice, how can there be Peace?!!

Imtienla Namo A Concern Youth

I

n this regard, the NBCC with all different churches and denomination, and the whole NGO’s including the concern department are trying their level best to bring the accurate voters without any corruption or illegal practices while election is to be conducted in Nagaland.

To speak the truth that the Indian Election can never compare or match to the democratically selection system of Nagas as per the Naga Customary practices since time immemorial. There is no bribery nor purchased of leadership system in Naga selection issue. And according to a leadership selection system in Naga country, the Naga used to select the most capable candidate who acquired the maximum trust of the people

I

t is not the desire of the NSCN/ GPRN to engage in mudslinging however, the record need to be set straight.

If Mr. Hokato Vusshe wishes to contest the truth, he must explain several episodes of sabotage and anti-NSCN conspiracies he masterminded in collaboration with Indian Security Agencies.

The residents of New Colony, Zunheboto bears witness to the fact that in a broad day light, the Commanders and jawans of Assam Rifles met Hokato at the residence of former Chairman, Sumi Region, GPRN and he personally took the initiative in handing over to Assam Rifles all the official records, files and registers and various sensitive information pertaining to every Sumi National workers under the Sumi Region of NSCN/ GPRN. With huge amount of cash received from the Indian Security Agencies, Mr. Hokato Vusshe

and who do not have any blemish from his/her childhood. The candidate are selected based on his maturity in age, good arbitrator, bravery, wisdom and who have equal mindset towards all section of people according to age old practices of Naga Customary law.

However, in case of more than one qualified candidates are available in a particular post, in respect to the elderly person, opportunity is given or if both the candidates are found to be equally capable, he or she is selected based on lottery (luck) system so as to avoid all means of manipulation and misunderstanding among the candidates and supporters which result to deliverance to justice in time.

At present the state government after running more than five

decades of statehood, the election system of Indian as practiced in the state is found to be corrupted.

And unless, the state government as well as the election department of Nagaland has a clear record over the exact figure of recognize villages, household, population, voters and updating of its record from time to time as required to ascertain and curb the practices of corruption in Indian election system in our land as well as violation of election code of conduct, one cannot ruled out the illegal activities which is still present in the state.

In this clean election demand as insist by the NBCC, Churches, NGOs, and also if they are really serious on the subject matter, there is only one way to eradicate this corruption system of election

in Nagaland. The whole Churches, NBCC, NGO’s etc fighting for clean election in Nagaland must demand ‘One Day Census’ in Nagaland without delay and the same should be implemented by the concern Department of Election Commission of India in order to bring accurate numbers of population, voters, households etc. in the state. And in course of ‘One Day Census’ no one should allow to travel or journey from one place to another place within Nagaland and stringent measures should ensure to control it and every Naga indigenous should allow to register their names and necessary information required by the department which should be done according to their native village or permanent settlement.

NSCN (K) responds to clarification

campaigned for several weeks in Zunheboto and offered cash to many NSCN/GPRN families and persuaded them to convince their husband and sons to defect to Khehoi Camp by promising them even more cash rewards in the event of defection.

Taking exception to this offensive activities of Mr. H. Vusshe, a senior Naga Army officer personally called up Sumi Hoho Executive, registered our protest and also appealed to Sumi Hoho to restrain Hokato Vusshe from defiantly collaborating with Assam Rifles against NSCN/GPRN lest unnecessary factional clash erupts in Zunheboto District.

If such connivance with Assam Rifles is not anti-National, Hokato must then provide appropriate definition as to what it was all about.

If all his financial records has been audited and cleared as claimed, how does he explain for Crores of Rupees he made away

with while defecting?

He must also remember that on the pretext of having picnic at the riverside he invited more than twenty cadres and while eating lunch, Hokato's Lieutenant cocked the rifle and informed the comrades that they were defecting to Khehoi Camp and therefore anyone not willing may walk away, at the gun point none could protest but comply, however almost all the cadres returned to our fold at various intervals bemoaning the treachery of Hokato Vusshe.

It must also be said that at the quarter where Hokato resided at Suruhuto camp, everything was stripped naked and most embarrassingly even the utensils, gas stoves and cylinders, TV set, blankets, cushions and even doormats and wash basins were taken away with him besides more than thirty weapons and huge quantities of ammunition and explosives. It thus remains far from over that his

records are cleared.

Mr.Hokato must also explain why he is still infatuated with NSCN/GPRN and continues to meddle in our internal affairs by trying to cozy up with several of our senior officers, constantly reminds them persuasively of the futility of serving in the NSCN/GPRN and at the same time even tries to sow seeds of division amongst Sumi National workers as if we are blind and naive.

If there is any semblance of decency and fair play in Khehoi Camp's leadership, they would be delighted to know how Hokato Vusshe despite being a Kilonser in its camp continues to collect taxes in the name of NSCN/GPRN employing various rogue agents and even offering his henchman a codefector and currently a Secretary in Khehoi Camp to assist NSCN/ GPRN in tax collections in and around Dimapur and Kohima.

On several occasions Hokato

In this genuine issue of clean election in Nagaland, I the undersigned on my behalf and behalf of the whole Villages Chiefs (GB) of Nagaland strongly appeal the leaders of the whole NGOs in Nagaland, the leaders of NBCC, leaders of all different denomination churches and the state election department of Nagaland to come under one umbrella and appeal the Election Commission of India to grant ‘One Day Census’ in Nagaland as required by the Nagas in order to eradicate the corruption of election system from grassroot level within the state. So that only, the answer of ‘clean election’ in Nagaland will become a reality.

T.L ANGAMI Founder & Ex. President Sr. Advisor Village Chief (GB) Federation of Nagaland

Vusshe himself offered to covertly aid and oversee tax collections for NSCN in Dimapur but with known ulterior motive to penetrate our set-up and to later betray us to Indian Security Agencies. Unfortunately, some of our workers like Capt. Tovika and former cadre It. Noghuka fell victim to this ploy and were consequently arrested by Indian Securities.

As for Kughato Chishi and Sgt. Vikuto, they have always been an agent of Hokato regardless of which ever group they defect to, it is therefore not necessary to provide further explanation on their diabolical roles.

Cautioning of capital punishment comes with assent from the highest authority of NSCN/GPRN and is applicable to anti-NSCN and anti-National agents, Mr. Hokato Vusshe may therefore not take the warning personally unless he is one.

Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

Issued byMIP, NSCN/GPRN.

Friday 18•11•2016

EntErtainmEnt

Jennifer Aniston to adopt Affleck, Jennifer expecting another child from Mexican orphanage A

A

ctress Jennifer Aniston is reportedly adopting children from two Mexican orphanages. Aniston is now considering adopting orphans she's been financially supporting, reports radaronline.com. Aniston regularly visits Casa Hogar Sion and Casa Hogar de Los Ninos orphanages in Tijuana, Mexico.

She provided the two orphanages with school equipment, personal hygiene items as well as toys and clothes for babies and toddlers. "This has

brought some happiness into her life, and brought her close to her dream of having her own child. Finding the fulfillment she's missing in her marriage to Justin Theroux as she spends time with the children from the facilities," "a source close to Aniston said.

"She gets to be around kids, and she's feeling appreciated for a change. She even wants to bring one or more kids home so she can feel like a mom all the time," the source added.

According to the website, An-

iston's former husband Brad Pitt was the one who came up with the idea to adopt kids in Mexico.

The former couple had talked about adopting a child from the country before he left her to be with actress Angelina Jolie more than a decade ago.

"Brad really gave her the courage to move forward. He told her, 'You'll be an amazing mother. I've always believed that.'

Hearing Brad say those words was just what she needed," the source said.

Source: IANS

ctors Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are reportedly having another baby to save their marriage. The couple has decided to call off their divorce as they're happily expecting their fourth child together, according to the tabloid National Enquirer. "Jen couldn't be happier!" a source said. "All she's ever wanted is for Ben to stop boozing and partying and to recommit to their family. With this ises," said the source, re- icing on the reconcilianew baby on the way, he's ports aceshowbiz.com. "A tion cake!" making all the right prom- new baby would be like Source: IANS

Mallika tear-gassed & beaten up by masked intruders Prince record label sues Jay Z’s

B

ollywood beauty and international model Mallika Sherawat has been tear gassed and beaten up by three masked intruders in her own Paris apartment block, police revealed today.

The horrific attack on the 40-year-old Indian sex symbol comes just a month after reality TV star Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in a neighbouring flat.

It was last Friday night when Ms Sherawat and a so far unidentified male friend arrived at her residential building in the upmarket 16th arrondissement of Paris at around 9.30pm.

Le Parisien newspaper today describes how the criminals wore scarves across their faces and ‘without saying a word, sprayed their victims with tear gas before punching

them.’ The attackers then ran away, leaving a shocked Ms Sherawat and her friend to call the emergency services.

A criminal investigation has been launched, with detectives working on the theory that the assailants were attempting a robbery.

As well as a being a showbusiness star, Ms Sherawat is an outspoken feminist who frequently complains about attacks on women in her own country.

While promoting her film ‘Bachelorette India’ two years ago, she called India ‘regressive’ compared to countries such as the USA. She later explained: ‘I made a conscious decision to divide my time between Los Angeles, America and India. ‘So now when I’ve experienced that social freedom, when I go back to India, which is so regressive for women, it’s depressing.

atrocities in India, including honour killings and gang rapes. ‘India is a hypocritical society where women are really at the bottom compared to men,’ she told Variety magazine at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, on the French Riviera.

Ms Kardashian left Paris immediately after a gang of five robbers got away with millions of pounds worth of jewels from her own Paris flat on October 3rd.

She and a security guard had guns pointed at their heads and were tied up by the gang, who are still at large.

Such attacks are a huge blow to the worldwide image of France, which is still under a state of emergency following a spate of terrorist attacks. Paris is the most As an independent wom- popular tourist city in the en, it’s really depressing.’ world, but increasing vioMs Sherawat, whose lence has seen visitor numreal name is Reema Lam- bers plummeting. ba, frequently highlights Source: MailOnline

company for song streaming

T

he record label for Prince has sued rap star Jay Z's entertainment company for copyright infringement, saying it illegally offered the late musician's songs on its music streaming service, according to court records.

The lawsuit filed in the United States District Court in Minnesota on Tuesday

by NPG Records, claims Jay Z's Roc Nation illegally offered such Prince hits as "If I Was Your Girlfriend" and "1999" on its subscriptionbased streaming service, Tidal. "Roc Nation, through its Tidal service, is exploiting many copyrighted Prince works," according to the lawsuit. While Tidal was authorized to offer some Prince songs to its customers, the service expanded

the number around the time of the musician's death on June 7 without approval from the Prince estate trust, it claims.

Roc Nation was not immediately available for comment on the lawsuit,

which seeks undisclosed damages. A musical innovator, Prince notably blended elements of jazz, funk, R&B, disco and rock in a prolific career of more than 30 albums that have sold over 36 million copies in the United States alone since 1978. His hits included "Purple Rain," "When Doves Cry," and "Little Red Corvette." He was also known as fiercely determined to maintain creative control over his music, famously changing his name to an unpronounceable symbol for several years during a bitter contract battle with Warner Bros.

Prince died from an accidental, self-administered overdose of the powerful painkiller fentanyl, medical officials said in June.

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“Art Ensemble” under the theme “Explore” was organized

by Directorate of Art & Culture (Art Wing) on November 17 in Kohima. The programme is intended to explore the possibilities of forming an Art Consortium of interested artists and art enthusiasts. “A Thousand Art Project” was also launched to help the artists in the State and to make the Art Wing a ‘Centre of Creative Arts’ to impart art trainings, conduct art researches and studies etc. (Morung Photo)

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10:30 AM | 06:00 PM People attending the traditional Khilünyie (Fish Festival) at Porba village in Phek district held on November 15. The festival is celebrated by invoking God’s blessing to have a good sustainable pro-summer and judicious use of the crops gathered. The festival has seven days rituals that are observed during the feast. (Morung Photo by Chizokho Vero)

Force 2 (Hindi) Women present cultural item during the celebration of Ahuna festival of the Zutovi Ghami. Along with the Ahuna celebration, Village Documentary Project programme was held with Jacob Zhimomi, Parliamentary Secretary, Irrigation and Flood Control as chief guest.

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Children’s Day was celebrated at Rajeshwari Karuna School, Tuli on November 14. The whole programme was initiated by the teachers. The teachers enthralled the students with different items like group song, dance, recreation etc.

03:10 PM

12

FriDAY 18•11•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

BN Mullik C’ship: AR dethrone Punjab, BSF edge Mizoram

C M Y K

Chumukedima, November 17 (mexN): Assam Rifles on Thursday dethroned title holder Punjab Police to enter the final of the 65th B.N. Mullik All India Police Football Championship 2016.

In a near-packed NAPTC stadium, two spectacular goals from the As-

Kiyeto YC wins 1st Friends’ Club Tourney dimaPur, November 17 (mexN): The 1st Open Friends’ Club Football Tournament organized by Friends’ Club, Dhansiripar Area concluded on November 17 at the Dhansiripar Local Ground. In the final today, Kiyeto Youth Club defeated Training Centre 1-0 to emerge as champions of the tournament.

sam Rifles crushed the hopes of Punjab Police retaining the title.

In the second semifinal match, BSF narrowly overcame Mizoram Police 3-2 to take another chance at claiming the title which they lost to Punjab last year. The match was tied at 2-2 till the dying min-

utes of the game when BSF earned a second penalty in the match for a foul inside the 18-yard box.

The final match between Assam Rifles and BSF will be played on November 19, while Punjab Police will take on Mizoram Police for third place on Friday at 2:00 pm.

Kohli, Pujara put India on course for big total

v i S a k h a PaT N a m , November 17 (reuTerS): Captain Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara made centuries and shared a stand of 226 to put India on course for a big first-innings total against England on the first day of the second test on Thursday.

Kohli was unbeaten on 151 and Ravichandran Ashwin on one as India reached 317 for four at the close after winning the toss in the first ever test match in the port city of Visakhapatnam.

On a surface expected to assist the spinners from early on, Kohli had no hesitation in batting but his plans suffered an early jolt.

Fi t- a g a i n o p e n e r Lokesh Rahul lasted just five deliveries as fast bowler Stuart Broad dismissed him in his first over.

Rahul fell for a duck, hanging his bat away from his body to edge Broad to Ben Stokes at the third slip.

His opening partner Murali Vijay looked in good touch, hitting four crisply driven boundaries in his 20

India's Virat Kohli celebrates after scoring his century. (REUTERS)

before he fell to James An- played since August with derson. a shoulder injury and replaced fast bowler Chris ANDERSON STRIKES Woakes in the side.

England's highest The hosts were strugtest wicket-taker bowled gling on 22-2 when Kohli cross seam to extract steep and Pujara came together. bounce and hit Vijay on his The right-handed pair glove for Stokes to com- had few problems in negoplete a simple catch. tiating the English bowlers The wicket marked and their only moments of a successful return for concerns in the first session Anderson, who had not were a couple of run-out

opportunities.

England did not manage to separate the pair before tea, which was taken few minutes earlier after a stray dog ran on to the field and held up play.

Pujara survived a England review for leg before against Moeen Ali and brought up his 10th test hundred with his second six off leg-spinner Adil Rashid.

4th Kohima District Volleyball tourney underway Volleyball

U-19 selection on Nov 22

Classic Cup: Elite, Head Hunter in quarterfinals Our Correspondent

Kohima | November 17

"The way we are placed at the moment, I think anything above 500 will be a good total for us," Pujara, whose ton was his third in as many tests, said.

"We would like to put up a big total and hopefully won't have to bat again."

Playing his 50th test, Kohli, who was dropped on 56 at fine leg by Rashid off Stokes, pushed Anderson through the covers to register his 14th hundred.

Cook tried everything to separate the duo, including asking his bowlers to operate with eight fielders on one side to stem the flow of runs and frustrate the batsmen.

Anderson returned to finally break the partnership when Pujara was out on 119 after getting a thick edge to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.

Kohli then added 68 for the fourth wicket with Ajinkya Rahane before the latter was out for 23 to give Anderson his third scalp.

None of England's spinners managed a wicket on the first day.

FC came through Khagatar in the 31st minute.

Head Hunter booked a berth in the quarterfinal after defeating Adroit Boyz Sechii Zubza 4-2 via tie- breaker.

Head Hunter will next clash with Elite FC in the quarter finals on November 23.

Kohima DC Rovilatuo Mor and others during the opening ceremony of 4th Kohima district volleyball tournament on Novem-

Elite FC and Head Hunter today moved to the quarter finals after registering wins in their respective prequarter final matches at the ongoing 22nd Classic Cup 2016 here at the Kohima Local Ground. ber 17. (Morung Photo) In the first match of the Nov 18 Matches Our Correspondent day, Elite FC overpowered Naga FC vs Intimidators Kohima | November 17 Boys FC by a solitary goal to @ 1:00 pm enter the quarter finals.

MT. Youth Club vs Foot- The 4th Open Kohima The winning goal for Elite ball Club Royals @ 2:30 pm District Volleyball Tournament (Men & Women) under the aegis of Kohima District Volleyball Asso-

ciation got underway here today at Hockey Ground, Indira Gandhi Stadium under the theme “Transcending through sports.”

The tournament was formally inaugurated by Kohima Deputy Com-

missioner Rovilatuo Mor. Speaking on the occasion, Mor urged sports lovers to actively engage in the field and attain proficiency.

Mor also challenged the youth to have true spirit of friendship, love, unity and

forgiveness in their heart throughout the tournament.

Earlier, Neivikhotuo Vilie administered oath to the 21 participating teams.

The tournament will conclude on November 18.

dimaPur, November 17 (mexN): The selection cum coaching camp for volleyball players (boys) under 19 years to participate in the 62nd National School Games Volleyball U-19 Boys Championship will be held at the State Stadium, Dimapur on November 22 at 2:30 pm. The National School Games for Volleyball will be held at Himachal Pradesh from December 8 to 12. In this regard, a press release has informed all interested players to report to the venue with sports kit and relevant documents – (i) Adhaar card or EPI card (ii) Birth certificate or Matric Admit card in original. For details, contact – 9436071591/9089619390.

Bellerin out for a month, Sanchez in doubt for Man United game

LoNdoN, November 17 (reuTerS): Arsenal will be without full back Hector Bellerin for the Premier League game against Manchester United on Saturday and manager Arsene Wenger will make a late decision over forward Alexis Sanchez.

Bellerin will be out for four weeks with an ankle 5 Assam Rifles at Zunheboto Town organised a friendly volleyball match on November 16 at Old problem while Sanchez Natha Company Operation Base (COB) between youth of DC Hill Colony, Zunheboto and COB. played for Chile against

Uruguay on Tuesday despite concerns over a hamstring injury.

"We didn't know whether or not he would play 24 hours before the Uruguay game. In the end they decided to play him. He text us saying he was in good shape after the game but we have to wait," Wenger told reporters on Thursday.

"I will see him tomorrow morning and if he can

be involved in the squad or not. What I will consider is basically the risk of injury."

Bellerin's injury will rule him out of key games, including Wednesday's Champions League clash against French champions Paris St Germain and a London derby against West Ham United next month.

Arsenal will also still be without midfielder Santi

Cazorla, who last featured in the Champions League win over Ludogorets in October.

Wenger has yet to beat Mourinho in 13 competitive matches since the Portuguese moved to England with Chelsea in 2004 and the pair have been involved in a number of acrimonious incidents.

"I don't think I have to describe our relationship.

He will fight for his team and I will fight for mine and that is normal. Of course, I will shake his hand," Wenger said.

"I will respect the ritual in the Premier League... It's not the controversy that makes the audience, it's the quality of the game."

Arsenal are fourth in the table with 24 points, six ahead of sixth-placed United after 11 games.

Real seek end to Atletico hegemony in final Calderon derby McGregor challenges Mayweather again barCeLoNa, November 17 (reuTerS): Breaking Atletico Madrid's recent stranglehold on a fixture that used to be a foregone conclusion for Real Madrid is the challenge facing coach Zinedine Zidane ahead of Saturday's Madrid derby, the last at the Vicente Calderon stadium.

Real enjoyed utter domination over their rivals for 14 years but the tables have turned and they have not won a league derby since Jose Mourinho oversaw a 2-1 win at the Calderon in 2013.

Atletico have won four and drawn two of the last six league derbies, just one demonstration of how charismatic Argentine coach Diego Simeone has transformed the fortunes of the sleeping giant he took over in December 2011.

"He is a coach with a unique capacity to communicate, that's why he has got where he is and why he was able to dig us out of the trouble we were in," said

Atletico captain Gabi, who has won the La Liga title, King's Cup and reached two Champions League finals under Simeone.

"With one look or gesture he's able to speak to any player, and that's why at the moment the most important thing for this club is the fact we have Simeone with us."

Real still have the upper hand on their neighbours in European competition and Saturday's game is the first meeting between the teams since Real's penalty shootout victory in the Champions League final last May. The game takes on extra significance for being the last league derby at the Vicente Calderon stadium with Atletico due to move from the 50-year-old ground to a new 67,000 capacity arena next year.

"That it will be the last derby at the Calderon makes it exciting and special. It will be strange not to In this image released by Real Madrid CF on Thursday, Crisexperience it there again, tiano Ronaldo and teammate Marco Asensio train during a as we have had unforget- practice session ahead of Saturday's Madrid derby.

table moments there," Gabi added.

The game will have plenty of significance in the title race. Real top the La Liga standings on 27 points, two above Barcelona in second and six clear of Atletico in fourth.

A Real victory would stretch their advantage over their city rivals to nine points and severely dent Atletico's hopes of repeating their La Liga triumph of 2014.

Atletico are hopeful top scorer Antoine Griezmann will be able to start despite returning early from international duty with France due to a foot injury, Real welcome back captain Sergio Ramos after five weeks out with a knee problem but the European champions will be without midfielders Toni Kroos and Casemiro and striker Alvaro Morata due to injury.

Champions Barcelona host Malaga hours before the derby and will be looking to capitalise on any slip from Real.

New York, November 17 (reuTerS): Fresh off his latest triumph, UFC champion Conor McGregor continues to call out boxing champion Floyd Mayweather and attempt to lure him into a bout.

McGregor called Mayweather "afraid" and demanded $100 million for a showdown between the two during an appearance in a New York nightclub on Tuesday.

"As far as real fight-

ing -- true, pure unarmed combat -- Floyd don't want none of this," McGregor said, in a video published by TMZ. "I want the $100 million cash to fight him in boxing rules because he's afraid of a real fight."

Talk of a possible fight between the two headliners of their sport picked up steam in the spring with both stoking the idea.

But in more recent days, Mayweather has dismissed

the notion.

The 39-year-old Mayweather retired in September of 2015 after accumulating a 49-0 record during a 19-year career that produced world titles in five weight divisions and earnings in excess of $800 million.

McGregor is flying high after last week's knockout win over Eddie Alvarez.

The victory made the 28-year-old a titleholder of two UFC belts.

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