C M Y K
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tuesDAY • OctOber 18• 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 286 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
o F
T R u T H
Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many — Eric Hoffer ‘Discoursing shifts of Naga society in NE India’
Mosul offensive to drive out Islamic State PAGE 09
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
PAGE 02
PAGe 12
ccofA nH-29 bandh call held Assam-nagaland: cMs agree amidst unprecedented security to nurture cordial relationships Claims “moral victory” as Nagaland CM’s motorcade avoids Nagaland gate to enter Assam via Burma Camp Morung Express News Dimapur | October 17
Number 1 Act your rank, constables don’t behave like big officer. Number 2 you’re a policeman don’t behave like a Minister. Now go and put the bottles back.
Two killed in vehicle collision KOHIMA, OCTOBER 17 (MExN): Two persons were killed while two others received serious injuries in an accident near Meriema at the National Highway on October 17. The accident occurred at around 8:00am in the morning. The accident occurred when a Zen Estello collided with an Assam Rifles vehicle. The two deceased were a 70 year old woman and a 50 year old man. According to a source from the Traffic Police, the cause of the accident is still under investigation. The source further informed that that the both drivers are under Police custody, though the driver of the Zen Estello has been seriously injured and is undergoing surgery. Meanwhile, the Inspector General Assam Rifles (North), in a press note, condoled the loss of the two lives and expressed sympathy to the two injured in the accident. “We pray to Almighty to provide strength to the family members to bear this irreparable loss and we join them in extending our prayers to the departed soul,” the IGAR (N) stated.
Suspect on the run arrested Morung Express News Dimapur | October 17
C M Y K
One man suspected to be behind a failed extortion attempt was arrested by the police following a month long chase. The accused, identified by the police as Lovika Ayemi (26 years), reportedly a ‘khapur’ in the NSCN (IM) was tracked down at a village under Niuland on the wee hours of October 17. According to the police, the accused was on the run since September 16 after vandalising a jewellery shop at Nyamo Lotha Road. The police said that the accused smashed a glass counter and fired two shots from a small firearm, snatched a mobile phone and Rs. 5000 in cash from a salesman before escaping in a motorcycle. The incident was reportedly over the shopkeeper failing to fulfil monetary demand. The incident was captured by CCTV which proved crucial in identifying the accused and also, phone tracking, which eventually aided the police in locating his whereabouts, the police added. One .32 pistol and a magazine suspected to have been used in the crime was also seized from his possession.
Dilong Youths sails into semis after defeating Socianian
In the midst of unprecedented security arrangement, the indefinite NH 29 bandh on Nagaland Government vehicles and oil tankers called by the Coordination Committee on Fuel Adulteration (CCoFA) took off on October 17. Despite the government declaring the bandh as illegal, volunteers turned up in strength manning vital entry points into Dimapur and beyond. The day saw volunteers set up camp at New Field and Dillai inter-state check posts, at Chumukedima, Medziphema and ZubzaPeducha sharing space with police personnel in full riot gear. By-and-large uneventful, the state Chief Minister’s visit to Assam along with his Cabinet colleagues added buzz to the air. With the main exit points blocked, the CM’s motorcade made a detour to Assam via Burma Camp around 8:00 am for a meeting with his Assam counterpart, Sarbananda Sonowal at Kaziranga. The CCoFA termed the CM’s move as a “moral victory” for the motive behind the bandh call. “The government has declared the bandh as ‘illegal’ but his action of sneaking out avoiding the highway points to the CM admitting the bandh as legal,” commented a CCoFA member after the initial buzz surrounding the CM’s journey settled. The member concluded the CM’s action “nullified the (government) order at the same time validating the bandh.” The issue, the CCoFA maintained, was one of “morality” that of against corruption in governance.
Security personnel stand guard alongside a camp set up by CCoFA volunteers adjacent to the Patkai Bridge, Chumukedima on October 17.
The CM reportedly made the detour to avoid any unsavoury situation. Later, the buzz was on how the CM would make the return trip. The CM and his entourage returned from Kaziranga-Assam at around 4:30 pm with the police clearing the New Field check post of volunteers. The volunteers regrouped later only to be pushed back and dispersed at around 7:00 pm. CCoFA had asserted that its volunteers would go to the extent of courting arrest if the government did not fulfil their demands. The unfamiliarity with prolonged peaceful movements also came into picture to which a bandh volunteer at Chumukedima replied, “We’ll be able to sustain. We have made the required arrangement for the long haul.” Bandh supporters at Medziphema made a similar stance with the Medziphema Town Public Organisation and the Medziphema Town Youth Organisation standing by the CCoFA’s declared motive behind the bandh. A security personnel who was on duty commented on conditions of anonymity, “As the police, we have to abide by government protocol… we have
to abide orders. Yet as a civilian, I’d be lying if I said I don’t support a movement against corruption. From a moral standpoint I’d want the government to be a little more understanding.” If the CCoFA is unhappy with the SIT, it could have approached the court for redress by filing a PIL instead of confronting the government, the personnel also reasoned. Government vehicles (NL-10), except of the police and the district administration, largely remained off the road. A few, however, were seen on the route along Purana Bazaar and Chumukedima. Earlier in the morning, volunteers at Chumukedima informed that some Nagaland government vehicles with number plates removed were stopped and asked to turn back. With daytime entry of transport trucks into town already restricted, trouble was anticipated in the evening when the coast is normally cleared for heavy vehicles to move in. The evening passed off without major incidents, except for a brief standoff at the New Field check post after the CM’s motorcade passed through. It was informed at the check post that there was no sched-
increase allocation of coffee seeds to nagaland: Govt says Morung Express News Dimapur | October 17
Citing feasibility and viability of coffee plantation in the state, the Nagaland State Department of Land Resources has requested the Coffee Board of India (CBI), Bangalore to enhance the allocation of coffee seeds to the state. This request was made by a team of department officials led by its Secretary, Y. Kikheto Sema IAS and five other officers during a meeting with officials of the CBI, Bangalore at the latter’s office on Monday. Speaking at the meeting, Kikheto said that there was vast coffee plantation in the state during the 1980s, however, it became a failed crop owing to lack of awareness, marketing and management problem. He said the farmers began to cut down coffee plants in desperation and that around 40 hectares remained now. Kikheto said that a research conducted out of that 40 hectares, it was found that Arabica species coffee grown in the state was one of the best. It may be mentioned that the state government on September 2016 had made the Department of Land Resources as the nodal department for revival of coffee plantation. He said that the CBI had allocated 300 kgs coffee seeds during 2015-2016 but ran short since the demand was high in the state. Kikheto requested the CBI to allocate at least 4000 kgs seeds to cover 4000 hectares and added that the payment would be prompt. Responding to this request, Director of Finance, CBI, Dr. Arati Devan Gupta assured the Department
officials of looking into the matter for enhancing coffee seeds allocation. Kikheto said that the department was targeting coffee plantation coverage of about 50, 000 hectares by 2030. He also said that the department during 2015-16 had developed 230 hectares of coffee plantation and plans to cover 600 hectares this year. Pointing out that coffee harvesting takes about four years after planting, Kikheto asked the CBI for possible assistance to coffee farmers during the initial years of plantation and also for maintenance of nurseries. He also made a request for establishing Arabica Coffee Research Centre in Nagaland, since the state is planning for coffee plantation on a large scale and constant research is required. Kiheto said that the day was significant for the department since a group of three different officers’ team were attending important meetings. One team led by Additional Director, Renbenthung Jami is attending the annual rubber conference organized by Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries at Guwahati where a new clone developed by Rubber Board of India exclusively for planting in NE was being released. Another team led by Director, Hoto Yepthomi was at Mokokchung for Springshed training programme. The Secretary was accompanied by Deputy Director, C. Vanchamo Ngullie, Officer incharge Coffee and four District Project Officers. This information was provided to The Morung Express over the phone by Secretary, Land Resources, Y. Kikheto Sema IAS.
uled entry of oil tankers into town for the night.
‘Will no longer guarantee that the next protest will be peaceful’
In a press statement, CCoFA questioned why the Cabinet was so eager to resort to lathi-charge against its own people who are simply protesting against the rampant corruption in the state. “The Cabinet is reminded that it cannot arbitrarily declare a peace protest by the people as illegal based on their own whims and fancy,” the press statement from media cell, CCoFA reminded. It also alleged that extreme force was used against YAN volunteers who did not retaliate since they were bound by the non-violent policy, which the CCoFA strictly enforced upon the volunteers. CCoFA has cautioned the State Government that in the event of such high handedness on the part of police, the “next phase of total indefinite bandh will start and CCoFA will no longer guarantee that the protest will be peaceful.” It has appealed all concern citizens to show solidarity by assembling at Chumukedima Patkai Bridge at 6 am onwards
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 17 (MExN): Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal and Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today held a meeting in Kaziranga and discussed ways to create a more cordial relation between the two neighbouring states. A press release from the Nagaland CMO informed that it was an informal meeting, “more or less a get-together of very good neighbours who have finally found time to visit and pay respects to each other.” Several pertinent issues were discussed during the meet. These included maintenance of peace and harmony along the AssamNagaland border and development of friendly relations among the people living in the area; outreach programmes for people to people contact; development of cooperation in areas such as intelligencesharing on extremist activities, crime control in border areas, cooperation in action against Rhino poaching, and cooperation in updating of the National Register of Citizens in Assam. “No problem or issue is too big to be solved when parties concerned get to meet each other across the table and discuss with an open mind, and with determination to solve the matter,” said the Nagaland Chief Minister. Zeliang further affirmed his declared stand that the border issues which have cropped up between the two neighbouring states from time to time should be solved amicably by the people instead of depending on the Court to pass a judgement. The concept of meeting each other is the first step to maintain, nurture and promote cordial and lasting relation, Zeliang said and recalled how Nagaland was once a part of Assam. “We had lived together
Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal and Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang during a meeting at Kaziranga on October 17.
and we shall continue to live together, and so we must live together in peace and harmony, and progress together,” the Nagaland CM said. “To achieve this relationship, we have to create a human relation in the true spirit of good neighbours,” he added. He suggested that the border districts of Assam should be encouraged to use the facilities of Nagaland such as the airport and railway head in Dimapur as “their own”. Zeliang went on to suggest protection and preservation of reserved forests with border areas of the two states, like Intangki in Nagaland and Dhansiri forest in Assam etc, and also promised to extend full cooperation to check the menace of poaching of the famed one-horned Rhino which is found exclusively in Assam. “Rhino poaching is a national problem,” he added. On the strategic location of the two States visa-vis the Act East Policy of the Government of India, Zeliang suggested road connectivity with South East Asia from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to ManipurNagaland-Assam, saying the policy can be successful only if the North East states are made active par-
ticipants in trade and commerce activities. The Assam CM meanwhile said “we must work together for mutual growth and move forward along with the rest of the country.” He added that differences and issues should be mutually addressed in a spirit of goodwill. Today’s meeting of the two Chief Ministers will send a positive message to the younger generations of both the states, and that people are eagerly awaiting the outcome to the meeting, he added. Sonowal also responded positively to Zeliang’s invitation to attend this year’s Hornbill Festival, stating that several cultural troupes from Assam should participate in this year’s Hornbill Festival at Kisama. He meanwhile suggested setting up of a committee for border areas consisting of the local MLAs/ MPs and government officials so that petty issues are tackled mutually at the local level, and also to foster better relations between the peoples. The Assam CM was accompanied by several of his cabinet colleagues, MLAs, Jorhat MP and senior officials led by Chief Secretary Assam.
DenGue cAses on tHe rise
CMO, Dimapur ask private hospitals, clinics to send in positive samples to confirm case Morung Express News Dimapur | October 17
Five more positive cases of dengue were confirmed at the Sentinel Surveillance Site Lab, District Hospital Dimapur on Monday. The five samples were found positive from a batch of 16 samples, which were brought in to the site lab, informed Dr Moa, District Programme Officer, NVBDCP, Dimapur. This takes the number of positive
dengue cases reported from the Sentinel Surveillance Site Lab, Dimapur to eight (8) including three positive cases reported last week. Meanwhile, with reports of dengue cases being reported positive in private hospitals and clinics under Dimapur district, Chief Medical Officer, Dr K Vikato Kinimi, has notified the private medical institutions to send the samples tested positive with the Rapid Card Test to the Sentinel Surveillance SiteLab,DistrictHospital,Dimapurwiththe ELISA Test, to confirm the case. The ELISA Test is the World Health Organization (WHO) approved confirmatory test for dengue. For sample collection, all concerned have been asked
to contact-9436007335. The outbreak of dengue cases appear to be increasing. A doctor from Nikos Hospital, a private medical institution told The Morung Express on Monday evening that in the last two days, three more positive dengue cases were detected from the hospital itself. Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms typically begin three to fourteen days after infection. This may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash. An estimated 390-million dengue infections occur worldwide each year, with about 96 million resulting in illness.
‘Greed & step motherly treatment has failed SARDP roads in Nagaland’ DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 17 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today stated that “greed and step motherly treatment has failed” the SARDP Roads in Nagaland. A press note from the NPCC media cell pointed out that roads taken up under SARDP are the most important roads covering the district HQs of Mon, Longleng, Zunheboto and Phek. “As projected in the local newspapers, we were under the impression that the Contractor (Gaytri and Maytas JV) was responsible for the delay and suffering of the people,” the NPCC said. It however claimed that “on verification, it is found that the greed of the NPF and step-motherly treat-
ment of GOI has failed the SARDP Roads in Nagaland.” The NPCC alleged that “it was rumoured before 2013 General Election that NPF has demanded a huge commission from the Contractors, assuring that they would revise the estimate.” “When the revised estimate with a rise of over 200% was submitted to GOI, it is confirmed, that the Secretary Transport, Government of India, Vijay Chibber, IAS, ordered the cancellation of the project, in 2013,” it added. The NPCC informed that a PIL was filed in the Gauhati High Court (GHC), following which the court found in “favour of the work and directed the contractors to start work immediately on 13/10/2013.” However, it stated that the
NDA Government filed a Special Leave Petition in the Division Bench of the GHC. “The GHC appointed a Commission to verify,” it added. The NPCC further pointed out that on 11/8/2015, the Transport Secretary “issued order of cancellation of the Work Orders. Again, the Honourable GHC Division bench dismissed the SLP on 27/07/2016 in favour of the work.” The NPCC said that the NPF and the BJP from Nagaland “could not prevail upon the Government of India from filing the SLP in the Supreme Court.” “So, the case was heard on 7th Oct 2016. The Honourable Supreme Court in a ruling is said to have appointed a Commission to fur-
ther verify,” it said. Revision of estimate would not have been necessary had the contractors been given time to work without disturbances, it stated, while opining that “it was greed that has brought the idea of revision of estimate.” The NPCC further said that the Transport Secretary should have at least ordered verification of the work and revised estimate and could have corrected the revised estimate “but instead, he straight away ordered in file to cancel the work order.” The NPCC stated that unless the Government of India “changes its attitude, the case will go on for years while people of four districts will continue to suffer without pliable roads.”