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FriDAY • OctOber 28• 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 296 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
o F
T R u T H
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it — George Bernard Shaw Towards building a strong base for agricultural development
Centre faces off with Tobacco industry PAGE 08
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Mata sinks City, Chelsea stunned in League Cup
PAGE 02
PAGE 12
Mon facing shortage of admin officers
MON, OCTOBER 27 (MExN): The Konyak Union (KU) today revealed that there is a lack of administrative officers within Mon district and submitted a representation to the Nagaland State Government for immediate attention and action on this issue. A press note from the KU stated that the Konyaks, Ah...Back from car shopping. “which are the most popui was just telling them how lated tribe in the state of you’re helping me utilize the Nagaland is situated in a 200 Cr development fund. very strategic geographical where special seThe Morung Express location curity and administrative Poll QuEsTion supervision is required.” Mon district, it remindVote on www.morungexpress.com sMs your answer to 9862574165 ed shares an international boundary with Myanmar in Do you agree that the east, the State of Assam Elections in Nagaland in the west and Arunachal State has become a spiritual issue? Pradesh in the north. The KU questioned as to why the state/central governments Yes no others are “so insincere in maintaining efficient administrative system in a place like All press statements, Mon where the concern for memorandums, arti- adequate security measure cles, reports and news happens to be a national related documents priority.” Till date, it lamented should be sent to the that the region has been left official email address: at the “mercy of the people morung@gmail.com without any serious attenPress releases will be tion either from the state or accepted only till 8:00 pm central government.” The KU said that Mon district “is Editor, totally isolated from the state
Public Information
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itself.” The only reliable route via Assam faces frequent disturbances and cut-off on account of numerous bandhs and strikes. No doubt, such isolation is a threat to national security, it added. The KU asked that the state government regulate its responsibilities systematically and efficiently and deliver administrative justice to the area. The KU representation was submitted to the Chief Minister demanding several actions regarding the administration of the district. It asked that an ADC be immediately posted at Mon on or before November 10. The KU informed that Mon District HQ has been functioning without an Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) for the past five months. “The administrative duties and assignments of one of the biggest districts in the state is left unattended...The responsibility of overseeing the town council affairs and the sanitation of the town is left unattended or half attended,” it lamented. The KU asked the state government as to “who would be managing the upcoming electoral works/ proceedings, preparation for the upcoming Town
KonyaK Union DemanDs
• Immediate posting of ADC at Mon and Naginimora • Posting of 2 or more EACs and SDOs (Civil) at Mon HQ • Sufficient government officers at all administrative units
A file photo of a village under Mon district. The Konyak Union today informed that there is a lack of administrative officers within Mon district and submitted a representation to the nagaland state Government for immediate attention.
Council election?” Such lapses in the administrative system, it pointed out, causes untold inconveniences to the public of Mon district as well as the administrative system.
The KU also demanded immediate posting of ADC at Naginimora, which it pointed out, is one of the oldest towns in the state, established by the East India Company. “It is a historical
town as well as the commercial hub in the state. Geographically, Naginimora shares its western border with Assam,” the KU added. With the state government geared up for the Town
Council elections, the KU informed that Naginimora does not even have nodal administrative officers (ADC) to execute the elections. “Moreover, the interstate border feuds are unpredictable. Such incidences & situation should be seriously pondered upon by the state government,” it said. It demanded that an ADC and all other sanctioned officers be posted at Naginimora on or before November 10. The KU then pointed out that there is requirement of 2 SDOs (Civil) at Mon district HQ. It stated that the administrative affairs of a district as vast as Mon cannot be handled by a lone SDO (Civil). “Hence, not accounting the existing SDO (Sadar) at the Mon HQ, the state government is requested to allocate and sanction additional two SDOs (Civil) exclusively for the Mon District HQ,” it said. It also called for the sanction of two or more Extra Assistant Commissioners (EACs) for Mon District HQ. The district, it revealed, is being managed by a lone EAC, which it stated causes “untold inconveniences to the general public on various governmental proceedings.” “On account of shortages of officers, many documental
requirements itself cannot be delivered to the general public on time,” it added. The KU then asked for deployment of sufficient and requisite government officers in all the administrative units. “Sufficient and regular officers should be deployed & stationed in order to instantly sort out all sorts of unpredictable situation/emergencies,” it stated, while appealing to all HODs/officers to be stationed at their respective posting units. “All administrative works should be decentralised and it should be executed at its respective offices/unit. Confining/ centralising of all administrative officers and works at the District HQ alone is being discouraged by the Union,” the KU said. It added that in order to inspire and acquaint the people on various governmental norms, policies and proceedings, all administrative works should be executed out from its respective administrative unit efficiently. The KU finally informed that it has empowered all 11 of its units to strictly cooperate with their respective administrative officers/offices and in streamlining all governmental assignments and proceedings.
Mokokchung to get first private FM channel ar ‘occupation’ of mekokla Morung Express news Dimapur | October 27
Mokokchung is set to have its first private FM Channel as the much-awaited second batch of auctions for private FM Radio Phase III began on Wednesday. The bidding saw 58 channels in 42 cities become provisional winners. The States of Uttarakhand and Nagaland, and the Border Area Towns of Poonch, Mokokchung, Leh, Kathua, Kargil and
Bhaderwa will have private FM channels for the first time, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting informed. In the latest round, 266 FM channels are up for grabs in 92 cities. On day one of the auctions, four rounds of bidding took place with the cumulative provisional winning price at Rs 182 crore, compared to their aggregate reserve price of about Rs 179.2 crore, a statement from the Ministry of Information
Englan public appeals for Installation of transformer
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WOkha, OCTOBER 27 (MExN): The Englan Range Village Council Chairman Association, VDB Secretaries under Englan Range, Englan Range Students’ Union (ERSU), and Englan Range Baptist Khumshum (ERBK) have appealed to the Nagaland State Power Department to install a transformer for the range at the earliest since the public have been facing “undue hardship for the past three months and reeling under darkness.” The above organizations and individuals in a joint meeting held on September 26 at New Riphyim Baptist Church conference hall had a thorough discussion regarding the “frequent erratic power supply in the range” and appealed for installation of the transformer, informed a press release received here. It further appealed to the department concerned to upgrade the present transformer, since the energy produced by the transformer is not sufficient to meet the needs of the consumers. The release informed that the “transformer frequently bursts and the public has to suffer for three to four months every year without power supply.” The Englan range public cautioned the department concerned to fulfill their demands at the earliest, failing which, “the department will be solely held responsible if any untoward incident happen in the near future.”
and Broadcasting said. The ongoing process is a simultaneous multiple round ascending (SMRA) e-auction being conducted online. Fourteen bidders are in the fray, including Entertainment Network India Ltd, Kal Radio Ltd, South Asia FM Ltd, The Malayala Manorama Company and Mathrubhumi Printing and Publishing. Hyderabad, where one frequency is up for auction, saw a provisional winning price of Rs 20.83 crore at the
end of four rounds of bidding. The provisional winning price of one channel of Dehradun closed at Rs 15.61 crore. Earlier, M Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, had said that he is optimistic about a positive response for the auction. The Centre expects that this phase of auction will help take private FM Radio to 69 new cities where 227 channels have been put out for auction, he said.
At the end of the first day, some of the cities that received bids included Agartala, Aizawl, Bhaderwah and Leh. Meanwhile, 39 unsold channels from 23 cities of batch I of Phase III have also been put on auction. While the Ministry has expressed optimism at the success of the bidding, some experts from the industry have however had pointed out that the high reserve prices could emerge as a challenge during this phase of auction.
World may lose 2/3rd of its wildlife by 2020: WWF
NEW DElhI, OCTOBER 27 (IaNS): The future of many living organisms is under question as the world may loss 68 percent of its wildlife by 2020 -- a possible prelude for the sixth mass extinction, a major WWF report has said. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Living Plant Report 2016, 58 per cent of the global population of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles has already been lost between 1970 and 2012. These patterns are directly attributed to human induced climate change. The report says that about 41 percent, mammals, 46 per cent reptiles, 57 per cent amphibians and 70 per cent freshwater fishes are “threatened with extinction” in India. Four of the 385 species of mammals are already extinct in India. Seven per cent of birds may also extinct in the world. Globally between 1970 and 2012, 38 per cent of the terrestrial population, 81 per cent of fresh water population and 36 per cent of the marine population had declined. “Habitat loss and degradation and over exploitation of wildlife are the most common threats to the terrestrial population,” the report says. As per the report, by 2000, 48.5 per cent of the tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forest habitat had been converted for human use. This has led to a 41 per cent overall decline in tropical forest species. Thereportheldfoodproductionto
meet the complex demands of an expanding human population as primary reason of the destruction of habitats and over-exploitation of wildlife. The world’s population has grown from about 1.6 billion people in 1900 to today’s 7.3 billion. “By 2012, the bio-capacity equivalent of 1.6 Earths was needed to provide the natural resources and services humanity consumed in that year,” the report said, pointing out how planetary boundaries were stretched due to human-produced alterations to the functioning of the Earth system. WWF focused on nine such alterations including unsustainable fresh water use and ocean acidification. As per studies, by 2050 there will be more polythene in the ocean than fish. “This is not just about the wonderful species we all love. Biodiversity forms the foundation of healthy forests, rivers and oceans. Take away the species and these ecosystems will collapse along with the clean air, water, food and climate services that they provide us,” said Dr. Marco Lambertini, International Director General, WWF. The researchers are already calling this time as “Anthropocene” -- an era during which the climate changes, oceans acidify and the entire community of flora and fauna disappears -- during a single human lifetime. All these changes may lead to the world’s sixth extinction, following the extinction of reptiles, mam-
mals (twice) and dinosaurs (twice). As per IUCN, the total threatened animal species has increased from 5,205 to 8,462 since 1996. India, Indonesia, Brazil and China are among the countries with the most threatened mammals and birds. “Not only wild plants and animals are at risk, people are victims of the deteriorating nature. Patterns suggest that without action during the Anthropocene the earth will become much less hospitable to our modern globalized society,” the report says. India ranks fifth in terms of biocapacity -- means an ecosystem capable of producing resources like food, fiber and absorbing carbon dioxide. However large population size and growing wealth which may change the consumption pattern is a challenge. “Our consumption patterns are constantly shaping the future of our planet,” said Ravi Singh, CEO, WWF-India. WWF however finds addressing the social inequality and environment degradation as best remedy. “There is still considerable room for optimism. Fortunately, we are not starting from scratch. We must create a new economic system that enhances and supports the natural capital upon which it relies,” says WWF. While the prediction of losing two-third of global wildlife population is expected by 2020, the landmark Paris climate agreement (COP21) that would enter into force the same year, is seen as another sign of optimism.
church evokes sharp protest
Naga organizations call for stern enquiry, serious scrutiny and necessary measures
DIMaPUR, OCTOBER 27 (MExN): Several organizations have condemned the alleged occupation of the Mekokla Baptist Church building under Wokha district by the 28 Assam Rifles (AR) on October 22 and 23. The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) condemned the alleged action of the AR, for “defiling the sanctity of worship place, the church” and “failing to pay due respect to a holy/sacred place.” The NBCC, in a press statement, said that it has taken serious note of the alleged “remarks of the company commander of Doyang out post to the pastor and village council members that, ‘the area being under his jurisdiction, he was at liberty to take any decision without anybody’s permission or consultation with anybody.’” Security forces, it said, “cannot behave and create fear as they have done in the 1950s and 60s.” “India being a secular and democratic country; we expect respect and honour for worship places irrespective of religion, from any responsible officer or group. The concerned Commander and Jawans should remember section 295A of the Indian Penal Code,” it reminded. The NBCC strongly urged the higher authority to “discipline their officers to avoid brewing up of any communal tension among the different religious group.” The Nagaland Scholars’ Association (NSA) has also condemned the incident and expressed solidarity with the local people. “What is more condemnable is the statement made by the Army Commander who stated that since Mekokla falls under his jurisdiction he has the right and authority to do whatever he wishes. This is an alarming statement and calls for deeper introspection by the right thinking citizens of this country. The men in uniform are supposed to protect the sanctity of all religious places,” the NSA stated in its press note. It said that the incident has “seriously hurt the sentiment of the Naga people, once again damaging the image of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles in the region.” It calls for serious scrutiny from the Government of India and also civil society groups and activists, the NSA stated, while adding that “misguided and insensitive
attitude and approach of the Assam Rifles Commander is highly questionable and should invite stern enquiry and action.” The Nagaland Theological Colleges Association (NTCA) meanwhile stated that the AR action “shows that they have completely misplaced their priority as military personnel by intruding religious institution with ulterior motive.” “What surprises the NTCA is that, despite offering the community hall for their accommodation by the village leaders, the commander-in-charge refused. This is alien culture in Naga context because no sensible guest or guests would refuse accommodation provided by the host and stay anywhere they like, especially where they are not supposed to lodge,” it stated. It reminded the personnel that “it is unconstitutional for them to intrude or trespass into the place of worship in the name of duty.” “It is also too costly to trade your integrity as a soldier by misbehaving because it brings irreparable damage to the image of the Indian army in general who are supposed to be disciplined, respectful, and protectors of the people. You’re welcome to the church for worship but not for trespassing. We hope to see good will and fairness on the part of the soldiers on duty in future,” the NTCA said. It further called upon the concerned authority to take necessary measures “so as to avoid this unwanted action on the part of its personnel of any rank.” The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) also expressed concern at the October 23 shootout and the alleged occupation of the church by the AR. It appealed to all concerned to adhere and respect the ground rules of the Cease Fire keeping in mind the peace and tranquility of the land. A press note from the CNTC also urged the Naga political groups to “remain in their designated camps so that such unfortunate incidents do not take place jeopardizing the lives of innocent and the vulnerable public.” At the same time, it asked the Assam Rifles to “live up to its name of ‘Friends of the Hill People’ in all actuality and thus act accordingly.” It further expressed condolences to the deceased GPRN/NSCN cadre who was killed during the October 23 shootout, and wished speedy recovery of the injured. The CNTC urged the state government to take the matter of the church occupation with the Indian Army and the CeaseFire Monitoring Board and ensure that such activities do not take place in future at any cost.