C M Y K
www.morungexpress.com
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 299
The Morung Express “
www.morungexpress.com
Special team to probe 627 Indians with foreign bank accounts [ PAGE 08]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Haflong | October 29
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your answer to 9862574165 Are Revival programs making a difference in the present Naga context? Yes
no
Others
Zambian prez dies in London hospital LUSAKA, OctOber 29 (AP): Zambian President Michael Sata, a longtime opposition leader who was finally elected president in 2011, died after an illness, the Zambian government said Wednesday. The Cabinet met to discuss a political transition, which would include elections within 90 days in the southern African nation. Sata died shortly after 11 p.m. on Tuesday at London’s King Edward VII hospital, where he was being treated, Cabinet secretary Roland Msiska said in a statement. Sata’s wife, Christine Kaseba-Sata, and his son, Mulenga Sata, were at the 77-year-old president’s side when he died, Msiska said. Mulenga Sata is the mayor of the Zambian capital, Lusaka. “I urge all of you to remain calm, united and peaceful during this very difficult period,” Msiska said in an appeal to Zambians. The Zambian Cabinet discussed plans for a political handover, a Zambian official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media.
–Samuel Goldwyn
[ PAGE 2]
Myanmar’s story, told by one crumbling building [ PAGE 09]
NE United play out goalless draw with Delhi [ PAGE 12]
NAGA woMEN IN PolItICS Morung Express Feature
The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn
Thursday, October 30, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
Govt agencies commit to Child Rights
Nicole Kidman explores the world of amnesia [ PAGE 11]
Kideulungle Jeme’s journey through the political, with or without representation What`s the biggest hurdle to the future of our children? mm, way things are looking right now, i`m gonna say our government!
”
Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day
C M Y K
Kideulungle Jeme (38), or simply Adeule, is far more prepared than her party men for a political party meeting at a village in the Zeme Naga areas of Dima Hasao district in Assam—she organized vehicles, journalists and surrounding village folk to attend the party meeting. In her trademark monochrome kurta, she took notes and lobbied as much behind the scene as on it— after the meeting she organized food and kindly directed the inebriated home. Adeule is the Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Haflong and has an unpretentious way of dealing with the all-male politics that surround her—humble, unfazed, deft, diplomatic. It is rare to see women actively par-
ticipate in politics, and be accepted by the Naga society in doing so. With the low participation of women in electoral politics, except mostly in a peripheral ‘women’s unit’ manner, the voices of women from the grassroots remain negligible. Born to a Heraka family in Herailo village in the current Dima Hasao district of Assam, Adeule has not found a sudden vocation in politics—she was actively involved since she was in class 10, or even before. She never thought of waiting for formal political representation for women to jump in. “After studying lower primary at the village, I went to stay and study with my brother in Haflong. Though school was quite simple for me, economic theory proved to be too hard during graduate studies and I quit,” she says of her formal education. In class 8, dissatisfied by the Hindi language classes at the government school in Haflong, she started Hindi tuitions at the Saraswati Vidya Mandir school in Mpuilo village close to Haflong town. Sensing her talent, the principal of the school sent her for Rashtra Sevika Samiti (RSS—a parallel women’s organization to the Rashtriya
Kideulungle Jeme (Morung Photo)
BJP Nagaland for probe into PDS scheme
DIMAPUr, OctOber 29 (MexN): The Nagaland state unit of the BJP today lamented that people in the grassroots in Nagaland state are “being deprived of their rights and privileges at the cost of the poor people’s Below Poverty Line (BPL) scheme.” A press note from the media cell of the Nagaland BJP recalled that the AntyodayaAnna Yojana Scheme was launched by former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee under the NDA-1 regime in 2000, and is aimed at providing food-base items to “destitutes or individuals under a particular social group.” It informed that they are provided with a ration card (Antyodaya card) to enable them to avail a food-grain quota at subsidized price. Each household is entitled for 35 kilogram wheat or rice or combination of both every month. The food-grain is supplied at Rs 2 per kilogram for wheat and Rs 3 per
kilogram for rice. A Fair Price Shop (FPS) – designated local ration shop, dispenses these items. However, the BJP rued that “some individuals/ groups with vested interests are amassing wealth from this scheme whereas our innocent public remain mute spectators.” Whereas, it added that in other states, this schemes are being “genuinely implemented, which is benefiting the old(60 year-old and above) , disabled ,destitute men and woman, widows , pregnant and lactating mothers and the under privileged group of people in general with no regular support and means of subsistence.” “The monthly quota of Public Distribution System items namely, rice and wheat received for Nagaland under AAY, BPL and APL schemes as disclosed by Food Corporation of India (FCI) Regional Office, Dimapur and the allegation of pilferage to open market pointed to deep un-
derlying nexus between the Central and State machineries, contractor-suppliers and middlemen,” concluded the BJP. It stated that “people making profits in terms of crores of rupees every month out of the poor men’s morsel was a serious allegation,” and that the “crime is tantamount to basic human rights violation and the constitutional right to livelihood.” The BJP Nagaland has demanded for a “thorough probe” into the issue and further urged for “making public in all local print media, the monthly procurement and district-wise distribution of these items for the past five financial years up to date.” It further demanded “disclosure of the names of the contractorsuppliers for the same period.” Urging the Nagaland state government to “come out clean,” the BJP cautioned that it would be compelled to “use all resources within its power to demand for a CBI investigation.”
Swayamsevak Sangh, a Hindu national volunteers’ group) training to Guwahati, alongside 60 other ‘tribal’ Hindu girls from all over the North East. For a few years hence, she attended five such trainings, learning how to use knives and sticks for defense, karate, yoga, patriotic songs, communication skills, leadership and, among other things, how to be a ‘good Indian woman.’ With new found confidence, she wanted to continue her alliance with the RSS when her father stepped in. “He and I knew that my education had to go on, and religion was in the way—too many rituals and gennas discouraged continuous schooling. I also observed that as a whole, and as a woman, there was more independence in Christianity,” she reminisces. “Zeme people do not give importance to education of women—even if educated, they are married away. Due to poverty, parents have to cater to day-to-day needs, and girls have to inevitably bear the weight,” explains Adeule. As a coalesced result, 70% of the community neglects education, she says, though her parents were an exception. 4 brothers and 5 sisters in her family were all educated. In 1998, Adeule converted. “I did
Unidentified body found Morung Express news Dimapur | October 29
An unidentified body of a non-local male, aged about 30 years, was found on Wednesday morning at National Highway 29, Pherima. Police suspect that the victim was murdered on Tuesday and his body was thrown below the highway. According to the Police, the body bore bruises and had an ‘Assamese gamcha’ or hand-towel tied on the neck. The body has been transferred to the morgue in Dimapur Civil Hospital for identification.
Minor girl drowns at chathe Morung Express news Dimapur | October 29
A minor girl of about 16 years drowned at the Chathe River near the Patkai Bridge on Wednesday afternoon. The victim was an employee of Amenity Centre, a restaurant near the Patkai Bridge. Police informed that the victim had been employed at the restaurant for only five days and was known as Alika/Bolika. However, Police stated that the exact identity of the girl could not be ascertained. The body of the deceased is being kept in the Dimapur Civil Hospital morgue for identification. In this regard, the Women Cell of the Dimapur Police have appealed to the family members to identify and claim the body within three days.
not know much about Christianity but the path soon became clear for more education and I met many new types of people, but I noticed a lack of respect for each other, and problems cropping from over confidence and over independence as well.” After class 10, though young, she was invited to take part in the activities of the Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) party owing to the lack of educated women among the Zeme Nagas in Assam. “We used to go from village to village explaining the ASDC’s concept and ethics, as well as issues of development and corruption. I used to write meeting resolutions, keep records etc.,” says Adeule of her first step in political activity. The ASDC ruled the then NC Hills from 1996 to 2001. Adeule sought to do a job as a teacher after this initial political stint. Disappointment disguised as opportunity awaited her. Despite numerous bribes, she could not secure a job. On the side, she taught at a private school in Laisong from 1998 to 2000. “But I wanted to work for my people more rigorously, so I decided not to try for jobs but focus on politics instead.” (Part-I of a two-part series)
NSF demands safety of people traveling through Karbi Anglong DIMAPUr, OctOber 29 (MexN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has demanded that necessary measures be taken to ensure the safety of people plying through Karbi Anglong district of Assam during the course of the ongoing 1000 hour bandh in the area. A press note from the NSF expressed serious concern over the bandh called by the Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS) Karbi Anglong, which it stated has been adversely affecting normal life in Nagaland State. The NSF noted that “Nagas have nothing to say over the demand for Autonomous or separate state by the Karbi people.” However, it lamented that “imposing 1000-hour bandh on National Highways, thereby cutting off the
route which is the only lifeline for the people of Nagaland is a matter of great concern.” “Why should Naga people suffer over the demand of the Karbi people? Nagas have nothing to do with their demand,” the NSF questioned. It further called upon the Assam government to make sure that “nothing should happen to any of the Naga travelers and also ensure safe passage for the vehicles carrying essential commodities entering to Nagaland.” It further urged the Union Home Ministry to take necessary measures for the safety of those people plying through Karbi Anglong district of Assam, “else there will be repercussion if anything happens to the people who have nothing to do with the Karbi peoples’ demand.”
centre makes effort to end border dispute Black Money: 627
C M Y K
NeW DeLHI, OctOber 29 (AGeNcIeS): The Government of India today made a reconciliatory effort to end the decades-old boundary dispute between the states of Assam and Nagaland and asked both the sides to provide their own suggestions within two weeks. The Nagaland state Chief Minister, TR Zeliang held a meeting with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday, October 29 and apprised Modi on the prevailing situation in Nagaland state. The Indian PM was also made aware of the steps being taken by the Nagaland state government for the state’s overall development. Zeliang’s Assam counterpart, Tarun Gogoi also held a meeting with the PM on the same day. Gogoi briefed Modi on the prevailing security situation in Assam state and steps being taken to end the insurgency problem there. Later, a high-level meeting, chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, was attended by the Nagaland CM and his
• Rajnath Singh urges more ‘people to people contact’ in AssamNagaland border • Chief Secretaries of both states directed to submit suggestions within 2 weeks Assam counterpart. Efforts were made during the meeting to facilitate an acceptable final solution to the border dispute between the two states. At the meeting, the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh urged the Chief Ministers of Assam and Nagaland states to maintain people-to-people contact along the inter-state border to strengthen peace and harmony. The Union Home Minister further urged both the Chief Ministers to find an amicable solution to the vexed border row. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and his Nagaland counterpart TR Zeliang agreed to maintain peace and harmony in the border areas, a CMO press release informed. On the boundary dis-
pute, both the Chief Ministers agreed to abide by the directive of the Supreme Court. The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Home and Political Department of both the States, it added. As per the decision taken during the meeting, the Chief Secretaries of the two states will submit suggestions to the Home Ministry within two weeks, which is expected to pave the way for solving the long lasting issue. “The Home Minister is taking a sincere reconciliatory effort to find a solution to be acceptable to both Assam and Nagaland,” a Home Ministry official was quoted as saying. Tensions have been on a high in the area bordering the two states over recent months.
names handed to sc
NeW DeLHI, OctOber 29 (AP): India’s government handed over 600 Indian names with foreign bank accounts to the Supreme Court on Wednesday after public outrage over rampant tax evasion. The court, which ordered the government to release the list, has given the names to an investigative team that the government set up in June to find the illegal funds that tax dodgers have parked overseas. The court set a deadline of March 31 next year for the team to complete its probe and begin legal action against tax evaders. Attorney General, Mukul Rohatgi said 627 people are named on the list. They all had accounts with a Geneva branch of HSBC, information that was disclosed in 2011 by an employee of the bank and passed to India but not acted on by the previous government. They are likely a tiny fraction of Indians with foreign bank accounts. The Central Bureau of Investigation said in 2012 that $500 billion was held by Indians in tax ha-
vens overseas. Funds are stashed in tax havens such as Liechtenstein, British Virgin Islands, Switzerland, Mauritius, Jersey and the Isle of Man. India has a flourishing “black money” economy that functions parallel to the legal economy. Undeclared income is used to fund election campaigns and buy land or real estate in order to avoid paying property taxes. On Monday, the government had disclosed names of seven people who it said had illegal accounts abroad. That led to widespread outrage, prompting the court to step in and order the government to reveal all the names that it had. The government told the court that it was committed to disclosing the names of people holding money abroad illegally. In an affidavit, the government said that since every account held by an Indian in a foreign country may not be illegal, it would investigate the accounts before disclosing the names of account holders. Details on Page 8
C M Y K