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friDAY • october 30 • 2015
DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 295 • 12 PAGes • 4
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The courage in journalism is sticking up for the unpopular, not the popular — Geraldo Rivera National Digital Literacy India to widen Mission launched engagement with Africa in Dimapur
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ManU sent crashing out of League Cup PAGE 12
A comeback story Court acquits Imkong L Imchen Cites lack of credible evidence in 2013 election armsmoney-liquor case
Morung Express News Mokokchung | October 29
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Stories about people who have known defeat, suffering, struggle, loss, and have found their way out of the depths inspire us all. There are many inspiring and great comeback stories from around the world and the story of Heiko Kent is one of those archetypal stories. Everyone has a story to tell, like they say, and this is the story of a young Naga who once almost called it quits on life but overcame his failings and transformed into a man with an understanding of life that filled him with compassion, love and contentment. And big dreams. Heiko Kent was born and brought up in Tseminyu. Since early childhood, he wanted to become a missionary. However, as he was growing up as a teen, he got into the wrong company and within no time found himself indulging in drugs, alcohol, marijuana and fights. Very soon, he became a school drop-out and came to be known as the most disturbed boy in town. Hopes and expectations society and family had on him died out and he became the town’s living example of a bad boy. Chronic depression got the better of him and he went to the extent of hurting himself. “I started cutting myself to see blood and continually started thinking about committing suicide,” Heiko recalls. During those days, even when he prayed, he prayed not for deliverance but asked God to end his life. His life was without hope and was filled with rage and anger. In mid 2006, however, Heiko heard the call of his life. “One evening as I was drinking with my friends, a voice spoke to me to go to Church. It was a Saturday youth service. I obeyed the voice and went to Church,” Heiko testifies. Since that day, there was no turning back for Heiko. “God always remembers our commitment
IGAR: Media support to unlawful association
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DIMAPUR , OC TOBER 29 (MExN): Bringing to attention that NSCN (K) has been declared an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 by the Ministry of Home Affairs; IGAR (North) on Thursday said publication of articles issued NSCN (K) by the print media would be “construed as providing support to an unlawful association.” An official notice received from Colonel Rajesh Gupta, IGAR claimed that “any article which projects the demands of NSCN (K) and gives it publicity is a violation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.” It maintained that the intention of declaring NSCN (K) as an Unlawful Association is to curb and prevent fresh recruitments, violence, terrorist and secessionist activities, collection of funds etc. For reference, IGAR pointed out that the local media had published in recent editions of their newspapers, articles issued by MIP of NSCN (K) threatening senior law makers of the Nagaland government and encouraging collection of funds by its representative. It therefore asserted that articles from NSCN (K) should not be published by the media.
Morung Express News Dimapur | October 29
(L-R) Hamle Temjen Phom, Kekhriengunuo Nienu and Heiko Kent, the three Nagas working at Chair3:16, Bangalore with Benny Prasad.
even though we forget,” he adds. The change was slow but progressive. He gratefully recalls how his friends in the Church accepted him the way he was and helped him grow in faith. He then went on to pursue his Graduation in Theology after which he joined the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and worked there for three years. He is now working with Benny Prasad at Chai3:16, which he joined on September 6 this year. He is full of praises for his mother. “The reason I am still alive today and is able to travel and serve God in different capacities is because of my mom’s patience and prayers. I see God in her. She is a widow, raised 5 siblings faithfully herself. She truly amazes me.” Heiko’s ‘Chai Testimony’ Chai3:16 is “one of the most fulfilling places I have ever been to or worked at,” says a satisfied Heiko. At the cafe, while they serve ‘chai’ to the clients, they strike up a conversation and build relationships, he says. “What we all do here is serve five flavours of
Chai. As we serve Chai, we build friendship with them, which is our prime focus.” He also encourages more Nagas to visit and perform at Chai3:16. “Even though I am musically challenged, the musical equipments which we have here is so excellent that I wish some musical Nagas need to come enjoy these resources,” Heiko says. “I also personally wish some of our leaders can take a few days’ break and come down here, live with us and see how true leadership works.” Heiko is one of the three Nagas working at Chai3:16 as of now; the other two are Hamle Temjen Phom and Kekhriengunuo Nienu. On his future plans, Heiko says he wants to build some establishment in Nagaland “where school drop-outs and people rejected by society can have a place of meaning.” He also wants to have an education imparting facility under the same establishment primarily focussing on children of pastors, missionaries and evangelists. “Owing to time factor, many ministers tend to neglect their families,” Heiko observes.
Former Minister, Imkong L Imchen has been exonerated in the February 2013 election arms-money-liquor case. Lack of credible evidence was cited as the reason behind the acquittal. According to Imchen’s defence counsel, BN Sharma, the ‘not guilty’ verdict was delivered at the Court of the Judicial Magistrate (1st Class), Wokha on October 15. Without going into details, Sharma said it was an “acquittal on merit,” which implies that the court held that there was no evidence against the charge filed against Imchen. Imchen faced trial for a charge filed under section 25 (1B) (a) of the Arms Act. He was arrested for possession of weapons, liquor and cash amounting to Rs. 1.1 crores on February 18, 2013. At time of the arrest, he was on his way to his Koridang constituency in Mokokchung via Wokha. A convoy of four vehicles escorting him was intercepted at a check post set up by the Assam Rifles at Santsuphen, near Longsa village in Wokha. The weapons, liquor and cash were found in the vehicles after which Imchen alongwith four others were detained by the AR and handed over to the Wokha police. Following investigation lasting over three months, police framed charges against Imchen under sections 171 (E) / 171 (F) / 188 IPC read with section 25 (1B) (a) / 25 (1A) of the Arms Act read with section 44 of the NLTP Act. The chargesheet was submitted at the District & Session Court, Wokha. At the ‘Consideration of Charge’ stage in the District & Session Court, all of the charges except 25 (1B) (a) of the Arms Act were dropped. Subsequently, the case was transferred to the court of the Judicial Magistrate (1st Class), Wokha as cases under 25 (1B) (a) can be tried at a mag-
isterial court. “The accused was discharged from the liability of the other charges,” stated Imchen’s defence counsel on the dropping of the other charges. The judgment order shed other details on the nature of the case. As per the judgment order, a total of 20 Prosecution Witnesses (PW) were examined out of which 4 were AR personnel led by one Colonel. Two were officials of the NPF Mokokchung Division and the rest were police and state government officials. Among the PW were Imchen’s Personal Security Officer (PSO), an ASI of the Nagaland Police. There was no defence witness. The four others, who were initially arrested alongwith Imchen included his PSO, driver, his son and a domestic help. They were found seated in the Mahindra Scorpio carrying Imchen and later released as no sufficient evidence was found to press charges against them. The weapons seized included five 7.65mm pistols alongwith ten magazines and eighty rounds of ammunition, two .303 rifles alongwith two magazines and hundred rounds of ammunition, Rs. 1.1 crores and eleven bottles of IMFL. The weapons, cash and one bottle of IMFL were found in the vehicle carrying Imchen. Ten more bottles were found in the three police vehicles escorting Imchen’s vehicle. These items, the judgement order stated “were allegedly recovered during the course of the search”. It took the Court 13 months to record evidence beginning April 2014 to May 2015. The final argument took place on September 30 and the verdict delivered on October 15. Absence of independent witnesses at the time of the incident and procedural lapses (Cr.PC) relating to collection of evidence were cited as the major reasons which resulted in the verdict going in favour of Imchen. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Wokha, who represented the State government in the latter stages of the trial, said that no independent witnesses could be presented in court to corroborate the charge against Imchen. The AR had also video recorded the incident at the spot where the convoy was intercepted and frisked. A DVD
copy of the recorded footage was presented in court as evidence, while the original footage captured by the AR during the time of the incident was deleted and lost. The memory card of the digital camera was sent for expert examination. The judgment order quoting the statement of the expert witness said that the original video file could not be retrieved as it was “either deleted or overwritten. Among the major procedural lapses, “the provisions governing search and seizure were not followed.” As regards the charge of section 25 (1B) (a), the court viewed that the prosecution could not provide material evidence supporting the charge. “… While some seizure memo was prepared and some arms ammunitions seized, it was not proper or adequate to bring home the charge against the accused.” “… This Court finds that no reliable, cogent or credible evidence could be found to prove the seizure of the alleged seized items from the possession of the accused, Mr. Imkong L. Imchen. As such, in the absence of any adequate evidence to convict the accused, I find that the prosecution has failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt.” Regarding the money amounting to Rs. 1.1 Crores it was released after the NPF Mokokchung Division came forward claiming it as party fund. The NPF Mokokchung Division petitioned the District and Session Court (D&S), Wokha after which the money was released. It was opposed by the Election Commission of India, which moved the High Court against the order of the D&S Court, Wokha. Consequently, the High Court directed the NPF Mokokchung Division to submit the money at the court of the Judicial Magistrate, Wokha, while directing the Judicial Magistrate to pass the necessary order. Complying with the directive, the money was deposited at the court of the Judicial Magistrate, while petitioning the same court to release the money. The appeal was rejected. Subsequently, a revision petition was filed at the D&S Court, Wokha after which the money was released. It happened in the midst of trial sometime towards the latter part of 2014.
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AYO stops patch up repair of roads Our Correspondent Kohima | October 29
The Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) today stopped the repair and patch up of roads initiated by the Border Road Organisation (BRO) in Kohima town, insisting assurance for all season roads. Reacting to the Chief Minister’s directive that the BRO and the PWD start repairs around the state capital, AYO president Medo Yhokha and general secretary Rokoketou Sechü said that the justifications given
for the miserable road condition and the act of seriousness conveyed to the public by the government is not what the citizens want. “Theseattitudeshadbeen conveyed and stated to the public since so many years and we are frustrated with this response from the concerned authorities,”theysaid. They also reiterated that the organisation will not backtrack from the demands made to the authorities i.e. not to just patch up the roads that will last not even for a month or so but to give to the citizens all
seasons roads’. The AYO also demands that the BRO be held accountable for the miserable failure in manning the NH-29 and other roads in Nagaland. “We have not asked for an explanation from them (BRO) to justify and blame the public,” they said adding that quality presentation of the Hornbill Festival (as insisted by the government) is not what the public need at the juncture, and we are not demanding for the ‘quantity of roads’ but ‘quality roads’.
They said that if the authority cannot commit in providing “all season quality roads,” they should leave the roads as they are for the year. “When the subjects of the state can drive through these roads for a stretch of 9-10 months in a year, we are convinced that our esteemed visitors to the Hornbill festival deserve a ride over these quality provided roads too,” they said. The AYO has meanwhile convenedanexecutivecouncil meeting with the Range Units on October 30 at AYO office premises at 11am.
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‘When the spirit is there, hope is not lost’ Morung Express News Kohima | October 29
Occupying one of the oldest buildings in Kohima, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) commemorated its 68th Foundation Day today 29 at its conference Hall. “When the Spirit is there, hope is not lost,” said K Temjen Jamir, former NSF President from 1991 to 1993, who spoke about NSF’s formation and the federation’s driving principles to bring all Nagas physically, emotionally and geographically together and to uphold and protect the image of the Naga society as a nation and people. Jamir recalled past activities and leaders of the NSF, stating that the ‘situation was so critical’ in their day. He recalled memories of organizing bandhs, strikes, protests, fasts unto death etc. “And today those memories made us what we are, they became our source of inspiration, our source of wisdom. It taught us to sacrifice for the society,” stated Jamir, while hoping that present leaders would continue be inspired by the past Referring to the motto ‘For a unified Lim and Glory of the Nagas’, Jamir
affirmed that ‘Glory’ is what gives responsibility and that it implicates the image of the Naga society. Further glory is not achieved freely but requires efforts and sacrifice, he said. Jamir further reminded the NSF of its immense responsibility. “The population that NSF guides is much more than the population of Nagaland states,” he said. The personal is political Jamir further expressed the need for the public to be involved in political issues, because “whether we like it or not, politics affects everyone. To bring something acceptable and honorable, the Nagas should work together proactively.” He advised against waiting for someone to come along with an acceptable package, and urged Nagas to go beyond their limitations and work under a collective approach to redefine what is acceptable and honorable. “Is acceptability sovereignty? Is honorability geographical integration?” he questioned, while maintaining that for Nagas, it is a matter of shaping and building their future. Jamir further pointed out that Nagas today face a leadership problem.
“Leadership is not about the chair, it is action, it is initiative,” he stated. He viewed the delay in a solution to the Naga issue is due to the lack of a collective approach. “So many people are getting involved, so many groups are involved in search for solution but there has never been a collective approach. That collective approach is missing. We have so many peacemakers, so many solution seekers. But they are not able to come under one umbrella,” he lamented. “In sovereignty, the people are important. Our land is important. Our society is important. Shared sovereignty is about sharing of powers and with that sharing of power amicably, we can progress. That has been our dream. That is our dream and that should be a dream,” he maintained. He further asserted that a solution cannot be acceptable unless Nagas involve themselves in the political process. Senior leaders Imkong L Imchen, Pushika Awomi, Chuba Ozukum and Neiba Kronu also expressed views on the Naga political issue, monitoring illegal immigration and setting up of policies, unemployment, and tackling corruption.
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