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The Morung Express
ess r p x E y t i n ortu p p O t e N h t You
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” CESS TESSS” UC E E C C M U ITYMEET S TUNITY TURN P“WPHEOREROPPO l. 1 Dimapur O E Issue 2 Vo R “WHE 14 20 7, -2
Editorial
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VOL. IX ISSUE 300
February 21
anothe hi mous G.I JO hts with my the turbu there is no typiGand saying is, al day for a ing sword fig ys.” rm ― Mahatma neighbour bo admits that cal or no w. In fact there She also ofession is cabin cre I can promise ng pr her current accident than is one thi two days are ever more of an “I've never you - no e. There is no 1 to thl. intentiona becoming a the sam and you’re never , marking a birstart dle can ng est, all fires a small burni planned on until I bumped 10 here, re how your day Whether it is wildfire consuming a forbe a blessing or a cabin crew, rtisement on- quite su out! In short this r ing day, or a rag spark. And it can eithe man-made. Either a into an adve ht, submitted will turn ssion that will from a little fire, big fire, it is still gligence. line one nig and then one is a profe allenge you and ne all as his Sm d . or ere t rse ch cu of man’s wi Mount Japfü, consid o susmy resume and always ur toes. on toe ati s est manif eryone' is thing led to the other Doha keep you on yo y is the fire at y, is als ev est tor ep for his t ke t en ll en ay in The rec y’s worst in rec elessness of trekas a wi . And one who edictabilit , she tod ha am Do e I in Th , re ntr eck l” d car w” unpr he one of the couve been caused by the ep themselves warm. Base w with the Qatar on ch taneous ought to love rking as a cabin cre soul of this job, I fee o the mpses int pected to ha ght have lit a fire to ke d much further, be- cabin cre Ajung Jamir has spon bit of it”, she says. wo e says. it, throws gli kers, who mi had eventually sprealunteers and commu- Airways, travelled the every scribing her two sh Before she got into life of a cabin crew. deat ely fire vo th De le off siv of s would tar all That litt trol of hundreds ir best to douse exten t has firmly reAjung Jamir a people rney with Qa further rec world, bu d to her years’ jou ite remark- she ssion to her was yond the con who were trying the herself as ers ming mained grounde extreme- Airways as qu on to share this profe t a pretty face, scribe n even as she elabosu nity memb con , ek a we or, it is abou perso e goes the fire. fire had raged on for . According to reports, roots. For he to know one’s able, sh had the privilege all g good, smiling to es by saying, “I love pe m, The forest of flora and fauna y of India that the ly important and she that, “I've me amazing lookin ngers and doing rat working with the so ,a lot sse ntity tor along with it, first time in the his other than the newly- roots and ide awn valu- of meeting m around the the pa demo before take- ple king with them, helpthe ry utility- has clearly dr m travel- people fro about life, a bit of that opinion has tal m- I just love being this is also rce helicopters, none Ngullie By Sandemo the t rn pter, a milita Indian Air Fo ssian Mi-17 V5 helico used to combat the able lessons fro globe even globe, lea and growth, off. Bu changed a lot since ing und people. This being inducted Ru aerial machine are beingand. g across the that, “Trav- friendship ubt I would clearly ned, even as she aro d, of course, there are t d lin s ba gal joi my sai I do Na om and-c t tested in the raging fire containe re. as she share ght me about which had I been home she on to add, “who knew es when I require infirs o als , forest fire s good news to have does not end he elling has tau pect- it have had, gst people goes fessionally tim ace" (I’ll be While it’ the issue of forest fire we stand in terms humility and res pect and just amon le with.” about being prost aid, or se- "quiet sp ut it), and this is y, fir res tho ere tab on the 7th daould make us think wh ich, technically speak- taught me how to board I am comfor e also re- trained on rtificate and a sane wi e I read, write and Rather, it sh g our environment, wh y a cleaner onO of my To this end, sh of her pro- curing a ce e one is given the tim t equall of protectin . mbers one m college, license befor d to fly? This think.” en she is not flying, in the recen as I would the CE me ity ers v di life car Wh ck fro eing the green ing, is our aginable loss of bio le of this generation company.” ieve the baof brain y fessors ba ‘b The unim mething the peop best we can con- Working in a compan m who told them that, dis- job needs a lot Brain to she tries to ach as catch on r. so fro lp us such how forest fire is er upon and think of incidents from hap- of almost 7000 crew goes around people he tter and and will powe ember, the sics first, do her laundry, , e nd be rem ate es ep sh po , es d v sle tun l ld cad rld an s r de rse he shou rt such unfor k years and for her famou take in evall over the wo re with study first cover ou tribute to ave near future. What too area had been wildly on to say, “when the s is I couldn’t agree mo real- will power to thrown at cook and sit d aloo fry dine, dal an Once these pening in the ity conservation in the Imagine, how much estion a stranger ask it him because I now ved as erything that is ric . of biodivers just a matter of days. the loss, caused by a qu here are you from?", ize how I have evol ofes- you.” ner or lunch complished, ow , there are "w pr ac consumed in it take us to rebuild portant to kn ty, a person and this d me Apparently for a cabin goals are d about Doha, on is very im longer wouldof fire. normal days ht is un- she is out an movie spree, d to call up k one's roots and identi or sion has also helpe ha no t en nm ark ’ small sp that the state gover reflection of the lac remain grounded, hone my PR skills. s a crew. “Each flig n way, be it on a g a book she wa predictable in its ow ers. shopping, readin catchThe fact tain the fire is also ch calamity. That to will be just one of cabin Yet, when con ng ve we just working as save th su the Centre to mechanism to deal wi w prepared we are else es that serve them , nobody would ha r thanks to the passe pas- in her room or ends. ly They are d to kid ssion not on w to travel an go r to the be in he th her fri of our own us to the question of ho nment mechanisms the facen with rice.” ined her to cause, as It won’t matteu just had the ing up wi uld also abso- This profeenues of meeting cre ve enough money to ag s ver im ick reng go the ch g d bri an wo nk ttin -sa av yo Be home also the She e more open also the duty e would thi ers strike. Pu erse backs sengers if oes today. their own when disast ething else but it is y a part in saving the On flight attendant is sh says, “as a child, I wa biggest heart break of had lutely encourag join a people from div o help in back to d start up their d to t als just try an law firm, life of a th glamour she in place is somof every citizen to pla schievous an ga youths ry or you per- coun grounds bu e in one filled wi while that naughty, mi s. I don’t have centu riod because what- Na ssion like hers even ieving one's own the very own private r studies/ rol e v i sponsibility act highe y a pro I had nturou ss that ach le, and ave profe your pe environment. ople can especially pla tem, our biodiversity, and sty true to a certain adve mories of owning a er it may be, you "h s- while putting acro l and sonal dreams. with a finance for ion or open up a Young pe heritage, our ecosys ness, by first of may be ofession is any me a dress, I was out ev end to your pa s job pays to trave r privilege of flying micro- specializat pr att a thi aware our extent, the t without chal- Barbie or t exploring the fa- to" ers. Period. You will t only that, she furtheon lawyer from Cairo, n and clinic. ntd. on page 2 preserving way in creating more themselves. hra no d ou ng Co and lead the tious, careful and aware an entire forest. And certainly no hen I get ready and ab lak river near our se babies crying non- adds, “you get to spen and biologist from Te m South ve all, being cau ly a little spark to burn ection can certainly lenges. “W am clueless of mous Mi olony in Mokok- ha hyper active holiday yourself, help out here n also a Doctor fro a few). It takes on step in the right dir for duty, I ct out of that ward/c th my brothers, stop, rs wanting a refill of re if required and the n- Africa (to name le litt the ke pe a wi , rso g ex ma tim pe first your therefore rld. what to The unpre- chun marbles, climbing and wines, get to save in save the wo day or flight.of this job is playing aling plum (fruit), beerstrying all the buttons bank account too. al dictability challenging trees, ste g school glasses, ers handset, and then d the fin kin on I ea le br at litt e. wh scare to the the same tim and Fun at ofession that giving a This is a pr
ark of fire That little sp
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austerity drive: No meetings at 5-star hotels, no first class air travel [ PAGE 08]
Cyrus raising money for HIV charity
Technology as an enabler
[ PAGE 11]
[ PAGE 09]
no. I`m not saying anything or making any decision. Why? Ayaah... because everything I say or do leads to riots!
The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 Are Revival programs making a difference in the present Naga context? no
Others
Rally against corruption & unabated taxation today DIMAPUR, OctObeR 30 (MexN): The organizing committee for the October 31 public rally against corruption and unabated taxation has informed that the rally will be held at Old MLA Hostel Junction, Kohima at 10:00 a.m. A press note from the organizing committee has requested all members of the public to attend the rally. In view of the rally the Kohima Superintendent of Police has advised all vehicles to take the Paramedical, TCP Gate and Box Cutting routes to go to Dimapur and to Secretariat or High School areas via Naga bazaar road. Vehicles coming from Secretariat or Tinpati can use the normal route from Raju Point to D Block to Assam Rifles.
Sweden recognizes Palestinian state; Israel upset
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StOcKHOLM, OctObeR 30 (AP): Sweden’s new left-leaning government on Thursday recognized a Palestinian state — a move that comes during increased tensions between Arabs and Jews over Israel’s plans to build about 1,000 housing units in east Jerusalem. The EU member became the third Western European nation, after Malta and Cyprus, to do so, reflecting growing international impatience with Israel’s nearly half-century control of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said Sweden made the move because Palestine had fulfilled the international law criteria required for such recognition. “There is a territory, a people and government,” she told reporters in Stockholm. Israel was quick to condemn Sweden’s announcement, with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman describing it as “a miserable decision that strengthens the extremist elements and Palestinian rejectionism.” “It’s a shame that the government of Sweden chose to take a declarative step that only causes harm,” he added. Israel says Palestinians can gain independence only through peace negotiations, and that recognition of Palestine at the U.N. or by individual countries undermines the negotiating process. Palestinians say Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu isn’t serious about the peace negotiations.
[ PAGE 2]
Obama on Ebola fight: US can’t seal itself off
Friday, October 31, 2014 12+4 pages Rs. 4 –Oscar Wilde
Kerala Blasters beat Pune City 2-1 for first win [ PAGE 12]
naga women in Politics
reflections
Yes
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the Week uote ofpublic Q The is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius ir m Ja Ajung ficult pas- are doing to the forests ofwthhae t , w e r c in b mit for ca boys who tease myofsistheterfa- wesenhageversthewhdifo refckusleesuptoplusit s “Wwhaortldwise but a mirror rersfleelvctesioann ofd to one Sky is the li one and bu Combating Corruptionor just being ES andModi e doing to ou r.” fight- down lence. What am we argovt’s Miley
neurs ls & Entrepre , Professiona ts en ud St r g Platform fo ation Sharin The Inform
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Kideulungle Jeme’s journey through the political, communities and family
Morung Express Feature the Indigenous Peoples’ Party (IPP). Haflong | October 30 “No one has a clear conIn December 2001, Kideulun- cept of why the IPP was gle Jeme (38), or Adeule, start- formed—they had no parent ed working with a local politi- party or alliance with nationcian under whom the Zeme al parties,” reflects Adeule, people saw some jobs within though the IPP had covert the then North Cachar Hills support from a NagalandAutonomous Council. In- based regional party. The spired, she worked with him IPP, according to her, neither for 5 years before herself ap- completely civil nor electorb Centre plying for a Congress ticket in al, could not or did not work Nagaland Jo land ga Na 2007 for the Council elections from the grassroots and was in g in Job Open (1 post) but was denied the same. plagued by fickle leadership. 1. Cook “I stood as an independent “The civil society has a differrden 10+2 (1 post) 2. Hostel Wa te Or Gradua with indirect support from ent constitution than a politil) t (non-Loca post) 3. Receptionisod in accounts (1 the Congress,” says Adeule, cal party..instead of looking 12 pass go e/ and Job Centr unflinching about politics after the villages and comase call Nagal ple l tai de For more r office played out on the ground. But munities, civil society leaders , Wake into ou nd dla nk Mi pp. ICICI Ba Dimapur-O hima-Old NST “I was defeated!” She lets out are running after money and Ko ume res ur yo Please bring a big laugh, unbent by failures politics these days. In every organization, leaders should in later polls as well. L IA R O PRIMinitiaEtiveTofUGreeTnwood School Later, in 2007, she worked know their responsibility An on se Admissi 14) with the Zeme Pui Baudi and exercise powers based g Crash Cour 20 ALAND Announcin JEE (Main + Advance dents NT OF NAG & COMMERCE / stu E M N For AIPMT appearing + passed R E V O S (Zeme Mothers’ Associa- on that,” asserts Adeule, also G IE R T for Class XII S U d IND boys an l for both tion). “We had the continu- calling for better communies: - Hoste TORATE OF LAND: KOHIM14AthFebuary 2014 C E IR Special featur D e ials NAGA2014 Dated Kohima, th Girls - Study mater ility ous job of listening to clash- cation between a team and fac y 5/ rar /3 - Lib /ADV faculty NO.IND/EST st of EMENT - First rate ck-Test 4 (Four) po ing parties to try and make its leader, apart from proper ADVERTIS and to fill up & Commerce. - Weekly Mo gal Na of rch inhabitants with Industries d on 1st Ma al indigenous nt of the Directorate of recognized university loc ll be conducte% and above will peace,” she recalls of her work distribution. ga wi t Na tes m y me ce 70 rman invited fro under the establish y discipline from an • A perfo d students who secure age as an s are hereby t) 35 years of Application uter Assistant (Distric all be graduate from 2014 an fee discount. In 2008, “Independent work with the organization. sh t more than state government 14. mp % no on 20 d Co 50 ati an m en fic rch v rs cu ali gi Ma A qu be LD 3rd than 21 yea existing policy of the mences on The minimum ion. not be less • Class com head 9435091424 1. a in computer applicatof a candidate should it will be governed by candidates contesting in the But the work of ‘civil society’ e signed by the lom 74425485 / lim y l ag e 89 dip du ag um t: r ate pe tac nim fic on con ” Certi 2. The mi The relaxation of the up applicants. o Objection For informati 89 Sd/ent as notivarious constituencies deshould never be mixed up 2014. cally Handicapped required to furnish “N 1. nm 0 35 . ver 97 31 Go 12 on / 96 state yees are and physi policy of the employees ng Government emplo l seal. the existing to the Dicided to join the BJP—I have with electoral politics, she 3. Servi th name and officia ard Tribes shall be as pr d addressed an t can wi t pli ckw by the ap of departmenservation of seats of ba duly signed 4. Re Department. maintains, which led her to been with them ever since,” plain paper lowing documents:AR fol submitted in fied by the P&e Applications may be d accompanied by the eet. an sh e, Th rk erc ma 5. quit her work with the civil she goes on. In 2009, given & Comm U/Graduate with es tri us Ind rector of mit Cards of HSLC/P. rity. etent Autho • Ad rtificate body to continue engage- her relentless grassroots ued by Comp • Birth Ce enous Certificate iss of dig in the office nge. • ST/In r Certificate. 14 be received for receiving yment excha 20 ute all h plo ment with electoral politics. work, and understanding sh mp s em tc Co ion the te ba For N AGE INCOME • • Registration Cardordof photographs. arily rejected. The applicat:A.M to 2: P.M. The last apdaplicationsshould TO mm m 10 The QUALIFICATIO BELOW 26 RS.5000/This common mix-up leads of party politics, Adeule was 2 recent passwapplications shall be su during office hours fro er the specified date. mmarily rejected. • VACANCY TO PER aft su 0/ e, te ed v 2050 erc ple ll be 10 6. Incom of Industries & Comm plications shall be recei t without which it wi YEARS 59 MONTH can te o ap GRADUATE OR to inevitable failure—she made the Vice President of the Directora shall be 24-04-2014.N and Address of the appli MALE / FEMALE EQUIVALENT e) s Kir er ion applicat ls of Contact Numb krunietuo Sd/-(Er.The ustries & Commerce tain detai quotes the example of the the BJP, Haflong unit. con Ind of te NTACT Directora FOR DETAILS CO HIMA Simultaneously, her comcivil platform Indigenous L KO OFFICER’S HIL 9862667159 Peoples’ Forum (of non Di- munity work continued. In / 8 9817 masa peoples in Dima Has- 2001, she joined a Christian Phone No.:89749 A man is seen weaving a bamboo basket which is to be used for catching fish ao) that converted itself into organization called World a political party in 2010 called Vision India as a commufrom a stream in Tuensang. Photo by Imojen I Jamir
Job vacancy TH
nity coordinator to help the ‘poorest of the poor’ become economically independent and build educative capacity. Fasting and worship sessions became regular—she came to notice the similarity between religious organizations. “Like the RSS, even we had internal guidelines. Through our Samaritan activities, we were to convert non-Christians to Christianity.” In 2001 she also began helping research scholars from universities around the world. “They never get fed up of studying!” says an awed Adeule. “I learnt about patience and sacrifice from them—they are so determined to learn, they forget their tiredness. I also learnt to interact with communities during my work with them.” Their research, she feels, is “important for our people as we lack education and must learn from their work.” It was during her work with World Vision India (until 2005) that she met the man she married—he supported her work, including all-nighters, Adeule specifies, seen with suspicion by Naga men. In 2009, they had their first child, and later built a small temporary home. Income always remained sparse. Through 2010, she traveled to Guwahati with her baby for a project with the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development. Her engagement with
the community at the grassroots is a continuous process of her politics. Her family is not neglected—Adeule and her husband adopted a 15-day-old baby girl in 2014 so that the children are grown up enough by the time the Member of Autonomous Council elections happen in 2018, in which she will contest again. There are larger politics—“There remain apprehensions in the Dimasa political mind due to the Naga political demand, though the two communities share better relations now (after the 2009 clashes). They fear for Nagas coming into too many administrative positions because the Nagas will then find out about the injustices heaped on us by our neighbours. Nonetheless it is important for us to live in peace with neighbours,” reflects Adeule. But it is the core that she wants to focus on. “Roads, education, family welfare and health care are our main priorities in rural areas,” she informs, of the BJP’s plans for Dima Hasao. With no salaries for the Autonomous Council employees for 10 months now, the BJP wants administrative salaries to come directly from the State (of Assam) instead of from the Council budget. “I want to particularly empower women in politics, 90% of whom have no clear concept of it,” affirms Adeule. (End of series)
nagaland govt urged to decentralize power ‘release all pending payments by nov. 30’
DIMAPUR, OctObeR 30 (MexN): Naga Hoho Deputy Speaker, Kenyuseng Tep today called for a “streamlined decentralization policy” in order to bring about the all round development of Nagaland state and to usher in “a sense of equality and justice.” A press note from the Naga Hoho Deputy Speaker stated that centralization of power “excludes” the participation of people and is a “setback to democratic function.” In this scenario, he stated that “it is only a few who holds authority and have the power to exercise on decision making…” This, he added further “excludes” people of capability and potential from transform-
ing society. Centralization of power, he said would “further the violence and exploitation against the weak and the poor.” He rued that “such obvious cases of power abuses” are “rampant in the present governance system of our state.” The Naga Hoho Deputy Speaker lamented that “in our present governance management system, development is going on only inside the secretariat level but there is nothing to see outside.” Government offices in other districts and sub-divisions “remain dormant,” he added. The “present chaos in the socio-economic and political life in Naga society,” he stated is due to the
“inadequate distribution of power and responsibility in the governance system, where the general concern is not taken into consideration.” The Naga Hoho Deputy Speaker further said that “prejudice and nepotism have become the practice of our system” and that there is a “complete breakdown of justice in every level.” He further added that there is “no honesty, transparency and accountability in our system.” He asserted that a “decentralization policy can lead to flexible, innovative and creative management where the masses can be involved and can bring a successful social system in Naga society.” He stated that the decen-
foothill road: construction to resume Morung Express news Dimapur | October 30
The Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has stated that construction of the Foothill Road will resume soon. The NFHRCC told media persons on Thursday that it met with Roads & Bridges Minister, Kuzholuzo Nienu in Kohima on October 29. While informing that work in all sectors will resume in earnest after completion of certain formalities, the NFHRCC added that problems dogging the progress of work will be settled in a week’s time. All legal cases connected to the project, including the defamation suits filed by the Minister, will be withdrawn paving the way for resumption of work, it was informed. With regard to work allocation, Mon sector will be shared by con-
tractors A Neangba Konyak and Phongshi Phom, while Mokokchung sector will go to Yashitsungba Aier and Tarep, it was added. It is expected that if work progresses smoothly, the stretch of the road falling between Doyang River and Tizit will become motorable by March, 2015. It will be followed by tarring for an all-weather motorway with the NFHRCC projecting that it will be anywhere between 12-24 months, excluding Doyang bridge, for the road to be complete on both sides of the Doyang. The Doyang Bridge is likely to take three years for completion. With an estimated cost of Rs. 22 crores, the initial plan to construct a steel-girder bridge was replaced by a plan to build a full-fledged RCC structure spanning the width of the river at Governor’s Camp, Liphayan. The NFHRCC
stated that workers are already laying ground works for the RCC beam bridge with a completion target of at least three years. The NFHRCC further informed that the Nagaland government has sanctioned Rs. 70 crores out of which around Rs. 18 crores has been utilised. Provided costs do not escalate, around Rs. 30 crores will remain after costs for the Doyang bridge is deducted and the Rs. 18 crores already utilised. When the Foothill Road movement started in May 2013, the plan was to have a ‘jeepable’ (motorable) single lane road. Now, with the fund situation appearing bright and additional funding from the government, it is expected that Nagaland will realise an over four-decades old dream to have an all-weather, two-lane foothill highway with room for further expansion.
tralization of governance is essential to do away with corruption and injustice. “If we look at the present context of our state, power rests with the bureaucrats and the politicians and every power is centralized in the secretariat where every decision is made by a few exclusively,” he stated. The Naga Hoho Deputy Speaker suggested that the Nagaland state government “centralize its power from the secretariat to the lower rank level,” so that governance and administration becomes more transparent and democratic. This, he asserted would also enable that equal opportunity can be availed by all sections of people.
naga Hoho for open dialogue DIMAPUR, OctObeR 30 (MexN): The Naga Hoho has appealed to all Nagas, especially the Naga political groups, to “desist from issuing any form of provocative and intimidating statement but rather encourage and practice open dialogue to resolve differences in the true spirit of truth and reconciliation.” A press note from the Naga Hoho General Secretary, Mutsikhoyo Yhobu urged the Naga people to “keep in perspective the larger goal of the Naga people -- to live in dignity as a recognized race of the world.” “Threat and intimation amongst ourselves,” the Naga Hoho stated “is not going to lead us anywhere except backward.” It further stressed on the need for the Naga people to “live together as one regardless of the artificial boundary that has been imposed on us presently by the colonial force.” It appealed to all Nagas, be it groups, organisations or tribes to “continue loving ourselves as Naga people and to promulgate understanding of each other keeping in view our ultimate goal.”
DIMAPUR, OctObeR 30 (MexN): The print media in Nagaland has been a strong source of information and publicity, yet the State Government has neglected basic dues it owes to the newspapers. Now, the Editors of six newspapers from Nagaland have asked for the ‘immediate intervention’ of the Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang, to take proactive and necessary steps to address the issue. In a memorandum submitted by the Editors to the Chief Minister’s Office today, the CM has been urged to release “all pending payments for advertisements that have been published up to September 30, 2014, by November 30, 2014.” It asserted that the Government of Nagaland implement “in letter and in spirit” its own policy, which includes ‘Release of all future advertisements and payments need to be routed through the Directorate of Information and Publicity Relation (DIPR)’ and ‘All payments of published advertisements must be made within 45 days from the date of publication.’ The memorandum was submitted along with copies of the pending bills. If the Nagaland State Government is unable to implement these points by November 30, the Editors and newspapers have resolved to take “firm and decisive measures” by December 1. This may result, the memorandum stated, in “withholding the publishing of government advertisements, news and events till the pending bills are cleared and existing policies are implemented in full.” The newspapers include Nagaland Post, Nagaland Page, Eastern Mirror, Tir Yim Yim, Capi and The Morung Express. “Nagaland newspapers are one of the primary medium of mass communication that have over the years provided public service in gathering and disseminating news to facilitate an informed society,” noted the memorandum. “In the face of increasing political
Faced with ‘inconsistencies, negligence and extreme lapses in the state government’s responses,’ Nagaland newspapers ‘may’ withhold State government advertisements, news and events by December 1 and economic instability, the Nagaland newspapers are entirely dependent on revenues generated through advertisements and newspaper sales for their financial sustainability.” The memorandum further noted that the Nagaland State Government is one of the agencies that “regularly avails” the newspapers’ services to place advertisements at the government’s set rate. The newspapers, in turn, publish the advertisements “in good faith with the understanding that the government will make the payment within a 45-day period.” “However,” stated the six Editors, “the newspapers have experienced inconsistencies, negligence and extreme lapses in the State Government’s responses to the newspaper’s requests for payments.” “The newspapers have been patient and sensitive to Nagaland State’s precarious financial situation, but now the newspapers are compelled to draw the line. Our repeated appeals and reminders to the various government departments to release payments for previously published advertisements has fallen on deaf ears, thus, in turn jeopardizing the stability of newspapers.”
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