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VOL. IX ISSUE 258
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February 21
e fo w, r cabin croetease my sister we haversthewhdifo refficusultespatos-sit “What we arbuetdoa minirrg toorthreflection oftowonhate fo it m li e boys wh one of the fa- senge d buckle up plus world is rselves and Sky is th just being and fight- down an ce. Whaopposes t am we are doing to ou orJaya len ES r.”
Centre’s directive to teach Hindi as a main language at graduate level
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Bye-election: NBCC appeals to change date of counting
Kohima, September 18 (mexN): The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has appealed to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to defer the date for counting of votes for October 15 bye-election to 11 Northern Angami 2 Assemble Constituency as it falls on Sunday (October 19). In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, ECI, NBCC general secretary, Rev. Dr. L. Anjo Keikung stated, “As you are aware Sunday is a day of worship for Christians and Nagaland has a predominantly Christian population. In view of this, any important official proceedings, such as counting of votes, being held on Sunday will not only disturb the worshippers but will go against the religious sentiment of Christians in Nagaland and the world over.”
No detention centre in Half Nagarjan, NSCN(IM) asserts
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Dimapur, September 18 (mexN): The NSCN (IM) has expressed surprise over the 29 Assam Rifles (AR) press release claiming to have “busted” their “detention centre” in Half Nagarjan “where no such centre exists.” The NSCN (IM)’s MIP, in a press release today, asked the AR as well as the State police forces to understand that their “officers stationed in the town are meant to provide and maintain law and order in and around Dimapur.” It clarified that “two persons were temporarily detained for a separate reason by our officers from Operation Acceleration Dimapur Town (OADT).” Explaining the circumstances, the MIP claimed that Sgt. Chuba from Sungratsu Village, who was also an attendant of Col. Lanu (C.O. Hevito Battalion), “was arrested and detained due to leave default.” Secondly, “Rinthar Kashung was a habitual trouble maker in his family, who was kept in our custody at the request of his father Mahaphung Kashung. In this regard the father of Rinthar Kashung has sent a note of clarification to MIP.” The NSCN (IM) then challenged the PRO 29AR to “prove” that the former’s officers “are indulging in extortions, abductions, kidnappings and illegal confinement which they are so fond of trying their best to tarnish our image.” The MIP’s press note “reminded” the AR that “in the land of the Nagas, NSCN will do what is best for the Nagas and Assam Rifles being an intruder shall not meddle in the domestic affairs of the Nagas.”
GeNeva, September 18 (mexN): The United Nations Human Rights Council, as well as other United Nations’ mechanisms on Human Rights, have been requested to monitor ceasefire agreements or any other treaties or agreements made by States with Indigenous b Centre peoples vis-à-vis the IndoNagaland Jo land ga Naga ceasefires. Na in g in Job Open (1 post) This intervention was 1. Cook made at the 27th session of +2 10 rden (1 post) 2. Hostel Wa te Or Gradua the Human Rights Council l) t (non-Loca post) 3. Receptionisod in accounts (1 held in Geneva on Septem12 pass go Centre/ ber 17 by Neingulo Krome, l Nagaland Job tail please cal For more de r office Executive Member, Asia In, Wake into ou nd dla nk Mi pp. ICICI Ba Dimapur-O hima-Old NST digenous Peoples Pact and Ko ume res ur yo Please bring Secretary General, Naga Peoples Movement for HuL IA R O PRIMinitiaEtiveTofUGreeTnwood School man Rights (NPMHR). An Admission D N “During the last 7 deA ash Course vance 2014) L Cr g A G cin un A Anno JEE (Main + Ad CE T OF N / students For AIPMT appearing + passed cades, we have experiVERNMEN USTRIES & COMMER O G for Class XII d boys an l for both A ATE OF IND enced unimaginable hues: - Hoste Special featur DIRECTOR NAGALAND: KhiOmHa, IMthe 14thFebuary 2014 ials Girls - Study mater ility man rights violations, Dated Ko 14 20 fac y 5/ rar /3 - Lib /ADV faculty NO.IND/EST st of EMENT - First rate ck-Test juxtaposed with ceasefires 4 (Four) po ADVERTIS and to fill up & Commerce. - Weekly Mo gal Na of rch inhabitants with Industries d on 1st Ma and political negotiations, al indigenous nt of the Directorate of recognized university loc ll be conducte% and above will 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. agreements and accords in 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 yea qu be the LD 3rd e minimum less than 21 mences on ng policy of . 091424 1. Th computer application didate should not be ll be governed by existi ad between to resolve this ‘con• Class com 35 he 94 / the 85 by 89744254 diploma in nimum age of a can upper age limit wi youthrtificactivist duly signed Indian policemen during a protest to highlight Chinese on contact: detain 2. aThe miTibetan ” Ce ate cants. axation of the o Objection For informati 89 Sd/ent as noti2014.The rel cally Handicapped appli required to furnish “N 1. nm 0 35 . ver 97 31 Go 12 on control over/ 96Tibet, outside Hyderbad House in New Delhi on September 18. Several flicting idea’ without much d physi yees are of the state anthe sting policy employees ng Government emplo l seal. to the Dias pr the exi 3. Servi thTibetans d addressed me and officiackward Tribes shall be were protests organized by exiled held in India on occasion of the visit of Chi- success,” stated Krome. an na t can wi t pli the ap departmen vation of seats of ba ly signed by nts:Presently, the Governpaper duPhoto) t. me in en 4. ReserIndia. cu nese President Xi Jinpingof to (AP pla do rtm in d pa ing the follow be submitte the P&AR De
Job vacancy
fied by e Applications may d accompanied by eet. 5. Th es & Commerce, an uate with mark sh ustri /Grad rector of Ind mit Cards of HSLC/P.U rity. etent Autho • Ad rtificate ued by Comp • Birth Ce enous Certificate iss of dig e. in the office ng ha • ST/In r Certificate. be received ving yment exc ute cations shall . The last date for recei uld • Comp tion Card of the emplo s. INCOME d. The appli M sho • Registra t password photograph be summarily rejecte from 10:A.M to 2: P. date. The applications d. N AGE RS.5000/- TO TIO ICA LIF urs d en all QUA • 2 rec plete applications sh erce, during office ho ved after the specifie ll be summarily rejecte BELOW 26 20500/- PER VACANCY TH TO 10 6. Incom of Industries & Comm plications shall be recei t without which it wi YEARS 59 MONTH can te o ap GRADUATE OR the Directora shall be 24-04-2014.N and Address of the appli MALE / FEMALE EQUIVALENT e) s application ls of Contact Number krunietuoKir Sd/-(Er.The ustries & Commerce contain detai of Ind Directorate
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Un Human rights council asked to monitor ceasefire agreements
reflections
Hey, no buts. We demand a repoll!
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–Elijah Wood
‘Urban Living’ mega Recordhomestore opens in Dimapur breaker Prithvi Shaw, aged [ PAGE 2] 14, bags Rs UN’s flight marks new 36-lakh deal era on Israel-Syria front
Avril Lavigne and Chad ‘headed for a split’
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
Friday, September 19, 2014 12+4 pages Rs. 4
eW Quote of th different, I think being going against the grain of society is the greatest thing in the world Ajung Jamir rests of the
neurs ls & Entrepre , Professiona ts en ud St r g Platform fo ation Sharin The Inform
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ment of India is in Ceasefire truces with 3 (three) different Naga political groups which were signed at various stages over the last 17 years (1997, 2001 and 2011) after the first ceasefire was signed in 1964. However, informed the Secretary General of the NPMHR to the Human Rights Council, “just over a month ago, after 17 long years of ceasefire, the question of ceasefire area coverage became an issue and an Act under Section 144 CrPC was promulgated in Ukhrul town prohibiting an assembly of 5 persons or more, with the town reeling under Manipur Police Commandoes/ Indian Reserved Battalion and Assam Rifles personnel who are well known for their military excesses staging flag marches till today even after an announcement was made that the 144 CrPC have been withdrawn. On 30th of August 2014, as the Civilian population were conducting rallies in the 4 Hills district headquarters
of Manipur, demanding the withdrawal of this prohibitory orders, the Manipur Police Commandoes fired and killed two civilians and injured many others with at least six of them in critical conditions.” Krome brought to the attention of the President of the UN Human Rights Council a “very strong sign of racial discrimination and provocation” wherein restrictions are “particularly directed” against a particular community that inhabits Ukhrul District of Manipur. “While 4 million Nagas are living in different Naga areas in northeast India and western Burma (States of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and western part of Burma), and the conflicting areas of ceasefire coverage effects all other Naga areas outside the present state of Nagaland, the Government of Manipur choose to impose this restrictions only in Ukhrul Town, which is
the hometown of the Tangkhul Nagas,” he noted in his brief intervention during the 27th session of the Council in Geneva. Yet, alongside the “many progresses supposedly made in the political talks over the last 17 years,” noted Krome, the Naga people along with the rest of the peoples of North East India “continue to reel under the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958, by declaring our areas as Disturbed Areas even though there are ceasefires and our places are relatively very peaceful even comparing to India’s Capital New Delhi and other big metropolitan cities all over India.” Meanwhile, the NPMHR Secretary General emphasized on the importance of protection of indigenous peoples rights to disaster risk reduction, and that there should be “maximum participation” of Indigenous peoples in this regard.
Deal firmly with crimes against women: NSCW Shortfall of 531 math & 314 For batch 2014
Dimapur, September NTACT 18 (mexN): While FOthe R DETAILS COpeople KOHIMA L L I H are still trying to cope with S ’ OFFICER 986266the 7159 horrendous assaultone Ncommito.:8974998178 / Ph ted by Thepfurieu Metha on his wife on September 4, two other instances of rape and murder, of a teenager in Bhandari on September 11, 2014 and a nineyear-old girl in Amaluma Vil-
lage, Dimapur on September 14, 2014, have shocked the people of Nagaland. The Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) has noted with dismay the increasing spate of violent crimes committed against women and girls in Nagaland. The Commission through a press release issued by its
Chairperson, Dr. Temsula Ao urged the law-enforcement agencies to deal firmly with the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and award them the maximum punishment under the law. The speedy dispensation of justice will surely help in curbing such crimes against women, it stated. At
the same time, the Commission urged the Nagaland state government to re-instate the Fast-track Courts to deal with such crimes in the State. Meanwhile, it expressed its deepest sorrow on the deaths of the two innocent girls and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
Pastor Jacob John July 4 murder: three trial on a slow burner defendants acquitted Morung Express News Dimapur | September 18
As many as 11 prosecution witnesses would depose at the Court of the Sessions Judge, Dimapur in connection with the Pastor Jacob John child-trafficking case. On September 18, the Sessions Court heard the case in what was said to be the sixth hearing since trial began way back in September 2013. The court was slated to examine three witnesses today, but only one turned up for the hearing. The court has so far examined 6 witnesses with 5 more remaining. The pastor was arrested in March
2013 by the Rajasthan Police after it was detected that he was running illegal shelter homes in Jaipur for children trafficked from the North East. The case was subsequently handed over to the Nagaland police after a case was registered against him at Jalukie police station. Eight of the 53 children rescued from the illegal shelters are from Nagaland. A case of sexual abuse was also filed against the pastor after it emerged that some of the children confined in the shelters were sexually abused. He had made an unsuccessful bail plea during the initial stage of the police investigation—he is currently in judicial custody.
Morung Express News Dimapur | September 18
Three defendants accused of complicity in the July 4, 2013 murder of a woman at Landmark colony, Dimapur have been acquitted. The three defendants—T Yapang, Samarenba and Santosh Nath—were being tried at the Court of the Sessions Judge, Dimapur since October 2013. They wereacquittedatahearingonAugust22last.Thisleavesthe main accused, Rikumkaba Pongen, who is still in judicial custody, as the prime focus of further investigation. According to the Prosecution counsel representing the Government in the case, the Court cited “lack of evidence” as the reason behind the exoneration. The counsel added that the Court was not satisfied with the evidence filed against the three. Meanwhile, proceedings against the main accused will continue. The Court has set September 30 as date for the ‘final argument’. The court is likely to give a verdict subsequently.
science teachers in Nagaland Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 18
Nagaland State parliamentary secretary for school education, Yitachu, today stated that the State is currently facing a shortfall of 531 math and 314 science teachers. Admitting that many schools are facing lack of math and science teachers, the parliamentary secretary assured to set the matter right by evolving various “workable methods.” Pointing out that the study of math and science is a job oriented one, he expressed dismay over less number of students going for the subjects. Addressing the State Level INSPIRE Science Exhibition programme here this morning, Yitachu also informed that the State is in need of qualified persons to fill up the vacant posts of math and science teachers. Stating that many students lack confidence to pursue math and science, notwithstanding its enormous scope in terms of job opportunity, he challenged the students to remove fear from their minds and take up these
subjects seriously. He also made an appeal to the teaching community to be more attentive in building confidence among the students on math and science, adding that math and science are like any other subject. Stating that about 65% of the students are studying in private schools in the State, Yitachu informed that the department is also examining ways and means to send math and science teachers to these private schools as well. The department is even contemplating engaging retired teachers to teach these two subjects on contract basis in case it does not find qualified persons to fill up the vacancies. Further, Yitachu also stated that the department is going for rationalization of teacher and the shortfall of teachers will be taken care of within this year. Later, Yitachu visited Rüzhükhrie GHSS Kohima. He also made a surprise visit to the Directorate of School Education and expressed happiness with the attendance of the officers and staff.
Mob lynch rape suspect 11-yr old rape victim’s body found in forest
Morung Express News Dimapur | September 18
An alleged rape suspect was lynched by an angry mob in Meluri, Phek on September 18. The incident was sparked by the discovery of the dead body of an 11 year-old girl, who went missing on the evening of September 17. The victim of the lynching incident, identified as Ibobi Singh, was reportedly nabbed by the public while trying to flee. According to the Phek police, an 11 year-old girl from Meluri went missing on the evening of September 17. Her dead body was found the next morning at a forested location about a kilome-
tre away from Meluri town. Tension mounted after word went round that the culprit was a neighbour of the girl, other sources said. The man was later nabbed by the public somewhere between Meluri and Jessami and taken to Meluri where he was lynched at the local ground. Police were prevented from taking custody of the man after they were accused of failing on their duties. The public further prevented the conduct of post-mortem on the girl’s body. The initial inquest conducted by the police suggested that the girl was raped and murdered, but it could be confirmed only after medical examination, Phek police said. Four policemen were injured and one police vehicle was torched in the subsequent clash.
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Seen in the image are empty cartons of Mc Dowell whisky pasted inside a house in Tuensang to prevent wind gushing through the wooden wall in cold winter. Despite the claim made by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council and the Excise department of prohibition being successful in rural places like Tuensang, both locally brewed and spurious Indian Made Foreign Liquor are available aplenty in supposedly hundreds of houses even in Tuensang Town alone. Most common brands of adulterated Mc Dowell rum and whisky are sold at Rs. 500.00 and Rs.800.00 respectively. (Photo by Imojen I Jamir)
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All India NCF Forum upholds liquor prohibition
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 18 (MExN): The Naga Christian Fellowship Forum, which comprises of Pastors and leaders of Naga Christian Fellowships in cities across India, met for a conclave at Kolkata from September 5 to 7, 2014. All India NCF Forum Convener, Pastor Achu Chang in a press release said that during this conclave, one of the concerns discussed was the ongoing contemplation of the Government of Nagaland to lift C M Y K
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up the Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989. “We are greatly alarmed by the implications if the decision is taken to lift the prohibition Act. Therefore, in all earnestness and with much prayer we have unanimously decided to support to uphold the existing Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act,” said the convener. The Forum said, “We have become our worst enemy. If we do a survey of families in Nagaland, we will find many with an
alcoholic member in the family- could be the father or the mother, sister or brother, so nor daughter. So what do we do? We come up with this brilliant idea of generating money out of the situation, increase our revenue and make it easier on the buyers to pay less and drink more. Everybody is happy!’ Really? Is this the best plan that we could come up with? No, there are many other ways to respond to this situation- individually, through churches as well
as through legal measures.” Therefore, the forum urges the Government of Nagaland not to come under pressure of some few individuals but to consider the larger interest of the Naga society in their decision-making. It added that many families in Nagaland are destroyed by alcohol. Let us not add fuel to the fire by making this ‘destruction’ legal. Economic growth is important and Nagaland has so much of potential and prospects. God has blessed
us with rich culture, scenic beauty, untapped natural resources, which can be explored and used to further our economy. It also added, “the need of the hour is not wine revenues but honest and genuine men and women who are willing to work with integrity and responsibility to bring our state to the forefront. And most importantly, economic growth or development is not worth, if it is at the expense of destroying human life and morality.”
The Morung Express
‘Urban Living’ mega homestore opens in Dimapur
Kohima | September 18
The State Level INSPIRE Science Exhibition organized by State Council of Education Research and Training (SCET) Nagaland and sponsored by Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi took place here today at Riizhiikhrie GHSS Kohima with parliamentary secretary for school education Yitachu as the chief guest. Nodal Officer INSPIRE Nagaland, Daniel Thong Seb in his introductory speech said the objective of INSPIRE science exhibition event is to encourage the young minds to come up and become scientist tomorrow and eventually contribute to the society. He said the modern society depend much on the contribution of the scientists for all round development. SCERT Additional Director T. Sekhose chaired the inaugural function. Al-
A student demonstrates his project to the parliamentary secretary for school education Yitachu and other officials during the State Level INSPIRE Science Exhibition at Ruzhukhrie GHSS Kohima held on September 18. (DIPR Photo)
together, 57 schools from all the districts joined the event. Among the many projects displayed at the exhibition included; rain water harvest, renewable source of energy, electricity generation through windmill, green model village, drip irrigation, utilization
of sun, wind, water and 3rd: (i) Tsolo-u Mero, organic waste to generate Chakhesang Mission electricity etc etc. Higher Secondary School Pfutsero WINNERS (ii) Ruth Murry, Bethesda Ist: Emtili Aier, Northfield, Higher Secondary School Kohima Dimapur 2nd: Masenwangbou K. They will represent NagaNewmai, Brighter Acad- land at the National Level emy, Chumukedima in Delhi from October 6 to 8
KohIMA, SEPTEMBER 18 (MExN): Under the banner "JUST WORSHIP", October 1-6 will witness a gathering of a talented, anointed and ‘Jesus loving’ group of worship leaders, musicians, artists, singers and speakers - all converging at the Academy Hall in Kohima. "JUST WORSHIP" is simply a worship event designed to celebrate Jesus using creative art forms - music, dance, drama- with ample time for the Word of God and the powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit in praying for the needs of healing, deliverance, salvation, etc, of all who come. This event is a community worship gathering with involvement and participation from different churches, ministry groups, speakers and artists from Nagaland. “The organisers are simply responding to what God is presently doing in
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‘Urban Living’, a mega homestore was launched in Dimapur on Thursday. (Morung Photo)
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 18 (MExN): ‘Urban Living’, a mega store dealing in high end furniture, furnishings, premium homeware and décor was launched in the state’s commercial hub on Thursday. Located at Bank Colony, opposite Naga Shopping Arcade, Urban Living is a one-stop destination to set up a home and the store offers the best brands in furniture, furnishing and home decor including Indian brands like Featherlite, Spaces and Tangerine and US brands like Corelle, Inter-Design and Portico.
The store was inaugurated by parliamentary secretary for Higher Education and SCERT, Deo Nukhu, The ground floor of the 3-storeyed mega store caters to homeware, décor and kitchen ware, the first floor offers office furniture, bedroom, dining and lobby sets. The top floor of the store deals exclusively in living room furniture including sofa sets. The store also offers customized designs. Director, Urban Living, Ankit Jain said the Dimapur store is the second Urban Living mega homestore in India after Bangalore. Gen-
eral manager (franchise development), Featherlite, Nitin Srivastava, said Urban Living houses the third and largest Featherlite store in North East Region. The other two Featherlite stores are located in Guwahati and Tinsukia. Featherlite, the country’s second largest manufacturer of office furniture offers complete office furniture solutions for all segments of market and ‘Featherlite Living’ is a new endeavour to bring the state of the art technology, luxury and comfort to the living room.
State Level INSPIRE Science Exhibition held JUST WORSHIP: Community Worship Gathering Our Correspondent
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the Body of Christ all over love towards Jesus Christ,” God will cover our land.” This event coincides the world, in a new wave of stated a press release iswith the holiday times of worship movement that is sued on the event. schools and colleges and hence will be a great way for everyone, young and old, to participate. The organisers extend an invitation to all churches, youth of Kohima and believers to come and participate. Participants will include Tali Angh, Topeni Assumi, Jack Pucho and team, Gloria Patri team, We the Giant, Faith Harvest Church, Ameu Usou's Choir, Nenteli, CBCK Children's choir, dance teams, and many more from various churches. The speakers are Rev Shan Kikon, Pas Visasier Kevichusa, Pas Kenei Kiso and Pas Aphre Kerhuo. The organisers want Dates are 1-6 October sweeping the churches in various countries. All over to “encourage and inspire and the timing will be from the world, there is a grow- worshippers in Nagaland 4:00 pm onwards at the ing movement (sometimes to ‘arise and shine’, to catch Academy Hall. Bus service spontaneous) of fresh re- the ‘fire’ and allow the Spir- for dropping to some colonewal, intimacy, passion it of God to ignite our hearts nies will be available after and simple devotion and afresh so that the Glory of the services every evening.
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Land Resources DPO Phek gets new building Peace Channel to observe
International Day of Peace
Minister for Roads & Bridges and Parliamentary Affairs, Kuzholuzo Nienu with others during the inauguration of new office building of District Project Officer Phek held on September 16. (Morung Photo) Our Correspondent Phek | September 18
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Minister for Road and bridges (PWD) and Parliamentary Affairs Kuzhuoluzo Nienu (Azo) on Tuesday inaugurated the new office building of District Project Officer (DPO) Phek, Land Resources Department, as chief guest in the presence of Dr Nike Kire Parliamentary Secretary for Forest & Environment head of departments, Civil societies and host of dignitaries. Inaugurating the office building Azo said that the successful completion of the office building on time is the initiative and support given by the Director
Land Resources. He asked the department to live up to its full ability so that people of the district would get maximum benefit. The chief guest also asked the department not only to implement schemes and other activities under the project but also to educate farmers along with the activities of the department. Advising the people Azo also said that Phek should be the place where people would like to come and stay like home and “to do that we should change our mindset so that officers and department employee come to the district happily and educate the people.” He also asked the people to give maxi-
mum support and co-operation to all the officers and department in the district. Deputy Commissioner Phek Muroho Chotso who also spoke on the occasion said the building may not bear fruit immediately but it will bear fruit in its time. He also asked the gathering to take care of the building as a personal property. Welcoming the gathering Director Land Resources, Mhathung Yanthan gave an overall view of the department activities in the district and added that the department is a people centered where the activities is a bottom top approach. He also disclosed that the district has nine IWMP
project covering over 100 villages and asked the gathering to give co-operation and support to the staffs posted in the department so that the work will be implemented without difficulties. Sovenyi President CPO also spoke o at the occasions while N. Kehie proposed vote of thanks. Folk song by mission compound youth, special song by Mesehiwe was the other highlights of the program. The program was followed with a lunch. The Minister for Road & Bridges and Parliamentary Affairs, Kuzholuzo Nienuh also inaugurated Children’s Park Canteen at 5th NAP Camp Phek.
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 18 (MExN): Peace Channel, a Youth Movement of the third millennium, Diocese of Kohima, Dimapur, Nagaland is organizing its “7th Annual North East Youth Peace and Cultural Festival” on September 20 and 21, at Holy Cross Higher Secondary School Campus, Dimapur. The gala event with the theme ‘Inspiring Change Towards a Violence Free World”, is aimed at promotion of integration through inter-faith, inter-cultural interaction and sharing, facilitate learning through input session and inculcate peace in the hearts and minds of the participants, around one thousand from all over North Eastern state. This is an annual event to commemorate the International Day of Peace and the Foundation Day of Peace Channel and People’s Forum for Peace. The first day would begin with inaugural ceremony that would be graced by Kevileno Angami, OSD, Planning & Coordination, Government of Nagaland, as a Chief Guest along with. M. A. Shihab, IAS, SDO,
Sechu Zubza, Kohima, Nagaland, as special guest and the major attraction of the day would be Religious Conclave, Choir Competitions and Mr. and Miss Peace Channel. On the second day, the event would start with inter-religious prayer followed by panel discussions on ‘Preservation and Promotion of Indigenous Culture’, ‘Youth Issues and Challenges’ and ‘Inspiring a Change and Youth Towards a Violence Free World’ with dignitaries like Dr. Hesheto Y. Chishi, Director of Indigenous Cultural Society, Ahoto Andrew, Chairman, LFHSS and Dharini Payeng respectively. The valedictory session would witness the presence of Prof. A. Lanunungsang Ao, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University, Merima campus, as a chief guest and in his presence the Peace Channel Award’2014 would be conferred to Dr. Chingmak Kejong for his contribution to the society and peace building. Peace Channel family invites all the members of People’s Forum for Peace, Peace clubs, peace lovers and well-wishers to witness and be a part of the festival.
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The Morung Express
Friday
19 September 2014
Dimapur
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RNPC requests security Organisations condemn Ukhrul blast Rs 5 lakh each for Rengmas in KA for Ukhrul DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 18 (MExN): The Rengma Naga Peoples’ Council (RNPC) has requested the Karbi Anglong district administration to look into the current issue involving harassment of some Rengma women in the district on September 12. It has also asked for security to be provided to the villagers at the earliest. In a memorandum to the DC of Karbi Anglong signed by its president, Shahi Rengma, and general secretary, K. Solomon Rengma, the RNPC brought to attention that “the Rengma people of Karbi Anglong are facing renewed threats...” The RNPC narrated the incident as such: “On 12th September, 2014,
around 2pm, 8 (eight) Rengma women on their way to Jongpha Mission Centre/Western Rengma Baptist Mission Centre under Chokihola PS, were waylaid at Borsuphon by suspected Karbi militants and subjected to physical harassment for more than 2 hours at gun point. The militants claimed that they were the ones who burnt down the houses of Rengmas on 27th Dec 2013. Not satisfied, these militants robbed the innocent women of their valuables including mobile phones.” Thereon, the Council condemned the alleged refusal of the Officer-inCharge of Chokihola Police Station to file an FIR. “He also objected to the
written complaint which stated that the women were ‘thoroughly interrogated with gun point.’ Thereafter, the women complainants deleted this phrase and they were coerced to give the complaint as ‘information’ only. An FIR was not even deemed necessary,” wrote the RNPC. “This attitude of the police is adding to the insecurity of the Rengma people and we demand strong action be taken against the Officer-inCharge of Chokihola Police Station,” it stated in the memorandum, whose copies were sent to SP Karbi Anglong, SDO (Civil) Bokajan and Human Rights Law Network, Guwahati.
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 18 (MExN): The United Naga Council, Naga Women’s Union and All Naga Students’ Association Manipur have condemned the “dastardly act” of bomb blast at Ukhrul town on the evening of September 17 which claimed the lives of Sosonao Tangva and A.S. Dinah, former president of Tangkhul Shanao Long. A joint condemnation from the Publicity Wing of the UNC, NWU and ANSAM stated, “At this time of hard earned peace when the entire Naga people are in expectant hope for peaceful settlement of the Indo-Naga issue, any form of terrorism, be it by state or non state actor, is most condemnable.” It added, “By the death of Sosonao and Dinah in innocence, we are reminded of the tremendous challenge before our people to fight extremism and acts of terrorism which
CORE: The Centre For Organisation Research and Education (CORE) Manipur has vehemently condemned the bomb blast in the evening of September 17 in Ukhrul town as an “outright act of cowardice, terrorism and crime against humanity.” A press release from CORE Executive Director Dr. Immanuel Zarzosang Varte and President Dr. D Roy Laifungbam condoling the deaths of A.S. Dinah and Lansophy Tangvah stated, “The planting of a bomb in the middle of a town where civilians have only recently been able to pursue their normal activities speaks volumes of an inhuman conspiracy.” CORE further urged everyone, particularly the government, to desist from actions “that can only lead to further escalations in a vexed situation.” UNMM: The United NGOs Mission – Manipur (UNMM) has expressed strong condemnation of the bomb blast in Ukhrul yesterday and the killing of two innocent women. A press release from UNMM Secretary U. Nobokishore stated that during the last couple of months, seven have been is raising its sinister head in our society. It is a clarion call for collective vigilance and the conscientious involvement of each and every Naga to weed out such
killed in Ukhrul district alone. “If your target is causing death or causality to civilians, it amounts to crime against humanity and liable to be investigated under the International Humanitarian Law,” UNMM stated and highlighted the need for protecting lives and properties of people by the Government and by “political armed actors.” TSA: The Tangkhul Scholars’ Association (TSA) has in the strongest of terms condemned the bomb blast in Ukhrul that left two dead on Wednesday. A release from the association President Dr. Yaruingam Awungshi and General Secretary Dr. Tuisem Ngakang stated, “What's happened is horrible, abominable and disgusting act. Such act of cowardice has no place in civilized society and no justification whatsoever for this act.” “While our hearts go to the victims and their families, we must be vigilant and resolute at all times to defeat and eliminate such shameful activities,” TSA stated and added, “Everyone deserves to live in peace; we must stand together to our collective well-being.”
destructive acts and perpetrators from our society.” The three organisations reached out to the bereft families and friends of the departed with heartfelt
sympathies and condolences. “We are with you all in your grieves for the irredeemable losses. We also wish God’s healing and May the almighty grant you all
blast victims
IMPHAL, SEPTEMBER 18 (NNN): The State Government of Manipur has announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each and Rs 1 lakh to the seriously injured and Rs 20,000 to the persons with minor injuries regarding the September 17 Ukhrul blast. This decision of the government was announced by chief minister O Ibobi Singh this evening while strongly condemning the incident. Ibobi said the state government would not remain a mute spectator over the incident. the grace to bear the pain of their tragic deaths and give you all the strength to carry on with life inspired by the love and memory of the departed souls,” it stated.
'NE space centre not getting Tuki requests DoNER to release pending funds Assam govt wants SSB along Nagaland border data from central agencies' SHILLoNg, SEPTEMBER 18 (IANS): The North East Space Application Centre (NE-SAC), set up by the Centre to develop hightech infrastructure support for the northeastern states, is grappling to obtain required data from central agencies due to the "security threat" perception in the region, an official said Thursday. "We (NE-SAC) have been struggling to collect data from central and state agencies in in view of the security threat perception surrounding the northeastern states. This reluctance to share data has only put a hindrance for us to implement various programmes, like the Flood Early Warning System effectively," NE-SAC director S. Sudhakar told journalists. "A centre like NE-SAC, which has been identified for disaster-related issues, should be provided with the database generated by various centres/state departments for analysis and generation of planning inputs, which will help in
decision-making and implementation of various programmes more effectively," he added. The NE-SAC is assisting various central and state departments to use space technology for their planning processes and also enhance the implementation of central schemes effectively to bring economic inclusive growth at the village level. Lamenting that government agencies were not assisting the NE-SAC, Sudhakar said a system for data sharing should be created that will help in decision-making and implementation of various programmes. "People are working in isolation. We need an integration of data as the space community has a greater role to play in improving preparedness for various disasters," he said. The NE-SAC has initiated various programmes, including establishment of the North Eastern Regional Node for Disaster Risk Reduction (NERDRR), he said.
ITANAgAR, SEPTEMBER 18 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has requested the DoNER Ministry to release all pending Central share to complete the projects implemented in the state funded by the ministry. He conveyed the request to DoNER secretary Rajiv Takru who called on him here yesterday, an official release informed here today. Takru is on three-day tour to this landlocked Himalayan state to have a first-hand glimpse of the problems and also to monitor the progress of DoNER projects. In an hour long meeting, Tuki impressed upon
the visiting secretary to provide funds for the phase -II projects of Secretariat Building and Assembly Buildings on priority. Besides, the chief minister implored upon increasing the Normal Central Assistance (NCA), Special Central Assistance (SCA) and Special Plan Assistance (SPA) from the last year's level, taking into account the growing inflation in the market. Appreciating Tuki's concern, the visiting secretary assured all possible help from the ministry, the release said. He however, requested the state government to ensure timely submission of the utiliza-
tion certificates and timely release of state matching share against the projects to which the the chief minister gave a positive nod, the release added. Among others, Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi, Commissioner to CM Thajom Taloh, Planning Secretary Sonam Chombay and State Protocol Officer Dani Sullu were present in the meeting. Takru also called on Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma at Raj Bhawan here during the day and discussed various developmental issues related to the state under the ministry. The Governor urged the secretary to give special
'Garoland demand to continue even after peace accord' SHILLoNg, SEPTEMBER 18 (IANS): A rebel group in Meghalaya that would next week sign a peace accord with the central government Thursday said it would continue with its original demand for a separate Garoland state. "We will continue with our demand for the creation of a separate Garoland state (to be carved out of Megha-
laya) politically and through non-violence after signing the peace accord with the central and Meghalaya governments," Arist Sengsrang Sangma, spokesman of the A'chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC), told IANS. The Centre Wednesday announced the signing of the peace accord with two rebel outfits - ANVC and its breakaway group ANVC-B -
operating in the five districts of Garo Hills in Meghalaya. The accord will be signed Sep 24 in New Delhi after a decade of peace negotiations. "This issue (Garoland) is very much alive as 80 percent of Garo people want a state of their own. Political parties, civilsocietygroupsandarmed outfit Garo National Liberation Army are demanding the same," Sangma said.
Jamia 'comic con' lampoons northeast bias
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 18 (TNN): The fourpanel comic is simply titled "Arrey Gupta Ji". It begins with two young people from the northeast looking for a house on rent in Delhi. The landlord refuses. "You people eat dogs and do drugs," he accuses them. "Have you been to the northeast and seen all this? How can you say that?" the two ask him. "Guptaji told me," replies the man, pointing to his neighbour who, in turn, claims to have heard it from one "Sharmaji". The youngsters drive home the point that the men are working on plain hearsay. Finally the landlord relents, and Guptaji, too, asks them for leads on tenants. This comic, by Jamia Millia Islamia student Piyusha Gupta, is among the several made during a workshop held with her development communication MA class. The workshop invited people to discuss stereotypes faced by those from the northeast and how to break them. "I had been thinking about doing this ever since the exodus of people of northeast from Bangalore two years ago. Then there was Nido Tania's case in Delhi. I realized these stories need to come out," says Sharad Sharma of World Comics Network, who held this workshop. Here, 30 youngsters, both from the university and some from other institutions, got together to discuss issues of racism and discrimination. Participants from the northeast were evenly represented. The 30 comics that came at the end of the exercise were displayed. In the coming few weeks, Sharma plans to take this exhibition to Delhi University, JNU and the streets of Lajpat Nagar, Munirka and Connaught Place. "We are
planning to compile them into a book," says Sharma, who routinely holds such "grassroots comics" workshops across the country. In the comics, as in conversations, the most highlighted issues include food, appearances and general ignorance about the region. One talks of surprise at discovering that a northeastern classmate is vegetarian. Another shows how a student from the northeast is introduced to one's friends as "Chinese". When 24-yearold Mahibul Hoque moved here from Mangaldoi, Assam, the only piece of advice
his mother had for him was that he grow out his spiked hair a little and part it on the side. "She didn't want me to stand out and be discriminated against," explains Hoque. Participant Chumbemo M Patton had an experience similar to what Gupta detailed in her comic. The student from Nagaland, who learnt Hindi from Amitabh Bachchan classics like Zanjeer and Deewar before moving to Delhi, says he was refused a flat on rent in the capital with the landlord's assistant clearly telling him it was because of his race. The students also in-
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Phek Town Chakhesang Students’ Union (PTCSU) would like to acknowledge the following personalities for their immense contributions and valuable services towards the successful conduct of felicitation cum career guidance program 2014 held under the theme “Choosing to enjoy learning”. 1. Shri. KUZHOLUZO NIENU Minister for Road & Bridges (PWD) Nagaland 2. Shri. THUNGJAMO KHUVUNG Project Director, DRDA Phek 3. Shri. KEVICHUSA CMO District Hospital Phek 4. Smti. DEEPALI SAVARKAR IPS S.P. Phek 5. Dr. WETSHELO Dy MS District Hospital Phek 6. Dr. ILLIAS IPS SDPO Phek 7. Shri. ABIJA KHING Executive Engineer PWD (R&B) Phek 8. Shri. CHINESE RHAKHO Dy Commandant 5NAP Phek The Union prayed that may almighty God bless them with more wisdom and blessings to help our society even in the near future. NUKUTO SHIJOH KUDUKHOTO TETSEO General Secretary, PTCSU President, PTCSUs
dulged in a little social experiment. They clicked pictures with their friends and uploaded them on Facebook. Gupta says she immediately got a comment saying, "Ye chinki kahaan se mil gaye tujhe?" "Chinki" is a derogatory term. Its usage as a racial slur can land one in jail. Now, a Facebook group called "No Stereotypes Plz: NE is India"
has become a focal point for these students to address issues of discrimination. A campaign here shows people holding speech-bubble shaped placards."Iaman Angami Naga, and that does not mean I eat snake," says the speech bubble in one young man's picture, addressing a common misconception amid the community.
emphasis to the state owing to its scattered population and vastness. "Arunachal Pradesh being a frontier state of our country with 1680 km length of international boundary with three different countries, special care should be taken to provide better road connectivity," the Governor said. He also emphasized on providing required impetus from the DoNER ministry in the heath and education sectors. During the meeting, the Governor discussed in length on the tremendous potential of the state in hydropower sector and stressed on harnessing it, a Raj Bhawan communique said here today.
gUWAHATI, SEPTEMBER 18 (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today urged Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to initiate immediate measures to deploy Sashtra Seema Bal (SSB) as a neutral force in the affected villages along its border with Nagaland. “Necessary suitable directions may be passed to the Government of Nagaland and SSB authorities for ensuring early return of the affected families from the relief camps,” he said in a letter to the Union Minister. Gogoi pointed out the urgent need to rehabilitate the displaced persons at the ear-
liest as delay to their homes “may further aggravate the law and order situation in the state.... Sooner the people return to their villages, the better it is for maintenance of the law and order situation.” The chief minister expressed concern over the alleged presence of Nagaland Armed Police in some villages in the disputed area and requested Singh to ensure withdrawal of the forces from the villages immediately. He also reviewed the prevailing law and order situation along the Assam-Nagaland border with senior officials at his official residencelastnight,officialsin the chief minister’s office said.
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public discoursE
Friday 19 September 2014
The Morung Express
NLTP Act of 1989: The Law of Permission?
he call for a debate on the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP) of 1989 by the DAN III has prompted extensive public discourse. Opinions of all sorts have found expressions on the local media. The Naga Hoho’s half-hearted voice suggestive of lifting the ban was also heard. Nonetheless, the position of the NBCC and its constituent tribal church councils are as clear and strong as possible – total prohibition. All these somewhat conflicting views, despite their informative values, do not seem to be helping the government to take a resolute decision. While on the one hand, it wants to please the majority, on the other hand, it seems unwise to ignore the voice of the minority, the legitimate recognition of which would also at the same time generate some income for the government too. In this write up we would like to make a strong plea to the government to
be more critical of itself. It is good to listen to others but at times such as this, it may be wiser to examine itself and discover where it’s heart or head is, not forgetting its hands and feet. For this, we would like to take a look (though not in detail) at the provisions in the document that is on fire – the NLTP of 1989. Going through the provisions of the Act is revealing. It contains inconsistent normative intuitions with significant amount of vagueness and ambiguity. This is typical of laws which breed corruptions inside and outside the law-making bodies. To begin with, the Act is a lengthy document that runs over 45 pages (going by the scanned copy accessed from internet source). If one reads it consciously, the reason for its length is not so much because of the complexity of the subject matter per se but more so due to avoidable repetitions and modifications through the means of which various intentions and possibilities
to manipulate the Act has been craftily concealed. Let us consider some of the provisions for instance. Clauses 11 and 12 generally deal with prohibition on the manufacture, sale, possession, consumption, transportation of liquor. But this is immediately followed by sub-sections within them which empower the authorities to issue permit concerning usage and possession of liquor. No rationale has been provided for issuing permits though there are indications that the permit is limited to “domestic and other purpose and different limits may be fixed for (i) different local areas, (ii) different classes of persons, and (iii) different occasions” (Clause 11 (2)). What is that “other purpose” is certainly questionable and so are the notions of “classes of people” and “occasions.” No mention has been made of the quantity of liquor one can possess or consume or sale or manufacture or transport except for the vague
and cryptic suggestion not to do any of these in excess. They are certainly not for medical or scientific purpose since there are separate clauses (14 & 15) to cover them. The implication of the above reading is that the very Act which authorizes the officers (Director of prohibition, subordinate officers, the state council and district committees) to execute total prohibition, also at the same time empowers the same to undermine the Act. What started off as a “total prohibition” is gradually slipping into “partial prohibition.” What cannot officially enter through the front door can now officially enter through the back door. Since no proper justification for including these contentious clauses are provided, any officer empowered by the state can misuse them not only to undermine the noble purpose of the Act but also to invite corrupt practices. If only one is known to the officer either through bio-
logical relation or any other relation of mutual interest, he or she can hold the key to alcoholic paradise. Just to cite another curious case, clause 13 which deals with the general conditions of issuing permit doesn’t specify to whom and by whom the permit is to be issued. Even a young teen can avail the permit. Perhaps a concrete example is needed here to make our point. During Hornbill Festival, the government becomes all powerful and exercises its authority to manipulate the Act by exploiting the notions of “classes of people” or “occasions” mentioned above. Alcohol is freely available; permission is granted for the sale, manufacture and consumption of locally brewed alcohol. In the pretext of this relaxation, all kinds of liquor from outside also pour into the state, making it almost totally wet. This is the best time to tell the whole world that in Nagaland the people in power (including those known to them)
can do anything and everything irrespective of what the law says. Given such loopholes in the structure of the Act, how can one blame the police, for instance, for the easy availability of alcohol in the state? As such, as hinted above, it is not clear as to how by adding clause after clause, the Act is going to serve its purpose. Rather, the opposite seems to be truer. The problems do not stop here. If one carefully reads between the lines in clause 80 (including its sub-sections), it makes the whole Act appears somewhat arbitrary and ad hoc with no significant purpose to serve. It is so because through this clause the government has reserved every right for itself, that is, all the provisions which are to ensure total prohibition has been reduced to a series of conditions and exceptions. What has been legislated as the law of total prohibition is made to look like the law of permission. Not that the state has no power to
revise or repeal laws in its jurisdiction but that the Act is analogous to a situation where a disgruntled father is forced to adopt a pet dog by a nagging child; the unhappy father in turn gives a list of Dos and Don’ts with strict instruction to return the dog in the event of any displeasure by the child. As far as the father is concern, the dog has no merit or use except an additional mouth to feed. The dog is a burden, not a companion by day and guard by night. Clause 43 which says that any court shall not take cognizance of any offence without a complaint by the Director of prohibition or any subordinate officer authorized by him limits the role of the judiciary and police in particular and that of the public in general. The discretionary power of the Director of Prohibition is baffling considering the purpose for which the Act has come into existence. Though the same has been amended in 1993, it reveals the fact that right from the beginning, the government is more interested
to enjoy autocratic power rather than to address the problem at hand. Of course, NLTP is only an act and not a constitutional provision. But it is not in consonant with the nature of laws of modern state. This is more like “Rule by law” rather than “Rule of law.” Even dictators and oppressors can make arbitrary laws for mere purpose of controlling the people, an instance of “Rule by law”, but the latter – Rule of Law – is the virtue of any civilized society. In the former, authorities can be above the law but in the latter, no one is above the law. To reiterate the same point, NLTP seems to have been passed mainly to assert and maintain the power of the government and only secondarily to execute the will of the people. We have thus failed to see any genuine intention or commitment on the part of the government to truly uphold the Act in question. Riku Khutso & Venusa Tunyi University of Hyderabad
Give total prohibition a chance! How Good Is Nagaland Government’s Good Sense?
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and means to counteract the inimical factors deterring successful implementation of the act. Giving into pressure for lifting the act at this juncture would surely be a premature decision. Conscious of my insufficient expertise yet yielding to the strong urge, I would like to suggest some measures towards strengthening the act, such as: 1. Special empowerment to the Village council/ G.Bs/ Students’ Union/Women Organization etc… for active and effective vigilance to curb the violators of the act. 2. Abuse of alcohol and its harmful affects to be incorporated compulsorily in the school text books/syllabi. 3. Immediate prohibition of use of alcohol in the government official parties which are not covered by special exemption clause of the NLTP Act 1989. In the conclusion, I would like to clearly state that, the clergies/ NBCC and all those in support of the act of which I am one do not believe that, successful implementation of the total prohibition in Nagaland would lead us to heaven nor do we derive consolation and seek self righteousness in perpetuating the act. Rather this is indeed a great challenge before the Naga people and particularly the lawmakers and leaders from all walks of life, calling for prudence in making a choice.
rom time to time, various individuals have been articulating views over NLTP Act 1989 and recently it has acquired the status of being the most vociferously debated subject in Nagaland. All the arguments whether it is in support or against the act are to be appreciated without prejudice and I am of the opinion that, such healthy debate would elicit better understanding of the subject matter and increase more chance of discovering the right perspective. There are many individuals, organizations and especially the Churches under NBCC who solemnly endorse the total prohibition. On the other hand there are some others who are skeptical of the act and are of the view that it should be revised/amended while on the extreme there are people who wish to annul the act all together. It is not my intention to blame upon anyone in particular for the dismal implementation of the NLTP 1989 but going by the flourishing liquor joints and abundance of alcohol in our ‘dry state’, it leaves us with pertinent questions such as Why? How? Where? Who is responsible for such an affair? Is the State Government, the implementing agency ready to concede defeat to the bootleggers? Can the responsible authority with clear conscience declare that, the act is being implemented on war footing? It is my sincere plea to the responsible authority to firstly show total commitment, exploring innovative ways
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LEISURE
Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.”
SUDOKU Game Number # 3000
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At this rate, I would not be much surprised if a larger that life size Bronze Statue of Gaidinliu is erected in some traffic Islands at Kohima for Christians of Nagaland to worship. The Nagas have no Raja or Rani, this has been recorded historically and the Colonial Power never entered into any Treaty or Agreement with the Nagas. Of all the kindred Tribes in the Northeast, fortunately the Nagas are the only People with whom the East India Company made no Treaty. They wanted to make Treaty with the King of the Nagas, but Nagas had no King; they had only Spear. That was reasons why Nagaland escaped Annexation to the British Empire of India. That is why the Nagas of Nagaland are very sensitive of the Common Noun. Who is Gaidinliu? She is a Kabui Naga (Rongmei) Lady from a Manipur Village. Her People honor and venerate her very much for her following the footsteps of Jadonang
(Zaduannang Kabui), the greatest Social Activists and Hero of the Rongmei Community. Jadonang was hanged by Government of Manipur in 29 August 1931 on charges of Murder and Gaidinliu took up Jadonangs Cause. The Government of Manipur pursued her for her movement against it; she ran away to Naga Hills but was ultimately arrested and banished to ‘Kala Pani’ in the Andaman Islands. On India’s Independence, Gadinliu was released, Nehru fondly called her a ‘Naga Rani’ on hearing she opposed the British, and since then the Epithet stuck to her, The last Deputy Commissioner of Naga Hills Sir. CR Pawsey, apprehending Social disturbances if allowed to stay near her Community, sent her to far away very remote Chang Village of Yimrep then in NEFA, now in Tuensang District of Nagaland. When an accidental jungle Fire burned remote
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he Citizens of a State commonly look up their Government for example of Good Sense. The Government recently made a completely incongruous and untenable NGO as the Nodal Agency in a pivotal State consultative position leaving the Chief Secretary or the Home Commissioner wide eyed! The question of: What fires the Engine of Nagaland Government today, is very surprising. Just the other day, the CM inaugurated the move to construct a Museum Cum Library in the Secretariat Area in memory of ‘Rani Gaidinliu’! With wonderment and without malice or jealousy: i. Who is Gaidinliu? ii. Is she a Rani of the Nagas of Nagaland? iii. What has She done for Nagaland? iv. Can such a thing of great Public consequences be done in such a casual manner without debate Rev. Dr. Phughoto Sema in the State Assembly?
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Yimrep some years ago, this Writer on a Charity Mission of Khedi Church found Gaidinliu’s Takupat-Bamboo House completely reduced to ashes in the Village. In the 80s and early 90s, this Writer used to sometimes see Gaidinliu attend State Celebrations, Functions and State Dinners at Kohima in traditionally well dressed, but never had the chance to talk to her. However, he (Writer) happened to talk with people who have talked or tried to talk to her and they told me it was not possible to discuss serious Matters with her coherently. ‘She does not talk much and when she does it is incoherent. She would talk to herself and mumble words to herself. She appeared possessed of Spirits’, said a person who sometimes provided food provisions when she was living in Yimrep Village long ago. It is not heard any outside her Tribe talk of her highly; Her community venerates her very much and that is good. But the question is: What has she done for Nagaland? She was used by Powers that be in Nagaland against Naga National Cause. She was against the Church, against Education, against Student going to Schoool for learning and against Farmers working in the Fields. She claimed knowledge would come automatically if books are kept inside the Pillow. Namrikin Raju Peyu FGN claims she eliminated the Pastors, Deacon, Secretary and Church Superintendent from Namtiram at Towsen Village, the Khampais, her Body Guards eliminated 16 and 9 Naga National Cadres of Magulong and Ngaulung respectively.
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ACROSS 1. Froths 6. Pinnacle 10. Contributes 14. Not cool 15. Skin disease 16. Murres 17. Grave marker 18. Historical periods 19. Makes lace 20. Flip 22. Chooses 23. 2,000 pounds 24. Juliet’s love 26. An oriental tobacco pipe 30. Doctrine 32. Bygone 33. Baleen 37. Violent disturbance 38. Furtive looks 39. Notion 40. Not southwest 42. Assumed name 43. Songbirds 44. A full supply 45. Sows 47. Soak 48. An aromatic ointment 49. Intemperate 56. Winglike
57. Any day now 58. Biblical tower 59. A Maori club 60. A city in western Russia 61. Streamlets 62. Biblical kingdom 63. Clairvoyant 64. Anoint (archaic)
DOWN 1. Bother 2. Savvy about 3. Throat-clearing sound 4. 5280 feet 5. Austere 6. Song of praise 7. Beige 8. A Freudian stage 9. Sparrow hawks 10. Car 11. Curtain 12. Repeat 13. Back talk 21. Comes after Mi and Fah 25. Lyric poem 26. Warning device 27. Hodgepodge 28. Smell 29. Tympani 30. An ancient board game 31. Awestruck
33. Feeble 34. Norse god 35. Tidy 36. Not difficult 38. Endures 41. Possessed 42. Math 44. Detachable container 45. A dish of tomatoes and greens 46. Muse of love poetry 47. Submarine detector 48. Back of the neck 50. Pout 51. Infiltrator 52. Shower 53. Competent 54. Express in words 55. If not Ans to CrossWord 3006
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She is even claimed to have drunk the blood of butchered Captain Puilunding of Naga Army. These things sounds more like a person in possession of evil Spirit that a person with Social and Political Vission. To call Spade a Spade: Gaidinliu was never a Naga Rani, she has done nothing outside her own Tribe. It is alright her community venerates her, but Nagaland has nothing to venerate her for, much less construct a Museum Cum Library in her honor in the hallowed ground of Nagaland State Secretariat. It is an affront to Nagaland and its People to raise Memorials for such persons. Let her Villagers build whatever they like in her memory in their Village but not in Nagaland. Nagaland has not remembered its illustrious sons like Kevichüsa Angami of Meruno Clan, the first Naga BA, the first to announce: “Nagas are a Nation”, the first Naga to get IAS and one of the first to start a Regional Party and whose Wife Mani –a MIzoraised the Naga Flag on the morning of 14 August 1947; or like Mangyangnokcha BA, who gave his life for the Education of the Aos, the Semas, the Sangtams and others, or like Rev. Kijung and Rev. Longri who gave their lives for the Salvation of all the Naga Tribes and T. Ao, India’s first Football Captain to London Olympics in 1948 (because of cold London, his Team stayed and practiced in Shillong for acclimatization) and who is said to have told the Queen of England: “I am Naga”. Have Nagas or Nagaland Government lost their Good Sense? Thepfulhouvi Solo
No other referendum is needed for the Nagas
n today’s Nagaland paper Morung express, I have come across some Naga educated people have stated the referendum of Scottish on their Independence and discussed the Nagas can be followed up the idea of referendum in the near future. On this matter it is needed to share one’s own opinion for the interest of Naga future. It is well known by all Naga people that the Naga National Council (NNC) had conducted the Naga national voluntary Plebiscite in Nagaland in May 1951 exercising the democratic norms and in that 99.9% of Naga people voted to remain independent as in ancient time. It was done in reaffirmation of Nagaland independence declared by the Naga National Council on August 14, 1947. This was a final verdict and solemn pledge of Naga people for their sovereign and independent nation. The Nagas had by no meant nullified or revoked it in the running history but steadfastly upholding the pledge, the Naga are relentlessly fighting against aggressors till date in defence of their sovereignty. As it is still valid, the Nagas need to conduct no other referendum in the history. But only Naga learned people are needed to bear the responsible of informing it to the world so that the world may one day recognize the sovereignty of Nagaland. Our case is not force or voluntary union with India or Burma, but a case of aggression and Military occupation. Yet, we have a hope that sooner or later the world will recognize our sovereignty and the Military occupational forces will have no option to remain in our country. Thomas, NNC Member
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The Morung Express
19 September 2014
Dimapur
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to boycott MOGPl World bamboo Day: bamboo for union launch at Old Jalukie economic & environmental gain
DimaPur, SePtember 18 (mexn): On World Bamboo Day today, the celebration at Nagaland Bamboo Resource Center, Dimapur underlined the bamboo’s potential to create lasting dent in the global market and its environmental impact. “Here at the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA), our belief in bamboo is immense,” asserted Khrienuo C Metha, who is the Team Leader of NBDA. She said NBDA’s faith in bamboo is not based only on its economic potential. “It (Bamboo) can act as a solution to mitigate global warming. It can be an alternative to timber, which is fast dwindling. It is one of the fastest growing plants and generates oxygen faster than any other.” Mission Director of NBDA, and also the Agriculture Production Commissioner, T Imkonglem-
Amenba Yaden launching the Bamboo shoot pickle, Green Hills.
ba echoed Metha’s belief in the economic potential of bamboo. The Tuli Paper Mill alone would, annually, gobble no less than 4 lakh metric tons of bamboo, he said. Besides, he stated, other paper mills in the neighboring states are on the verge of closure due to
MEx FILE NSCN (IM) welcomes 6 'new cadres'
shortage of bamboo supply, and added that the demand for bamboo is massive. Further, citing that 20-30 % of the total household in Nagaland is yet to be covered by rural housing scheme and still lives in thatch houses, he underlined the demand for bam-
mOKOKCHunG, SePtember 18 (mexn): A co-ordination meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Mokokchung, Tuensang and Zunheboto was held here today at the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MCCI) office chamber. The TCCI delegation was led by their vice-president, Puran Chand Gupta while the Zunheboto Chamber of KOHima, SePtember 18 (mexn): The Depart- Commerce delegation was ment of Fisheries, Nagaland, Kohima will be selling led by their president, ShikaFresh Doyang Fishes at P.R.Hill Junction, Kohima on September 19 from 6:30 a:m. onwards. The public is informed to avail this opportunity.
Fresh Doyang Fish sale
KOHima, SePtember 18 (mexn): The Sangtam Students’ Union Kohima (SSUK) is all set to hold fresher’s meet –cum- general session on September 20 at the State Academy Hall, Kohima from 10:00 AM onwards. T.C. Sangtam, IAS, commissioner & secretary housing and special secretary to Nagaland Governor will grace the occasion as the chief guest.
St. John School reunion
DimaPur, SePtember 18 (mexn): A re-union of first batch (till 1995) of St. John School will be held at St Paul Higher Secondary School, Signal Bosti, Dimapur on September 27 at 2 PM. In a press note, the organizers requested all past students to attend the reunion and make it a grand success. Concerned alumni can further contact -9436201548, 9612983820, 9435819055, & 8974753655 for further details.
hoto Jakha. MCCI officials and members were led by their President, Moasangba Jamir, who also chaired the proceedings of the meeting. Members present at the meeting discussed the issue of on-line filing of returns (VAT) introduced by the state Government recently and agreed that it act as discouragement for “small up and coming local entrepreneurs”, who are already struggling to sustain their businesses owing to the undue advantage
the new system gives to traders of the neighbouring state. Apart from this, the meeting also discussed other issues pertaining to business activities and welfare of the business community in all the three districts. It concluded on a positive note as the three business bodies agreed to foster better understanding among the business fraternity of the three districts in pursuance of their respective business interests.
that the arrested persons be booked under stringent NSA, and Dimapur Municipal Council should cancel the license of all the 17 transport carriers booked for indulging in extortion activities “at the cost of the harried consumers” of Nagaland and Manipur states. It also stated that the Dima-
pur police should make public the approximate amount collected from interstate goods carriers per year. Applauding the AntiExtortion Team personnel of Dimapur police, the release also stated that the Dimapur police has “vindicated” the stand of ACAUT Nagaland on
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signatures from the agreement/MOA in the “greater interest of its people,” failing which, it said, legal proceedings will be initiated against them as per relevant sections of law. The Union informed that it executed a ‘Deed of Agreement’ on May 19, 2014, wherein number 4 states: “That the parties shall not enter in to any agreement/ MOU/ issuance of NOC with/ to any company or Govt. agen-
KSu The Kyong Students' Union (KSU) has expressed their appreciation of the commendable effort of CAO NSCN (IM) UT-I, M Daniel Lotha and his team for apprehending the main accused, Tsenthungo Shitri, involved in the murder of a school from Bhandari on September 11. In a press note, the KSU demanded “highest punishment” of the accused so that it would serve as a deterrence for to commit such inhuman crimes in future. The KSU also urged the concerned authority to arrest the other accomplice at the earliest for the interest of the students' community in particular and the general
KOHima, SePtember 18 (mexn): A new paper called “Moot Court” has been introduced as a practical training paper for LL.B students in Nagaland. In a press note, the Professor-in-Charged BCI Practical Training Papers, Kezhokhoto Savi, stated that, the paper is one of the four practical training papers prescribed by the Bar Council of India (BCI). “The basic object of Moot Court is to provide opportunity to the students of law to learn the practical knowledge and art of discussion on the point of law”, he added. According to him, the students
need to learn the proper knowledge of preparation of legal documents, case argument, art of cross-examination etc. during the course of LL.B degree. The introduction of “Moot Courts” by law schools will provides proper knowledge to the student regarding their future professional’s life by teaching among other things, the manner of dealing with the Court and clients; maintaining self respect and temper during argument; respect to the Court; and answer the questions on cross examination. Savi also added that the Kohima Law College will be conducting Moot
Court with three Problems of imaginary cases consisting of two criminal cases and one civil case. He further informed all the law students that the “First Day Moot Court” will conducted from 9.00 AM on September 19, at Red Cross Conference Hall, Kohima and the “Second Day Moot Court” at Khonoma from 7.00 AM on September 20. The “Mooters” consisting of 89 students have been divided into two groups of which one group has been assigned the work of representing one side while another group is assigned to work of representing the other side.
NPSc responds to article passions of feeble-minded thieves” (unquote) without any basis or substantiation of his accusations are uncalled for and exposes his vindictive nature and disgruntled attitude of being a failure candidate without rationalisation. It is indeed an admitted fact that in the recently concluded main examination of the NCS, NPS, NSS & Allied Services Examination, 2014 the paper in General Studies-I contained questions which were “copy paste” from a particular book. However, the Commission immediately seized the matter and corrective measures have already been taken. The author of the article, Toshi Longkumer might be a very learned person with a very “cooperative brain” as claimed in the article, but he should also understand that “confidentiality”, “transparency” and “uniformity of standards” are the three main principles on which the Commission functions. In order to maintain confidentiality, the Commission
has outsourced question settings as well as its evaluation to professional companies outside the state. As such, none from the Commission is involved in question settings nor its moderations. The Commission comes to know errors, if any, in the question papers at the same time with the candidates, i.e., during the examination and therefore, even if there is any error, corrective measures cannot be taken at that particular moment. Corrective measures have to be adopted only after the examination which is being done in the instant case. The Commission believes in total transparency and had taken steps to achieve this end by giving the carbon copy of the answer sheet (OMR) to the candidates in the preliminary examination starting from 2014 and publication of answer keys immediately after the examination is over. Further, the preliminary examination marks are posted in the web site and also indi-
vidual mark sheets are given to candidates who ever requested for the same. As far as uniformity of standards is concerned, the Commission treats every individual candidate equally and any decision taken is applied uniformly to all the candidates. The decision taken by the Commission in connection with the issue of “copy paste” in the recently held examination will be applied uniformly to all the candidates without any discrimination, whatsoever. Therefore, through this rejoinder, the Commission once again APPEAL to all candidates not to be carried away by the opinion of a disgruntled candidate or one sided view of an Editor of a certain Newspaper, but to concentrate on issues which will have positive impacts in the individual’s mind. Sarah R Ritse Secretary Nagaland Public Service Commission Kohima
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public at large. Lotha Eloe Ekhung, Chumukedima The Lotha Eloe Ekhung, Chumukedima conveyed their appreciation to M Daniel Lotha, CAO, NSCN (IM) and his team for apprehending the culprit Tsenthungo Shitiri of Lio Longidang Village under Wokha District, for murder a school girl on September 11. Condemning the “inhuman act” the secretary of LEEC, Meribeni Lotha, in a press note, urged the law enforcing agencies to award befitting punishment to the culprit. It also offered its heartfelt condolences and prayers of support to the bereaved family members of the departed soul.
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“what ACAUT has been highlighting the past 1 year” by exposing the racket. “This episode has clearly revealed that the if the state of Nagaland backs the police force to the hilt, the police can do a lot to check the menace of extortion and illegal taxation activities in the State,” it added.
Kohima Law College to conduct ‘Moot Court’
Public SPace
propos to the article captioned “Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and its fantastic contribution against Nagas” published in the Morung Express issue of 11th September, 2014 by a certain Toshi Longkumer, New Delhi, the Commission is compelled to issue this rejoinder to clarify the matter to the public in general and the candidates who had appeared the examination in particular. While constructive suggestions and criticism is always well come, the portrayal of the Commission by the author is in a very bad taste with intention to malign the character of individuals manning the Commission for his “sour grape” mentality. The choice of phrases used by the author to describe the Commission, such as (quote) “NPSC as an institution is spineless and venomous to any intellectual input for our state” (unquote), (quote) “ ... my name is 10 lakh” (unquote) and (quote) “… incompetency and undesirable
cies without prior permission from all the parties in the matter of oil/ petroleum & natural gas exploration/ extraction.” Agreement No. 6 further reads: “That in case of default by any of the above mentioned parties; the affected native land owner(s) (Deuketna) shall proceed to criminal proceedings against the other party(s) for betrayal.” PDPNGBBLOU, consisting all the villages having oil deposits in their jurisdiction, was formed on October 15, 2012 “with the sole intention of upholding the rights of the oil bearing villages in particular and the people of Peren District,” stated the note. It reminded that time and again, the constituent oil bearing villages reaffirmed their decision of working collectively under the banner of PDPNGBBLOU.
PDPNGBBLOU directs village chairmen to withdraw agreement with MOGPL
cancel licenses of illegal taxation network: acauT
DimaPur, SePtember 18 (mexn): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation KOHima, SePtember 18 (DiPr): The 25th An- (ACAUT) Nagaland has nual Conference of the North East Regional Chapter of demanded thorough inthe Indian Association of Pathologists & Microbiolo- vestigation into the “ilgists (Nagaland Chapter) will be held on September 20 legal taxation” network at 9 a.m. at Regional Centre for Music & Performing Arts, unearthed by Dimapur Jotsoma Kohima. Minister for Health & Family Welfare, police recently. A press P. Longon will grace the occasion as the chief guest. release from ACAUT Media Cell also demanded
SSUK fresher’s meet
Agreement’ of the Union by making an agreement with the MOGPL on June 26, 2014. Therefore, the Union has “warned” the two signatories to immediately withdraw their
Orgs lauds CAO NSCN (IM) UT-I Mcci, Tcci and Zcci holds co-ordination meeting
DimaPur, SePtember 18 (mexn): The NSCN (I-M) today welcomed 6 "new cadres" from other NPG into its fold. According to press note from MIP-NSCN/ GPRN, they are:1. Yanchu Chang Dy. Kilonser Chang region, NSCN (K) 2. Bhukham Phom Dy. Secy. Phom region, NSCN (K) 3. Yantitsa, Sergeant, United Sangtam Region, NSCN (K) 4. Sata Lohe, Leacy, Chakhesang, NSCN (U) 5. Lithotsu, Corporal, USR, from NSCN (K) 6. Yamakum Tikhir, Corporal, Saramati Region, NNC
NERC IAPM Annual Conference on Sept 20
boo even in the rural sector. Chairman of NBDA, Amenba Yaden assured that the government, at all levels, was aware of the economic potential as well as the beneficial environmental attributes of bamboo. He noted that “we have made some progres-
sion” in the development of bamboo resource in Nagaland. “However much more requires to be done. The issue of sustainable development needs to be holistically addressed and in the right earnest. The challenge, not only of overcoming the infrastructural and logistic constraints, but also of market competition has to be accounted for in the planning process.” On the occasion, the Nagaland Bamboo Mission (NBM) acknowledged the architect of the Nagaland Bamboo policy, and by extension the Bamboo Mission itself, the former Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Alemtemshi Jamir. The NBM also launched a bamboo shoot pickle called the Green Hills. The pickle, prepared by four SHGs – Orchid, Lida, Dzesie and Charity – comes in two varieties, one with green chilies and the other with King Chilies.
Peren, SePtember 18 (mexn): The Peren District Petroleum and Natural Gas Bearing Belt Land Owners’ Union (PDPNGBBLOU) today stated it will boycott the launching program of Metropolitan Oil & Natural Gas Pvt. Ltd (MOGPL) on September 22 at Old Jalukie village under Peren district. This, according to a press statement, was decided upon in view of the Government of Nagaland’s failure to redress the ‘genuine grievances’ of the land owners pertaining to the oil issue, which were placed to the Government on May 21, 2014 by the Union. The press statement appended by PDPNGBBLOU secretary, Dr. Ndangkie Ndang and president, Kumui Nring further alleged that the chairmen of Old Beisumpui and Old Jalukie have violated the ‘Deed of
Dearest Shikhu... Happy first birthday. We know you may be too young to remember this day but we want you know how much you are loved. Wish you happiness always, and may you be a channel of blessing to everyone you come in contact with. We love you... From all your loved ones Hello! Belou Leyri, On your Birthday today, I make a special wish to God to plus best fortune in you. My Birthday wishes for you today rest in an envelope of love, sealed with glue of a kiss and gift wrapped in the warmth my arms. Celebrate this day and mark it in the calendar of your life to achieve many more milestones ahead. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Dear. May you get all the happiness that life has to offers. I wish your birthday is filled with a sunshine of joys, rainbow of smiles and rainfalls of laughter. Lovely people***
Survival Nagaland responds to abdul basit’s apology
he Survival Nagaland is both bemused and amused at the apology of Abdul Basit, shoe-seller of New Market, who threatened a Naga Pastor with these words-We don’t beat, we kill and who later, was bailed by SB Talukdar, G.B. New Market Dimapur. He asks for an apology in Lord’s name which clearly shows he and his likes can say or do anything upon any Nagas and we will forgive him if they emotionally blackmail and deceive us using the name of God. He means to say he has been residing in Dimapur for the past 40 years which makes him an illegal immigrant since the law clearly defines whoever comes after 1971 Indo- Bangladesh war is an illegal immigrant and therefore, with whatever papers he may try to claim himself as an Indian citizen, those are quite unbelievable and questionable from such a person. He also said that being a shopkeeper he faces numer-
ous numbers of people of different characters from morning till the closure of his shop, which means he has every right to say anything to anyone depending on his whims and fancies? Does Abdul Basit mean that every shopkeeper in the world can say anything to anyone just because they meet different types of people throughout the whole day? Abdul Basit, people like you may think you can do or say whatever you like, but be warned, lest the Naga fury and the wrath befall on you and your likes by taking advantage of our Christian principles every now and then. Be warned , that we are no fools to be deceived by such cheap gimmicks and we also know the people who are backing you up. It is unfortunate that some people started accusing concerned citizens who took Abdul Basit to the police station and called it a case of kidnapping. But is taking a person for his misconduct to interrogate him a kidnapping? Wasn’t he released that same evening af-
ter recording his statement? He was released the next day only after an FIR was filed and he was arrested by the police. So jumping into conclusions just to protect and patronize these outsiders even at the cost of our Naga generations is very much condemnable by every right thinking Nagas. Also last but not the least to all the Nagas who patronises and protects the likes of Abdul Basit, if a Naga happened to utter such a word to any of their people in Karimganj, Badarpur, Lanka, Hojai, Lumding or in their Bangladesh, that Naga would have been beheaded or chopped off to pieces, castrated or lynched by a mob. Right on the spot itself because the word ‘Forgive’ is not in their dictionary. So every sensible Naga should think of what he/she is doing against his/her own people by supporting or patronizing the IBIs.
The Morung Express is introducing “Public Space” as part of our intention to provide deliberate space for the opinions of the people to be expressed and heard through this newspaper. Nonetheless, The Morung Express points out that the opinions expressed in the contents published in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper or the editor.
Media Cell Survival Nagaland
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IN-FOCUS
The Power of Truth
The Morung Express FrIDAy 19 SEPTEmbEr 2014 volumE IX ISSuE 258
Along Longkumer Consulting Editor
Scotland’s Referendum: LeSSon foR nagaS
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y the time this column appears in print on Friday, September 19, the long awaited referendum in Scotland would have been over with results awaited. People in Scotland would have voted on whether the country should stay in the United Kingdom or become an independent nation. Voters are to answer “Yes” or “No” to the referendum question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” The referendum in Scotland has evinced keen interest around the world especially in those countries or places where similar issues remain—of political identity and people’s aspiration to be independent. The Naga people will also be therefore closely watching the referendum and its outcome. It will be naïve or perhaps much too early to suggest that a referendum similar to the one held in Scotland, to decide its political future, should be conducted here to resolve the Indo-Naga political question. A time may come, depending on the contours of a settlement between India and the Nagas, when such a referendum may become necessary or useful but that is for the future to be agreed upon by both India and the Nagas. For now we will have to first find the way to take meaningful steps towards a negotiated settlement. And essentially that is how the political journey of Scotland and its people have evolved over the years through time and events. While there may be similarities when it comes to the broader issue of political independence, the ground reality as well as the historical timeline in Scotland and Nagaland is very different. For instance, the political journey to the September 18 referendum dates back to as far as 1707 when Scotland and England formed a political union. This is also not the first referendum to be held in Scotland. Several of them have been conducted on the question of devolution and subsequently leading to the evolution of the Scottish Parliament and its relationship with the UK. And unlike in Nagaland where we are greatly influenced by things like money and muscle power during elections, the voting during the referendum in Scotland is expected to be done in a free, fair and informed manner without resorting to any kind of coercion or dishonest means. It is highly doubtful that we will be able to conduct a peaceful, free and fair exercise and who knows holding such kind of a referendum in the current situation here may further lead tofragmentation and killing among the Nagas. There, both the UK and Scottish governments have taken care to ensure that the referendum provides a fair and decisive reflection of Scottish people’s views. Informed debates and discussions have been going on in the run up to the referendum. Both the ‘Yes’ (independence) and ‘No’ (remaining with UK) campaigns have argued their respective cases. The most important thing is that at the end of the day it is not the SNP or the UK government who will decide, but it is the people who will have the final say in determining their political future. So Nagas have much to learn from the referendum exercise in Scotland where it has followed a sustained political process, nurtured over the years with quiet resolve, patience and mutual understanding. It was the historic Edinburgh Agreement signed between Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond sometime in October 2012 which paved way for the referendum. Following this agreement, the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament in November 2013. Similarly, if at all, the demand for a referendum on the Indo-Naga question will have to come from our end, which is unlikely to happen because unlike the Scottish National Party (SNP), which has a singular agenda with a clear sense of purpose under a united political leadership, the Nagas are badly divided and unable to present a concrete and transparent case for independence. Complete independence from India may have to wait for the Nagas. We will have to foremost put in place a firm foundation—economic, political and social—and have a vision and will for a shared future. The Scottish National Party under its leader Alex Salmond has, in the run up to the referendum, published a ‘blueprint for independence’, the 670-page white paper titled ‘Scotland’s Future: Your guide to an independent Scotland’. The people of Scotland have a strong case to become independent. Whichever way the vote goes, there are lessons for the Naga people, to be learned from Scotland’s historic referendum. (Feedback can be sent to consultingeditormex@gmail.com)
lEfT WING |
Isla Binnie Reuters
World Hunger: 1 in 9 people undernourished
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he number of hungry people in the world has fallen sharply over the past decade but 805 million, or one in nine of the global population, still do not have enough to eat, three U.N. food and agriculture agencies said. The number of chronically undernourished people dropped by more than 100 million, equivalent to a country the size of the Philippines, according to a report by the United Nations food agency (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Food Programme (WFP). Government drives to improve nutrition have helped the developing world move towards a U.N. goal of halving the number of people suffering from hunger between 1990 and 2015, said the report entitled "The State of Food Insecurity in the World". But success stories such as Brazil mask struggles in countries like Haiti, where the number of hungry people rose from 4.4 million in 1990-92 to 5.3 million in 2012-14. "We cannot celebrate yet because we must reach 805 million people without enough food for a healthy and productive life," WFP executive director Ertharin Cousin said in Rome. The Ebola virus threatens food security in western Africa, while conflicts in places including Iraq and Syria have meant that people who once had enough food could lose reliable supplies, she said. The ambitious goal to halve the absolute number of chronically undernourished people between 1990 and 2015 has been met by 25 developing countries, but there is not enough time for the whole world to get there by next year, the report said. But the agencies urged more efforts, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and southern and western Asia, to reduce the hungry share of the population in developing countries to 11.7 percent, from 13.5 percent today, by the end of 2015. "A world without hunger is possible in our lifetimes, but this report is also a call for action," Cousin said. CONFLICTS AND CRISES Ebola, which has killed more than 2,400 people this year, endangered harvests and sent food prices soaring in West Africa, is rapidly creating a major food crisis there, Cousin said. FAO issued a food security alert this month for Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, which were all net cereal importers even before the Ebola outbreak prompted border closures and quarantine zones, contributing to farm labour shortages. Ongoing conflicts in Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic are preventing humanitarian efforts to help people affected, Cousin said. Meanwhile, the advance of Islamic State fighters in Northern Iraq has caused concern over the availability of wheat, which FAO says is the most important food grain for humans. "We are concerned about the fact that (IS) controls two of the major grain facilities in the country," Cousin said. "These are very worrying trends, when you have a party that can control the food that is required by the poorest in the country."
THE EDIT PAGE
C O M M E N T A R Y
Maha Bali
Education: Moving from indoctrination to liberation Reforming educational curricula, especially where it pertains to values, is by necessity a matter of process and form as well as content
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s an educator, I notice that sometimes people talk about educational curricula as though they consisted mainly of content that we aim to relay to students. Occasionally, people talk about skills that will benefit students in the long term. It is much more rare, and yet much more important, I think, to talk about the process of education and the values which education promotes in learners. Education can promote values in the overt curriculum, that which is expressed clearly in curriculum documents, written in textbooks, spoken by teachers in classrooms, and assessed in exams. But education also promotes values indirectly via the hidden curriculum of schooling. Depending on your perspective, the hidden curriculum can be seen in a positive light, as a way of socializing children into the ways of the world. For example, the kinds of discipline imparted by school, and the competitiveness of most schooling, can be considered methods of indirectly teaching about the ways of the world. However, from another perspective, the way schools impose authority and control on learners can be viewed as a hegemonic tool to promote obedience in future citizens. I am always concerned about overt discussions of the ways in which schools will promote things like character education, patriotism, or citizenship education. Such endeavors often appear noble, even necessary, but should also always be questioned and analysed more deeply. When Edward Said was invited to re-design curricula in Palestine, they rejected his recommendations. They wanted a nationalistic curriculum, whereas he wanted to design a curriculum that maintained a healthy criticism within it. Shor and Freire talk about the importance of raising the consciousness of the oppressed, such that they study both the culture of the dominant groups in society (they need to, in order to survive economically), as well as their own culture - and to be able to critique both. Postcolonial societies need to know there is knowledge beyond what has been imparted by the colonizer, to value local culture(s), and yet maintain a healthy scepticism and criticism of both. And so when I read about attempts at educating children or adolescents about character, patriotism, or citizenship (such as has recently been discussed in Egypt), I ask myself the following questions: How are the key terms (character, patriotism, citizenship) defined to learners? If they are defined in one particular way, then I am sceptical. The role of education, in my view, should not be to prescribe a particular understanding of what it means to be a good patriot or citizen. While love of country should be a good thing, and seems uncontroversial to encourage, how one expresses that love can and should vary. Encouraging patriotism can vary widely: from blind obedience to a particular leader, to unquestioning support for war efforts, to jumping to voting booths, to participation in civil society, to resisting oppression, to violence against enemies. How are the key values taught to learners? Nobody learns attitudes and values by being told, we learn values by living them. Whenever someone says that Egypt is/was not ready for democracy, I question how on earth Egyptians would become ready for democracy, without actually living through it. We learn to be moral people not by being told what is
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hile the United States, United Kingdom and NATO are pushing for war with Russia, it behoves people and their governments around the world to take a clear stand for peace and against violence and war, no matter where it comes from. We are at a dangerous point in our history of the human family and it would be the greatest of tragedies for ourselves and our children if we simply allowed the war profiteers to take us into a third world war, resulting in the death of untold millions of people. NATO’s decision at its summit in Wales (September 4-5) to create a new 4,000 strong rapid reaction force for initial deployment in the Baltics is a dangerous path for us all to be forced down, and could well lead to a third world war if not stopped. What is needed now are cool heads and people of wisdom and not more guns, more weapons, more war. NATO is the leadership which has been causing the ongoing wars from the present conflict in the Ukraine, to Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and others. NATO’s latest move commits its 28 member states to spend two percent of their gross domestic product on the military, and to establish a series of three to five bases in Eastern Europe where equipment and supplies will be pre-positioned to help speed deployments, among other measures. This decision by the United States/NATO to create a high readiness force with the alleged purpose of countering an alleged Russian threat
right and wrong, but by being placed in situations, controversial ones, where we need to make difficult decisions, and by doing so, discovering our own moral compass, and building our values. Is there a contradiction between what is said and what is done? This is where a hidden curriculum can come into play. Do we say that we want to teach critical thinking? How are we teaching it? If we teach critical thinking by listing a set of rules of informal logic and a list of fallacies to watch out for, that’s memorizing, that’s not critical thinking. Do we teach critical thinking in the classroom, and then silence students who try to question the authority of the teacher? Then we are not teaching critical thinking. Do we allow criticism in the classroom, but discourage students from resisting practices they object to in the school? Then we are being hypocrites. Does our government say it encourages teaching of critical thinking in schools, but oppress individuals who critique it openly? The contradiction is not really hidden, in that case. Does the curriculum privilege particular groups over others? This is a really big issue with moral education, for example. Although the most fundamental values of all the world’s major religions are similar, if the government’s curriculum focuses on one religion’s doctrines (in whatever subject is being taught) over others, then it privileges one group of citizens over others. It automatically implies that one culture has inherently more value than others. I was once having a discussion with a group of student-teachers about this topic, about how parents feel about a school directly teaching morality to their kids. And one teacher went so far as to say, “is it even a parent’s right to teach morality to her kids?”. My first reaction to that question was shock. It was clear to me why I would not want a school to indoctrinate my child into thinking in a particular way, but surely I, as benevolent parent, who knows what’s best for my child, had the right to? But in
hindsight, and thinking about children as they grow older (not the very young), sometimes parents try to direct their children’s thinking too much. If a teacher or parent raises a child to believe that they derive their moral compass from them, the child learns that morality is something they derive from an authority figure. This makes it easier for future authority figures to brainwash them. However, if both parents and teachers promote a critical approach to morality in children, these children will grow into adolescents and adults who are capable of critically assessing their options and making informed decisions about their morality in future. Surely this is what we would rather see in our future citizens? We should not aim to define morality for our youth, but equip them to think about morality and develop it; we should not teach them about values, but embody and model our own values, and create safe (and later, as they grow older, even risky) spaces for youth to experience situations to build values for themselves. Otherwise, if we are not careful, we will end up with a society of mostly indoctrinated citizens. Some may develop the agency to resist the dominant mind-set, but they would be few, and the majority would likely silence them as rebels or even traitors. Others may be open to other views, but would accept them uncritically, possibly leading to violent resistance. But most dangerous of all, is a society of individuals who all think the same way, do not accept other ways of thinking, and therefore cannot critique the status quo, cope with change, nor initiate change when it is needed. While writing this article, I remembered a funny story that happened to me. After the last elections in Egypt, I rode with a taxi driver who told me that in his household, one person voted for Sisi, one for Hamdeen, one nullified their vote, and one abstained. I thought that was exactly as it should be if freedom of speech existed in their household.
Say ‘No’ to War and media Propaganda mairead maguire Inter Press Service reminds me of the war propaganda of lies, half-truths, insinuations and rumours to which we were all subjected in order to try to soften us all up for the Iraq war and subsequent horrific wars of terror which were carried out by NATO allied forces. According to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OCSE) observation team, NATO’s reports, including its satellite photos which show Russian combat forces engaged in military operations inside sovereign territory of Ukraine, were based on false evidence. While NATO is busy announcing a counter-invasion to the non-existent Russian invasion of Ukraine, people in Ukraine are calling out for peace and negotiations, for political leadership which will bring them peace, not weapons and war. This spearhead military force will be provided by allies in rotation and will involve also air, sea and spe-
cial forces. We are also informed by a NATO spokesperson that this force will be trained to deal with unconventional actions, from the funding of separatist groups to the use of social media, intimidation and black propaganda. No doubt the current Western media’s demonisation of President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people, by trying to inculcate fear and hatred of them, is part of the black propaganda campaign. NATO’s latest proposals of 4,000 soldiers, and a separate force of 10,000 strong Britishled joint expeditionary force also proposed, is a highly aggressive and totally irresponsible move by the United States, United Kingdom and NATO. It is breaches the 1997 agreement with Moscow under which NATO pledged not to base substantial numbers of soldiers in Eastern Europe on a permanent basis. NATO should have been disbanded when the Warsaw Pact disintegrated but it was not and is now
WRITE-WING
controlled by the United States for its own agenda. When speaking of NATO, one of President Bill Clinton’s officials said “America is NATO”. Today NATO, instead of being abolished, is re-inventing itself in re-arming and militarising European states and justifying its new role by creating enemy images – be they Russians, IS (the Islamic State), and so on. In an interdependent, interconnected world, struggling to build fraternity, economic cooperation and human security, there is no place for the Cold War policies of killing and threats to kill and policies of exceptionalism and superiority. The world has changed. People do not want to be divided and they want to see an end to violence, militarism and war. The old consciousness is dysfunctional and a new consciousness based on an ethic of non-killing and respect and cooperation is spreading. It is time for NATO to recognise that its violent policies are counterproductive. The Ukraine crisis, groups such as the Islamic State, etc., will not be solved with guns, but with justice and through dialogue. Above all, the world needs hope. It needs inspirational political leadership and this could be given if President Barack Obama and President Putin sat down together to solve the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and negotiation and in a non-violent way. We live in dangerous times, but all things are possible, all things are changing … and peace is possible.
Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The morung Express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender. Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.
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FRiday
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
19 SepteMber 2014
PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE
Gaza widow offers insight into world of spies A Capitalist In
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North Korea
Hamza Hendawi Associated press
he 48-year-old Palestinian woman's husband was shot to death in 2012 by militants in the Gaza Strip for spying for Israel. A mother of seven, she herself was jailed by Gaza's Hamas rulers for aiding and abetting a spy — her husband. The widow's account to The Associated Press gave a rare look into the secret espionage side of the war between Israel and the Hamas militant group. According to her, Israeli security agents took advantage of her late husband's financial troubles a decade ago, luring him into collaborating by offering him a permit to work in Israel. She was later recruited when she was allowed to take one of their children to Israel for medical treatment. "Our life was hell. We were scared," she said of their years feeding Israel information. "I used to look over my shoulder when I am out in the market, get scared when I see a police car." The woman, who was released in December, spoke on condition of anonymity because Hamas does not allow freed collaborators to talk to the press. Israel has historically relied on collaborators against Palestinian militants and activists, recruiting them with methods ranging from entrapment and blackmail to cash and perks. Hamas, in turn, has done whatever it can to stop collaborators — particularly by killing them in public as a deterrent to others — since it holds them responsible for helping Israel assassinate dozens of its top figures. The issue emerged again with the latest round of fighting in Gaza, which ended late last month. During the war, militants gunned down 22 suspected spies, almost all of them on a single day after three senior Hamas military operatives were killed in an Israeli airstrike apparently guided by collaborators. Palestinians human rights groups sharply criticized Hamas for carrying out extra-judicial killings. "It was a terrifying message to society and a deterrent to other collaborators," Salah Abdel-Atti of Gaza's Independent Commission for Human Rights said. But rights concerns win little sympathy among Palestinians, who widely see informing for Israel as unforgivable treason — even among Gazans opposed to Hamas' iron fisted control of the territory since 2007. Ramiz Abu Jazar, a Gazan whose brother was killed by Hamas in intra-Palestinian fighting in 2007, said he's all for killing collaborators. They are "like cancer in society," he told the AP. "They sold their souls to the devil." There have been instances of Palestinians collaborating out of political conviction. Most embarrassing to Hamas, the son of the group's co-founder Sheik Hassan Youssef spied for Israel between 1997 and 2007, dubbed "the Green Prince." Now in the U.S., Mosab Yousef later wrote that he did so in part out of revulsion at Hamas' actions. But the large majority of collaborators are believed to do so because of blackmail or financial gain. "Everything starts and ends with money," said an operative from Israel's domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, which runs Palestinian informants. Many are recruited at Erez, Israel's border crossing with Gaza, when they seek an entry permit, said the operative, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to discuss the issue with the media. On the Gaza side of Erez, a large sign put up by Hamas warns travelers against being recruited by Israelis. An AP reporter this week witnessed firsthand how the Israeli military uses access to Israel through Erez to get information from Palestinians. On the Israel side outside the crossing terminal, a Palestinian businessman who had just entered from Gaza sat waiting for his brother, who was crossing with him but was held up by border officials inside the terminal. A uniformed army lieutenant speaking Arabic approached the man and promised to help his brother, but
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ach and every citizen of this country dreams about India becoming one of world’s super-powers and economic hubs. Are these just dreams or tall claims? Does India have the potential and prospects of becoming the centre of global power? The dreams could perhaps become true provided the status of our children improves. However, as of now the state of the nation when compared to the status of our children shows appalling figures. They are disturbing and pathetic. In 2009, the number of reported cases of polio in India stood at 741 children, more than any other country of the world. On January 13, 2012, India had successfully recorded one year without a single reported case of polio. We could proudly say that World Health Organization (WHO) appreciated India for having accomplished this herculean task. The pride and the laud get dissipated within a fraction of a second as we look into the big picture. Every year, India loses more than 14 lakh children under the age of five to diseases that are fully preventable through immunization. The cruelest fate for parents is to outlive their own children. Quite often this fate is reserved for the poorest segments of our society. Parents who could afford premium vaccines do not depend on government sponsored immunization program. Poverty and hunger contribute because those who are afflicted by these diseases have no means to treat or prevent them. Children who are afflicted with diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia need expensive ongoing treatments in order to save their lives. So the burden of childhood diseases on the poor only serves to worsen their conditions, driving them into intense poverty and debt. By and large parents with their limited resources try their level best to save the lives of their children, but invariably pushed to more debts and the treatment fails and eventually majority of the children die. Among those who live in the slum and in rural areas especially the Dalits and the Tribal witness the death of children under the age of five. This has become all too common. Precisely due to these reasons many name their children who have completed five years. India has become the site of nameless children. These are preventable diseases, and what is needed simple act of immunization that can save hundreds of children. Healthcare in India is nothing but a long litany of insufficient resources and poor outcomes. GDP and other focused investments on health are way down as compared to other areas. So India falls way down the guidelines of WHO both in quantitative and qualitative terms. For example, bed density is low (less than 1.5 beds per 100 persons as compared to WHO guideline of 3.5), doctors few (less than 1.8 per 1000 as compared to WHO guideline of
John Feffer
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In this Tuesday, October 18, 2005 file photo released by the previously unknown Palestinian armed militia called "Fursan Alsafa" (Knights of the Storm), shows what they claim are members of their group guarding two Palestinian men on their knees whom they accuse of being collaborators with Israel, in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis. Hamas views collaborators in Gaza as a serious threat, holding them responsible for the assassination by Israel over the years of dozens of its top political leaders and military commanders. Israel, on the other hand, has historically relied on collaborators in its war against Palestinian militants and Palestinian activism in general, using methods that vary from entrapment and blackmail to cash and perks. (AP Photo/File)
first asked him dozens of questions about life in Gaza, from the number of factories damaged in the latest war, to the mood on the streets and power supply. The questioning — casual in tone — lasted about 15 minutes, and the man answered with little hesitation. In the end, the officer insisted on taking the man's mobile phone number. The brother emerged soon after. Hamas' Interior Ministry, which is in charge of security, says it has executed 12 collaborators since 2007 after closed-door trials. Rights groups say another 53 alleged collaborators were gunned down by Hamas militants in that same period. Often, they were dragged out of prisons where they had been detained on suspicion of spying and were shot. The husband of the widow who spoke to the AP was recruited around a decade ago, when Israel still directly controlled Gaza before its withdrawal from the tiny Mediterranean coastal territory in 2005. The man once worked in Israel as a garbage collector, at a time when thousands of Gazans were allowed to enter Israel daily for work. But his permit was revoked because of his involvement in a car theft, his wife said. His wife began making frequent trips to neighboring Egypt to buy goods to sell in Gaza. When he tried to do the same, Israeli security agents stopped him on the Gaza side of the border. They offered him his Israel work permit back in exchange for collaboration, the wife told the AP. Later, his wife grew suspicious because he was frequently going up on the roof of their house to make phone calls. When she confronted him, he confessed and told her, "I am not hurting anyone. I just give them a phone number, a name or information on a tunnel." She did not join her husband in collaborating until 2008, when she was allowed to accompany one of their children
being treated at an Israeli hospital. She was asked to go to the hospital's security office, and there an Israeli gave her money to buy presents for herself and her children. A few days later, he gave her $14,000 along with instructions to leave the cash in various drop points around Gaza to pay other informants. "We left money under rocks, in garbage bins and by walls," she said. Shortly before their arrest in 2011, she said, the husband received a call from the Israelis, who described a car to him and asked him to head immediately to the main road outside his home and wait for it. When he saw the car, he called the Israelis and reported that two people were in it. More than an hour later, she said, the Israelis bombed the car, killing its occupants — apparently militants. During the last round of Israel-Hamas fighting in 2012, several senior Hamas figures were killed in an airstrike, and the husband and five other alleged collaborators were pulled from prison by masked men and shot to death at a Gaza intersection. The body of at least one of the six was also dragged in the street by a motorcycle, though it's not known if it was that of the husband. The widow was convicted in a Hamas court and sentenced to seven years in prison. She was pardoned in December to look after her children. Now she struggles to raise her children with little money. She did not speak of being harassed because of her conviction, but said: "the neighbors give me insincere smiles, but I know what they are thinking of us." She reflected little about the rights or wrongs of working with Israel — showing a mix of denial, a desire to defend her husband's reputation and a relief that the fear of those years was over. "My husband was a kind man," she insisted. "He would never hurt anyone."
The Status Of The Children Reflects The State Of The Nation Dr. John Mohan Razu professor Of Social ethics CtC, Mokokchung
“We do not inherit the world from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children”
-A Native American Proverb
2.5), and out of pocket spend high spend high (86% as compared to an average of around 40% for low income countries). Rural India lags even further behind, with around 30% of the rural population having to travel over 30 km for treatment. Furthermore infectious and chronic diseases continue to prevail. Health indicators continue to lag; healthcare spending is growing lower than GDP growth. In tune to this, hospitals also have failed to translate better health care. More and more multi-specialty hospitals have and thus catering to the rich and the poor continue to depend on government hospitals. States with more doctors have done better in health indices than the states that have better infrastructure. Doctor to population ratio had a far higher impact on infant mortality rate (IMR) or maternal mortality rate (MMR) than better infrastructure. To cite a few examples Tamil Nadu has few primary health centers (PHCs), one per lakh of population, as compared to Chhattisgarh and Odisha that have two PHCs is better placed in health outcomes. Tamil Nadu has one doctor for 789 patients and an infant mortality rate of 21 and maternal morality of 97. In sharp comparison, Chhattisgarh has one doctor for 6,221 patients and witnesses 47 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births and 269 maternal death per 1,00,000 live births. Odisha that has one doctor for 2,500 patients, too, suffers from high infant and moth deaths. It has IMR of 53 and MMR of 258, respectively. Interestingly, states like Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu alone account for 42% of all medical colleges in India, thereby producing most of India’s doctors. Not surprisingly, these states also have the
best Doctor Population Ratio (DPR). These states show no shortfall of doctors at PHC level and have already met the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). At least three of the five – Kerala, Goa and Tamil Nadu – have IMR below 21. Incidentally, West Bengal has one of the highest per capita coverage of primary health centers – nine per lakh population. However, it has just one doctor for 1,508 patients and IMR of 32 while MMR is 145. In comparison, North Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh have very few medical colleges, a fact which reflects in the DPR. By and large, most states with poor DPR also had a relatively high shortfall of doctors at the PHC level. For example a state like Bihar has one doctor for every 2,785 people. This translates to IMR of 43 and a MMR of 261. When these numbers are viewed against the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target of 27 for Infant Mortality Rate in India by 2015, it becomes clear that these states need to act urgently to improve their performance in public health. All these parameters reflect clearly that the nation and the states should go beyond merely having doctors and invest in improving the quality of healthcare professionals in India. The Centre and the states should go further greater public investment in healthcare, and improve the quantity and quality of healthcare in India while reducing regional disparities. Along with these factors there should be efficient utilization of funds, good quality of human resources in health care and finally awareness among people. Connected to ill-health is illiteracy and absence of quality education. With over 300 million students and 6.5 million teachers, India’s education system touches most families. Parents face a number of problems in organizing education for their children. Increasingly it causes great concern for families. Nationally, nearly half the students who enter class 1 are out of school by Class 10. This varies across states – 77% in Assam, nearly 70% in Jharkhand and Rajasthan to a more manageable 16% in Himachal or about 25% in TN and UP. Dalits suffer a dropout rate of 56% and Adivasis 71% amongst the most disadvantaged sections in India. In villages over 51% of the poorest is illiterate and only a minuscule 0.4% goes beyond higher secondary. In cities, 42% of the poorest remain illiterate, just 1.5% com-
plete higher studies. Incidentally, more than three quarters of schools in the country do not have fully equipped science laboratories for students in class 11 and 12 from a survey that stretched out to 2.4 lakh secondary and senior secondary schools. In other category where an integrated science module is taught to students, over 58 per cent schools do not have the required laboratories. About 2.3 crore children in India, up to 6 years of age are suffering from malnourishment and are under weight. This staggering number amounts to over 28 per cent of the 8 crore children who attend anganwadis across. In Bihar, the proportion of under-weight children is nearly 50%, Andhra Pradesh (37%), Utter Pradesh (36%), Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh (both 32%) are some of the other large states with a high proportion of children being malnourished. Delhi reported that a shockingly high 35% of the nearly 7 lakh children who attend anganwadis were underweight. This shows that the extent of poverty and malnutrition amongst the urban poor is comparable to rural areas despite all the advantages the cities. In all the northeastern states except Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya, less than 10% of children were underweight children. Other large states with a comparatively low rate of malnutrition are Maharashtra (11%) and Tamil Nadu (18%). The state of the nation is very much dependent on the status of the children. The state has failed translating health and education to the deprived and vulnerable communities. Majority of children in India have no access to quality education and health. In such an appalling scenario how could be talk and dream of India becoming one of world’s economic and military super power. Children are nations’ future and this segment is handicapped without quality education and health. A nation with poor health and literacy indices cannot dream and visualize a better future. The governments both at the Centre and the states should give more emphasis to these two sectors. Without these two the state of the nation could perhaps be termed as poor nation because society is obviously is sick. These deprivations are reflected in multiple forms such as children working as domestic helpers, seen in two wheeler and four wheeler mechanic shops, dishwashers in hotels and tea stalls, helping the parents in the construction sites, rag pickers, maimed and turned into beggars, trafficked for a number of purposes. Children are precious and center of everything. Exploiting them for human greed and selfish aggrandizement reflects sick and pervert mind of the society. Any civilization or culture or ethos is primarily gauged by the status of children. As of now the state of the nation is in dire straits and so let us first talks about the status of children and then others will automatically follow suit.
Foreign policy in Focus
elix Abt is a Swiss businessman who, after living for seven years in North Korea, has written a candid account of his time there. The story is as extraordinary as it is improbable. Foreigners rarely live for extended periods in North Korea. The ones who do are usually attached to embassies or UN agencies—but Abt was, as the title of his book states, a capitalist in North Korea. And, finally, the people who do manage to live there rarely write candidly about their experiences, if only to ensure that they can return at some point in the future. Of course, there’s nothing in A Capitalist in North Korea that would disqualify Abt from a return visit. He does not trash the regime. He does not linger on human rights issues, make light of the country’s economic backwardness, or reveal any secrets about its nuclear program. He focuses on his own interactions with North Koreans. The purpose of the book, in some sense, is to normalize the country. Sure, North Korea has its quirks, Abt implies, but so do all countries. North Koreans struggle to make it through their daily challenges, just like everybody else. Abt ran a pharmaceutical company called PyongSu, a joint venture between a Swiss firm and the North Korean ministry of public health. He also set up the Pyongyang Business School. In other words, he was a certain kind of missionary—though his gospel was the bottom line, not the Bible. He was one of a series of evangelists who, venture by venture over the last 30 years, have converted North Korea from a doctrinaire Communist country into a mixed economy. And indeed, Abt’s account of his time in North Korea is most interesting for his stories of trying to get his various business initiatives off the ground. Doing business in North Korea is not for the faint-hearted. There’s the government bureaucracy to deal with, the unscrupulous middle men who put themselves forward as business partners, and the international sanctions that restrict certain types of imports into the country and keep products out of huge potential markets like the United States. On top of that, North Korea lacks reliable infrastructure. “I have visited provincial factories far from the capital where workers slept in the factory at night so they could wait for sudden electrical bursts,” Abt reports. “When the power came back and the lights went on, the workers jumped to their feet to operate the machines for a couple of hours until the next blackout.” Like any good businessman, however, Abt quickly adapts to the local realities. He jumps at the opportunity to provide flower pots adorned with PyongSu’s label for the annual exhibition of the flowers named after North Korea’s first two leaders: Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia. “Of course, the press spun my commentary into an entertaining propaganda twist, but I didn’t mind,” he writes. “On the contrary, it helped boost our sales more than any advertising campaign could ever have achieved.” See, Abt tells us: there often is a fine line between the propaganda of a regime and the advertising of capitalism. Throughout his account, Abt provide capsule portraits of real North Koreans. There’s Dr. Song, who handles email queries about medicine on the country’s Intranet. “Dr. Song’s working days became longer and longer, but she didn’t complain,” he recounts. “She must have, after all, become one of the country’s most popular doctors, building our reputation as a competent pharmaceutical company.” Then there’s Jon Sung Hun—the head of Pugang, one of North Korea’s largest state-run corporations—a charismatic pitchman who shows up at the company’s booth at the Pyongyang International Trade Fair to “fire up his sales team.” In addition to demonstrating how to operate a profitable business in a country just coming to understand the nature of profit, Abt helped put together the Pyongyang Business School to teach the next generation of North Koreans how to run their nascent market economy. In the end, it wasn’t the North Korean government that pulled the plug on the initiative but the Swiss government, after a parliamentary critic persuaded his colleagues to stop providing such useful trainings to a totalitarian dictatorship. The Swiss continued to provide humanitarian aid, but Abt has little positive to say about such relationships. Aid creates a “culture of dependency,” he writes, and the UN agencies in particular waste tremendous resources on overhead and operating expenses like expensive cars. A Capitalist in North Korea devotes only part its pages to the challenges of running both a business and a business school in the country. Abt also interweaves observations on North Korean life in general. There are asides on Korean food, customs, propaganda slogans, tourism spots. We learn that the government has reinstated the traditional autumn holiday of Chuseok, which had hitherto only been celebrated in the South. Hello Kitty is making inroads into North Korean culture. Women over the age of 27 worry about never marrying and becoming old maids. Abt wants to dispel the prevalent myths about North Korea. The citizens are not automatons. The capital has not been “cleansed” of the old and the handicapped. North Korea is not nearly as isolated as it is often portrayed in the press. He also touches on some of the less savory aspects of society, such as the rising incidence of theft, the pervasiveness of domestic violence, and the shoddy construction of buildings even in Pyongyang. Though Abt is willing to highlight some of the negative aspects of North Korean life, he bends over backwards to minimize the violations of human rights. The labor camps, he points out, can’t be as horrible as the Western media claims because he knows two people who were accused of “serious crimes,” did their time in labor camps, and were then released to be reintegrated into society. It’s useful to point out that North Koreans have different experiences in the country’s labor camps. But Abt doesn’t take into account the hundreds of defector testimonies that paint a very different reality in the camps—of starvation, death, collective punishment, and so on. Like any account of North Korea, Abt’s new book is partial, in both senses of the word: biased and incomplete. But that’s unavoidable with such a subject. The partial picture he provides is indispensible for understanding how North Korea is changing, perhaps not as fast as outsiders want and perhaps too fast for some within the North Korean government. It’s rare indeed to get an insider perspective from one of these agents of change.
Readers may please note that, the contents of the articles published on this page do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.
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Dimapur
NATIONAL
Friday 19 September 2014
The Morung Express
India, China vow cooperation as troops face off neW delHi, september 18 (ap): Indian and Chinese troops faced off along their Himalayan border on Thursday as the countries’ leaders held a rare meeting in New Delhi, promising to boost economic cooperation and substantially increase Chinese investment in India’s infrastructure. The long-festering border dispute is a stark reminder of the complicated relationship between the two Asian giants as they try to increase trade and investment. After talks that lasted more than two hours, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said peace and stability along the border were necessary for economic growth and development in the region. India’s worries about the frequent standoffs on the border came up at the meeting. “I raised our serious concerns over repeated incidents along the border,” Modi told a news conference, with Xi by his side. “Peace and tranquility in the border region constitutes an essential foundation for mutual trust and confidence for realizing the full potential of our relationship,” he said. Suspicions between the two countries — which between them have 2.6 billion people — date from a monthlong border war in 1962 that left about 2,000 soldiers dead. That conflict ended in a standoff with each side accusing the other of occupying its territory. This week, Indian offi-
Modi, wXi chart new chapter in India-China economic ties
neW delHi, september 18 (ians): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping Thursday charted a new chapter in India-China economic ties, with Beijing assuring greater access to Indian goods and $20-billion investment and New Delhi rolling out red carpet for Chinese firms. With economic relations topping the agenda for the talks between the two leaders here, the prime minister said he was particularly happy that China has agreed to set up two industrial parks in India and look at how the issue of trade deficit can be addressed. “I raised the issue of trade imbalance between our countries. I also urged President Xi to give our companies better market access and investment opportunities in China,” Modi said after his talks with Xi, who is on a three-day official visit to India since Wednesday. “The Chinese president assured that he will take concrete steps in this regard.” India-China bilateral merchandise trade stood at $65.88 billion in 2013. While Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right after signing agreements in India’s exports to China were valued at New Delhi on Thursday, September 18. Xi vowed to bring prosperity to Asia and create opportunities for the world as he $14.50 billion, its imports from China were and Modi began talks Thursday to deepen cooperation through investment and trade. (AP Photo) cials said Chinese soldiers had entered Indian territory in the Ladakh region in Indian-held Kashmir and appeared to be building a road in the region. The lack of a clearly demarcated boundary in the barren Himalayan region has in the past led to incidents in which New Delhi said Chinese troops crossed into its land, while Beijing said Indian troops were occupying Chinese territory. While analysts believe there is little danger of a conventional war breaking out between the two countries, the frequent border skirmishes make it
difficult to achieve a lasting resolution. The two sides have held several rounds of talks on their boundary dispute, but have made little progress. China claims about 90,000 square kilometers (35,000 square miles) of land in India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, while India says China is occupying 38,000 square kilometers (15,000 square miles) of territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the western Himalayas. Another cause for bitterness is China’s deep ties with Pakistan, India’s archrival.
Although the border dispute appeared to cast a shadow over the talks, the two sides also clinched several agreements. They decided to begin discussions on civil nuclear energy and signed a five-year economic and trade development plan. They also agreed to set up two Chinese industrial parks in India, and China promised to invest $20 billion in Indian infrastructure over the next five years. “We can bring prosperity to Asia, and we can create opportunities for the world,” Xi said of the growing relationship between the two
Jaya opposes Centre’s directive to teach Hindi as a main language at graduate level
CHennai, september 18 (tnn): Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday lambasted the Centre’s directive to universities to introduce Hindi, along with English, as a main language at the graduate level. “It is unacceptable,” she said in an official statement. A circular, issued by the Union home ministry’s official language (Rajbhasa) department last week, asked the varsities to inform the UGC about the action taken by them to make Hindi the main language at the graduate level. The circular triggered protests from political parties in the state, with DMK and PMK slamming the move. The chief minister said the directive to introduce Hindi along with English as a main language at the graduate level and to teach both law and commerce in Hindi medium was illegal. Reiterating that the ruling AIADMK was firm to thwart any efforts to impose Hindi in non-Hindi states,
the chief minister said that Tamil and other languages would remain main languages in Tamil Nadu universities, followed by English and subjects concerned. “The decision taken by the Central Hindi Committee in July 2011, would not bind the universities of Tamil Nadu. Chief secretary Mohan Varghese Chunkath has been directed to advise the government-run universities to inform the UGC in this regard,” Jayalalithaa said. The Official Languages Act, 1963, Rule 3, states that English language shall be used for purposes of communication in states, which have not adopted Hindi as its official language. According to the Official Languages (Use for Official Purpose of the Union) Rules, 1976, Tamil Nadu and a few other states fall in ‘Region C’ and communication from the Central Government to them or to any office (not being a Central Government office) or person in
such state shall be in English. While states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab and the Union territories of Chandigarh, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli come under Region B, and any communication from Central Government office to them shall ordinarily be in Hindi and if any communication is issued to any of them in English, it shall be accompanied by a Hindi translation thereof. “Therefore, the UGC circular sent to TN varsities will not be applicable,” Jayalalithaa said. The AIADMK supremo took a dig at her bete noire and DMK chief M Karuaninidhi for not protesting against it when his party was part of the previous UPA regime, during which Central Hindi Committee took the decision. “He remained mum for Kanimozhi, fearing that she would not come out on bail (in 2G scam). It only shows that Karunanidhi had mortgaged Tamil for Kanimozhi,” Jayalalithaa said.
New vaccines can change India’s health battles: Merlinda Gates
neW delHi, september 18 (ians): Introduction of four new vaccines in India’s national immunisation programme by the new government can bring immense change in the country’s major health battles and reduce the child mortality rate, Melinda Gates said Thursday. On a visit to the capital, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda, who represent the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, were in conversation with celebrated author Chetan Bhagat on the topic “All Loves Have Equal Value”. Replying to a question what their expectations were from the Narendra Modi government, Melinda Gates said: “We are very enthused with the government that has come to power. “I think in a couple of years, especially in the health sector, there will be optimism. For instance, the fact that they are keen to roll out four key new vaccines across India, is absolutely huge.” “We also see their (Modi’s government) commitment to newborns and also towards sanitation
Melinda Gates watches as Bill Gates talks to Indian author Chetan Bhagat, unseen, during an interaction organized by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation in New Delhi on Thursday, September 18. (AP Photo)
that will help reduce diarrhoeal infections and make sure that children get nutritional diet in schools,” she added. Bill Gates, however, quickly added that it won’t
be an easy task for the government. “Take the economy as a whole. It seems some unpopular things need to be done. Are they willing to do things that are good for
the country, but that they can’t immediately embrace,” he asked. Melinda Gates was referring to the introduction of four new vaccines, including one for Japanese Encephalitis, in the national immunisation programme, which will provide free vaccines against 13 life-threatening diseases to 27 million children annually. Vaccines for rotavirus, rubella and polio (injectable) were also introduced as part of the universal immunisation programme in July. Bill Gates, one of the richest men in the world, became involved in philanthropic work with the creation of the foundation in 2001. It aims to help people lead healthy lives and use technology and research to find solutions to health and preventive issues. They launched their foundation in India in 2003 with an HIV/AIDS prevention programme known as the Avahan initiative. Melinda Gates also said she feels “outraged” whenever she sees a woman being illtreated in any part of the world, including her own country.
countries. In a significant concession, China agreed to allow the opening of a new, more accessible route to Kailash Mansarovar, a Hindu pilgrimage site located in the high Himalayas. The two leaders also discussed a China-led proposal to develop an economic corridor that would link Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar. Modi called his talks with Xi a “historic opportunity” and said “we can start a new era in our relations.” Xi is the first Chinese president to visit India in eight years. Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang made
India his first overseas visit shortly after taking office last year. Trade between the countries totaled more than $70 billion in 2013. But India’s trade deficit with China is about $40 billion and there are fears it could grow if China uses India to sell cheap manufactured goods in the future. The countries have set a trade target of $100 billion by 2015, but both sides still need to iron out wrinkles in their trade and tax policies to help achieve that goal. During the talks, Modi raised India’s concerns about the worsening trade imbalance and sought Xi’s
much larger at $51.37 billion, resulting in a large trade deficit. Modi, while delivering his statement before the media after the talks at Hyderabad House here, said India and China have much scope to increase economic cooperation, as it was way below the potential. President Xi reciprocated what Modi said. “China and India will act as twin engines in spearheading economic growth in the region,” the Chinese president said. “China will invest $20 billion in India in five years,” he added. “We will also align our strategy to strengthen rail infrastructure in India.” The prime minister said he was pleased with the inking of agreements between the two sides for two Chinese industrial parks in India and Beijing’s commitment to invest around $20 billion in India over the next five years. “I invited Chinese investments in infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. I’m glad two Chinese industrial parks will be built in India,” he said. “Also, the fiveyear economic and trade development plan is an important step.”
help in improving market access and investment opportunities for Indian companies in China. Security was tight near the palatial building in central Delhi where the talks were held, with hundreds of police posted around the venue. But in a major embarrassment to the Delhi police, dozens of Tibetan protesters, mostly women, managed to stage a noisy protest outside the building after the two leaders began their meeting. The protesters shouted “China: Hands off Tibet!” as police grappled with them, shoving them into
buses. Tibetan protests against China are common in India, and often increase during visits by Chinese leaders. The presence in India of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, remains a major irritant for China. India has allowed the Dalai Lama, who fled to India in the 1950s following a failed uprising in Tibet, to set up a government in exile in the northern Indian town of Dharmsala. The Dalai Lama said Thursday that China could learn from India on how different ethnic and religious groups can live in harmony.
Dalai Lama urges Xi to remain ‘open minded’ mUmbai, september 18 (ians): Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Thursday urged Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is on his maiden official visit to India, to remain “open minded and realistic” so that he can learn from India. He also said sooner or later the Tibetan problem had to be resolved through understanding and talks. “Actually, Tibetan problem is also the problem of India. Sooner or later the Tibetan problem has to be solved but by understanding and talks. That is very important,” the Dalai Lama told reporters here. The Nobel Peace Prize winner also said it was important to base Sino-India relations on trust. “At that time when (former president) Hu Jintao had come to India, I also expressed
Indian policemen detain a Tibetan youth activist during a protest to highlight Chinese control over Tibet, outside the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday, September 18. Several protests organized by exiled Tibetans were held in India on occasion of the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to India. (AP Photo)
that he should learn some experience from India.” “So, this time also my hope and expression is Xi Jingping should remain open minded and realistic so that he can learn from India,” he said.
Besides, the Dalai Lama said China should work for peace, development of economy of Tibet and preservation of Buddhist religion, as China has about 400 million Buddhist population. In Delhi, Tibet-
an refugees staged a demonstration in south Delhi’s Dhaula Kuan area and central Delhi’s Hyderabad House Thursday as Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks on boosting bilateral ties.
Over 2 mn displaced in India due to natural disasters in 2013 United nations, september 18 (pti): About 2.14 million people were displaced in India last year due to natural disasters, according to a United Nations-backed report which said the country was third after the Philippines and China to record the highest levels of displacement in 2013. The report ‘Global Estimates 2014: people displaced by disasters’ said 22 million people worldwide were displaced in 2013 by disasters sparked largely by earthquakes or climate, almost three times more
than by conflict in the same year. In India, a total of 26.13 million people were displaced between 2008-2013, second only to China which had 54.25 million displacements. Last year alone, ‘2.14 million people were displaced in India due to natural hazard-related events while conflict and violence displaced 64,000 people. “Between 2008 and 2013, 80.9% of displacement took place in Asia. The region accounted for the 14 largest displacements of 2013 and the five countries’ with the highest displace-
ment levels: the Philippines, China, India, Bangladesh and Vietnam,” the report said. In south Asia, cyclone Mahasen forced the evacuation of around 1.1 million people in Bangladesh in May, and in October widespread monsoon season floods displaced over a million in several Indian states. In the same month, cyclone Phailin, the strongest to hit India in 14 years, brought widespread devastation to eastern coastal areas and forced the evacuation of another million people.
Scotland’s referendum stirs Kashmiri demands
srinaGar, september 18 (reUters): Kashmiri separatist leaders have seized on Scotland’s referendum on independence to demand that India follow through on a promise to grant a similar vote in the disputed Himalayan region. Scotland was voting on Thursday on whether to split away from the United Kingdom in a ballot moderate Kashmiri separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said was an example of how Kashmiris’ demands for a say on their future could be solved peacefully. “We hope India will also change its approach and re-
alise the fact that people’s rights can’t be trampled upon,” Farooq, the head Muslim priest on the Indian side of Kashmir, where a violent insurgency against New Delhi’s rule raged through the 1990s and resentment still runs high, said on Wednesday. “It is encouraging that in a peaceful manner people will be deciding their future.” Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since a war after independence from Britain in 1947, and the two nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two of their three wars over the territory. India has never carried out a
promise made more than six decades ago to hold a plebiscite that would determine the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It now considers the entire region of snow-capped mountains and fertile valleys an integral part of its territory and maintains a massive military presence in Jammu and Kashmir, its northernmost and only Muslim-majority state. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj blurted out her horror at the thought of New Delhi’s former colonial master splitting apart, when questioned at a news conference last week. “A break-up of the UK?
God forbid,” she said. “I don’t think any such possibility exists at the moment.” After a senior civil servant whispered in her ear, Swaraj corrected herself, commenting: “It is up to the people of Scotland to decide.” Hardline Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani praised the United Kingdom for giving Scotland the vote, adding that London should now put pressure on India to grant Kashmiris a referendum. “India should learn lessons from UK and honour its commitment of granting right to self-determination to people of Kashmir,” Geelani said.
InternatIonal
the Morung express
Friday 19 September 2014
Dimapur
UN’s flight marks new era on Israel-Syria front CAMP ZIOUANI, SePteMber 18 (AP): For four decades, a multinational United Nations mission has quietly monitored the sleepy Golan Heights — providing a symbol of stability between bitter enemies as it enforced a truce between Israel and Syria. But as Syria has plunged into civil war and the peacekeepers themselves have become targets of al-Qaida-linked rebels, the U.N. observer force has begun to fall apart, leaving its future — and the prospects for ever establishing peace in this rugged area of the Middle East — in doubt. Since Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war, a withdrawal from the strategic plateau was seen as the key to any peace agreement. But as Syria continues to disintegrate, the odds of Israel giving up the Golan — never a popular prospect among Israelis — appear to be dimming by the day. The downfall of the international mission known as UNDOF is a vivid illustration of the uncertain situation across the border — and in the eyes of many Israelis, it underscores why they can never relinquish the Golan. The force suffered its latest blow earlier this month when the al-Qaidalinked Nusra Front seized the strategic Quneitra bor-
der crossing from UNDOF, sent a contingent of Filipino peacekeepers scrambling for safety in Israel and took 45 Fijian peacekeepers hostage. Although the Fijians were released unharmed two weeks later, it was the fourth abduction of peacekeepers since March 2013, and several countries have withdrawn their troops from the mission. The 1,200-strong U.N. force is now mostly huddled inside Camp Ziouani, a drab base just inside the Israeli-controlled side of the Golan Heights. Its patrols along the de facto border have all but ceased, the road to the nearby Syrian town of Quneitra is blocked by barbed wire, and the fields opposite the base are blackened by fires set off from wayward mortar rounds launched from the Syrian side. With Syria in tatters, UNDOF’s viability is now in question. “Their mandate is just not relevant anymore,” said Stephane Cohen, a former Israeli military liaison officer with UNDOF. “They are there to oversee an agreement between two countries — Israel and Syria — and in practice there is no Syria anymore.” That endangers a status quo that — despite a formal state of war between Israel and Syria — is widely re-
garded as convenient. Since the aftermath of the 1973 Mideast war, the Golan has been the quietest of Israel’s front lines, a place of hiking trails, birdwatching and winery tours. Constantly looming in the background was the prospect of the Golan eventually returning to Syria as part of a peace accord. A plateau that looms over northern Israel, the Golan is considered by Israelis to be vital to their security. Lush and verdant for much of the year, it boasts the snow-capped Hermon mountain and the country’s only ski resort. The attachment to the Golan is such that Israelis tend to hardly view it as occupied — and, indeed, the area, unlike the West Bank, has been formally annexed. Despite this, the sides have been negotiating on and off for much of the past two decades, and even reportedly came close to a deal in 2000. Indirect talks between Israel and Syria took place as recently as six years ago. Underpinning that ambition was the sense that peace with Syria would yield significant benefits in terms of Israel’s legitimacy in the region — and that President Bashar Assad’s government would be a strong partner capable of enforcing the peace. That seems like ancient
history now, with Assad’s forces bogged down in an intractable civil war that has already killed at least 190,000 people. Israel has largely stayed on the sidelines of Syria’s conflict. But Israeli leaders appear increasingly nervous about the possibility of al-Qaida-affiliated rebels occupying the high ground over northern Israel. That prospect has pushed the notion of a future Israeli withdrawal from everyone’s mind, said Eyal Zisser, a Syria expert at Tel Aviv University. All Israel can do now is “sit quietly, keep our distance and hope,” he said. The Israeli military would not comment about its deployment, but officials say it is the most robust since 1973. The most obvious manifestation is a new 6-meter (20-foot) tall border fence topped with barbed wire and bristling with sophisticated anti-infiltration devices. The traditional flock of tourists has slowed considerably and one of the main draws these days is a front row seat to watch the fighting taking place inside Syria. Atop scenic Mount Bental, Israelis and foreigners gawked one recent day as the sound of a large explosion echoed across the way, sending up a large plume of smoke in the distance. Having abandoned
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In this photo taken on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, a U.N. peacekeepers from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, also known as UNDOF, observe Syria’s Quneitra province at an observation point on Mt. Bental in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, overlooking the border with Syria. For four decades, a multinational United Nations mission has quietly monitored the sleepy Golan Heights — providing a symbol of stability between bitter enemies as it enforced a truce between Israel and Syria. But as Syria has plunged into civil war and the peacekeepers themselves have become targets of al-Qaida-linked rebels, the U.N. observer force has begun to fall apart, leaving its future — and the prospects for ever establishing peace in this rugged area of the Middle East — in doubt. (AP Photo)
their vulnerable positions inside Syria, U.N. observers have also retreated to the mountaintop lookout. A pair of uniformed soldiers observed the situation from the Israeli side using a long-range scope. U.N. officials say they remain committed to maintaining the force. The new reality is perhaps most jarring for the Golan’s 22,000 Druse residents, who have found themselves trapped in the middle. Followers of an offshoot of Islam, the Druse have mostly continued to identify as Syrian even after years of Israeli
rule that has seen them become fluent in Hebrew. They still have relatives in Syria, and the Quneitra crossing has served as a direct channel to Syria for students attending university in Damascus and for brides crossing over to marry fellow Druse. Those movements have slowed considerably as the fighting has increased. The Druse have survived in a turbulent region by typically showing allegiance to their country of residence. Some 100,000 Druse from inside Israel are loyal citizens and have produced senior officers in
its military. Those on the Golan tread a fine line. Unlike their brethren in the rest of Israel, few have taken up citizenship — an option they were offered after Israel annexed the territory in 1981 — and at least in public have backed Assad’s regime as their one-day savior. But over the past three years, opinions have begun to fluctuate, with anger over the high death toll in Syria mixing with concern over the fate of their Syrian relatives and a new realization that their future looks brightest with Israel.
“Most of the residents support the rebellion against the Assad regime but do not support the terrorist groups that have been riding its wave,” said Dolan Abu Saleh, the mayor of Majdal Shams, the largest of four Druse towns on the Israeli side of the disputed frontier. “The truth is that people are happy to be living under Israeli rule and the Golan today is Israeli,” he said. “If somehow there is a situation where Syria becomes a democratic state then the residents here will think about being a part of that dream.”
World to see more people displaced
A man holding an air rifle in a white jersey fights with two other men as he tries to stop looters from storming into the Mega Supermarket in Los Cabos, Mexico, Tuesday, September 16. According to employees the supermarket donated all the food in the store and established a system by which every person had 5 minutes to get whatever they could for free. Fights broke as other people inciting the crowd to loot. Desperate locals and tourists were in survival mode in the resort area of Los Cabos also on Wednesday, with electrical and water service still out three days after Hurricane Odile made landfall as a monster Category 3 storm. (AP Photo)
Scots decide whether to declare independence eDINbUrGH, SePteMber 18 (AP): Scots held the fate of the United Kingdom in their hands Thursday as they voted in a referendum on becoming an independent state, deciding whether to unravel a marriage with England that built an empire but has increasingly been felt by many Scots as stifling and one-sided. The question on the ballot paper is simplicity itself: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” Yet it has divided Scots during months of campaigning, and polls suggest the result is too close to call. A final Ipsos MORI poll released Thursday put support for the No side at 53 percent and Yes at 47 percent. The phone survey of 991 people has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points. The future of the 307-year old union with England will be decided in 15 hours on Thursday; polls close at 10 p.m. (2100GMT, 5 p.m. EDT). Turnout is expected to be high, with more than 4.2 million people registered to vote — 97 percent of those eligible. On a foggy morning in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, voters lined up outside some polling stations even before they opened at 7 a.m. The campaign has generated an unprecedented volume and intensity of public debate and participation. The Yes side, in particular, has energized young people and previously disillusioned working-class voters. As polls opened, the mood was electric, tinged by nervousness. For some voters, this was a day they had dreamed of for decades. “Fifty years I fought for this,” said 83-year-old Isabelle Smith, a Yes supporter in Edinburgh’s maritime district of Newhaven, a former fishing port. “And we are going to win. I can feel it in my bones.” For Smith, who went to the polling station decked out in a blue-and-white pro-
independence shirt and rosette, statehood for Scotland was a dream nurtured during three decades living in the United States with her late husband. “The one thing America has that the Scots don’t have is confidence,” said Smith, who returned to Scotland years ago. “But they’re getting it, they’re walking tall. “No matter what, Scotland will never, ever be the same again.” Smith’s three children and seven grandchildren are all Americans, and several flew to Scotland for the referendum to support her. Many opponents of independence agreed that the campaign had reinvigorated Scottish democracy. “I support the No side, but it’s been a fascinating, worthwhile discussion about Scotland’s future,” said writing consultant David Clarke. “If it’s a No it’s a win-win situation. If it’s a Yes, we will have to deal with the fact that it’s a Yes.” First Minister Alex Salmond, leader of the independence campaign, cast his vote near his home in northeastern Scotland. If the Yes side prevails he will realize a longheld dream of leading his country to independence after an alliance with England formed in 1707. Pro-independence forces got a lastminute boost from tennis star Andy Murray, who signaled his support of the Yes campaign in a tweet to his 2.7 million followers early Thursday. Anti-independence leaders including former Prime Minister Gordon Brown have implored Scots not to break their links with the rest of the United Kingdom. At Edinburgh polling stations, excitement vied with apprehension about Scotland’s choice. Once the polls close, ballot boxes will be transported to 32 regional centers for counting. The result is anticipated Friday morning.
UNIteD NAtIONS, SePteMber 18 (AP): Natural disasters displaced almost 22 million people around the world last year and aid workers say they expect to see that number rise in the future, according to a report issued by a Norwegian humanitarian group on Wednesday. The study, authored by the Norwegian Refugee Council’s Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, said that an average of 27 million people have been displaced each year since 2008 by natural disasters. Such displacement is estimated to have doubled in the past 40 years, as the world population grew and rapidly urbanized, the report added. The annual report also said that the some 22 million people displaced by natural disasters last year was three times the number of people who left their
homes because of conflict. The figure tends to fluctuate, because disasters can strike at any time: It was 32 million in 2012, 15 million in 2011 and 42 million in 2010, when earthquakes hit Haiti and Chile. “Most people have not woken up to the fact that disasters, natural disasters, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes (have) displaced many more people than wars and conflicts combined,” Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said at a U.N. briefing Wednesday. A major cause for the increase in the number of people being displaced is the massive migration toward big cities in the developing world. This massing of people together in places that lack infrastructure makes them more vulnerable to natural disasters aggravated by climate change, the report said.
The world’s population has increased 96 percent since the 1970s, and urban populations have grown 187 percent, the report said. In developing countries, urban populations have jumped to 326 percent. “Urbanization has happened in a bad way, in very disaster-prone areas,” Egeland said. “The slums of the big cities, of growing cities become traps for people who are exposed to natural disasters.” This was evident in the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. When the quake struck, 86 percent of the people living in the capital were living in poorly built concrete buildings, the report said. The official death toll was 316,000, and 1.5 million people were displaced. The average number of people displaced by disasters has risen over the past four decades through-
out the world, but Asia has been noticeably affected, the report said. Here 80 percent of the world’s displacement took place from 2008 to 2013. The region also accounted for the 14 largest displacements in 2013, and the five countries with the highest displacement levels were the Philippines, China, India, Bangladesh and Vietnam. The other region most vulnerable to massive displacement is Africa. With 1.1 billion people, Africa is growing faster than other regions, the report said. The population is supposed to double by 2050. The countries with the highest number of people displaced by rapid-onset disasters over the six-year period were China, India, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria and the U.S., the report said. All but the Philippines are
among the world’s 10 most populous countries. China, the world’s most populous country, had some of the highest displacement levels each year both in absolute terms and relative to its population size, as did Nigeria, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Egeland and others hope to share the report at a climate summit next week as world leaders gather in New York for the U.N. General Assembly. The message they plan to relay: “Natural disaster displacement has gone through the roof, with population growth, increasing vulnerability,” Egeland said. “It will be accelerating now with extreme weather being produced by climate change.” The authors of the report also note that the spike in displacement numbers can be attributed to improved data collection.
Silva seeks grassroots Brazil reform
rIO De JANeIrO, SePteMber 18 (AP): Front-running presidential candidate Marina Silva says the key to her support among millions of Brazilians who joined in anti-government protests last year is her understanding that reforming a broken political system will come from the ground up. Silva spoke exclusively with The Associated Press in her first interview with a foreign media outlet since being thrust into a hotly contested campaign just a month ago, after her Socialist Party’s first candidate died in a plane crash Aug. 13. In a wide-ranging, hour-long interview, Silva said that as president she would seek bilateral trade deals and better relations with the U.S. and Europe, and would push for improved human rights in allies such as Cuba. Asked what she would do to lessen Brazilians’ frustrations with an inefficient political system widely viewed as corrupt, Silva said real change won’t come from the top. “It’s neither the parties nor the political leaders who will bring about change,” she said. “It’s the movements who are changing us.” A former Amazon activist and environment minister who pushed policies that helped Brazil slash the rate of jungle destruction, Silva is in a dead-heat presidential race with incumbent Dilma Rousseff. Rous-
Marina Silva, presidential candidate of the Brazilian Socialist Party, speaks during an interview with AP in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, September 17. Silva was thrust into the Socialist Party’s presidential nomination when its candidate of choice, Eduardo Campos, died in a plane crash last month. (AP Photo)
seff represents the Workers Party, which Silva herself helped found three decades ago. “Brazil has a great opportunity to become a global leader by leading by example,” Silva said in talking about human rights and environmental protections. “Our values cannot be modified because of ideological or political reasons, or because of pure economic interest.” Asked whether she would continue Brazil’s strong investment in and political support for regimes like Cuba, Venezuela, China and Iran, Silva said that dialogue is essential with each — but that her personal convictions mean Brazil would be more vocal in pushing human rights. “The best way to help the Cu-
ban people is by understanding that they can make a transition from the current regime to democracy, and that we don’t need to cut any type of relations,” she said. “It’s enough that we help through the diplomatic process, so that these (human rights) values are pursued.” Brazil’s relationship with the U.S. has been chilly since revelations more than a year ago that the National Security Agency’s espionage programs targeted Rousseff and other Brazilian officials. After the revelation, Rousseff cancelled her earlier acceptance of President Obama’s invitation for a formal state visit — the first time in memory a foreign leader rejected the honor.
Silva said the U.S. spying was a grave and intolerable error, but she added that it is time to move on. “Both nations need to improve this situation, to repair the ties of cooperation,” she said. “The Brazilian government has the absolute right to not accept any such interference. But we also cannot simply remain frozen with this problem.” The presidential vote is Oct. 5, but the contest likely will go into a second-round ballot between Rousseff and Silva three weeks later since neither is expected to win an absolute majority in the first round of eight candidates. Silva, who could become Brazil’s first black leader, has deep roots in Brazilian politics but has tapped into an anti-establishment mood, a roiling frustration with government that erupted in huge street protests in hundreds of cities last year demanding top-tobottom change. Silva’s life story connects with millions struggling to keep modest advances made as Brazil boomed in the first decade of this century. Born to an impoverished rubber tapper in the remote Amazon jungle state of Acre, Silva grew up illiterate and collected latex from trees from dawn to dusk. When she was 15, her mother died. At 16, she was sent to the state capital, Rio Branco, for hepatitis treatment — and to finally learn to read and write.
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Friday 19 September 2014
The Morung Express
Nagaland MP Rio facilitates Faith in Action
Former Chief Minister and Present MP, Nagaland Nepihiu Rio with the Faith in Action Team on September 17.
Dimapur, September 18 (mexN): The former Chief Minister and Present MP, Nagaland Nepihiu Rio on Wednesday
invited the Faith in Action Team to his residence and congratulated the team for becoming the World Champions in the recently
held World Hanmadang Taekwondo Championship from August 21 to 24 at Pohang City, South Korea. According to a press
release, the MP asked the problems of Faith in Action team that they faced on their journey to South Korea. The team members
Political parties in Peren meet
pereN, September 18 (Dipr): All the political parties of Peren district held a meeting on September 15 under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, Peren, Peter Lichamo to review and deliberate on various proposals and petitions for creation of polling stations, bifurcation of polling station and adjustment of voters from one polling station to another etc. The meeting recommended for creation of new polling station in respect of a newly recognized village, Heunanbe. Proposal for creation of additional polling station for three separate villages of Old Jalukie lower,
which has only two polling stations, was also deliberated. The house expressed valid of the same. Proposal for bifurcation of polling station from DC colony which has two polling stations at GMS school to Keletzai colony for a combined polling station of Keletzai and Ndining colony was recommended for approval. The mismatch voters of Old Mpi village (polling station number 43) and New Mpi (polling station number 8) was also deliberated and approval and correction of the same was recommended. AEO Peren, Joybell Zeliang informed the house about that
tentative date for various summary revision of Photo Electoral Roll with January 1 as a qualifying date. Draft publication will be on October 15 and all pre-revision activities will be over by October 8 and period for filing of claims and objection will be from October 15 to November 10. Special campaign dates will be held on October 19 and November 2. Meanwhile, the chairman also requested various political parties to appoint Booth Level Agents (BLA) of their own parties and inform the appointment to the AEO office, Peren for necessary action and recommendation.
Refreshers course on Centrally Sponsored Schemes Wokha, September 18 (Dipr): A refreshers course on Centrally Sponsored Schemes with regard to MGNREGA/ NRLM/ IAY/ GRANT IN AID under Rural Development Department was held at Don Bosco Youth Centre here on September 17. Deputy Commissioner, Wokha A. Robin Lotha was the chief guest. Speaking on the role of VDB Secretaries and Village Council members, the DC insisted on following the Model Code of Conduct for election/ selection of the VDB Secretaries in particular. He enlightened that the tenure for VDB Secretary is 3 years and over stay shall not be allowed at any cost. He called upon all Village Councils and VDB secretaries to show transparency and accountability while implementing the various programmes and added achievement made
during their tenure should be taken into account. He also asserted that when VDB and Council functionaries are in a prospective manner, the village prospers and lives in harmony. He warned that misappropriation of village funds shall be strongly dealt with. The DC further stated he was aware of some of the VDB secretaries and Council Chairmen staying in the headquarters or elsewhere unaware of the needs of the villagers. He called for such cases to be reported so the authority can address it. Earlier, Project Director, DRDA, Wokha, Liboni Humtsoe in her keynote address informed the VDB secretaries not to issue NOC for time being since Government might change its policies. Around 400 VDB secretaries/ village councils/ VDB women secretaries attended the refreshers course.
shared their pitiable story of constant struggle–from finding funds for tickets and their encounter with Baliram Sharma. The MP encouraged the team for bringing laurel to the Country and the State as general. He said Nagas have more potential in Sports and it is the ultimate way to earn name and fame for the state. He said to continue their work wheth- Parliamentary Secretary for CAWD, Economics & Statistics, R Tohanba inaugurated the EAC office building on September 12, 2014 in the presence of Parliamentary Secretary er the team gets help from Khongsa Kejong Chang, ADC Pungro and EAC Kiphire. the agencies or not instead build trust among the people to get support in future. Later, the MP gave an amount of Rs. 3 Lakh to Faith in Action team to repay their dues which they have promised to Baliram Sharma and wished the team to excel in their ministry. In this regard, Faith in Action has expressed gratitude to the MP for the financial support and “relieved them from their problem, without which would have never solved their burden easily.”
15th NSF Martyr’s Memorial Trophy 2014 Our Correspondent Kohima | September 18
The 15th edition of NSF Martyr’s Memorial Trophy 2014 (Late Kekuojalie Sachü & Late Vikhozo Yhoshü) will start from October 1 at the Kohima Local Ground under the theme “Goal for peace.” Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) will host the tournament this time as Angami Students’ Union (ASU) conveyed inability to conduct it this year following its engagement to other major activities. This was announced by NSF president Tongpang Ozukum during a press conference in the presence of organizing committee coconvenor Kezhazer Angami and NSF sports secretary Sikho Thou. Ozukum said an organizing committee has been formed and the committee will work on war footing from tomorrow onward. Kezhazer stated that for the first time NSF will be hosting the tournament. “We want every community’s participation for the success of the tournament,” he said adding that entry fee will be made affordable. Thou said forms will be made available from September 19 onwards and the same is now available at Sports World, Kohima, ASU office, NSF office, Kohima, Kiran Sports, Dimapur and all the federating unit offices. Last date for submission of form is September 25.
TDPDU confers Zunheboto DPDB meeting conducted Best Driver Award
tueNSaNg, September 18 (Dipr): Tuensang District Private Drivers Union (TDPDU) conferred the Best Driver Award to Loyem Chang at a ceremony held at Town Hall Tuensang on September 17. MLA & Chairman, Nagaland Bio-Resource Mission Toyang Changkong Chang graced the ceremony as chief guest and gave away the award and certificate. The chief guest exhorted all the drivers to be disciplined, good in decision making and determined in their work. He also encouraged the drivers to maintain spirit of togetherness in their duties. He also advised them not to feel belittled by their profession, but rather hold up the job with dignity and responsibly. He
also added that the driver’s job is full of responsibilities, even extent to the treat of life, so drivers should abstain from intoxicating substances during duty. He also advised all the drivers to follow the traffic rules to avoid accident. Presidents of Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS), Local Taxi Union Tuensang, Chambers of Commerce, Tuensang District Owners Association also delivered short speeches. They exhorted the drivers to be vigil and committed in their duties. District Transport Officer Sanglee Chang also shared on MVI and government guidelines to all the drivers. Several NGOs, GBs, and all the private drivers of the town attended the programme.
ZuNheboto, September 18 (Dipr): The monthly Zunheboto District Planning and Development Board meeting for the month of September was held at DC’s conference hall Zunheboto on September 16. The meeting started with a welcome note from the new Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto, Temsu Longkumer, NCS and later handed over the proceedings of the meeting to Parliamentary Secretary Sericulture & Cooperation & Chairman DPDB, Zunheboto Pukhayi. In the meeting, Pukhayi said that the state has rich mineral resources which could be used to generate income but the people lacked insight. He said that Zunheboto district has big scope and potentialities to improve its economy through textiles if people are trained on how to deal with
Altogether 40 students left Dimapur Wednesday evening for Hyderabad to pursue various courses. This is the fourth batch of students sent by NSF in collaboration with Dr. YSR Educational and Welfare Foundation, Hyderabad. (Morung photo)
worms and cocoons. While adding that the best maize and potatoes are produced in Aghunato area which could have high demand, he requested the HODs especially the Agri and Allied sectors to encourage the local people by giving them the concepts. He further said “HODs in the district should have strict supervisions on the government schemes and plans to ensure quality in their works”. During the meeting, the members deliberated in regard to schemes under DUDA 2014/15 and approved the following recommendations: water supply from Hipu river to Satio and construction of rostrum amounting Rs. 20 lakhs and Rs 15 lakhs respectively; two schemes for Suruhoto constituency were approved amounting Rs 20 lakhs for flood control protection wall at Tizu valley paddy fields and another
Rs. 20 lakhs for maintenance of road from Yevishe village to Asuto (Achikuchu Junction), whereas construction of culvert and drainage were approved for Aghunato constituency amounting Rs. 20 lakhs for each project. In regard to construction of security wall at Government College Zunheboto, the members discussed and directed the college authority to put a proposal to Higher Education Department, Kohima Nagaland. Prior to the meeting, a PowerPoint presentation on implementation of PMGSY and NLCRP schemes was presented by PWD R&B Zunheboto. In conclusion, the DC Zunheboto informed all the head of offices to participate in the forthcoming Inter-departmental badminton tournament scheduled from September 25 to 27. The meeting concluded with vote of thanks from the chair.
Muslim Council Dimapur members felicitating and welcoming the new Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Wezopo Kenye at his residence on September 16, 2014.
The staff of RD Block Jakhama on September 16 organized a farewell programme for two of its officers, BDO Ruokuozelie Usou (sitting third from left) and UDA Alila (transferred from the Block office). Seen also in the picture are BDO Khovi Thaprii (sitting 2nd from right) and staff of RD Block Jakhama.
St. Joseph’s College Jakhama conducted “Cleanliness drive” in the college campus on September 16, initiated by students’ council in collaboration with the Model United Nations Association SJC and Peace Channel SJC.
Two days orientation and training on Multi-drug Anti-retroviral regimen for Prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV was held at IDSP Hall, IMDH Mokokchung on September 17 and 18. The resource person was Dr. Amenla MO, ARTC, IMDH Mokokchung. Medical Officers, Paramedics, Asha Coordinators, ART and ICTC counsellors from Longleng, Chare and Mokokchung, attended the training. Organized by NSACS, the training was facilitated by DAPCU Mokokchung.
Training on IWMP Watershed Management in Wokha
Wokha, September 18 (Dipr): The Department of Land Resources Wokha conducted one-day training on IWMP Watershed Management for Watershed Committee members on September 11 at Likhya Community Hall, Wokha. Tepunol Yore, DPO Land Resources in his keynote address stressed on reviving traditional wells and management of its peripheral areas, activities under IWMP and said it is rural farmers friendly programme. DPO also highlighted upon all targets, progress, achievement and shortcomings in implementation. He also shared on economy, environment, reforestation, employment
and marketing on rubber plantation. The other resource persons were Asst. Inspector Lichumo who spoke on ‘Soil and Moisture Conservation Practices’; Chumdemo on Management of IWMP; David on Role &
Responsibility of Watershed Committee; Thungchanbemo on Ground Water Management and Yanthungo on package Practices of Rubber. The trainees were imparted in depth knowledge on the above mentioned topics
with detailed power point presentations. The trainees requested the department to conduct further trainings at the village level since Women are giving more interest in growing Rubber and also to organize Exposure-
cum-Study Tour outside the State if possible. Interactions, farmers to farmers and Department officials experience knowledge sharing, questions and replies made learning, meaningful and interesting day. The DPO while appreciating their presence and participating in the training also assured them of all possible help and assistance as per the guideline of the programme. All together 130 (hundred and thirty) Watershed Committee Members from 19 (nineteen) Micro Watershed Villages attended the training. The programme was chaired by Lanchenthung and last words pronounced by Eyingbeni.
The National Service Scheme, Sao Chang College, Tuensang organized one day social work at its college premises on September 12. The NSS members along with the rest of the students, teachers and ministerial staff cleaned the college building, cut the overgrown grass and trees and planted flowers.
Friday
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The Morung Express C M Y K
19 September 2014
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Jennifer breaks her silence on the divorce rumours
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elevision’s famed couple Jennifer Winget and Karan Singh Grover’s two year old marriage has been under intense scrutiny over news of cracks in the relationship for months now. After the speculations that the couple has parted ways now comes the shocking report that the couple is headed for a divorce. A leading daily has even claimed that Jennifer has moved out of the house and Karan is in no mood to save the marriage. The speculations on the couple’s break up have put the blame on Karan’s flirtatious nature and even his intimacy with his Alone co star Bipasha Basu. Upset and hurt by the continuous unwarranted attack on her privacy and marriage, Jennifer Winget has finally decided to break her silence and set the record straight. Speaking exclusively to Daily Bhaskar.com , Winget said, “These are all just rumours. Everything is fine between Karan and I.” When asked if they have filed for divorce as is widely reported, a shocked Jennifer said, “Not at all. We are together and will always be”
‘I’m not going to cut my face up’: Keira Knightley
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eira Knightley admits her disarmingly good looks have aided her meteoric rise from relative unknown to celebrated international star. The 29-year-old actress is currently preparing for the release of her new film, The Imitation Game, in which she plays against type by dressing down for her role as bookish code-breaker Joan Clarke. But while her forthcoming screen venture relies less on her presence as a glamorous leading lady, she freely acknowledges her distinctive features have eased her passage from jobbing actress to Hollywood star. Speaking to the Daily Mirror’s Emily Retter, she said: ‘Have I got parts because of the way I look? Yes. I have got parts because of the way I look? Yes. What can you do about it? I look the way I look, I am not willing to cut my face up.’ After making a name for herself in 2002 football dramady Bend It Like Beckham Keira caught the eye of producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who cast her alongside Johnny Depp and fellow Brit Orlando Bloom in the hugely successful Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise. But with success comes scrutiny, and the actress admits she initially found it tough to take the inevitable criticism. Everything up to 25 I was pretty neurotic and taking everything far too seriously,’
she conceded. ‘I found it difficult to step back from it and I was taking it very personally.’ Happily married to Klaxons singer James Righton since May 2013, she says she’s since adopted a philosophical stance regarding bad press – and steers clear of Googling herself. The actress, who recently confirmed she won’t be appearing in a planned fifth instalment in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, also admits to having the same insecurities as every other girl. She recently said: ‘Do I sometimes feel incredibly shy about going out even in a bathing costume into a swimming pool? Yeah, actually I do.’ Keira is now preparing for her latest role as Joan in The Imitation Game alongside Benedict Cumberbatch – who plays real-life mathematician, logician and World War II codebreaker Alan Turing. The film, which recounts the cracking of Germany’s Enigma code, features a stellar British cast including Rory Kinnear, Matthew Goode, Mark Strong and Charles Dance – and the absence of females isn’t lost on Keira. ‘There are two women in this film - the whole of the rest of the film is male characters,’ she said, adding: ‘There are a lot of ac- Imitation Gamer is released in the United Bollywood actors Hrithik Roshan right, and Katrina Kaif pose for the media during a mutresses, a lot of brilliant actresses, but there Kingdom on November 14 and in the United sic launch of their upcoming film ‘Bang Bang’ in Mumbai on September 17, 2014.The film aren’t that many good roles for them.’ The States on November 21. is scheduled to be released on October 2, 2014. (AP Photo)
Kajol makes twitter debut to promote UN Campaign
One Direction announce Avril Lavigne and Chad new single ‘Steal My Girl’ ‘headed for a split’
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oyband One Direction have announced the first single from their upcoming album FOUR. ‘Steal My Girl’ will premiere around the world on September 29, before its official release in the UK on October 12, reported Digital Spy. For people buying the track in the UK, ‘Steal My Girl’ will also come with a remix created by band member Liam Payne. The song will be available to pre-order from midnight on September 14, while FOUR is available for preorders now before it’s release November 17. One Direction previously gave away a free taster track entitled ‘Fireproof’, which broke the download record with 1,089,278 copies in a 24-hour period. FOUR also reached number one on iTunes stores in 67 countries two months before its official release.
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ollywood actress Kajol, who is leaving for New York on Sunday to attend the UNGA week, has joined Twitter to update everyone about the happenings at the meet. The actress, who promotes Lifebuoy’s “Help A Child Reach Five” movement, will attend the seminar on September 23 and September 24 as the hand washing brand ambassador at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) week, said a statement. She will post tweets on her Twitter handle @KajolAtUN, which went live on September 14. Her first tweet read: “Hi guys!!! Joining Twitter for a few weeks, all for a good cause.” She has decided to join the micro-blogging site to spread the importance of good hand washing habits around the world to save millions of lives. Actor-filmmaker Ajay Devgn welcomed his wife and tweeted, “Very Proud to see @KajolatUN advocating Handwashing at the UN and supporting the #HelpAchildreach5 movement. Many fans and Bollywood personalities continued extending a warm welcome to the talented actress, sending her tweets and congratulating her on her engagement with the ‘Help a Child Reach 5’ campaign, excited to finally have her on Twitter.
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Clooney’s parents struggling Vatsal Seth’s onscreen aunt was once his to choose Wedding Gift maths teacher!
ackie Chan’s son, Jaycee Chan, has been arrested for possessing drugs. Last month saw him detained, as the police suspected he had cannabis at his house. The arrest was approved yesterday as the actor was found with over 100mg of marijuana, and with so much, it’s possible that it was enough to start dealing. The actor was arrested along with his friend Kai Ko and it’s possible that he could spend up to three years in prison if he is found to be guilty. Following his son’s arrest, ‘Rush Hour’ actor Jackie admitted he felt “angry, shocked and ashamed”. He blogged: “Regarding this issue with my son Jaycee, I feel very angry and very shocked. As a public figure, I’m very ashamed. As a father, I’m heartbroken “Jaycee and I together express our deep apology to society and the public. “I hope all young people will learn a lesson from Jaycee and stay far from the harm eorge Clooney’s of drugs. “I say to Jaycee parents are strugthat you have to accept the gling to decide consequences when you do what gift to buy something wrong. As your their son for his wedding father, I’m going to face the day. Clooney is set to marroad together with you.” ry Amal Alamuddin at the
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end of the month, but what do you buy the man who is work a rumoured £100 million? This is the dilemma that is facing Clooney’s parents Nick and Nina as they don’t know if he wants
a gift or would prefer them to make a donation. Speaking to Grazia, Nina Clooney said: “I haven’t got them a wedding present yet because we haven’t decided what to get, or if they would prefer some kind of donation.” Clooney and Alamuddin became engaged in April of this year, and will wed in Venice later this month. And the setting for the wedding has also got the seal of approval from Clooney’s mum. “It is in Venice at the end of this month. We are just thrilled. “We have been to Venice before and it is the most romantic place. It will be lovely to see George get married.” This is the second marriage for Clooney after he was married to actress Talia Balsam from 1989 to 1993. However, this is the first marriage for Alamuddin. New details about the wedding are beginning to emerge, as Us Weekly has reported that only sixty guests will be in attendance. Matt Damon will be there but it is still not clear if Brad Pitt - who has also just tied the knot - will be there.
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atsal Seth was left surprised on the set of “Ek Hasina Thi” when he came face to face with his school teacher Jyoti Gauba, who plays his aunt in the show. The show’s team was informed that a new character will be introduced to play Vatsal’s ‘chachi’, but they had no clue which actress it would be. Jyoti used to teach Vatsal mathematics in school, and is said to have been his sweetest teacher at the Utpal
Shanghvi School here, a statement said. When she entered the set, it took Vatsal some time to recognise her. But once he did, he went ahead excitedly to meet her, the source said, and added: “They chatted for a good time before resuming the shoot.” Jyoti shared that she always adored Vatsal as he was among the more intelligent students and in fact, she was surprised to see him play a bad boy in Star Plus’ “Ek Hasina Thi”.
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vril Lavigne and husband Chad Kroeger are reportedly ‘headed for a split’ after just 14 months of marriage. ‘It’s over,’ a source said in the September 29 edition of Us Weekly. ‘He has been going around L.A. and telling people that they’re divorcing.’ On August 30, the 29-year-old pop-punk diva wasn’t wearing her wedding ring as she left the Chateau Marmont with gal pals. And after gushing over the 17-carat diamond ring her 39-year-old beau bought her for their anniversary in July, Avril mysteriously deleted her tweet. The rocking lovebirds who have a combined net worth of $105 million - are now mostly missing from each other’s Twitter and Instagram feeds. ‘Chad is just a complete jerk in the way he talks to her, and the way he talks to people in general,’ a Lavigne pal told the mag. ‘A lot of her friends don’t like him.’ However, a third source was more optimistic: ‘There’s no concrete timeline for divorce right now.’ The Canadian crooners fa-
mously got engaged one month after recording the eight-time Grammy nominee’s aptly-titled duet, Let Me Go. Avril and the Nickelback frontman tied the knot before 110 guests at the Château de la Napoule on the French Riviera following an 11-month engagement. Last November, the Hello Kitty songstress boasted how they never go ‘more than two weeks without seeing each other.’ ‘And we don’t drink when we’re apart,’ Chad added to People magazine. ‘We don’t want to go anywhere that you’re asking for trouble. This is something we want to cherish and protect.’ Neither Lavigne nor Kroeger’s six-time Grammy-nominated band have any upcoming concert dates scheduled. But Avril has been asking her 16.8 million Twitter followers to donate to the Special Olympics in honor of her 30th birthday next week. The blonde beauty split with reality star Brody Jenner in 2012 after two years, and she divorced Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley in 2010 after a four-year marriage.
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Uninspiring Barca beats APOEL
B ARCELONA, SEptEmBER 18 (Ap): Lionel Messi set up Barcelona's only goal in a 1-0 win over Cypriot club APOEL on Wednesday for an uninspiring Champions League debut for coach Luis Enrique in Group F. Messi picked out Gerard Pique with a free kick and the defender headed in the hosts' solitary goal in the 28th minute at Camp Nou. With nine changes to the starting 11 that beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on Saturday, Barcelona otherwise failed to trigger its flowing attack despite having Neymar in the team. The Catalan side had to deal with a series of APOEL counterattacks in the second half but held on for the three points. A late save prevented Messi from closing in on Raul Gonzalez's all-time scoring record, but Xavi Hernandez played in his 142nd Champions League game to draw level with the former Real Madrid great for the most appearances in the competition. In the other Group F match, Paris Saint-Germain was held to a 1-1 at Ajax after Lasse Schone scored from a 74th-minute free kick to cancel out an early goal by PSG's Edinson Cavani. Last year under manager Gerardo Martino, four-time winner Barcelona failed to reach the semifinals of Europe's topFormula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, center, walks with his wife, Fabiana Flosi, left, at the Marina Bay City Circuit for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix, Thursday, September 18. tier tournament for the first time since 2007. The F1 race is scheduled for Sunday, September 21. (AP Photo) Luis Enrique, a former player and youth team
Record-breaker Prithvi Shaw, aged 14, bags Rs 36-lakh deal mumBAI, SEptEmBER 18 (AgENCIES): Young Prithvi Shaw had shown glimpses of his huge potential when he slammed a record 546 while playing for Rizvi Springfield in an inter-school game in the Harris Shield here last year. Now, someone is putting their money in that promise. TOI has learned Prithvi, still only 14, has landed a deal worth Rs 36 lakh with cricket equipment manufacturers SG, which has had greats like Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag endorsing their brand in the past. Prithvi will receive this sponsorship over a six-year period, which basically means that the Mumbai teenager, who comes from a humble background, can now focus solely on the game, without worrying about financial security. Confirming the deal, Paras Anand, SG's marketing director, told TOI on Wednesday from Meerut: "Prithvi has been using our equipment for the last three to four years.
He came into the limelight when he got the world record last year." "We were told about Prithvi's potential by Makarand Waingankar, who is a known talent-spotter. We learned that he belongs to a modest background. Our association with him will provide him the support that he needs. Besides getting to use our worldclass equipment, he won't have to worry about travelling and coaching expenses," SG's Anand said. When quizzed on what prompted the company to invest so heavily on Prithvi at such an early age - this is the youngest cricketer the popular bat manufacturing company has ever signed - Anand said, "We believe Prithvi has the potential to go on to play for India. That is why we wanted to sign him up on a long-term basis." "SG has been providing me with the playing kit and bats for the past four-five years, when I hadn't even signed up with them. SG's support will help me play cricket comfortably," Prithvi told TOI.
Barcelona's Gerard Pique, 2nd from right, scores with a header against APOEL during the Champions League Group F soccer match between Barcelona and Apoel at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on September 17. (AP Photo)
coach, was hired this offseason and tasked with restoring Barcelona's status of perennial challenger for the European Cup. And even though it wasn't brilliant, Luis Enrique is off to a winning start. "What I most liked was the result, the attitude of my players and of the fans. We have to improve a lot, but I am very happy," he said. "You also have to take into account that we were playing against 10 men behind the ball, and that will never be easy. We saw it was going to be a tough
match from the very beginning, but my players stayed calm and we able to get the win."Barcelona has won all four games without conceding a goal under Luis Enrique after also taking the early lead of the Spanish league with three victories in as many matches. For Barcelona, the match featured debuts for goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and youth-team midfielder Sergi Samper as well as European debuts for young forwards Munir El Haddadi and Sandro Ramirez. Adriano played
his first game since recovering from a heart irregularity detected this summer, while Xavi also got his first start of the season. The overhaul, however, almost cost Barcelona dearly when APOEL relinquished its defensive tactics from the first half and went searching for an equalizer, which it almost found on several occasions. Luis Enrique acknowledged the changes may have hurt this team's attack, but he defended his rotations as necessary for maintaining the com-
petitive edge of his entire squad. "I want all my players ready to compete," he said. "I firmly believe that is the way to run this team." After a tepid start with a couple of tame attempts by Munir and Neymar, Barcelona went ahead just before the half-hour mark when Dani Alves received a nasty tackle from Marios Antoniades. With Dani Alves being treated on the sideline, Messi curled an in-swinging free kick into the area that Pique guided into the net.
NPF Kohima Division Sports Meet
VISWEmA, SEptEmBER 18 (mExN): 8th Western Angami A/C emerged victors beating Southern Angami I A/C in both the men’s football and women’s volleyball during the NPF Kohima Division Sports Meet played today. The NPF Kohima Division Sports Meet began on September 10 with Dr. Nicky Kire, Minister for Forest, Environment, Ecology & Wild Life as the chief guest at John High School Viswema hosted by 15th Southern Angami II A/C. The next round will be played on September 24 and the final round for the events will be played on September 27 with State Minister for Social Welfare, Kiyanilie Peseyie, as the guest of honour in the final ceremony. NPF 8th western Angami A/C youths pose for lens after winning both football and volley ball on September 17.
SchALKE hOLD chELSEA tO DRAw, Bayern leave it late to beat Man City
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LONdON, SEptEmBER 18 (AgENCIES): Klaas-Jan Huntelaar returned to the Schalke team to fire an injury-hit Royal Blues to a well-earned draw against Chelsea. Bayern, meanwhile, took all three points against Manchester City with an injury-time winner. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar returned to the Schalke team to fire an injury-hit Royal Blues to a well-earned draw against Chelsea. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, took all three points against Manchester City with an injury-time winner from Jerome Boateng. In London, Schalke coach Jens Keller was forced to throw central-midfielder Roman Neustädter back to central defence to plug a gargantuan hole at the back. Missing were captain Benedikt Höwedes, Felipe Santana, Jöel Matip, Jan Kirchhoff and Sead Kolasinac. Neustädter, who turned out to play especially well, was joined by 19-year-old Kaan Ayhan who has been slowly cementing a role in the team at right full-back. It was simply the best Keller could put together - and it was clear that Schalke's strengths lay in the transition to attack. However, it was Chelsea that drew first blood with the Germans calling for a foul against Cesc Fabregas who dispossessed Max Meyer before finding the space underneath the outstretched Ralf Fährmann. Fährmann was on hand to bail Schalke out on several occasions
Chelsea's Gary Cahill, left, and Schalke's Klaas Jan Huntelaar challenge for the ball during the Champions League Group G soccer match between Chelsea and Schalke 04 at Stamford Bridge stadium in London on September 17. (AP Photo)
and a Julian Draxler-inspired break leveled the scores in the 62nd minute. The 20-year-old German midfielder burst clear after brushing Fabregas off-the-ball, playing in Huntelaar and the Dutchman sniffed out the space to smash a shot into the bottom corner. Moments later, Draxler stung the palms of Chelsea keeper
Thibaut Courtois from 25 yards out. But in the final quarter of an hour, the Royal Blues were under the cosh. They can thank midfielder Neustädter for his last-ditch headed clearance to prevent Diego Costa scoring in the 76th minute. Then, Eden Hazard, a relentless threat with his pace on the left-wing, smashed a volley over the crossbar
from close range, minutes before goalie Fährmann dived superbly to keep the Belgian attacker out with a neat toe-poke finish. The relief on Keller's face was clear for all to see at the full-time whistle. Elsewhere, Bayern narrowly sneaked past the English champions after City had won 3-2 in the same round of the competition last season. City barely had time to get a feel for the Allianz Arena pitch before Thomas Müller came close to breaking the deadlock, 45 seconds in. Mario Götze was left unchallenged, as he clipped the ball through for Müller, but the German was denied by City goalie Joe Hart. Hart had Müller's efforts covered later in the half, while also tipping over from Robert Lewandowski in the 21st minute. With some devastating firepower, City were never too far away from Bayern's mind. In the 22nd minute, Edin Dzeko held the ball up well before then curling within inches of Manuel Neuer's post. It continued to be Hart versus Bayern - the Englishman denying David Alaba from scoring on two occasions in quick succession. Bayern threw everything but the kitchen sink in the final minutes - and found cracks in the Manchester City rearguard with Boateng asking the sternest questions of Hart. The former City defender smashed a long-range shot in the final minutes to ramp up the tempo, as the game drew to a close.
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