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2% rate cut necessary to boost SMEs, create jobs: Sitharaman ( 8 )
From forest to table : Foraging for food in Nagaland ( Sunday Post Supplement )
Vol XXVI No. 261
DIMAPUR sunday, august 28, 2016
Kashmir curfew enters day 50 MEHBOOBA MUFTI MEETS PM; PRESENTS 3-POINT ACTION PLAN
SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI, AUG 27 (AGENCIES): The government-imposed curfew in Kashmir entered the 50th day on Saturday, making it the longest-ever in the history of the state. Kashmiris have witnessed curfews and restrictions many times ever since militancy erupted in the Valley in 1989. But never ever has the period of restrictions stretched continuously for 50 days. Curfew was imposed on July 9 after people took to the streets protesting and attacking security installations against the killing of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani, in south Kashmir. As many as 70 persons have been killed and thousands injured as security forces resorted to firing to control the protests. On Saturday at least 25 people were injured in fresh clashes between protesters and security forces in Kashmir A policeman was also shot dead by suspected militants in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday. Constable Khurshid Ahmad Ganai was shot at by unknown gunmen outside his residence in Koil. In another incident, Police recovered the body of a youth from River Jhelum at Sangam in Anantnag district on Saturday morning. In Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday pre-
Low intensity quake hits Manipur New Delhi, Aug 27 (PTI/AGENCIES) A slight intensity earthquake, measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale, Saturday hit Manipur’s Tamenglong district, Meteorological department said. There were no immediate reports of any loss of lives or damage to the property, they said. The quake shook the earth around 8.34 PM. The epicentre of the quake was at the depth of 14 km, they added. On August 23, a 5.5magnitude earthquake in the Myanmar-India border region rocked Nagaland, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya and other parts of North East. The epicentre was located close to Manipur and Mizoram’s international border. It was also reported that a 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck Karbi Anglong district in Assam at 5:30am August 23 morning. Seismologists consider India’s mountainous northeast region as the sixth major earthquake-prone belt in the world. The northeast has seen some of the biggest quakes in history. In 1897, a Shillongepicentred quake measured 8.2 on the Richter scale, while in 1950, an earthquake in Assam measuring 8.7 on the Richter Scale forced the mighty Brahmaputra river to change its course. In September 2011, Sikkim suffered heavy damage after a quake hit the Himalayan state.
This is it!
“In this house, it appears that jobs have been reserved for 33% of the women.” K Y M C
Narendra Modi with Mehbooba in Delhi on Saturday. (PTI)
sented a “three-pronged action plan” that included a dialogue with all stakeholders during talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring lasting peace in the Valley rocked by turmoil that has left nearly 70 people dead. After an hour-long meeting, her first with Modi since the unrest broke out, Mehbooba told reporters that Modi was “very concerned” about the situation and has asked for steps to end this “bloodshed” so that peace can return to the Valley. Appealing to the protesters to help her resolve the crisis, she said, “please give me one chance to address your concerns and aspirations.” She also targeted Pakistan, saying it should stop supporting the people who are instigating the youth in the Valley to carry out attacks on police stations or army camps.
Mehbooba, according to a state government release, outlined a “three-pronged action plan” before the Prime Minister for the resolution of the Kashmir problem which includes involvement of separatists and Pakistan in substantive dialogue to work out a solution to the problem in light of the contemporary geopolitical realities. However, the release did not spell any details but sources in the know said the plan includes facilitating visit of an All Party delegation to the Valley later next week, a possible change in Governor and appointing an interlocutor to hold talks with all the stakeholders in the state. “Please appoint a group of individuals on whom people of Kashmir have trust, that whatever they are saying will reach to people at the helm of affairs in Delhi,” she said.
The Chief Minister said the intra and inter-state Confidence Building Measures initiated during the then NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee had helped transform the situation in the state and the region. She said the focus of the State government, Government of India and all other parties in the country is to reach out to the majority of the peace-loving stakeholders in Kashmir who want peaceful solution of the problem.
Race for J&K Governor
Three retired generals and two former governors are in the race to replace NN Vohra as governor of Jammu & Kashmir, part of the centre’s effort to jump start the governance process in the near paralysed state. A top Union government official told News18 that BJP leader Maj. Gen (Retd) BC Khanduri, a Union minister in the then Vajpayee government and also a former chief minister of Uttarakhand, is a likely successor to former bureaucrat Vohra, who has been the JK governor since 2008. Also in the race are Lt. Gen. (Retd) S.A. Hasnain, former commander of Srinagar-based XV Corps, Gen. VP Malik former Chief of Army Staff, former Delhi Lt. Governor Vijay Kapoor and former Mizoram Governor AR Kohli.
Prez promotes freedom of speech in Universities NEW DELHI, AUG 27 (AGENCIES): Taking cue of the recent upheaval after the JNU issue, President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday categorically said that universities and institutions of higher learning must be bastions of free speech and expression and debates should be encouraged. At the first convocation of Nalanda University, he said the varsity reflects an idea, a culture which flourished for 1,200 years before it was destroyed in the 13th century. He said that over the years, India has conveyed the message of friendship, cooperation, debate and discussions through the institutions of higher learning. “Universities and institutes of higher learning are the best forum for debates, discussions, free exchange of views,” said Mukherjee. He said the modern Nalanda should ensure that this great tradition finds new life and vigour within its precincts. “Universities must be bastions of free speech and expression. It (Nalanda) must be the arena where diverse and conflicting thoughts contend. There should be no room for intolerance, prejudice and hatred within the spaces of this institution. Further, it must act as the flag bearer for co-existence of multiple views, thoughts and philosophies,” he said. (Full report on p-5)
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CMO responds to NNPGs allegation against Zeliang DIMAPUR, AUG 27 (NPN): Media Cell of the CM’s office, has responded to the allegations levelled against chief minister T.R. Zeliang by leaders of four Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) that appeared in the local media Saturday. Terming them as “some serious but unwarranted allegations”, the MC said Zeliang had stated on many occasions, stated that neither he nor the state government were in possession of the ‘Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015’ and that they trust the statements of the negotiators that “the best interest of the Naga people would be ensured while evolving a negotiated settlement”. MC said if anyone had doubts or wanted to know details of the framework agreement, they could do so with Interlocutor R.N. Ravi instead of “speculating and interpreting as per one’s own understanding.” Taking a jab as some people who said there was nothing for the people of Nagaland within the present framework agreement, the MC said this appeared such people had sen the contents. It said there were also some people who asked how they could support the agreement without seeing the contents? MC said the chief minister was of the considered opinion that “we should not confuse
our people with such ambiguous statements”. The MC said 19 years after the cease fire was signed in 1997 between the government of India and NSCN (I-M) there were also cease fire agreement signed with NSCN groups and successive state governments had adopted a policy to facilitate the peace process and the present government was also only continuing with the declared stand. MC said it was unfortunate that “some people are talking as if the peace talks started only during the tenure of the present chief minister” though he has completed only two years in office. Being aware of the desire that all Nagas desire a permanent peace, MC said Zeliang maintained it can only be through “inclusive solution and not in piecemeal” and that all Nagas should be stakeholders wherever they are, for the final solution. Reacting to charge that he acted as chief minister of neighbouring states by acting against interest of Nagaland, MC said T.R. Zeliang is chief minister of Nagaland and not other state but on the Naga issue, he was determined to speak for all Nagas till the issue is resolved and irrespective of whether he remained chief minister or not. MC also said the chief minister had no two opinions
about inclusiveness for which he time and again, urged the Interlocutor to meet all Naga political groups for dialogue to iron out differences for bringing about a lasting solution once and for all. Further, on March 9, 2016 at Chumukedima Consultative Meeting, MC said the chief minister, with an open mind, had stated that he was ready to facilitate any meeting, if any group wanted to meet with the Interlocutor. On the allegations that Zeliang patronised Heraka/ Hindu during the recent inauguration of the veterinary college, MC clarified that it was at the ceremony at KVK Jalukie organised by the ICAR, a central government institute and not by the state government “where a ceremonial lamp was lit and a coconut broken to signify good luck and prosperity by the union minister.” The MC said at the inauguration of the veterinary college at Jalukie was witnessed by thousands where invocation prayer was offered by state chaplain Rev. Kuzeirang Thou and foundation stone for Farmers Training School was laid by the chief minister where Mongzeu pastor of Jalukie Town Baptist Church offered invocation prayer. In the light of the above, MC said accusing the chief minister of “indulging in Hindu or Heraka rites are false and baseless.”
Measles in Naga areas under I&PR parl secy Road accidents, fatalities rise to record levels control, says Myanmar govt defends govt.
YA N G O N, AU G 2 7 (AGENCIES): Government has quarantined the outbreak of measles to the Naga SelfAdministered Region and 10 vaccines against infectious diseases will soon be provided across the country, according to Dr Htar Htar Lin, deputy director of vaccination at the Ministry of Health. “Currently, there was no measles outbreak and no deaths elsewhere. The outbreak of measles has been controlled with 85 per cent of Lahe Township vaccinated. We are going to distribute 10 vaccines in October, November and December,” the Eleven Myanmar quoted Dr Htar Htar Lin as saying. “In Nanyun, there are many reasons for the deaths. Some died from flu. We didn’t find many infectious symptoms. Poor health care is largely to blame,” said Htar Htar Lin. Difficult transport links and language barriers had increased the problem, she added.
The Ministry of Health Minister said its staff must vaccinate Shan, Kayin, Kayah, Chin and Rakhine states. T h e I r r aw a d d y o n Wednesday reported that insufficient aid to Naga area was contributing to more measles casualties.
Worms infest rice crop
Even as the Naga villages are currently suffering from a measles outbreak, with nearly 80 children killed so far, the Eleven Myanmar reports that paddy fields in Pansaung in the Naga SAZ are reportedly infested with two species of rice worm. “The fields are being attacked by worms randomly in nine village tracts in Pansaung. Twenty acres were totally destroyed. We have received pesticide from the regional government and the Naga Self-Administered Zone authorities. There are over 4,000 acres infected,” said Nyo Win from the regional agricultural department.
DIMAPUR, AUG 27 (NPN): Parliamentary secretary for Information & Public Relations (I&PR), K. Khekaho Assumi, reacting to the statement made by an unnamed MLA recently in a section of a local daily, has vehemently condemned and termed the allegations as “totally ridiculous, baseless and false”. In a press note, Khekaho said that the chief minister had categorically told the legislators that “one should always ask questions in the assembly for the interest of the public.” However, Khekaho said such “fleeting accusation advocates bigotry and is the strong arm of some members with ulterior motives.” He alleged that it was an attempt to malign and discredit the able and fair leadership of the chief minister. Khekaho rather reminded that the “very approach of the chief minister was the essence of what democracy is”. In this regard, Khekaho has requested the chief minister to take stringent action against any member “indulging in such unethical propagandas causing political upheavals and creating waves of unrest among the public”.
tigation into causes of road deaths in our country,” said Ashish Kumar, former chief of the transport research wing. A rise in such fatalities indicates failure of road-owning agencies to maintain stretches. “Every city and town has a multiplicity of authorities and in most cases, both the sewerage and storm water drainage system are inadequate and inefficient. Drains have been covered with unauthorised construction. So, you have flooding on roads. Any amount of repair won’t work if you have stagnant water and overloaded vehicles plying on such stretches,” a state public works department official said. To make road owning agencies and traffic police accountable for failure on their part, MoRTH has finalised the Rules of Road Regulation, which spells out the responsibility. It specially mentions that if someone dies due to negligence of a road agency, the agency would be held responsible. It says “wilful negligence/dereliction of duty on part of road owning and maintenance agencies” shall be considered an offence.
N E W D E L H I , AU G 2 7 (AGENCIES): An official report, released by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, said 1.46 lakh people were killed in road accidents in India in 2015 — an increase of five per cent from 2014. Road accidents, as a whole, rose 2.5% during 2015 to 5.01 lakh or 374 accidents every day, claiming 400 lives, the report said. A majority (54.1 per cent) of those killed in 2015 were in the age group of 15-34. Thirteen States, including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, accounted for the highest number of accidents. Among cities, while Mumbai had the highest number of accidents (23,468), Delhi saw the most number of such deaths (1,622). According to data compiled by the road transport ministry, 10,876 accidents were reported last year due to potholes across the country. “The number could be higher as we don’t have a robust and scientific mechanism for collecting data. Many accidents go unreported and there is no detailed inves-
H&FW minister inaugurates Eden Medical Centre at Dimapur Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, AUG 27 (NPN): In an important landmark in the field of medical care in the state of Nagaland, Eden Medical Centre (EMC) was Saturday inaugurated by minister for Health & Family Welfare, P. Longon. EMC is a multispecialty hospital specialized in cancer treatment set up to provide world class medical care to the people of Nagaland and beyond. Addressing the gathering, P. Longon said that the medical centre, which specializes in cancer treatment, has been long awaited in the state. It was a matter of great achievement to see many projects and institutions being inaugurated in the state both in government as well as in private sector, said Longon. The minister said that inauguration of College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry at Jalukie, farmers training school and KVK at Jalukie, National Mithun Centre at Jharnapani etc were signs of development in the state. Nagaland ranks amongst
Yashitsungba Ao (R) with minister for Health & Family Welfare, P. Longon (2nd R), Dr. G.K. Rath (L) during the unveiling of the commemorative plaque. (NP)
the highest cancer prevalent state in the country, said Longon. Lifestyles of the people and lack of awareness are the major contributing factors to various types of cancers, which the people should realize before it was too late, he reminded. Expressing concern at the rise in statistical figure of cancer in the state, the minister said the general public should be aware of and re-modify the lifestyle and improve the qual-
ity of life. No one is immune to cancer but many type of cancer is preventable, he said while adding that cancer is also curable if detected at an early stage. On the healthcare system in Nagaland, the minister said that the state still needs to achieve more. Nagaland being located away from mainland India, the state is facing a lot of problems while tackling the health issue, said Longon.
At present, the state government has many priority lists and would pursue with the central government to provide better health care facility to the people, he added. He also lauded the Eden Medical Centre (EMC) for providing quality services to the people at their doorstep. At this juncture, the state should have more state-of-the-art hospitals to tackle the health needs of the people, said Longon.
He also expressed hope that the hospital would provide exemplary excellent healthcare services to the people of the state. Also speaking on the occasion, Dr. (Prof) G.K. Rath, Chief, B.R. Ambedkar Institute-Rotary Cancer Hospital, AIIMS, New Delhi said that in the modern day non-communicable diseases have become the common cause of death. North East India has the highest record of cancer in the country, said Dr. Rath and further added that it was also among the top three causes of death. He said that 60 per cent of the cancer cases are preventable while 80 per cent were curable if it is detected early. He also enlightened the gathering that 40 per cent of the cancer was caused by tobacco. Dr. Rath also appealed to the state government to avail the various schemes laid out by the government of India in health sector. Addressing the gathering, Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) president Supu Jamir while lauding the philanthropic activities humbly carried
out by Yashitsungba Ao, appealed to the state government to name the road from firing range tiniali upto Rangapahar junction as ‘Yashitsungba Ao road’. He urged the government to take serious note, saying such individuals who have contribute to the society needed to be acknowledged. It may be mentioned here that Eden Medical Centre (EMC) was the vision of one of the most well known philanthropists of Naga society, Yashitsungba Ao. He was the force behind the establishment of EMC after seeing the plight of the people of Nagaland seeking medical treatment in far off lands. Added to the burden of trying to locate the right doctors and hospitals was the inevitable cost of travel and boarding that had to be borne. Today, as the chairman, EMC, he sees the fruition of his long cherished dream of bringing the best of healthcare to the doorstep of the people of Nagaland. Quality and hassle-free healthcare has been made available within the comfort zone of ‘our (Cont’d on p-7) home’.
KPLT’s defence secretary killed in Assam encounter GUWAHATI, AUG 27: Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger (KPLT) senior functionary and defence secretary of the outfit was gunned down during a gun fight with security forces in Karbi Anglong district, Saturday evening, officials said. According to the reports, following specific inputs of militants hiding at Bhelaghat area in West Karbi Anglong, a joint team of army and Assam police launched an operation. Soon after the security forces reached the area, police said that the militants started firing indiscriminately. In gunfight, KPTL’s defence secretary, identified as Singri was shot dead. Later, security forces also apprehended another cadre and recovered two 9 mm pistols, ten rounds live ammunition, extortion notes from the area. It may be noted that the Army along with Assam police have been carrying series of operations against such outfits. K Y M C