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wednesdAY • december 14 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 343 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
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I stand for simple justice, equal opportunity and human rights. The indispensable elements in a democratic society China warns Trump against ignoring its Taiwan interests
SBI Dimapur launches Digital Banking Awareness Campaign
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T R u T H
— Helen Suzman
Ronaldo’s golden year rewarded with fourth Ballon d’Or
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‘release AcAUt leaders, they are not criminals’ 24 hours business closure till 4:00pm
• ACAUT Nagaland launches signature campaign in protest • Police attempt to prevent campaign at Clock Tower area
Movement of people and vehicles not to be affected Morung Express News
Morung Express News Dimapur | December 13
Dimapur | December 13
ACAUT Nagaland on Tuesday launched a signature-protest campaign and vigil near Clock Tower demanding the unconditional release of its three leaders Joel Nillo Naga, Simon Kelio and Hukiye Aye who are in judicial custody. The three ACAUT members were arrested on charges of “criminal trespass” after a counter FIR was filed against the ACAUT team for raiding two privately owned godowns in Dimapur on December 9, from where it was allegedly diverting rice meant for Public Distribution System into the open market by repacking the rice in synthetic bags. ACAUT had originally planned to stage a “Jail Bharo” at the various police stations in Dimapur to court arrest as protest against the arrest of their leaders. However, on Tuesday, after a meeting, ACAUT members along with Concerned Citizens of Nagaland (CCN) changed tactic and assembled at Clock Tower for a poster-signature campaign only to be prevented by the police from going ahead. The police told the ACAUT members that Clock Tower has been restricted for such gathering by the District Administration after the March 5 lynching incident. The intention of the police appeared to be more as the ACAUT members were even restricted from displaying the banners at the NRL station adjacent to the Clock Tower. There were tussles when the police tried to seize the banners and posters from the ACAUT
The stalemate over the arrest of 3 ACAUT leaders continued for the second day on December 13. Uncertainty prevailed the entire day as the Nagaland State Government maintained an unrelenting stance on the ACAUT’s demand for unconditional release of Joel Nillo Naga, Simon Kelio and Hukiye Yepthomi, who are under judicial custody following their arrest on December 12. Harried protestors rallied the entire day with the rallyists finally assembling at the Clock Tower under the watchful eye of the police in full riot gear. Later in the evening, the ACAUT through the Dimapur Urban Councils Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) announced the call for a 24-hour business shutdown beginning 4:00 pm of December 13 till 4:00 pm December 14. There is no restriction on movement of people and vehicles. According to the DUCCF President, Tsenthungo Lotha, the decision was arrived following a consultative meeting of various NGOs, who are with the ACAUT. The shop closure was called on behalf of the people as the state government remained unresponsive to the demand for the release of the arrested ACAUT leaders, Lotha said. The demand also include the arrest of Nirmal Jain, Tinku Jain and one RZ Lotha, who are accused of running the PDS rice siphoning racket with the latter of the three alleged to have abetted the former two. “If the three leaders are
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Tis the season to be jolly, shop, drink, dance, stuff yourself silly with pork. Hoi le bi ‘DENGUE’ ke napahoribi de. Dengue is staying for Chrirtmas!
Police try to snatch a banner away from an ACAUT member during the launching of the signature campaign at Clock Tower on Tuesday. (Morung Photo)
members. Asserting that they had every right to stage peaceful and democratic protest anywhere, the ACAUT members refused to relent and took their stand. The ACAUT members also questioned the legality of the police in trying to suppress the freedom of expression, to which the police resorted to their standard response that they were acting on the “orders from the higher-ups.” While there were already more security forces than the ACAUT members at the site, more reinforcement of IRB personnel and riot team geared with tear gas were requisitioned. The police tried to justify the reason for their opposition on the contents in the posters, which also mentioned the names of the alleged accused Tinku Sethi and Nirmal Jain in bad light. They maintained that this was unlawful and would “invite defamation.” To this, the ACAUT members reminded that it was not the duty of the police to posit on defamation or to speak for the innocence of the names mentioned in the poster. If defamation was to be an issue for the mention of names of the alleged accused, the onus lies with the court of law to pass judgment
and not the police, one ACAUT member pointed out. Apparently, in what can be termed as a win over on the right to hold peaceful demonstrations, after a lengthy tussle and lengthier arguments with a number of police officers, countless of phone calls to “higher ups,” the ACAUT team were finally allowed to hold the protest campaign at the NRL station. However, out of the seven posters that were put up by ACAUT members, the police had seized five of them. Earlier, volunteers tried to attempt a lightening closure of shops in part of Dimapur. Meanwhile, ACAUT Nagaland has appealed all concerned citizens to join in support and participate in the signature campaign, which will continue till the three ACAUT members are released.
Of facebook lions and keyboard warriors
Apparently, social media in Nagaland is not going to usher or bring in any changes, as far as the case of ACAUT is concerned. On Tuesday, the poster campaign initiated by ACAUT Nagaland witnessed a negligible turnout of youths coming in to
support the cause. This after ACAUT had called out for support to almost all the social media platforms to join the poster campaign. ACAUT enjoys a big following in social media, particularly on its fight against corruption and the changes it is trying to bring. Despite the appeal for support trending in most of the social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp with impassioned pledges of support, on the ground level at the Clock Tower, the attendance was low. The negligent turnout despite the thousands of show of support online had many to remark with disappointment that majority of the bloggers are only “keyboard warriors,” “facebook lions” and “social media warriors.” One blogger wrote-things need to go offline and start walking on the streets. “People are only facebook warriors…at the spot but less people…come and show your solidarity,” another blogger appealed in a post made be an ACAUT member. “There are more policemen than protestor…” read another comment. Still eons to go for a Tahrir Square like social media revolution.
Dimapur Police asks businesses to remain open DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 13 (MExN):Following the call for a bandh on December 14, Dimapur Police has informed business establishments to keep their shops and stores open keeping in mind the festive season and also the welfare of those who have come to Dimapur from other places. A press note from the PRO, Dimapur Police informed that adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful atmosphere. It further cautioned any person or groups who attempt to take law in their hands or try to forcibly impose the bandh.
No provisions for unconditional release; right to apply for bail
On demand for unconditional release of the three arrested persons, Dimapur Police stated that the persons have been forwarded to the Court and the latter has further remanded them under Judicial Custody. Police stated that due process of law has already been initiated and the matter is a subject of the Court. The legal processes entail the right of the accused persons to apply for bail but there is no provisions of an unconditional release as per legal procedures, it added. not released as demanded, we will be compelled to resort to the next course of action deemed fit,” Lotha further maintained. The state government was further accused of using the administrative machinery to suppress a people’s movement for justice. ACAUT press secretary, Mar Longkumer termed the day’s police action of seizing banners from protestors and preventing a democratic assembly as infringement of the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression. “This kind of government action is only witnessed in dictatorial regimes like in North Korea.” ACAUT advisor, K Khekiye Sema alleged that citizens are being restrained from peacefully demonstrating by the police through the “direct orders” of the Chief Minister, who helms the Food & Civil Supplies Ministerial portfolio. “Law is being misused and they - the government will
have to undo it,” added Sema. He held that the police acting promptly on the FIR against ACAUT and not treating the FIR filed by the ACAUT with the same level of earnestness is a clear case of injustice. According to him, the people has every right to demand justice in a matter like this and the government as well as the judiciary is aware of the people’s sentiment but have failed to respond to the popular demand. “The people’s demand must be taken cognizance of.” Queried on the ‘Thana Bharo’ agitation which was proposed for today, Sema replied that it is being kept in abeyance. “Let justice roll like a river and let this be the refrain of all. We are not abetting violence. We want to appeal to the conscience of the people. And by this, we want to awaken the Nagas,” commented ACAUT member, Tia Longchar at the rally.
CM’s statement uncalled for: Naga Hoho Timely intervention prevents spread of fire in Dzükou valley
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 13 (MExN): The Naga Hoho today clarified its stand in relation to the ultimatum served to the Government of Nagaland, dated December 10, 2016 and said that the Nagaland Chief Minister’s statement on December 12, 2016 “is very much uncalled for.” The Naga Hoho also reiterated its stand with the joint representation served to the Government of Nagaland, dated March 16, 2012 by Naga Hoho and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization. “There is no Naga Hoho of Nagaland or Naga Hoho of Manipur. Tribe units of both Nagaland and Manipur are matured enough in distinguishing the state of affairs or issues that takes place in Manipur or in Nagaland and exactly does not indulge unnecessarily,” said a press note from the Secretary, Administration, Naga Hoho, Chitho Nyusou. It said that the Naga Hoho is not a partner to any political parties, be it in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal or Myanmar. Unlike the political parties, the principle and
ideals of the Naga Hoho stands crystal clear for One Naga people, it affirmed. The Naga Hoho stated that it rather extends “solidarity and support with one another on various issues that affects or when ones right is being snatched by the government. The Naga Hoho looks up to our leaders to promote the unity amongst the Naga family and not further divide our Naga family by labelling Naga Hoho of any state.” It further informed that Naga Hoho Tribe units from Nagaland were “never invited by the Government of Manipur for consultation on any subject(s), however if the Chief Minister of Nagaland wishes to do so on various state affairs with tribe hoho units from Manipur, there is no provision with the Naga Hoho to protest or term it as illegal.” It meanwhile reminded of its August 24, 2011 resolution wherein “it observed that it is still premature to introduce 33% women reservation in the Naga society and therefore the house resolved to advocate towards women empowerment by creating various opportunity.”
NVDBA asks banks to release wages of MGNREGA workers
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 13 (MExN): The Nagaland State Village Development Board Association (NVDBA) has cautioned that it would be forced to resort to any means of agitation including indefinite closure of all concerned banks in the state if the wages of MGNREGA workers held up in State Bank of India across the state are not released by December 20. In a representation to the Assistant General Manager, SBI, Nagaland, the association’s Vice President, Dr Imtinungba and General Secretary Manthungo Kikon stated that the state government has already released the MGNREGA fund for payment to the workers and the department of Rural Development has since credited the fund in the respective VDBs for payment to workers. However, it alleged that the SBI
branches have withheld the fund citing demonetization and have refused to release the same. The association said all VDBs in the state have executed works through job card holders who are demanding the payment of their wages. The representation also stated that unlike other parts of the country, Nagaland is still following the old system whereby the VDBs draw the MGNREGA money from their account and make payment to the job card holders. But due to non release of the money by the banks, there has been direct impact on the livelihood of job card holders, especially at the time of festive season. Non release of the money to all VDBs in the state will lead to serious repercussions, it stated. The representation also mentioned that the Nagaland State VDB
Association cannot remain a mute spectator to the plight affecting lakhs of poor villagers who have been deprived of their hard earned wages for their livelihood and therefore appealed the AGM, SBI Nagaland to intervene in the matter and release the money without any further delay. The association meanwhile informed that the AGM, SBI Nagaland, Thangboi Lunkim has assured to extend all possible help for early release of the money. It may be mentioned that there are 1238 VDB villages and a total of 4,25,000 MGNREGA job card holders in Nagaland. Stating that there was special release of fund for Hornbill Festival and cash payment of salary to the police personnel and also to the pensioners, the association demanded that some alternative must be worked out in the case of MGNREGA job card holders.
Vibi Yhokha
Kohima | December 13
It was a cold sunny morning at Dzükou valley on December 10, a Saturday. With the ongoing Hornbill Festival, and the picturesque valley being on the bucket list of most visitors to Nagaland, Dzükou valley saw visitors almost every day. 20-year-old Amhale Beio, (son of Khisaneto Bei-o) and 25-year-old Dieze-u Bei-o (son of Tesovi Bei-o) both from Kigwema village, volunteers of Nagaland Association of Adventure and Mountaineering Education (NAAME) and caretakers of the Dzükou valley guesthouse were busy working at the guesthouse when they saw smoke rising from one area of the picturesque valley. “We came out of the house and saw smoke rising from the valley. It was around 9:30am,” said Amhale. When the two young caretakers reached the spot, almost a kilometer from the Guesthouse, the fire had already begun to spread. Towing buckets of water with them, the two soon realized that the water would not be sufficient. “We had an emergency fire extinguisher but it was not working. By the time we started extinguishing the fire it was burning from two areas,” narrated Diezeu Bei-o. With no equipment available, the two started dousing the fire with their
Amhale Bei-o and Dieze-u Bei-o
feet. This went on for almost five hours. In the meantime authorities and friends were informed of the fire and two other volunteers, Ado and Medozieto from Kigwema village, arrived to help the duo. A tourist guide named Angule, who was also at Dzükou valley with tourists, joined the team. Ado and Medozieto reached the valley around 3:30pm. “We carried water in buckets to try and stop the fire but it looked impossible so we started extinguishing it with our feet. Using our shoes, we tried to smother the fire. As we finished extinguishing it uphill, the fire was already burning from the lower end. The wind caused a major problem because it was blowing from the opposite direction and inten-
sified the fire from the other end,” explained Diezeu. “We tried our best so that the fire does not extend below the path ways. Some of the visitors helped but the fire had worsened so they were sent back. Our legs and thighs were already hurting. The valley and season is not completely dried up so the fire did not intensify, or it would have been worse,” noted Amhale. By late evening the trees were still burning; together the five young men carried water from the guesthouse and doused the flames from the burning trees while continuing to smother sparks with their feet. The fire was finally brought under control at around 11 pm. By the time they returned to the guesthouse, the five men were caked in ash, feet bruised.
“At one point we had lost hope that the fire could be extinguished looking at how it was spreading. We were scared to allow visitors into the valley,” recalled Diezeu. It may be mentioned that the Department of Forest, Ecology, Environment, and Wildlife were informed of the Dzükou fire but none of the officials paid a visit. Despite several incidents that occurred at Dzükou (such as the fire in early 2015 which burned down the entire valley) no Forest Guards have been deployed at the valley. Further there are no Check points where the inflow and outflow of visitors can be tracked and recorded. “The Forest officials had already been informed, and they could have come by afternoon but they didn’t,” stated the two caretakers. An investigation by the concerned authorities such as the Police or Department of Forest, Ecology, Environment, and Wildlife are a must in order to catch the culprits responsible for the fire, observed a concerned citizen adding that firebreaks, emergency fire extinguishers, protective gears are needed to prevent such outbreak, apart from signboards and necessary precautions which need to be given to each visitor in order to prevent any further disaster.