Rengma Baptist Church, Kohima

Shillon g, Au g 31: All entry points to Meghalaya will be closed from Monday midnight for one week every month in the next three months beginning September. The announcement was made despite the Union Home Ministry Affairs directive not to restrict inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods during the ongoing unlocking process.

However, the Meghalaya government on Monday clarified that the closure of entry points to the State was “not defying” the Union Home Ministry’s directive but only putting in reasonable restrictions in view of the spurt of COVID-19 cases in the State.

Deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong said the State government has placed restrictions on inter-state movement for the past few IMPHAL, Au g 31: The Manipur government on Monday extended re-imposed COVID-19 lockdown till September 30. There will be no curfew during the day time however night curfew would be imposed from 6:00 pm to 5:00 am, stated an order issued by the state chief secretary.

The order stated that there was a need to open up and allow more activities while balancing the need to check the spread of COVID-19 infection.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e COVID-19 infection count in the state rose to 6,252 as 140 more people tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours. DIMAPUR: Department of Soil & Water Conservation (S&WC) accorded farewell to its outgoing director, Viliehu Nguzhü at the directorate’s conference hall, Kohima on August 31.

According to DIPR report, AS joint director, Hovuto Zhimomi on behalf of the department acknowledged that Nguzhü was a man of integrity who was approachable by all ranks & files of the department. He further added that, his humility and sincerity were appreciable virtues to be looked upon by all.

Lauding the outgoing months fearing an unrestricted movement of people from across the State would spike up cases.

“It is not a total closure but we are only regulating it because there is a spike in COVID-19 cases. We are not against MHA’s directive but the state government is responsible to ensure its citizens are safe and to control the spread of the virus,” he explained.

“Therefore, this regulation from the state government will continue but it does not mean that we restrict. There is no total closure, relaxation is there,” added the deputy chief minister.

He said the decision to close down entry points was taken to ease the frontline workers workload and also to sanitize the places.

“You have seen there are many health workers who have contracted the Therefore, we also need to Hills district, Bajengdoba disinfect the entry points,” in North Garo Hills district, Tynsong said Mirjumla in South West

The entry points are Garo Hills district, Tikrikilla Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi district, and Hallidayganj in West Ratacherra in East Jaintia Garo Hills districts.

Highest one-day recovery

Meghalaya on Monday recorded the highest ever single-day recoveries of 113 COVID-19 patients, adding up the total number of recoveries up to 1196, while only 26 new cases were detected, health officials said.

Out of the 113 recoveries, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Alexander Laloo Hek informed 80 were reported from East Khasi Hills, 26 from West Garo Hills, three from East Jaintia Hills, besides two each from Ri-Bhoi district and North Garo Hills.

Of the 26 new cases detected, Hek said 14 were reported from East Khasi Hills district, five cases (four Armed/Paramilitary Forces and one civilian) were reported from West Garo Hills, four each from East Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills districts besides one each from Ri-Bhoi and South West Garo Hills districts.

Meghalaya has so far registered 2368 COVID-19 positive cases, including 1196 active cases, 1162 recoveries and ten deaths.

“Till date, 88,963 samples have been sent for testing out of which 85,924 were negative and results of 671 tests are awaited. So far 32,573 people have returned to the state from outside,” he further informed.

D ima pur , Au g 31

(NPN): The Konyak Union Borlengri Karbi Anglong, Assam has condemned the alleged rape of a minor girl belonging to Konyak community by one Nungsang Lemtur, a resident of Diphupar B, Dimapur on multiple occasions. The union, in a press release issued by its president W. Teyeang, expressed sympathy towards the victim and assured that it would not compromise for anything other than proper investigation and justice.

While stating that committing rape has become a major issue, the union stated the ‘investigating agency should initiate major statement’ that will help in stopping such heinous crimes from happening again in the future. The union further stated that it would stand for justice and has also requested all to take a strong stand along with them in demand for justice

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Au g 31: The Manipur Congress on Monday accused defected and resigned MLAs of making a “mockery” of democracy and accused the ruling BJP of engineering defections in the state.

Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh said defections taking place in the state politics engineered by BJP made democracy a mockery.

Hope people would teach them a befitting lesson if the contested in the upcoming by-elections to the Manipur Legislative Assembly, said Ibobi.

Defection severely hit the Congress party in the state when it lost 10 of its 28 legislators in the 60-seat State Assembly.

And of the 18 effective strength of the party in the state, one MLA (RK Imo) who is allegedly close to saffron fold has been expelled for six years from the party recently and three MLAs who escaped disqualification are still close to the BJP.

Speaking at a function held at Imphal Congress Bhavan, Singh accused the former Congress legislators of leaving the party for their vested interest and personal gain. “Their acts not only mock democracy but also disrespect the five year mandate given by the people in the elections. They should be taught a befitting lesson when they come out to contest the by-election,” the former three time chief minister said.

In Manipur, by-elections are likely to hold in as many as 13 Assembly constituencies which are lying vacant after the Speaker disqualified four Congress legislators and nine (six Congress MLAs and three BJP MLAs) resigned as members of the State Assembly. The total number of seats where by-elections are to be held was yet to be confirmed as cases of some legislators were pending with the court.

However, as hinted recently by incumbent chief minister N Biren Singh, the by-elections to fill the vacant seats of the state Assembly are likely to be held along with general elections to the Bihar state Assembly due by October-November 2020.

BJP and its ruling partners in the Biren’s government are already gearing up for the by-elections and BJP is likely to send those former Congress legislators who joined the party as party candidates.

Manipur extends lockdown

virus at the entry points.

As per the latest report of the state health department, of the 6252 infections tally, 4,330 patients have recovered while 28 patients have died and the number of active cases stood at 1,804 on Monday.

It also informed that of the 140 new cases, 82 males and 21 females were from the general population while 37 are Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel.

Meanwhile, 91 patients were discharged in the past 24 hours after they were found COVID-19 free on RT PCR test. Of the total recovered cases, 3,500 are from the general population and 830 are Central Security Personnel,

Ganja worth Rs 40 lakh seized

Dip hu , Au g 31 (Agen cies ):

Khatkhati police on Sunday seized a huge consignment of ganja from a 12-wheeler truck along the AssamNagaland border.

According to local police, the Khatkhati police launched a search in the cabin of a truck bearing registration number NL01 AD 7670 and recovered approximately 400 kilograms of ganja concealed under secret compartments inside the cabin. The value of the seized contraband is estimated to be around Rs 40 lakh.

There has been a recent spike in smuggling of banned psychopathic drugs including cannabis into Assam through Karbi Anglong. Most of the drugs enter Assam through Karbi Anglong.

Recently, the Manja police intercepted a truck and recovered over 4,000 banned ‘WY’ tablets worth Rs 4 crore in the black market.

Assam to cull 10,000 pigs to curb African swine fever

Guwa hati , Au g 31 (Agen

cies ): The Assam government will cull about 10,000 pigs from the first week of September to check the spread of African swine fever (ASF). The contagious and fatal disease has claimed nearly 18,000 pigs since it was first detected in May.

Veterinary department officials said they have no option but to continue culling in the 29 identified containment zones located in 14 districts to “save the thriving piggery” sector of the state which has the highest pig population in the country.

Pig farmers will be paid between Rs 2,200 and Rs 15,000 depending on the weight of the culled pigs.

The pig population in the affected districts is around 14 lakh while the total pig population in the 33 districts is estimated to be over 20 lakh, the officials said.

Assam had on April 25 banned trade in pigs and pork and the movement of people associated with pig rearing/farms.

A containment zone has been demarcated within a radius of 1km of the affected area but a radius of 10km from the affected area is under surveillance.

The entire culling exercise in the containment zones is expected to take a week.

“We could have carried out the operation in May but could not do so because of the floods. We need land to bury the carcasses which was not possible because most of the affected areas were submerged.”

“Now that the floodwaters have subsided in these areas we need to go for immediate culling. An estimated 10,000 pigs will be culled and owners will be paid as per their weight,” an official said. Culling will be followed by complete sanitisation of the affected areas. If there is no infection, pig farmers in these areas can be back in business after four months.

“There will be no rearing of pigs for three months after culling. After this, we will go for limited rearing to see if the disease has been controlled. If there is no death for two weeks we will relax the ban in the affected areas.”

“If the ASF prevalence continues, we will have to resume the entire process of disinfecting and sanitising the infected areas. If not, pig farmers can resume normal activities after four months,” an official said.

The Assam government had last month opposed the Centre’s decision to transport pigs from Punjab and Haryana to the Northeast because such a move, officials said, was fraught with danger as it will not only fan the spread of ASF but also Covid-19 (through drivers and vehicle staff).

Punjab and Haryana do not have the market to consume the pork they produce. Therefore, these states have been supplying pigs to the Northeast where pork is a staple for many.

The piggery market of the northeastern states is worth Rs 7,500 crore annually.

ASF has affected pigs in Dhemaji, Sivasagar, Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Kamrup (metro), Jorhat, Golaghat, Nagaon, Majuli, Morigaon, Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Sonitpur districts of Assam so far.

Farewell programme for outgoing official

Outgoing director, Viliehu speaking at his farewell programme held on August 31. (DIPR)

it stated. director, minister of Soil & Water Conservation, Geology & Mining V. Kashiho Sangtam, said that Nguzhü was a man of positive attitude who has been a true leader and a good officer. He encouraged him to continue serving society with the same zeal and enthusiasm.

Joint secretary Tsobahü Rhakho, while appreciating Nguzhü said that department has been enriched with his guidance and leadership during his directorship. Incoming director, K. Zhekheto Awomi said that Nguzhü set an exemplary and high benchmark for the depart

State

ment. He said that Nguzhü had conducted himself in an impeccable manner and upheld the working ethics with much prudence.

Viliehu Nguzhü in his speech expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his service life. He also thanked the minister, commissioner & staff for rendering full support and cooperation during his years of active service. Further he exhorted that the department can shine if only concerted effort was made by every individual selflessly. Vote of thanks was proposed by joint director, L. Chubaonen.

secretary and departmental

NTA to conduct JEE mains 2020 and NEET examination DIMAPUR: DC, Dimapur, residences and quarantine Rajesh Soundararajan, has provided their residences informed that the JEE mains have facilities for home 2020 and NEET examinaquarantine. If candidates do tion to be conducted by the not have the required faciliNational Testing Agency ties, they will be quarantined (NTA) will be held from in a paid facility-hotel/ September 1 to 6 and Seplodges; Candidates on the tember 13 respectively. day of examination will

According to DIPR directly proceed from their report, candidates on proresidence/paid facilities to duction of admit card for the the examination centres said examination will be alwhile maintaining social lowed entry into the state of distancing norms; After apNagaland; After entry, the pearing the examination, if candidates may be allowed the candidate wishes to stay unhindered movement back in the state, he/she will through all police check need to undergo necessary gates/check post following testing for COVID-19 as per all safety protocols to their the SOPs in place.

CAN Youth organises webinar for teachers

DIMAPUR: CAN Youth held its first webinar for teachers under its SPATIAL Project on August 28, with three panellists asst. professor, Anthropology, Gauhatti University, Dr. Humi Thaosen, advisor and project manager, Child Aid Network Germany, Jonas G Pfaeffinger and SDB executive director, AIDA, Dimapur, Rev Fr. Roy George.

A press release by coordinator, SPATIAL Project, CAN Youth, Lairing Dau Jigdung, stated that Dr. Humi Thaosen, spoke on the topic “Process of continuous learning to overcome depression”, where she added depression would be a very heavy word that would lead to stress and anxiety which was more relevant and common in this present context.

Father Roy George spoke on the topic “Engaging students in homebased learning.” A power point presentation on how one can engage in self directed video was presented, while he also urged to encourage to self reflect on their progress on the topic.

Jonas G Pfaeffinger, spoke on the topic “Challenges and way forward on quality education and child rights at COVID-19 pandemic”. According to Jonas focusing on how to actually reach out to students who were not using smart phones and make sure students who have access to the internet should be provided with high quality technique. He maintained that because of the pandemic, education was highly affected and might rise in high dropouts.

Webinar was moderated by coordinator, SPATIAL Project Lairing Dau Jigdung, while chief functionary, Can Youth, Jenpu Rongmei, delivered the opening remark.

Organisations flay alleged rape of minor in Dimapur

DIMAPUR: Va r i o u s organisations have condemned the alleged rape of minor girl by Nungsang Lemtur at Diphupar ‘B’ over a period of time.

DMST: Dimapur Molungkimong Senso Telongjem (DMST) in a condemnation by president T. Nungshi and general secretary, Maong expressed “utmost intolerance against such a heinous crime as rape.” It further warned against any of its member trying to bail out the accused or influence the course of investigation, so as to ensure fair and quick trial of the case by the investigating agency. Union also requested the concerned authority to take appropriate action as per the provisions of the law against the accused if proven guilty.

ENWO: Eastern Nagaland Women’s Organization (ENWO) in a condemnation stated that, such inhumane act cannot be tolerated in Naga society and should be condemned by one and all. ENWO also urged the authority to book the perpetrator under the relevant section of the POCSO Act and take stringent action as an exemplary to all the rapists and urged for speedy justice to the victim.

KNSKD: Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong Dimapur Unit (KNSKD) in a condemnation by president Angep and general secretary, Rachel Kaihe has appealed to competent authorities for prompt and stringent action against the perpetrator

ENPUDA: Eastern Nagaland People’s Union Diphupar Area (ENPUDA) in a condemnation by vice president, Jungshi Chang and general secretary, Doki Yimchunger has asked the concern authority to take stern action as per the provision of the law and set an example to the culprit. Union also shared its solidarity with the victim and her family.

KUD: Konyak Union Dimapur (KUD) in a condemnation note by president Mosa Konyak stated that, the minor girl was mentally traumatized due to torture and rape. Union appealed to law enforcing agency to award the accused befitting punishment for “his extreme crime committed by him.” Union also stated that it shall pursue this case until justice was delivered.

KSUD: Konyak Students’ Union Dimapur (KSUD) in a condemnation by president Awang Konyak and secretary, Konang Konyak stated that such act of “barbarism” cannot be tolerated in a modern society and urged all the right thinking citizens to condemn such heinous act.

Union expressed serious concern over “the life threatening episode of unacceptable activity” and urged competent agency to investigate the matter with seriousness and pronounce befitting action to the culprit as per the provision of law.

A bold step

For some decades the commercial capital of Nagaland-Dimapur City- has undergone rapid transformation. Since the mid-80s Dimapur City experienced a boom which catapulted it to the position as among the fastest growing cities after Guwahati City. Unfortunately, the negatives have outweighed the positives. The boom was two ways- economic and criminal. It may be noted that this is not an exclusive phenomenon restricted to Dimapur; it exists in many other cities. However, policing in Dimapur is not plain and simple. The population of Dimapur is cosmopolitan in composition with various community organisations having their apex bodies. The city has also overgrown primarily due to migration of people from various districts of the state including those from outside. With over two lakh people including scores of floating population, Dimapur has unfortunately lost the momentum of progress and today, its commercial growth is being stunted by hordes of anti-social elements. What should be a cause for deep concern for the state in general and public of Dimapur in particular, is the gradual deterioration of the environment affecting trade and commerce in the state’s premier city. There is a growing sub-culture in Dimapur city which has complicated the problem of promoting progressive economic growth to the commercial capital of the state which has today, fallen on bad times since the beginning of the 90s. In the case with Dimapur in particular, the authority of the law has been compromised mainly due to the free run enjoyed by criminals who are patronised by various sections. This had led to a series of public consultations on community policing about a decade ago but all these were not followed up. In this regard, as one of the apex tribe organisations in Dimapur, the Western Sumi Hoho(WSH) has taken a momentous step by resolving to deal with any of its community members involved in any criminal activity that warranted arrest by police. In a letter to the Commissioner of Police Dimapur, the WSH president Dr.K.Zhimomi, has requested the former to provide name of any of its community member charged with crime to it, so that the Hoho can deal with such offenders through Sumi customary law and practices. This is a very significant and bold decision and in this regard, various tribal organisations, need to serious ponder over this issue and contemplate effective response to crimes committed by their fellow members. Naga society is tribal and if the communities resolve to crack the whip against erring members, then it would make a huge difference. Looking at the problem from a wider perspective, criminalisation of society has unfortunately destroyed peace and progress. Lawlessness has become the face of Dimapur and most tragically, its character. What should be done is apply the rule of the law without mixing it up with other issues. On the part of the government, it does not matter which party is in power. If the policing is reduced to mere tokenism then it has the potential of resulting in a failed state. The problem needs to be understood from legal, institutional, moral, cultural and religious aspects. Fighting crimes is not a one-time effort or can it be measured by success in cracking some cases; it is a continuous process that has to go on to ensure that citizens are safe and that the rule of law prevails under every circumstances.

Daily Devotion “My Joy…Your Joy”

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. —John 15:11

What was the joy that Jesus had? Joy should not be confused with happiness. In fact, it is an insult to Jesus Christ to use the word happiness in connection with Him. The joy of Jesus was His absolute selfsurrender and self-sacrifice to His Father— the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do— “… who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2). “I delight to do Your will, O my God…” (Psalm 40:8). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His. Have I allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy to me?

Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God’s work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, “…the cares of this world,…choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our cares. All that God has done for us is merely the threshold— He wants us to come to the place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim who Jesus is.

Have the right relationship with God, finding your joy there, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). Be a fountain through which Jesus can pour His “living water.” Stop being hypocritical and proud, aware only of yourself, and live “your life… hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). A person who has the right relationship with God lives a life as natural as breathing wherever he goes. The lives that have been the greatest blessing to you are the lives of those people who themselves were unaware of having been a blessing. C ompassion is not a hobby, or something you do in a good mood, or when you are well fed, or with your friends. It is a mental state, or an orientation towards suffering that includes four things - Recognizing that there is suffering. Being emotionally moved by that suffering.

Wanting relief from that suffering. Being ready to take action to relieve that suffering.

The heart is a muscle. It needs to be exercised for it to expand or it can deteriorate and atrophy. All children are born with the capacity to love all beings – humans and nonhumans. By the time they are three, their parents have conditioned them to fear compassion and they stop loving. But you can recondition yourself.

In fact, there is a course for it! Based on scientific trials, there is a two month academic compassion cultivation training course that was developed by Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D., and colleagues at Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education. If I were minister for education, I would make it compulsory.

There is also a course called Great Good in Action, GGIA, which gives your exercises. As with most exercises, the more you do them, the quicker the heart and mind expand. Even tiny steps help -if your physical exercise goal is to take 10,000 steps a day and you only take 3,000, that’s still better for your health than taking none.

Start noticing your own actions : when do you feed spontaneously compassionate ? When you see an accident on the news and don’t have to do anything about it except watch ? When do you resist acknowledging suffering throughout the day (e.g., when passing someone on the street who is asking for money, or your attitude towards an annoying family member)? How many times a day do you judge or minimize personal suffering saying that it was deserved, or is insignificant compared to someone else, or something else going on in the world. Once you notice your own thoughts, change comes easily.

So next time you are going for work, notice how clean the steps are and who cleaned then, when you stand in line at a mall take a moment to actually see the stress of the cashier or the people stocking the shelves. A word of appreciation ? One of the times

Rising above oneself to be kind

I remember with pride, because it came naturally, was when my car stopped at a light. I opened a bottle of water to drink when I noticed a parched plant on the road divided with drooping leaves. I jumped out, put the water on the plant and waited to see it revive. At that point I didn’t think of anything, but it certainly gave me happiness. You are on the right track when giving and doing for other forms of life gives you more happiness than getting something for yourself.

Set the intention to “practice” compassion. What do you want for the world ? What do you want for your life ? What do you have to offer the world ? Here are some tips which sound like clichés but work: Encourage Others with praise, Respect Privacy, Open the door for someone (metaphorically !) , allocate time to do good things consciously, learn how to say thank you, practice empathy – the art of seeing yourself in the other’s place, step mindfully (literally). Are you changing ? Have you stopped making excuses to turn away ? Is your sight improving to see the world as a place of suffering which you can make better ? Are you better towards humans and non humans ? Have you added value to your life ? Whose life did you affect for the better ? Have your heroes changed ? How many times have you thanked a being or even the universe ? How many times did you resist the opportunity to hurt ?Did you notice how many times beings were compassionate to you ? Keep a diary if you like on your thoughts and actions.

Compassion is about alleviating suffering and ultimately it is the only thing that is meaningful in life. It is easy to fight with your neighbours and thousands of people did that during the lockdown. It is easy to kick a dog on the stairs who is taking shelter from the rain. It is easy to declare a wounded mother tigress as a maneater and hunt her down. It is easy to put bombs in food so that a cow has her jaw blown apart, it is easy to chop down trees. But did that take the world forward or backwards ? Violence is the ultimate setback for good economics and it is the direct opposite of compassion.

Princess Diana’s handshake with an AIDs patient, something done spontaneously, changed attitudes towards AIDs all over the world. Mother Teresa cradling the very sick, the lepers and homeless, brought so many people into the field of compassion. The people who have made companies to bring artificial meat to meateaters have done so out of compassion, the people who run shelter homes, with absolutely no money, for accident hit and diseased animals, the people who give blood, the people who start foundations for bone marrow transplant victims, the people who donate small amounts of money to the needy rather than offering it to a temple as forward payments for wishes to be granted, the NGOs who go into the deep villages to help medicate or train people… the world is better for them. The Pay it Forward movement is what we need to adopt. Do three good deeds without expecting anything in return and only ask that the recipient do three good deeds too.

Many years ago, my mother and I watched a TV show by Larry King. His guest of the evening was Jeanne Dixon, a world famous “ seer” who was famous for her predictions. We, in India, have hundreds of people like that, so it wasn’t that part that interested me. It was something else that she said that has stayed with me as a living principle. She said that Earth was the designated “hell” of the universe. Every being that had committed violence or “crime” of some kind on any other planet was sent here and that is why everyone on the planet, rich or poor, was in a constant state of suffering. And we would come back again and again until we changed themselves. And the only way out of it was compassion, rising above oneself to be kind. Do you want to get yourself out of here ? I do. To join the animal welfare movement contact gandhim@nic.in, www.peopleforanimalsindia.org

Post-mortem Final destiny beckons

Our first generation National this far, today, Mr. Muivah is now or more, have reached the end of ment it would have a statutory the round that the present State Workers rightly espoused putting his foot down in a U-turn, their ultimate tolerance and are no status but in terms of its advisory Government has already ordered the value of freedom as an wanting an independent “Sovlonger prepared to keep feeding role it would only be limited to the Forest Department to vacate elementary birthright worthy to ereign Yehzabo”; “Flag”; and the gluttonous millionaire wolves rendering advice like any other many of their Departmental quarbe defended unto death and had “Integration” as a pre-condition to in the guise of “sovereignty”. NGOs on any given issue...on ters within Intanki Reserve Forest therefore physically registered this the final settlement... and there is This brings us to the crucial which the elected Government which are now being occupied by fact against the aggression of a absolutely no one within the presissue at hand: The original copy would have the liberty to act the NSCN (IM) cadres. The onus more powerful adversary called ent NSCN (IM) cadre who would of the Framework Agreement upon or throw it out the window. of confirmation or denial of such India. The excruciating and mercidare point out to their rapidly ag(FA for brevity) has at last been This original goal post has since a development rests with the Govless inhuman atrocities committed ing ‘Supremo’ that it was rather made available to the people by been shifted by the NSCN (M) ernment. In as far as the Nagas of by the Indian Army against the late in the day to be making this NSCN (IM) and therefore we whereby they now insist that PNH Nagaland is concerned; Intanki is helpless populace will remain an kind of a U-Turn. Now, consider ought to be able to conclusively must have a mandatory authority not a “No man’s land”. We have indelible scare in the psyche of the this perspective: A considerable deduce that this agreement is overriding the elected Governnot lifted the merciless burden generation who had had the mismajority of the Nagas across the simply a broad principle guideline, ment in all matters...be it Legislaof “sovereignty” for the past 72 fortune of a firsthand experience. board still believe that integraa road map of sort, for reaching tive, Executive or Judiciary. This years so as to even loose what we Be that as it may...it is about time tion of all the contiguous Naga the final settlement. This Agreechange of stance from the original already have in our possession. that the Nagas look at our present inhabited areas must be brought ment is therefore, by no stretch of starting point is totally uncalled It is a common sentiment of the dispensation dispassionately and under one administrative umimagination, the final settlement for...especially for the Nagas of Nagas of Nagaland that if PNH pragmatically and move on. brella. The one defining reality is that the people had earlier been Nagaland. Without geographical has to be created...so be it...but it

We, the Nagas of Nagaland, that whether Nagas are presently made to believe. The Nagas of integration such an arrangement should have its HQs outside the are perhaps a little wiser today living within the State boundaries Nagaland must clearly understand of having non-indigenous Nagas State of Nagaland and certainly than we were yesterday concernof Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, that devil lies in the details called from beyond our boundary dictatnot in Intanki Reserve Forest! ing the ongoing Indo-Naga PolitiManipur or Myanmar, the Nagas “Competency Clauses” (henceing an elected Government of the God only knows how many cal issue. It however still seems apparent that we are desperately unable to focus on the same page in order to exercise a cohesive result oriented thinking process. We have yet to realise that we have been walking in the dark recess of political intrigues woven around us by the forces that be... and blindly being dictated by emotional and tribal sentiments rather than taking a pragmatic and rational stand based on the ground realities lying before us... which makes us less able to see through the fog. The NSCN (IM) has habitually been sharing half truths peppered with their own one-sided concocted version of how aggressively they have been negotiating with the GoI on our behalf but they have rarely shared the stand point of the GoI to enable the people to see both sides of the coin more vividly to help a balanced view to grow. The people have repeatedly been fed with an over-exaggerated ‘make believe’ notion that Nagas would have ‘shared sovereignty with India as an independent Nation with our own ‘yehzabo’ and our very own national flag. The truth they are still the sole legal owners of their land. Therefore it is within their legitimate rights to join the Naga mainstream along with their legally owned landed properties, if they so desire. Fearing that the other North Eastern States will start an uprising as the reason to deprive the legitimate right of the Nagas is a flagrant injustice of the highest order. Therefore, even if GoI is unable to concede to complete sovereignty to the Nagas, the least it can do and should do is...allow all the Nagas to live together and relieve them from ignominy of being treated almost as secondary citizens within the present boundaries they presently have had no choice but to live in. Having said that, if geographical integration cannot be salvaged at the final settlement, I have repeatedly said that Mr. Th. Muivah has no place within the State of Nagaland...(he being from Manipur). The prospect of having spent his whole youthful life in pursuit of a dream and end up being the boss of only a Regional Territorial Autonomous Council in Manipur will certainly not be an appealing conclusion for a man who still espouses to rule forth referred to as CC) that the NSCN (IM) has proffered to the GoI on our behalf...which has still been kept very close to their chest without disclosing it to the people they claim to represent. For once the Nagas of Nagaland must insist that the NSCN (IM) put the unabridged details of CC as it is, in the public domain before, I repeat BEFORE and not AFTER, the final nail is hammered into our destiny...if they really want to qualify as our representative. Our immediate future and our children’s destiny cannot unilaterally be bartered away by them alone without taking the popular will of the people into confidence. The same yardstick applies to 7NNPGs and the GoI as well. The people...the stakeholders have a right to know what is in store for them before the matter is sealed for all times. Now try and remember few vexed issues that have already been made available to a limited audience: That: (1) NSCN (IM) claims in their CC that “the State of Nagaland will cease to exist”... because Nagaland will become a Nation. This is a sheer myth State of Nagaland to do its bidding is not only nonsensical but repulsively unpalatable. And yet such a demand is officially being peddled by NSCN (IM) in their list of “CC”. (3) Further, it has been confirmed by well placed authority within the NSCN (M) hierarchy in course of a discussion with one of them, that PNH would also exercise authority in matters of selecting certain percentage of members to the Upper House in a Bicameral setup which the State of Nagaland will have. This issue has never been publically exposed. The cloak and dagger attitude of NSCN (IM) leads us to naturally suspect that there could be other such unpalatable matters capsuled within “CC”...totally unknown to the public of Nagaland. (4) The discomfort for the Nagas of Nagaland continues in that NSCN (M) is aspiring to setup PNH within Nagaland, targeting Intanki Reserve Forest as their HQs, though we have been made to understand that Intanki has not been specifically mentioned in their “CC”. Nevertheless it is a foregone conclusion from the manner NSCN (M) has more such clauses exists within this competency clauses of the NSCN (M) that the Nagas of Nagaland would find it difficult to digest. Therefore, taking stock of the overall questionable possibilities it is mandatorily desirable that the Nagas of Nagaland be shown the unabridged list of Competency Clauses that the NSCN (IM) has been working on, before settlement is finalised. The same principle applies to the other 7 NNPGs. The 14 Tribal Hohos of Nagaland must uprightly stand together on this issue and demand that the Competency Clauses of NSCN (IM) and also the 7 NNPGs be made available so that each Tribal Hohos can initiate a public review over it with their respective communities. At the end of the day, each Tribal Hoho must also thoroughly understand their sacred moral responsibility to the people they represent at this critical juncture of our history and know without a doubt that what they do or do not do today will echo through the generation to come. God help us all not to fall short of our callings at this final hour when destiny beckons. failed to put on the table was the Nagas as a whole. But whether in the absence of integration been jealously guarding this terriKhekiye K. Sema, IAS (Retd.); that GoI was prepared to ‘share he likes it or not he doesn’t have or for that matter even with tory from encroachment. Uncon3rd Mile Thilixu Village; sovereignty’ in the similar way as much choice but to face reality integration. In reality the Nagas firmed information is also doing Dimapur all the other Federated States of one way or other....even if it is of Manipur and Arunachal are India where the Centre and the personally a very difficult choice set to have their respective ReStates share specific subjects of autonomy in the form of Central List, the State List and the Concurrent List clearly delineated in the Constitution. The GoI seem to make. After all this has nothing to do with his personal status in the aftermath but a subject that concerns the overall wellbeing of the Naga race. Even though this gional Autonomous Councils that is in no way connected to Nagaland. In as far as the GoI is concerned any settlement is only being envisaged within the Reader’s Post to have made it clear that the issue is the case...it appears apparent framework of the Indian Constiof a separate ‘Yehzabo’ and the ‘Flag’ was irrelevant under the that he would rather choose to prolong the status quo and stretch tution. Therefore this “Nation” notion of NSCN (IM) is but a Out of service constantly given circumstances of “Shared Sovereignty” as defined by them. NSCN (IM) seems to have not only understood their concept but had initially conceded to it in principle more or less. A person no less than Mr. Th Muivah himself had admitted in public platform that the issue of “Sovereignty” and “Integration” were subjects left to the negotiation to an endless journey rather than conclude within a given timeframe...if only to enjoy the ironclad autocratic authority that he wields today...and ride into the sunset of his afterlife without dismounting from his high horse. What he fails to realise is that the Nagas of Nagaland, who have suffered persistent and excruciating wishful thinking unworthy of public consumption. (2) Another damning subject pertains to the Pan Naga Hoho (PNH). The original proposal of NSCN (IM) was to create PNH as a cultural organization having a statutory status with an advisory role. According to Shri. R.N. Ravi, the Interlocutor, since PNH, as an Sir, The ATM booth located at DC Court Junction caters to the public residing not only in Duncan area but its peripheral localities as well. Since the last couple of days, the ATM booth has been out of service and public are facing problems. Even the nearby SBI Rangapahar branch also seems to be facing the same problem or out of cash. The ATMs are to be periodically serviced not only with cash but to ensure that all its parts are kept well oiled and functioning. Besides, the machines do really need to be upgraded be sorted out through democratic burden of extortion (dubbed as exclusive Cultural Body, would be for smoother service. process in due future. Having gone ‘tax”) for the past half a century created through an Act of ParliaChumbeno Murry, Duncan, Dimapur

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