Only in Nagaland: ‘Psychiatrist doing gynecologist’s work’!

EMN

Dimapur, June 30

The wanton, random, and often bucolic ways of Nagaland’s state machineries are infamous but a recent charge from a community youth group in Mokokchung could be the heights: The government of Nagaland has provided a psychiatrist to replace a gynaecologist for Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital.

Mokokchung town’s youth group, the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT), called the government’s gaffe “hilarious” and ‘baffling’. In brief, the youth organization has asked the government to answer this query: ‘Whether or not a psychiatrist can do the work of a gynecologist and whether a psychiatrist can assist those patients coming with their ‘private problems’ or help in childbirth and the like’.

The youth organization issued a press release on Tuesday, June 30 expressing ‘serious concern’ over a recent notification issued by the department of Health & Family Welfare on June 25, The order effected ”some changes” in the posting of doctors and specialists in the state.

Through the government order, the premier healthcare institution of Mokokchung district Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital has been “deprived” of two gynaecologists and an obstetrician as they have now been transferred out of the district.

“The MTLT is aware of the government’s prerogative to effect transfer and posting of the different government officers and employees. However, the MTLT is totally baffled at the government action of transferring out two much needed gynecologists from the hospital without any provision for their relieve or replacement,” the press release said.

“It is hilarious to note that the department has provided a ‘Sr. Splt (Psychiatry)’  (senior specialist psychiatry) to replace the transferred gynaecologist at the hospital. In this regard, the MTLT would like to question whether a ‘psychiatrist’ can do the work of a gynaecologist and whether a psychiatrist can assist those patients coming with gynae problem or help in child birth and the like”.

The MTLT has strongly demanded that the department take immediate steps to deploy the required gynaecologists. “The MTLT asserts that until and unless there is replacement for the posts, then the present specialists who has been serving at the IMDH will not be released from Mokokchung district,” the group said.

“The MTLT cautions that in the event of non compliance of our just demand, we would be left with no option but to take our own course of action in a phased manner; in the case of any eventualities while pursuing our demand, the responsibility will be solely held by the department,” the authorities said. 

The youth organization had another word for the government: “At a time, when mother and child healthcare is given utmost importance both at the centre and the state level, it is very distressing to note that the Health & Family Welfare department has deprived the Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital of the two gynecologists and obstetrician, which is nothing short of being insensitive not only to mother and child but also to the whole public in general”. 

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Shooting questions: Assam Rifles engage troops in battle of wits

It is not just about brawns but about brains too, or so the response to a recent quiz competition of the Assam Rifles suggested. The authorities of the security force conducted a quiz competition on Monday to, what the organizers explained, ‘inculcate awareness and uplift the intellectual level’ of the troops.

The Assam Rifles Training Center & School conducted the ‘Inter Battalion Quiz Competition’ in Shokhuvi on June 29 during which teams from all the three training battalions and one women-recruits training company of the security force participated.

Commandant of the training center Brigadier K Narayanan was the chief guest for the occasion.  The Assam Rifles Training Center & School issued a press release on Monday, June 29.

60 soldiers comprising 15 contestants from each training battalion and women training company “Lushai” took part in the event. The major objective in conducting the quiz competition was to inculcate awareness and “uplift the intellectual level” of the troops of Assam Rifles Training Center & School, the center said in the press release.

“The event was conducted in a systematic and comprehensive manner. A total of five rounds comprising option round, transfer round, rapid round, audio-visual round and lucky round were conducted in the event. All the contestants showed high level of enthusiasm and intellectual in the competition,” the center said.

Also, involving the non-participant in the event, questions were posed by members of the audience. The audio-visual round was “most interesting humourous round of the competition,” the Assam Rifles explained in the press release.    

Speaking during the occasion, Brigadier K Narayanan “appreciated the intellectual level of contestants” and the organizing staff for ‘conducting the event in systematic and professional manner’. “Expressing satisfaction over the cognition level of troops”, the commandant said it was a matter of pride for the Assam Rifles Training Center & School ‘to have such level of intelligence of troops’.

On the basis of aggregate marks gained in the event, number-3 training battalion was adjudged the best team after having secured the highest points. It was awarded the Inter Training Battalion Quiz Competition Championship Trophy for the year 2015.     

Number-1 training battalion, Lushai Company and number-2 training battalion of the Assam Rifles Training Center & School secured the second, third and the fourth position, in that order, in the competition. The chief guest gave away the prizes to the winning teams from each round.  

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Mokokchung admin cautioned against backdoors, VIP doors & illegal windows

Obviously aware that in a state as Nagaland where backdoor appointments are not really a front door ceremony, a youth organization in Mokokchung has “advised” the district’s authorities to ensure that an upcoming recruitment does not come in from windows or any other door except through merit and qualification.

Among the list of caution that the organization, Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem, listed out for the administration on Monday, was against meddling from unscrupulous politicians, and the infamous, so-called “VIP quota” or “VIP recommendation”.

The Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem issued a press release on June 29 assuring that it would be ‘strictly’ monitoring the recruitment process.  The organization said that any kind of ‘unfair means’ or pressures should be sternly checked. 

The Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem expressed appreciation that the district’s deputy commissioner declaring vacant posts in the Mokokchung district administrative set up and issued a public notice calling for candidates to fill up the posts.

“The MTLT acknowledges that the district administration has taken appropriate step in ensuring free and fair selection process through the advertisement of the posts and maintaining transparency with regard to the screening process,’ the community organization said.

 While encouraged to observe the “thousands of educated youths filling up the application to compete in the interview process,” the union made clear that ‘any kind of unfair means or pressures should be sternly checked’. 

 The organization has listed out a number of points for the administration to note while conducting the recruitment (verbatim): 

The administration had invited applications for the posts of lower divisional assistants-bench assistants, a stenographer’s, three ‘Doubashi’ (runners), grade-IV posts for Kubolong, Tuli, Ongpangkong, and Mokokchung headquarters, a driver’s and one house keeper’s. 

·                     There should be strict adherence to the District Level Recruitment Board (DLRB) selection criteria.

·                     There should be no entertainment of VIP recommendation or VIP quota in any case.

·                     There should be no entertainment of any unscrupulous political interference.

The Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem said it was “highly hopeful” that the candidates applying for the various vacancies would be selected ‘in complete fairness and transparency at all levels’.

“The MTLT will be strictly monitoring the whole interview process–be it written, oral or practical interviews for the said vacant posts. In the event of any unfair means being observed by, or reported to the Telongjem, the MTLT as a conscientious youth organization will take up the matter in all earnestness so that justice and fairness is maintained,” the youth organization said.

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New era? Newly masonry-trained Naga youths join construction

•          New paradigm for local youths in construction sector
•          Laudable program sees score Naga youths in construction sector
•          28 absorbed by local construction group
•         Masonry no more a ‘non-Naga’ work 

To paraphrase Neil Armstrong: A small step for Naga youths; a giant step for Naga economy.

A development skill training that was conducted in Kohima recently could be the precursor to what could be a practical construction industry overseen by local skilled workers–masonry and construction.

A group of young Naga was trained in masonry and construction for three months in Kiruphema in the capital district as a part of skill building program. 28 of the youths have now been absorbed in the workforce of a local construction group, M/S Vilelie & Sons, for a month. 

The construction industry in Nagaland is entirely and decidedly dominated by non-local workers particularly Bangladeshi nationals. The recent training could well be a small step toward having a construction industry in Nagaland one day where Naga persons would work, manage, and man the lucrative sector.  

“More youths are now equipping themselves with skills in various sectors, enabling them to earn a livelihood,” the organizers informed on Saturday, June 27. The department of Under Developed Areas (DUDA), Government of Nagaland and a local group called Zynorique Initiatives ran the training for three months.

The training on masonry and building construction initiated under the BADP skill development program 2014-2015 through the Ministry of Home Affairs was organized by the department of Under Developed Areas of the state government with Zynorique Initiatives.

The organizers informed that the three-months training and absorption began with two months of practical work that was conducted in the Skill Training Resource Centre in Kiruphema under Kohima district. The training began from April 23 and culminated on June 23.

“The trainees were taught hands on instructions on RCC construction and theoretical training on estimation, project management and site supervision. 28 youths had enrolled for the training.

The trainees are now starting the succeeding one month live site training under M/S Vilelie & Sons,” the department said.

The organizers have appreciated M/S Vilelie & Sons for their support and agreeing to absorb the entire batch for a period of one month in their live site project and also offering employment to some to continue at the work site.

“Trained youths need to be given such kinds of opportunity so that, the workforce will be manned by locals in the days to come and the problem of unemployment and lack of avenues will be mitigated to a large extent,” the department said.

According to the organizers, the purpose of the training was to change the mindset of local youth “in terms of government job dependency” and more importantly, to promote the concept of dignity of labor.

“Producing highly skilled workers willing to work or be employed at competitive rates would surely boost the economy of the state and also diminish reliance on workers from outside for such jobs,” the elated organizers said. 

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Angry DMC does dirty job for citizens: Midland’s infamous drain cleared

Rampant dumping of garbage and waste into the drain is most common practice of the careless people of Dimapur especially populations that reside along the drains.

Clogging and over-flowing of drains remains a major problem that has been confronting the people and the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC). The problem is caused by accumulation of waste and garbage in the drains.

The main drain that passes through Midland Colony and Sewak besides other colonies and connecting Dhobinala drain near Holy Cross Higher Secondary School remained blocked preventing free flow of rainwater thereby causing inconvenience to the resident especially living in low-lying areas of the colony.

With the intervention of the Sanitation Branch of the DMC, DMC workers led their sardars and other officials cleared the blocked stretch of the drain on Friday by deploying excavators and manual workforce. Huge heaps of garbage were taken out from the drain.

In its regard, DMC officials have warned said that the municipal authority would impose heavy fines and penalty on anyone found dumping garbage into the drain.

Midland Colony elder Huska Sema and GB Yodi Pucho who was present at the site thanked the DMC for clearing the drain.

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Dimapur's two-wheelers rewarded with chocolates for wearing helmets

In a scene profoundly reminiscent of the creative community activities government and authorities of developed countries often use to engage with the public for welfare programs, the scorching sunny day of Dimapur turned out to be lucky day for two-wheelers in Dimapur town.

Well-informed and safety-conscious bike riders mindful about why helmets should be worn by every two-wheel riders were rewarded with chocolates by the Traffic police authorities.

The Traffic police of Dimapur on Thursday rewarded helmet-wearing riders with ‘munch’ chocolates. Pamphlets educating them on why helmets are important were distributed to those without helmets.

The pamphlet included various traffic pledges for safety driving distributed by the Traffic Police Dimapur.  

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic- Zone 1) Sezo said that the creative drive was undertaken to create awareness among commuters and two-wheel riders while motivating them to drive safely.

Altogether 170 chocolates and 350 pamphlets were distributed on Thursday at the Zone-1 Dimapur station.

This drive is said to be the second in the city after the first drive that took place in the month of January.

Sezo said that the traffic police of Dimapur have also designated separate parking areas for two-wheelers and four-wheelers along the Nyamo Lotha Road. A separate parking slot for the differently-able has been designated in front of Theshouhie Shopping Arcade.

(Filed by a Staff Reporter of Eastern Mirror, June 25, 2015) 

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Nagaland’s village electrification drive looks bright

About 1, 261 villages in Nagaland have been electrified as of 2015. The number appears to be positive considering that there are about 1, 400 villages in the state and the benchmark achievement in the rural-electrification sector is almost cent-per-cent in comparison to other states in the country.

Records available with this reporter shows that the rural-electrification program in the state is 90.1% making it one of the highest among the state pushing to equip every village with electricity supply.

The progress report of village electrification in the country prepared by from the Central Electricity Authority was made available on Thursday, June 25. The report shows progress as on 31-03-2015. 

There are only 129 villages in the state left that are yet to enjoy the facility.

Just a month ago, Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal had said that investments would be put into the power sector especially for the north eastern states.  The extent of investment, the minister had said in May this year would be more than 9, 000 crore.

Asserting that the government's priority was to focus on development of backward regions, the statement from the minister had stated: "Investment of Rs.9,865 crore approved for upgrading power systems in eight north eastern states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura). Transmission line approved with investment of Rs.26, 000 crore to evacuate power to southern region from western region."

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Authorities to close Dimapur’s ancient iron bridge from Friday

The administration had finally noticed that one of Dimapur district’s oldest landmarks, the iron bridge on Dhansiri River straddling the 4^th Mile areas and Christian institute of Health Sciences and Research, has now become absolute and a danger to commuters “any time without warning which will result in the loss of lives”.

The authorities have ordered shutting traffic on the bridge from June 26, Friday from 12 PM. All vehicular traffic of both light and heavy vehicles has been prohibited. The Patkai-new Showba road has been suggested for commuting until an alternate arrangement is made.

The Dimapur district administration has issued an order warning the public that the bridge was “on the brink of collapse any time without warning which will result in the loss of lives”. The administration had closed the bridge with immediate effect.

Interestingly, the government did not explain if the bridge would be brought down, or at least repaired. Officiating Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Elizabeth Ngully issued the order on Thursday, June 15. The administration said to have undertaken a joint verification to assess the condition of the bridge and have found it to be in a state of “brink of collapse”.    

“…as per the joint verification carried out by the Dimapur district administration, commissioner of Police, Executive Engineer of Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges) Dimapur on the 25th June 2015 regarding the condition of the RCC steel girder bridge near CIHSR (Referral) Hospital…” the administration said.

“…it is found that the bridge originally designed for class-B loading single lane constructed in the year 1986 is on the brink of collapse any time without warning which will result in the loss of lives”.

The notice is issued in the interest of public safety and is for strict compliance, the authorities said. “Hence, notice is hereby issued in the interest of public safety that henceforth the bridge will be closed for public usage immediately with effect from 26th June 2015 from 12 PM onwards.

All traffic (light motor vehicles as well as heavy vehicles) are to use the Patkai-New Showba road till an alternate arrangement is made by the concerned department.

In April this year, the Public Works Department of Dimapur had warned commuters of deteriorated steel girders holding the bridge and said the bridge was no longer safe for use.
In a press release issued by the division, the department had washed its hands off the case stating that the division ‘should not be held responsible for any eventuality or disaster’.

According to the press release, a rebuilding project amounting to Rs. 49 Lakh was prepared for ‘strengthening’ the bridge but the state government of Nagaland had not responded.

While stating the bridge required immediate repairs, the division had said that ‘in the event of any eventuality/disaster occur the division should not be held responsible’.

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No Monkey Business: The economic fuel in banana cultivation for Naga farmers

The humble banana remains a favourite fruit. The economic potential it has in rejuvenating and adding to income-generation of the local farming Naga population is immense. This point of contention, about why the tropical fruit can be a feasible economic area for farmers, was highlighted during a recent inauguration of a center for banana cultivation. 

The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) of Dimapur inaugurated the “Banana Farm School” in Zhekishe village in Dimapur on June 23. Khekato Kiba, a progressive banana farmer, was appointed its “farm school teacher” during the event the ATMA informed on Wednesday, June 24.

Resource person HD Singh, of the Indian Council of Agriculture and Research in Jharnapani spoke during the program. He spoke on various topics about cultivation methods and associated matter about bananas. Jahaji (Dwarf Cavendish), Chini Champa, Malbhog, and Borjahaji (Robusta) are some of the varieties of the fruit cultivated in Nagaland.

According to HD Singh, the year-round availability, affordability, range, taste, nutritive and medicinal values make the banana a favorite fruit among all classes of people. Banana is basically a tropical crop and grows well in a temperature range of 15ºC – 35ºC with relative humidity of 75-85%, he said.

‘In India this crop is being cultivated in climate ranging from humid tropical to dry mild subtropics through selection of appropriate varieties. Four months of monsoon (June to September) with an average 650-750 mm. rainfall are most important for vigorous vegetative growth of banana,’ Singh was quoted as having said. The soil for banana plants require good drainage, adequate fertility, and moisture, he added.

The ICAR member also highlighted the economic importance of the fruit: banana powder is used as the first food for babies. Processed products, such as chips, banana puree, jam, jelly, juice, wine and halwa can be made from the fruit. Banana fibre is used to make items like bags, pots and wall hangers. Rope and good quality paper can be prepared from banana waste. Banana leaves are used as healthy and hygienic eating plates.

A pit size of 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 m. is normally required and small pits are dug in case of ridges and furrows. The pits are to be refilled with topsoil mixed with 10 kg of FYM (well decomposed), 250 gm of neem cake and 20 gm of carbofuran. Prepared pits are left open for 15-20 days for solar radiation to kill all the insects, soil borne diseases and for aeration before refilling.

Going bananas. The tropical fruit is not only a favourite for foodies and 'fruities', it is for farmers seeking economic returns from farming the yellow fruit.  

 Leguminous crops, beetroot, elephant foot yam, ginger, turmeric and sunnhemp may be grown as an inter-crop during the first 3-4 months.  The planted crop gets ready for harvest within 12-15 months of planting and the main harvesting season of banana is from September to April. However, to get maximum yield plantation is done at 1.2 X 1.5 m spacing.

Also, Khekato Kiba, a 52 year old progressive farmer, spoke during the event. The farmer said that he first planted banana saplings of the Amritsar variety, in his farm 6 years ago which was brought from Nagaon district in Assam.

Today, the farmer has over 1.5 hectares of land under banana cultivation and the total yield of bananas and its residues from the entire village comes in metric tonnes.

Since then, the banana farmer has been planting and selling his produce successfully. He is looking forward to expanding his farm.

Today, other villagers too have been motivated by him and have started the same cultivation for income generation. This is a good sign that his knowledge about the fruit is being imparted. However, Kiba said, lack of technical and marketing knowledge from the ‘departments in concern’ continues to be one of the main problems farmers are facing. For instance, the farmers sell the produce to wholesalers and other middlemen from Assam and Dimapur who come to the villages and nearby villages to buy at a minimal price.

During the program, Demalu Hasnusa of Niuland block highlighted the concept of a farm school and the role of a farm school teacher. He encouraged farmers from neighboring villages to expand their unused lands in banana farming and self help groups to take up ‘value addition methods’ in banana cultivation.

Later in the day, tissue culture banana saplings of the Grand Naine variety were distributed to all the participants. Farm tools were distributed to the farm school teacher as well.

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Tax-Tired: Community leaders vet undergrounds’ illegal levies

Community leaders are gradually taking to the streets in protest against the numerous so-called ‘tax’ imposed by the underground organizations, particularly in Dimapur town, the most-affected in the state.

On June 22, members of the Joint Village Council, a conglomeration of village council leaders, took out a rally in Dimapur declaring opposition to the ‘any tax’ imposed by the Naga underground groups.

The Joint Village Council comprises councils of Darogajan, Kushiabill, Bamunpukhuri-1 and Bamunpukhuri-2, and Zani village. The rally began at 6:00 am starting from the Darogajan village gate and covered villages of the organization’s constituents.

The council issued a press statement on Monday informing that the organization was opposed to any ‘tax’ “to the NPG (Naga political groups)” and adhering to the directives of the deputy commissioner of DImapur district on May 15 this year.

During the rally, the protestors also pasted posters stating ‘no tax’ along the way. The council announced to all the villagers to report to their respective chairman and Gaon Bura any activity of ‘tax collection’ by any group ‘seen or found’.

The rally started with Yashi Ao praying to Almighty God. Short speeches were delivered by the village chairmen and Gaon Bura. The rally ended at Doys Market junction.

A placard expressing opposition to “tax” imposed by the underground groups in the state seen here during a rally undertaken by community council leaderships  in Dimapur, on June 22. The Joint Village Council comprises councils of Darogajan, Kushiabill, Bamunpukhuri-1 and Bamunpukhuri-2, and Zani village, of Dimapur district. 

The resentment of the local communities and civil organizations against the numerous illegal levies imposed by the underground groups continues to grow. Popularly so-termed “Illegal taxation”, ‘illegal tax’ is a euphemistic term used locally in the state to mean any monetary solicitation that was unauthorized either by local government statutes or state legislation. In the context of Nagaland “illegal taxation” often involves threat or perceived threat particularly when it comes to the armed Naga underground groups.

Weeks ago, the Nagaland Government Registered Class-I Contractors’ Union (NGRC-I CU) had announced that none of its members would pay any form of “taxation” at “check gates and on any highways as per the government standing order.”

Shortly, the officiating Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Elizabeth Ngully had issued a much-welcomed order directing that no levies–forced or requested–were to be imposed on the public by any organization.

The order stated: “it is hereby directed to all concerned that in the interest of the general public any union/association/nongovernmental organizations or any other private or community organization by whatever name shall not be allowed to collect any form of taxes membership fees, subscriptions, contributions, donations, charges, levy, toll or any other form of collection of money by setting up of counters on state highways, national highways or market places except those expressly authorized by the government issued by the concerned secretary of the department”.

Likewise, on Thursday, June 18, the Dimapur District Truck Drivers’ Welfare Trade Union and the Dimapur Truck Owners’ Association had issued a joint statement decrying the ‘tax’ burden commercial transporters were suffering. The two organizations resolved to jointly fight the illegal ‘tax’ imposed on the commercial carriers.  

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Dimapur police rubbish claims of assault

Police to local media:  Should have reported both sides of story

The Dimapur police have rubbished the claims of a government teacher, one Samuel Sumi, who claimed to have been assaulted by police personnel during a raid for liquor on June 18 in Dimapur. In fact, police said, the government teacher tried to escape under cover of darkness and was caught and then even while being detained, he tried again to escape.

The police issued a strong statement on Saturday implying that the local media should have demonstrated journalistic professionalism by taking into account both sides of the story.

“It was only when the party was about to move out from the location with seized consignments and detained persons that, he announced that the premise belonged to his uncle and protested being taken to the police station,” the police said in the clarification.

The police did not deny that some physical injury was caused to the person during the fracas that followed the raid for liquor and the resultant chase after the persons which included the teacher. The police assured that the circumstances would be delved into and responsibility will be ‘fixed’.

The authorities also rubbished the allegations that a child and a women were assaulted and that the police personnel were drunken at all. “Allegations of assault upon a child and a woman is fabricated. Also, that the police personnel were under the influence of liquor is completely false. The entire exercise was done within half an hour and the allegations that people were detained in the spot for hours is unfounded. It is a fact that seven persons were taken to the police station for further enquiry after being found near the truck. Five of them were released provisionally including Mr. Samuel Sumi, while two of them have been officially arrested,” the police said.

Investigation is still under progress and more arrests will be made, the police said. 45 cases of liquor were found in the truck. The vehicle had the registration number (NL05G-0388), it stated.

Giving the accounts, the police said that on the night of June 18, citizens had complained that a truck parked in Model village of 5th Mile was being loaded with liquor. Accordingly, mobile police units rushed to the location and found that the truck was being loaded into with cases of liquor by a group of men.

“On seeing the police, few of them tried to escape in the cover of darkness but were chased and caught by the cordon team. Amongst those detained was Mr. Samuel Sumi, a government teacher residing near the premise. He tried to escape again while being detained but was caught. It was only when the party was about to move out from the location with seized consignments and detained persons that, he announced that the premise belonged to his uncle and protested being taken to the police station,” the authorities clarified.

The Dimapur police do not deny that in the melee physical injury was caused to the teacher and excesses are regretted. “Circumstances and resultant actions undertaken by the police personnel is being enquired into and responsibilities will be fixed,” the clarification stated.

To the local newspapers and media, the police had this word of appeal: “While appreciating the role of the media in bringing out issues and causes to the public domain, Dimapur Police would like to appeal that for such matters having ramifications upon the image of a department, confirmation and clarifications may be sought before it is published so that equal opportunity is provided to highlight the other side of the story and the reports thus published are balanced”.

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Four killed in motor accident in Dimapur

Dimapur’s roads have claimed four more lives. Four persons have been killed in a tragic accident that took place around 2:00 AM on June 20 at the Purana Bazaar stretch of the highway.  

According to police authorities, the vehicle, an unregistered Renault Lodgy, was proceeding to the town. It is “suspected to have lost control and rolled several times before it crashed on a building under construction,” the police said on Saturday, June 20.

The deceased were identified as Filoka Chishi, a resident of Thahekhu village; Katiwala Kichu of Chungtia and a resident of Aokong; Holoto Sumi of Sataka and a resident of Thahekhu, and Vito Awomi, a resident of Thahekhu.

“Three male occupants were thrown out of the vehicle whereby one of them died on the spot and the other two seriously injured. One female occupant seated on the back also died on the spot. The two injured persons later succumbed to their injuries from the hospital,” the police said.

Investigation to ascertain the cause of accident is said to be in progress.

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Angami church rejects “international yoga” as saffron agenda

Another Naga tribal church in Nagaland has rejected the so-called ‘international yoga day’, an event minorities perceive to be nothing more than a cultural ruse imposed by nationalist Hindu elements to ‘saffronize’ minorities in India.

The Angami Baptist Church Council issued a statement on Friday, June 19, expressing deep resentment that another attempt at ‘invading’ the minorities’ ways of life and faith was being made.   

The Nagaland Baptist Church Council has also already expressed displeasure at Nagaland Governor PB Acharya’s call for wide participation on “international day of yoga” scheduled on June 21, 2015, Sunday. Even more interestingly, yet again a Hindu program is being imposed on a day Christian hold as sacred.

Caution to the people

“The Angami Baptist Church Council wants to caution all its members in particular and the people of Nagaland in general not to be misled by the secular presentation of yoga. This press release cannot do justice on the discussion of ‘yoga’ but suffice for the purpose if one agrees with its ultimate goal as union of the individual consciousness or soul with the Universal Consciousness,” V. Atsi Dolie, executive director of the ABCC said.

“The practice of yoga in various forms and exercises,” the church leader stated, “is a vehicle to attain that union. While yoga seeks to unite or join with Universal Consciousness by meditation and emptying of the mind, the Bible teaches us not to empty the mind but ‘renew the mind daily”.

“Emptying for what and whom? This is a risky business because there are eager spirits seeking to fill the minds. Again, yoga seeks peace and tranquility by disciplining the body, mind and soul,” the press release stated.

The church leader explained: But the quality of peace that Jesus Christ gives as a result of knowing him personally does not just stay in good times alone but also prevails in the hardest of time, on gallows, and in the midst of loudest disturbances. There is also a world of difference on the concept of “union.” While Hinduism tends to think of a union in the likes of a drop of water merging with the bucket of water in which one’s identity is untraceable, Christians definitely believe in individual identifiable identity in Heaven.  For reasons such as these, yoga cannot be merely regarded as a twisting of the body, breathing exercises or exclusively physical in nature. 

Advani’s ‘prophesy’ about crushing civil liberty

The Angami church leader expressed concern at the turn of events since the saffron brigade came to power this year where churches and Christians have been attacked with no resolute response from the Hindu-nationalist-led government.

The ABCC acknowledged that there may be benefits from the art of yoga. However, the institution termed it as “very unfortunate” that the government machineries were forcing it on schools, colleges, universities, student organizations, trade unions, and the public.

'The BJP patriarch LK Advani may be referring to different issues when he said ‘forces that can crush democracy are stronger,’ but perhaps there may be something prophetic in it. Of late, the Christians too are feeling both the subtle and outrageous invasions of a force in vandalizing churches and Christian schools, complete indifferent to Christian sacred days, and the recent imposition of the International Day of Yoga on a Sunday,’ the ABCC stated in caution. 

The community church organization has reminded all concerned citizens that June 21, 2015 was a special Sunday –Fathers’ Day.

“I trust that everyone will give one’s priority to corporate worship of God the Father in churches, give due respect to your earthly fathers for who they are to you, and meaningfully celebrate Fathers’ Day,” the press release added. 

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Illegal Taxation & Extortion in Nagaland: We are finally famous

Nagaland is finally famous. Famous for the wrong reasons again. 

Go to Google Search and type in ‘Illegal taxation and extortion’.

No, don't mention even the name of our state. or any other location. Just type in 'illegal taxation and extortion. 

Now, view the results.

Out of literally 10, 80,000 pages containing the two English terms from across the world’s 195 sovereign countries, the first-rank entry, on the first-rank search page that the American web technology giant shows will be, yes, a page from inimitable Nagaland.

In fact, even countries with the highest extortion offences such as Mexico and other Latin American countries do not even figure in the Google first-page list.  

Meaning: ‘illegal taxation’ and ‘extortion’ in Nagaland must be now cancerous enough that even a global technology giant such as Google Inc. would connect the two English words ‘illegal taxation’ and ‘extortion’ directly to Nagaland. It is too much of a coincidence.  

On Thursday, June 18, One of the most affected commercial services in Nagaland, transport and carriers, have decided to work toward what they said curbing “illegal taxation” in the state.

Commercial transporters and owners have declared in a joint statement that they will work to “discourage” and ‘curb” any unauthorized “tax” and any form of monetary levy by “various organizations and unions”.

Popularly so-called “Illegal taxation”, it is a euphemistic term used locally in the state to mean any monetary solicitation that is unauthorized either by local government statutes or state legislation. In the context of Nagaland “illegal taxation” often involves threat or perceived threat particularly when it comes to the armed Naga underground organizations. 

The Dimapur District Truck Drivers’ Welfare Trade Union (DDTDWTU) and the Dimapur Truck Owners’ Association (DTOA) issued a joint statement on Thursday, June 18.

Quite interestingly, on this day in 2013, the entire commercial town of Dimapur was shut down in protest against the so-called “taxes” by myriad civilian and underground groups. Amid still-continuing tepidity of the state governments, a popular mass-based organization, Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT), had risen to the occasion to fight extortion and corruption in whatever way it could.

In the absence of government action even after years of public outcry, the growing outrage of the public against the so-called “Christian” state’s most dilapidating disease is slowly being translated into activism at the individual and private community levels.  The recent decision of the Dimapur District Truck Drivers’ Welfare Trade Union is one such engagement reflecting the domino-effect. 

“The Dimapur District Truck Drivers’ Welfare Trade Union and Dimapur Truck Owners’ Association have signed a memorandum of understanding between the two parties and have formed a co-ordination committee to curb unauthorized and illegal taxation from truckers,” the two trade organizations said in the statement.

“According to the memorandum of understanding which was signed by chairmen and executives of DDTDWTU and DTOA stated that the two organizations are indispensible and should have better understanding and co-ordination between two parties”.

The coordination committee comprises representatives of the DDTDWTU and the DTOA. The committee will “make effort to discourage and curb collection of unauthorized toll tax or any form of collections from the members of both the parties, which the memorandum of understanding said is being practiced unabatedly by various associations and unions”.

The decision of the truckers to act against the so-called “taxation” follows a recent order of the district administration of Dimapur: A few days ago, the district’s administration banned all calls for monetary assistance–forced or requested– in the district.

The ban covered “any form of taxes membership fees, subscriptions, contributions, donations, charges, levy, toll or any other form of collection of money by setting up of counters on state highways, national highways or market places except those expressly authorized…”

Officiating Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Elizabeth Ngully had stated in the order that violators of the directive would be sternly prosecuted.

The order stated: “it is hereby directed to all concerned that in the interest of the general public" any union/association/non-governmental organizations or any other private or community organization by whatever name shall not be allowed to collect any form of taxes membership fees, subscriptions, contributions, donations, charges, levy, toll or any other form of collection of money by setting up of counters on state highways, national highways or market places except those expressly authorized by the government issued by the concerned secretary of the department”.

“Any person, organization, union, association or NGOs found collecting such money shall be prosecuted under relevant sections of the law,” the order stated. The order comes into immediate effect,” the order had stated.

This image was used as a publicity front by the United Nations’ Development Program for a contest to design a theme and logo for the 2013 Anti-Corruption Day in February, 2013. Corruption and its brothers, extortion and unlawful taxes, continue to be a bane for third-world countries such as India. And the most affected are nascent, underdeveloped tribal communities such as Nagaland.    

Still waiting for the government

On this day, June 18, in 2013, the normally noisy commercial town of Nagaland looked like a ghost town when business establishments across the economic capital closed shutters in one of the biggest show of protests against extortion and “illegal taxation” in the state. The protest was called by the ACAUT under the aegis of the Naga Council of Dimapur.

During that time, leaders of the ACAUT had said that the protest was a small beginning of ‘things to come unless concerned organizations and authorities’ recognize the disease plaguing the Naga population and demonstrate accountability and political will to the trust the people put in them when they were elected.

The ACAUT has demanded mechanisms in place to curb the unabated “taxation”, particularly the multiple “taxations” by the underground organizations. This field was a prerogative of the state government to check, the public leadership had reminded. It was during that time that the slogan ‘one tax, one government’ came to the fore.

The ACAUT had declared that there should be only one “tax” payable to any one underground group.

Community leaderships: No ‘tax’ collections on UG’s behest

The commercial transport union’ move to curb the disease also follows another expression from the burdened community, this time the local community leaderships. The resentment against the so-called “tax” being levied by the myriad armed underground groups in the state led to the June 16 declaration of village councils to decide against collecting “tax” for them. 

Various major local authorities of village councils in Dimapur issued a statement on the 16^th of this month declaring that the village councils would no longer collect “tax” for the underground organizations and had even warned of own course of action.

Community councils of Kushiabill, Darogajan, Bamunpukhuri-I and Bamunpukhuri-II and Zani village in Dimapur met in a joint council consultations on June 15 in the town. The meeting was conducted in the premises of Bamunpukhuri-I Village Council.

The declaration stated: “The house thoroughly deliberate on the directive of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur Vide his letter No. CON/L&O/2000 dated 19th May' 2015 and after prolong deliberation the house unanimously resolved not to collect any kind of tax on behalf of the Naga political groups within its jurisdiction,” the council leaders of the villages and areas stated in a joint statement issued to the media this week.

“The house also resolved that any kind of tax(s) collection will not be allowed within the jurisdiction of the joint council”, the communities stated.

“The house further resolved that any illegal activities found doing, within its jurisdiction by any N.P .G. or any individual/group, the joint council will take its own course of against them,” the statement had added.

Again, just a week prior to the village councils’ resolution, the Nagaland Government Registered Class-I Contractors’ Union (NGRC-I CU) had announced that none of its members would pay any form of “taxation” at “check gates and on any highways as per the government standing order.”

“While such a statement, in any other place, would have invited the question as to why the contractors were paying such taxes in the first place, the situation here in is Nagaland completely different. By design as well as by default, government orders in Nagaland are mostly lip-service exercises” (Eastern Mirror, June 6).

The contractors had reiterated their support to the ACAUT’s beacon of “one tax, one government” slogan raised by thousands that attended public rallies in Dimapur and Kohima on October 31 in 2013 and October 31 in 2014, in that order.

The meeting also resolved to support the ACAUT movement and extended “sincere appreciation for their selfless commitment in the fight against corruption and unabated taxation.”

Meanwhile, the common Naga continues to suffer. 

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Phek’s industrial centre found in not-so-industrial condition

So-named ‘Industrial Training Institute’, this institution in Phek was allegedly found in a not-so-industrial condition when local student leaders sneaked in and examined the center following various complaints about irregular heads of institutions and staff members, shirking from syllabus, shortage of tools, and lack of instructors, and even unpaid stipends to trainees. 

The problem, students have alleged, is that profound that the students of Phek’s Industrial Training Institute are said to be buying saw blades for practice, and the ‘absence’ of instructors have led to a situation where students have nothing to do even if they attended ‘classes’.

Members of the Phek Town Chakhesang Students' Union (PTCSU) and Chakhesang Students' Union (CSU) informed that the two groups “conducted a surprise checking” of Industrial Training institute in Phek town on June 12.

The students’ organizations issued a press release on Wednesday informing of their findings.

The two groups had received reports about “irregularities of the vice principal and staffs at Industrial Training Institute”, the press release stated. The irregular staffers and head of the institution were causing ‘great hardships to the students in covering their syllabus (i.e., both practical and theory) of their semester courses,’ the organization stated.

The PTCSU and CSU said it was “appalling” that the authorities of the institutions were not sincere and were not even checking the attendance of the institution’s staffers.

The students’ leaders interacted with the students and trainees of the training institute during which various points of concerns and issues were raised. The press release has noted the following grievances and problems that that PTCSU and CSU said demands redress at the earliest. 

The problems as the two students’ organizations listed in the press release:

• ·   Shortage of tools and materials
• ·   Students/trainees are compelled to buy hacksaw blades and other materials for practice
• ·   Stipends for 2013 trainees batch ‘are not yet release till date’
• ·   Motor mechanic trainees are without instructors after their first semester course examination due to absence of instructor
• ·   Trainees have nothing to do even if they are regular in attending the classes “which compromises their valuable time, money and energy”
• ·   Some trainees are complaining that they will not appear their second and third semester examination as their syllabus “where not taken till date”
• ·   Official attendance record shows only 16 employees i.e., both teaching and non-teaching staff members in ITI of Phek

Stating their findings, the students organizations from Phek have asked the higher authorities to take stringent action against the head of institution and irregular employees.

Likewise, action should be taken against the instructors “who neglects to perform their duties also without sparing a thought for the students’ career as well as future,” the press release stated.

“If the concerned department authorities fails to redress the grievances of the student trainees at the earliest, the students union will be compelled to pursue its own course of action against the concerned authority to reserved its educational rights and interest of the students,” the PTCSU stated.

The press release was appended by Kudukhoto Tetseo, president of the PTCSU.

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Naga Hospital has it; be treated there, not outside, says Kohima board

One of the most prominent hospitals in the state, the Naga Hospital of Kohima, has ‘sophisticated equipments and facilities’ and citizens should avail the services the healthcare centre offers, ‘instead of going out for medical treatments’, the development board of Kohima district insists.

The contention was one of the main points of discussion during a recent meeting of the district’s development board. The board felt that information should be spread to the public for them to avail the facilities ‘instead of spending money outside the state’.

The monthly meeting of the Kohima District Planning and Development Board for the month of June was conducted on the 15th in the Kohima town. Vice Chairman of the board, Rovilatuo Mor, presided over the meeting. Minister for Forest & Wildlife, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire and local legislator Neiphrezo Keditsu were also present in the meeting.

Medical superintendent of the Naga Hospital Authority of Kohima, Dr. Neikhrielie Khimiao gave an outline of the activities of the healthcare institution.

Giving his input, Minister Dr. Kire acknowledged the hospital’s work. However, he suggested that small operation cases ought not to be referred out. The reason, is the minister said, the hospital has good equipment and facilities and with experienced doctors.

The medical superintendent has assured to discuss the matter and ‘try to do it in whatever capacity’.

Vice chairman Rovilatuo Mor added to the discussions saying that sophisticated equipments and facilities are available in the hospital and felt that the board members should spread information to the public to avail the facilities ‘instead of spending money outside the state’.

Also, members of the Adoption Committee for the yearly board action calendar gave their reports about the activities that were taken up during the adopt-a-village / colonies program. The vice chairman has requested the adoption committee to expedite its activities within the stipulated time given to them.

The members also discussed matters associated with schools. The board discussed grant-in-aid for St. Peter’s School in Kohima, Holy Family School in Kohima, and for Nagaland Police Central School in new reserve Phesama. They also discussed opening a new school called a ‘police public school’ of the 10th NAP (IR) in Zhadima. The board has recommended the matters to the authority for further necessary action.

The board has also recommended to the Nagaland Board of School Education to open an examination centre in Tseminyu, under Kohima, for classes-XI and class XII.  The same matter was also recommended by the development board of Tseminyu.

In other matters, district offices have been asked to submit a list of their activities. This is to improve coordination between departments that undertake similar works. The members of the board have also been requested to contribute an ‘inspiring slogan on cleanliness’ for the capital town.

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Councils declare: No ‘tax’ collections for undergrounds

The resentment against the so-called “tax” being levied by the myriad armed underground groups in Nagaland has begun to grow more noticeable by the day.

Various major local authorities of village councils in Dimapur have issued a statement declaring that the village councils shall no longer collect “tax” for the underground organizations and has warned of own course of action.

Community councils of Kushiabill, Darogajan, Bamunpukhuri-I and Bamunpukhuri-II and Zani village in Dimapur met in a joint council consultations on June 15. The meeting was conducted in the premises of Bamunpukhuri-I Village Council.

“The house thoroughly deliberate on the directive of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur Vide his letter No. CON/L&O/2000 dated 19th May' 2015 and after prolong deliberation the house unanimously resolved not to collect any kind of tax on behalf of the Naga political groups within its jurisdiction,” the council leaders of the villages and areas stated in a joint statement issued to the media this week.

“The house also resolved that any kind of tax(s) collection will not be allowed within the jurisdiction of the joint council”, the communities stated.

“The house further resolved that any illegal activities found doing, within its jurisdiction by any N.P.G. or any individual/group, the joint council will take its own course of against them,” the statement added.

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Mokokchung public advised against Rambo dresses!

Apparel that are of, or similar, to military combat garbs are always a dangerous fashion choice in highly volatile insurgent-ravaged regions such as the north eastern regions. Now that military operations and counter-insurgency measures are on in the region, district administrations are advising the public not to wear combat or camouflage dresses.

The deputy commissioner of Mokokchung, Sushil Kumar Patil, has directed the members of the public of the district to ‘abstain from wearing camouflage dresses’ (pants, tee-shirts, shorts, jacket etc.) with immediate effect. The directed is necessitated by the prevailing volatile situation in the state, the administration said.

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IRB patrol accused of extorting from local taxi driver

• Allegedly demands Rs.5, 000; driver manages only Rs. 800

• Shocked youth group say locals feel betrayed by IRB

A youth organization from Wokha town has alleged extortion by personnel of the Nagaland Armed Police (Indian Reserve) from a taxi driver on June 11 in Tseminyu town, under Kohima district. The regional taxi was reported to be returning to Wokha town from Kohima.

Prominent Wokha-based youth organization, Team Metamorphosis, alleged that a soldier of the IR personnel on patrol demanded Rs. 5000 from the taxi driver. However, only Rs. 800 could be exacted from the driver as he had none, the youth group said.

Team Metamorphosis issued a statement on Saturday, June 13. President of the organization, Thungdemo Kyong – also advisor to the Lotha Youth Hoho –appended the statement.

The organization implied that the local population of Wokha had been feeling secure that soldiers from the local tribes–and the state’s own police force–were ensuring peace amid tensions since violence began with the NSCN-K abrogating the ceasefire with the Indian government. 

Saying that the Incident was betrayal of the trust the locals have for IR personnel, the organization said that the extortion has left the local population distrusting the IRB now.

The statement offered accounts about the alleged incident: “On the 11th of June, things were going normal, in spite of the tensions growing due to the abrogation of the cease fire truce by our brothers and sisters, the NSCN (K). Every Naga engaged with her/her own trade was in its usual track.

“A Naga brother who recently got into a taxi service driving his own Sumo taxi, which was purchased through a loan given by the SBI Wokha branch, was coming back from Kohima to Wokha. He was happy to notice Naga IR patrols along NH-2 at Tseminyu town at around 7 25 pm carrying out routine checks giving a sense of security to the weary travelers, as came his turn to be checked, an IR personnel noticed that all his documents were perfect except for the pollution certificate which already got expired.

To his surprise the man in uniform demanded Rs. 5000 on the reason of the expired pollution certificate but when he wanted to negotiate the amount (as he got just few passengers on board through whom he had earned just enough to be able to refill fuel to return home) besides why that huge amount has to be levied upon him, he was told ‘you better avoid quarreling (Jhakara koribole na besaribi)’, he was forced to pay the remaining amount of rupees eight hundred which he had saved after refilling the fuel”.

According to the press release, “It was not only him that got the shock of his life but also the passengers who witnessed the horrible scene”. Every Naga thinks that the IR soldiers are the only people who can “literally straighten the untamed generation who have no sense of human ethics whether at home or outside”.

Sadly though, Team Metamorphosis stated, the situation brings up questions about how much the local people can trust “our Naga IR jawans whom we’ve always looked upon”.

“We understand that in a family we’ve people with different characters so also will be in the IR family. But the fact is that they are not ordinary people, they’re always looked upon by the common Naga men and women, dream of many young Nagas to one day become one so that he/she may be able to render good service to the people, trained and commissioned to give security to the people and no to rob or extort the people,” the organization said.

Team Metamorphosis implied that this was not the first time “we’ve heard and also seen instances” when Naga IR soldiers have misused the power vested on them.

“Whether the jawans at that situation were entrusted to impose fine (of that degree as mentioned) or to confiscate every single penny for not possessing valid documents and award disciplinary action to the unlawful/ erring personnel/s as the jawan’s action there was nothing short of extortion,” the statement said.

“But till date I acknowledge the yeomen service rendered by the Naga IR jawans in spite of rain or sunshine, calm or storm, hunger or thirst, night or day and I still believe that for keeping the situation under control Naga IR jawans are the best (No wonder West Bengal, Jharkand etc always ask for Naga IR’s assistance),” the press release added.

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