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04/16/2009: "Naga Mothers Ass. tells Govt to get Serious morungexpress"

Naga Mothers Ass. tells Govt to get Serious morungexpress

Dimapur, April 15 (MExN): The existing “name-sake” women police cells in Dimapur and Kohima need to be empowered and reinforced with decision-making authority while more women cells need to be opened in all the districts. Making this demand, the Naga Mothers’ Association today reminded the government of Nagaland of the increasing crime of rape and sexual violence against women. The state government is also reminded that “mere existence” of these “name-sake” women cells won’t do at all.
In a statement from its president and joint secretary, the NMA sought from the Government of Nagaland opening women police cell in all the districts in view of rising crimes against women. Besides the NMA said, the two existing “name-sake cells”, one in Dimapur and the other at Kohima, needs to be empowered with decision-making and enforcement authority with any problem relating to women.
“…its mere existence is not enough to protect our women folks,” the mothers’ said. The NMA also urged the government to expedite instating the women police battalion. It should be manned by women Police officers and personnel in all ranks and files cent percent, the NMA said. Mention may be made here that recently the National Commission for Women had taken note of the state government’s appointing a male police officer to the top job of the women IRB, when a lady police officer of the same rank and batch was already there qualified to head the battalion.
Meanwhile, the NMA has expressed strong dismay over the growing menace of rape. It said “our society has become totally insecure for women as is in the recent cases of where two of our innocent daughters were raped and made to suffer humiliations of the worst kinds, which is beyond human tolerance.”
The NMA was referring to recent spurt in sexual crimes in the last two months.
The NMA queried the patriarchs of the Naga society: “And adding more salt to our injuries is the apparent complacency of our tribal hoho leaders and the respected church leaders whose have become silent spectators… Why? Or is it to say that for anything to do with women, women alone should tackle it?” The tribal hohos, “who are our leaders” should do justice in such a situation and take leadership in dispensing stringent measures against perpetrators of such heinous crimes, the NMA said.
Wondering “How can your silence protect us?” the NMA challenged, “for once prove yourself that you are man enough by taking the lead in wiping out such barbaric and devilish works from our society”.
Troublespots may spell trouble for Congress Times of India
A nervous Congress hopes to keep its bastion intact with 10 constituencies in six north-eastern states going to the polls in the first phase of
the Lok Sabha elections on Thursday.

While the party is battling hard against BJP and regional parties in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Manipur, Assam United Democratic Front is likely to give Congress a tough fight by splitting minority votes in Assam.

The 10 seats include three seats in Assam, two each in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya and one each in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram. The rest — 14 seats in Assam, Manipur and Tripura will go to polls in the second phase.

While the peace process plays a key role in Nagaland’s lone seat as well as in Outer Manipur constituency, the issue of development dominates in Arunachal, Mizoram and three south Assam seats. Highlighting the track record of its young candidate Khiren Rijiju in the last Lok Sabha, BJP is trying to convince voters the need to send him back to Parliament this time, too.

In Mizoram, Congress is riding high after its victory over Mizo National Front in the Assembly polls in December last year. Mizo voters are unhappy with the 10-year rule of the MNF government.

In Meghalaya, NCP stalwart P A Sangma is using the imposition of President’s rule in the state as the main plank to counter Congress.

Except for Mizoram’s lone seat, Congress is facing tough challenge in other constituencies. Nagaland People’s Front is likely to defeat the Congress nominee in the lone seat in Nagaland, while NCP is marching ahead of Congress in Tura.

In the two seats in Arunachal, Congress is in a direct fight with BJP. Congress has an edge over the saffron party in the Arunachal East seat. Congress hopes to win the Outer Manipur seat it had lost in the 2004 polls, but the BJP’s emergence in the state has made the party worried. Of the three seats in Assam, Congress is confident of winning the Autonomous District (Diphu) seat, but it’s facing tough fight in Karimganj from AUDF, which is also likely to spoil Congress chance in Silchar.
Tight security in North-East for phase - I elections Sushanta Talukdar The Hindu
Guwahati: Assam and five other north-eastern States will go to the first phase of polling on Thursday amid heightened security measures. Polling will be held in 10 of the region’s 24 seats in the first phase — three in Assam, two each in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh and one each in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram.
In Assam, Chief Electoral Officer Hemanta Narzary flew in a chopper to the trouble-torn North Cacahr Hill district and Karbi Anglong district, which constitute the Autonomous District (ST) constituency in central Assam, to take stock of security measures and poll preparations. The CEO was accompanied by Inspector-General of Police (Law and Order) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta.
A senior official at the CEO’s office said all polling teams had reached their destinations safely and were fully prepared to conduct free and fair elections.
Administrations in both the districts stepped up patrolling to instil confidence among voters. Additional forces have been rushed to the two districts for area domination against the two militant outfits — Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel Gorlossa faction) and the Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) — which were active and indulging in violence.
In all, 27,40,728 voters will decide the fate of 37 candidates in the three constituencies in Assam — Silchar, Karimganj (SC) and Autonomous District (ST).
Prominent among those in the fray are Union Minister for Heavy Industries Sontosh Mohan Dev, Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) president and perfume magnate Badruddin Ajmal, the former Union Minister, Kabindra Purakaystaha (BJP); the former Union Minister, Biren Singh Engti; the former Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Jayanta Rongpi (CPI-ML-Liberation).
Special security measures have also been taken to ensure smooth polling in the Outer Manipur constituency of Manipur that will go to the polls in the first phase.
The two Lok Sabha constituencies of Meghalaya — Shillong and Tura — are going to the polls under President’s rule.
Prominent among those in the fray include the youngest member of the 14th Lok Sabha, Agatha Sangma, who is seeking another term from Tura constituency. Ms. Sangma is the daughter of the former Lok Sabha Speaker, Purno A. Sangma.
Ex-MLA files complaint against Charenamei Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 15 2009: Alleging the PDA candidate of Outer Manipur constituency, Mani Charenamei of violating the Model Code of Conduct published by the Election Commission of India, RTI Activist, L Ibomcha, and former Secretary (Law) and Ex-MLA has sought the detention of Mani Charenamei under NSA to the Chief Election Commissioner.

L Ibomcha has wrote to the CEC, N Gopalaswami, Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi referring to news reports in local dailies on April 12 issues based on the statement made by Mani at election rallies at Kasom Khullen, Lambui, Nambashi, Phungyar, public ground of Kamjong in Ukhrul on April 9 and 10 .

The complaint letter of L Ibomcha which was made available to the press alleges Mani Charenamei of making provocative and inflammatory statements on the contemptuous issue of integration of all contagious Naga inhabited areas of Manipur to the state of Nagaland with a view to form a 'Nagalim' on the basis of Naga Community.

The complaint letter contends that Mani Charenamei has attempted to disturb harmony among the different communities in the state and to incite violence in Manipur. L Ibomcha accused Mani of committing offences under Section 123 (3-A) and 125 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951; Section 124-A and 153-A of IPC for sedition and promoting enmity between different groups; Section 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1961 for questioning the territorial integrity or frontiers of India; and Section 3(2) of the National Security Act, for preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of the State Government.

Further, the complaint letter stated that in order to prevent Mani from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order, his detention under Section 3(2) of the NSA, 1980 may be recommended.
NSF units informed for 23rd general conference morungexpress

Hectic preparations are going on at Mopungchuket village, in Mokokchung district, for the 23rd general conference of the Naga Student’s Federation (NSF), to be held from April 27 to April 30, 2009. Seen here are the villagers constructing the entrance gate to the conference hall venue, on April 13. (Morung Photo)

Dimapur, April 15 (MExN): The Mopungchuket Ait Laishir Telongjem (MALT), the local organisers for the 23rd General Conference of the Naga Students Federation (NSF) to be held at Mopungchuket village under the aegis of the Ao Student’s Conference, has requested all federating units and subordinate units of the NSF, “if possible”, to send in details regarding the total number of delegates (both male and female), expected date of arrival and departure, and other necessary information.
Informing this in a press release, MALT’s general secretary, Limalenden Longkumer, has directed the concerned units to send in the required details on or before April 25, to the President, MALT, P.O. Impur – 798615, or email at mopungchuket@gmail.com.

Boycott I: Mani shunned OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


Mani Charenamei
Imphal, April 15: The Thoubal District Development and Demand Council, an organisation formed by voters of eight Assembly constituencies today announced that it would boycott Mani Charenamei, who is seeking re-election from Outer Manipur constituency.
The president of the council, Sougrakpam Roben, said the council decided to boycott Charenamei, who is contesting on a Peoples Democratic Alliance ticket, for advocating Naga unification in his election campaign. The announcement came on the eve of tomorrow’s polling in the constituency.
Seven Assembly constituencies in Thoubal district — Heirok, Wangjing Tentha, Hiyanglam, Khangabok, Wabagai, Kakching and Sugunu and Imphal East’s Jiribam — are included in Outer. The majority of the voters in these constituencies are Meiteis.
As the constituency is reserved for Scheduled Tribes, other tribals under the banner of the council have fighting for the right to contest elections in the Outer.
The council is also demanding the creation of one more Lok Sabha seat out of the eight constituencies, which has a total of 207,888 voters. Charenamei is openly campaign for the unification of all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas and he promised voters that he would continue to fight for Naga unification if re-elected.
By promising Naga integration, Charenamei has been targeting Naga voters, who are a majority in this constituency. However, a boycott may not have much impact as Charenamei could garner only 2,224 votes in the last election. But he is likely to get the support of the Scheduled Tribe voters in the eight Assembly constituencies, particularly the Nagas.
The council did not support any particular candidate but its president appealed to the voters to vote for candidates who could fight any design to break Manipur’s territorial integrity.
“Mani openly said he was elected by the Nagas, so he would work for the Nagas in Parliament. This is very unfortunate because he is not representing only the Nagas but various communities living in his constituency,” Roben said.
Nine candidates are in the fray in this constituency. The others are Thangso Baite (Congress), M. Yamkhongam (RJD), Thangkhangin Ngaite (Lok Jana Shakti Party), Rose Mangshi Haokip (Independent), Lamlalmoi Gangte (Independent) L.B. Sona (NCP), D. Loli Adanee (BJP) and Valley Rose Hungyo (Independent).
Rio re-assures free & fair conduct of poll Correspondent Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, (NPN):
State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio Tuesday reassured the smooth and free and fair conduct of the parliamentary election and bye-election to the four assembly constituencies.
“We assure the people of the state that the polling process will not be allowed to be deviated by undemocratic forces or elements which try to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the state,” Rio said and appealed the electorate to come forward and exercise their franchise without any fear or apprehension.
He was addressing a joint press conference with NPF party president and Urban Development Minister, Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu at the closing hour of the last day of election campaign at NPF party central office here today.
He said the state machineries were all geared up for a free and fair conduct of the parliamentary election and bye-election to the four assembly seats under peaceful environment. The administration, police and the election department have been working tirelessly to ensure that the democratic process is upheld and democracy is strengthened, he stated.
Meanwhile, Rio also took a dig at the opposition Congress for making a public appeal to the underground groups to “help the Congress party on the polling day.”
Rio termed the appeal as nothing but one that undermined the national workers and a gesture that explained the Congress party’s approach to the Naga political issue. He said the appeal spoke volumes of the Congress party’s position and stand which also justified the fact that the party has lost all semblance of public support for which it was now appealing the underground groups.
He also reiterated that the Naga political issue remained at the top of its agenda and that it would continue to play the role of active facilitator.
Rio also said that both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha MPs if elected would continue to pursue with the government of India to expedite the peace process and speed up the ongoing negotiation.
He described the Congress party’s claim that they only could bring solution to the Naga political issue as “false promise.”
He wondered what the Congress was doing in their 45 years of rule in the country all by itself and another 5 years of coalition rule.
“If they could not bring solution in 50 years, who will trust them that they will bring solution if given another chance?” he asked. Reiterating his statement on the Congress candidate Asungba Sangtam’s assurance to be a “good facilitator”, Rio pointed out that the latter was MP for two consecutive terms but that he could not do anything for the Naga issue. “He could not do or say anything for the Nagas during the period and today he is claiming that he can be a good facilitator. It is just another eye wash which will not convince the people,” Rio added. The chief minister also reiterated that the NPF was a recognized and registered party and that it would do justice to the state. He rubbished the claim made by the opposition Congress that its MP, even if elected would remain unattached in the parliament not getting sufficient time to participate in the debate and discussion. Rio also furnished the lists of the recognized party during the last 14th Lok Sabha where the NPF was listed at serial number 33 and termed the Congress’ claims as “totally false and misleading.”
He said NPF would be given sufficient time to participate in every discussion and debate in the parliament and that the party would also be invited to every meeting of the Chief Whips and All-party meetings. “Moreover, our MP will be at the liberty to freely express the feelings and desires of the Naga people,” Rio added.