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01/16/2011: "We want united Nagaland’ – Dr. Shurhozelie morungexpress"

We want united Nagaland’ – Dr. Shurhozelie morungexpress

Kiphire, January 14 (MExN): The 63rd conference of the United Sangtam Student Conference under the theme ‘analyzing educational itinerary’ commenced today in Kiphire with Minister Urban Development & Higher Education Dr. Shurhozelie as chief guest.
Dr. Shürhozelie said he has ‘no comment’ on the demand of the Eastern Naga People’s Organization (ENPO) for a separate state ‘because it is a matter between ENPO and the central government.’ ENPO is not demanding state from the Nagaland government but from the central government, he said. Expressing shock on the demand of “frontier Nagaland” the minister, however said ‘we don’t want Nagaland to be disintegrated’. Likewise, in spite of developmental thrusts and grants, if there is no development, everyone, including the ENPO is to be blamed. Stating the sincerity of his government towards the eastern regions on the development front the minister said ‘Since DAN government came to power, from 2003 to 2008, Under special grant 355 crore 55 lakh and under DoNER 132 crore 32 Lakh and 706 rupee has also been sanctioned to four ENPO district, beside usual grant of 20 crore annually, so ENPO leaders blaming the DAN government for not doing anything is not proper’.
He reminded strongly: ‘In spite of many special grants if there is no development including ENPO leaders are answerable to the people’. The senior NPF minister said that ‘building a house takes time but the same can be destroyed in a few minutes time’: Apparently referring to the repercussions and difficulties the demand involves in, he said: “We should find the site, collect material and then find the builders to build a house.”
The minister said Nagas talk much about ‘identity’ but not how to act to preserve it. “It is high time for all tribes to work for the development and preservation of our respective languages and rich cultural heritage if we really want to survive in the community of nations,” he said. He stated that civil society organizations have been working very hard to bring about unity of the Naga people.
Dr. Shurhozelie reminded the people that unity is strength and with it the people can march forward. He urged the Sangtam community that is high time for advance tribes like the Sangtam to remove the backward tag. ‘You are advanced among the backward tribes so act as a big brother amongst the six tribes’, he told the community. He also called upon the students’ present to work harder to remove the tag of ‘backwardness’ as it affects the attitude and personality of an individual.
Dr. Shurhozelie also broached Naga history. “We are free people each village is self-governed so no one should distract or own it in isolation. Nagas desire to live as one the government adopted the motto ‘unity is strength’ so that we live as one”.
Touching on Naga political solution the minister said, ‘His government is sincere, active and playing the role of facilitator to see that the desire of the Nagas are fulfilled at the earliest’.
Security forces Vs Security Forces morungexpress
Dimapur | January 15 : It was mayhem mid-afternoon in Dimapur, along the MST Road on Saturday. A mob of emotionally charged people gheraoed the Assam Rifles Transit Camp stationed along the stretch also known as Anwar Hussain Road. The scene was not the result of highhanded behaviour of the security personnel over some helpless public; rather it was sparked by a scuffle between some IRB ‘jawans’ on security patrol and a pair of Assam Rifles’ personnel of the 32 AR, out in civvies.
AR personnel in civvies clash with IR ‘jawans’ on duty
The standoff reportedly started around 1:00 pm near the busy Deluxe Point when a section of the 13th (NAP) IR was on routine patrol. The turn of events, pieced together from the word-of-mouth accounts of the public and some of the IR ‘jawans’ goes something like this: Two AR personnel in civilian clothing, reportedly in an inebriated state, caught into a scuffle with some of the IR ‘jawans’. It was said to be near the Deluxe point intersection.
It reportedly erupted over the two AR personnel showing disregard to the IR ‘jawans’ on duty. In the ensuing physical contact, the AR duo unfortunately received some beatings, while one of them managed to escape, going straight to the adjacent AR Transit Camp and brought alongwith him reinforcement, in the form of his other company colleagues.
The reinforced AR personnel had the IR ‘jawans’ outnumbered and then reportedly manhandled the latter. Some public nearby who tried to intervene also received a few thrashings. Thereafter, the AR personnel said to have numbering around 40-50 ran to the safe confines of the Transit Camp nearby. During the melee, the magazine from the service rifle of one of the IR ‘jawans’ was also snatched by the AR personnel.
In no time, an enraged mob gathered at the entrance to the Transit Camp demanding retribution over the public show of outrage by the off duty AR personnel. Fortunately senior officers of the Dimapur police as well as from the Transit Camp took stock of the situation. The IR ‘jawans’, no doubt enraged over the episode, yet were compelled to control the angry mob in the aftermath.
The face-off at the entrance lasted well over two hours, with the mob demanding that the AR personnel, responsible for the incident, be handed over to them. With the senior uniformed officers not relenting to their demand, gradually, the mob trickled off, fuming nevertheless.
The two AR personnel were finally handed over to the police by the AR authorities by evening as well as the snatched magazine with 15 rounds. An FIR was also lodged against the duo at the East Police Station, which was withdrawn following tendering of unconditional apology by their superiors. The matter was said to be amicably settled following a tripartite meeting between the Superintendent of Police, Dimapur, a senior officer of the 32 AR and the adjutant of the 13th (NAP) IR.
The SP later briefing the media said that disciplinary action will be initiated against the two AR personnel by the concerned unit. The duo reportedly admitted to their unwanted behaviour and extended apology to the 13th IR unit. Meanwhile, he thanked the IR ‘jawans’ for exhibiting excellent discipline and restraint today, preventing the situation from going gout of control. The SP added that the senior AR authority admitted to their personnel’s actions and expressed apology on behalf of their unit. He also thanked the senior officers of the AR for professionally handling the situation.
NSCN/GPRN denies agreement with KNO morungexpress
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 14 (MExN): The NSCN/GPRN has denied there has been any memorandum of understanding between them and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) over territories in the present state of Manipur.
“At no point of time there was a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the NSCN and KNO demarcating areas,” stated an MIP release from the organisation. They were reacting to news reports that appeared in a section of newspapers and websites from the states of Nagaland and Manipur stating that a ‘Kuki state’ would be carved out while certain Naga areas would remain within ‘Greater Nagalim’.
“It is a blatant lie and concocted piece of information published by some mischievous persons to bluff and confuse the public,” the release stated. The NSCN/GPRN has condemned “such acts of hypocrisies” and disowned the news report.
Incidentally, the NSCN/GPRN had over the years pointed out that the term ‘Greater’ has been coined not by them but by the Indian media or the India’s Ministry of Home Affairs.
Govt told to clean up oil mess morungexpress
Dimapur, (MExN): The about 16-years of unabated waste of crude petroleum spilling on to farming lands in Nagaland’s Champang oil fields has reared its ugly head again to haunt the Nagaland government. Owners of oil-bearing lands of the Champang oil belt today demanded response from the government why the state’s Cabinet committee on oil is not allowing the Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) to “take up the oil spillage issue.”
The Champang Land Owners’ Union directed its doubts at the Nagaland Cabinet’s sub-committee for Oil exploration. In a statement from the union, the Convener was named as the one who cancelled a proposed joint inspection with the ONGCL, of the oil sites.
The union expressed deep concern at the oil spillage which has been continuing for more than two decades now. The union said that the government on September 22, 2010 directed the ONGC to take safety measures and the corporation also responded in affirmative. “Both the state government and the ONGCL formed separate teams for joint inspection of the oil sites for an assessment on how to tackle the issue,” the union’s leaders said. The date for the inspection was set for January 11 and the 12th, the union said.
However, the convener of the committee cancelled the proposed joint inspection on grounds that cleaning up the spilled oil “involves huge expenditure.” “He stated that since huge expenditure is involved only the company getting license for oil extraction will be allowed to clean up the mess,” an unhappy CLOU stated.
The union queried the government why the Cabinet sub-committee ‘is not disallowing it’ when the ONGC itself is willing to take up the matter. “If catastrophic incidents take place who will be responsible? Finalizing modalities is not the end of the process for resumption of oil activities, but the beginning of the process. Should the oil spillage be allowed to continue that long?” the union asked the government.
The union also demanded to know from the government why it directed the ONGC to address the issue but the same was not communicated to the Cabinet sub-committee.
‘Correcting the past mistakes done should precede resumption activities at Champang. Therefore, the oil spillage issue should be addressed at any cost without further delay,” the union stated in demand.
In November 2010, the government had stated that the Champang oil owners have decided to sink prolonged difference and had resolved to ‘abide by whatever decision the stat government takes’ related to resuming oil production activities. The about 16-17 years of oil spill in the aftermath of the ONGCL’s now-halted oil extraction activities has been a constant thorn in the side of the Champang people. The ONGC was forced to give up oil production activities following strong resistance from Naga organizations. In 2007, Canadian engineering firm Canoro resources Limited announced resumption of oil production in Champang, only to stop. The village’s is today one huge combustible ground that has not only ravage the environment but also endangering the lives of the people.
MLA rues homeland demands Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 15, 2011: Attempt to fragment the territory of Manipur to create political boundary like Nagalim or Kukiland is not a good sign and such attempts would only flare up communal tension, MLA RK Anand of MPP has stated.

Along with reviewing the developmental works taken up in Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Assembly Constituency, a discussion session on other developmental works to be taken up was facilitated at the Kwakeithel Akham Leikai residence of MLA Anand today.

Attended by representatives, advisors, social workers and sympathisers from all the 32 polling stations of the Constituency, progress report of the developmental works that have been implemented successfully as well as those to be taken up in future were also presented to the people at the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, MLA RK Anand observed that while there is apprehension over communal tension in the North Eastern region as a fallout of faulty policies of the Government of Government of India, attempt to fragment the territory of Manipur and create different community based political boundaries like Nagalim, Kukiland, etc is really unfortunate.

With some sections of the people trying to create political boundaries based on communities and the UGs in valley area of Manipur opposing to any attempt on disintegrating the existing territorial boundary, there is the need for all the communities to sit together without any precondition to talk and understand each other, MLA Anand pointed out.

He went on to say that even though he is representing MPP, various issues of the State including threat on the territorial boundary have been taken up for discussion and resolution on the floor of the Assembly.

The MLA said that when a candidate who is opposed to the territorial integrity of Manipur was proposed in the election of Rajya Sabha member, he alone had not given the vote while rest of the 59 MLAs in the 60-member House voted in favour of the said candidate.

''I had not given the vote in consideration of the aspiration of the people of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Assembly Constituency'', he added.

For setting up a political forum of the North Eastern States, a joint meeting of all the communities leaders is essential.

All the sitting MLAs and those who aspire to become MLAs should understand this fact, the MLA further added.

In connection with developmental works to be taken up, MLA Anand informed that setting up of a water supply scheme under NLCPR in the Constituency has been approved.

Once this scheme is taken up, problem of water scarcity being faced by the people would be solved.

Along with dredging the Waishel Maril drainage system, efforts are also being made for construction of a mini-barrage for irrigational purpose, the MLA informed the gathering.
Nagas wield the axe at Assam's Geleki forest TNN, IST
JORHAT: In an apparent encroachment bid, more than 40 armed Nagas razed several trees to ground in vulnerable areas of the Geleki reserve forest earlier this week.

The group reportedly cut down a large number of trees in the forest's Singibeel, Mugapara, Borhola and Charaisagia areas near the Assam Police Battalion camp in the Nazira subdivision of Sivasagar district. They also destroyed some tea garden areas along the Assam-Nagaland boundary and occupied forest lands.

The attack on the forest comes at a time when the Centre is trying to solve the inter-state border disputes of Assam with neghbouring Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

"We have got information that a group of Naga encroachers have occupied a vast area in the Geleki Reserve Forest by cutting down trees this week. They have also been trying to occupy tea gardens located along the border areas," said a Sivasagar forest official.

Divisional forest officer (Sivasagar) Ranjan Kumar Das added, "Forest officials conduct regular patrolling along the border and many encroachment attempts of Nagas have been foiled regularly."

All Assam Small Tea Growers' Association president Cheniram Khanikar said, "The Naga encroachers have been trying to occupy the tea garden areas located along the border by threatening small tea growers there."

He added that more than 1,200 small tea growers are currently engaged in Charaipung, Geleki and Amguri all border areas in the district that they have been bearing the brunt of extortion, and abductions by Naga encroachers for the last few years.

"We have sent a memorandum to Assam chief secretary, urging him to take steps for protection of small tree growers residing along the border areas. But we are yet to see any action so far," he added.

A senior forest officer of the district said, "According to official records, the Geleki reserve forest covers 6,000 hectares. The Naga encroachers have already occupied more than 4,000 hectares by various means."

"Encroachment in Geleki started in 1972 and continued for the last four decades. Recently, the state revenue and forest departments started a survey in the reserve forest," he added.

A two-member mediation team constituted by the Supreme Court visited the disputed areas along the Assam-Nagaland boundary in Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat districts and took stock of the situation in these places on November 17. On August 20, the apex court had directed to resolve the decades-old issue through mediation and a division bench of the court ordered constitution of a panel comprising the two mediators.

On September 9, Assam home commissioner Jishnu Boruah visited the trouble-torn border areas in Sivasagar district. Boruah visited Namtola, Avoyapur, Charaideu, Bihubar and Geleki reserve forest and submitted reports to the government.

Christian Ethics R. C. Chiten Jamir Morung
Although because we are human, doubts, misgivings and dismay, may assail on us, yet if we follow the Biblical way of life, we shall overcome the Christian way of life.
The whole Bible is the most reliable character or road-map of Christian life. Outside of this there is no Christian life and its way.
When a subject such as this is studied or considered, one must feel that all men are sinners before God. All men stumble along the road of life. We get up and go again on the right road.
To come to the specific issues relating to Christian ethics or conduct, we may be in a better position to appreciate the issues of Christian life, if we set aside a certain goal of life. Shall we call it, the Christian? What is a Christian goal like? Shall we say that the Christian goal is to serve the Lord Jesus and his people? Can we, while trying to maintain this goal, maintain a solid ethical way of life? To get ahead in that Goal of ethical life, do we have to compromise our ideas and beliefs?
We as Christians ought to carefully distinguish between right and wrong compromises. At no point of time we should compromise principles of our faith which is obviously wrong. There may be a compromise which is a necessary adjustment to the world in which we live and work which may not be wrong.
A pertinent question of appendage arises whether it is wrong to be ambitious for a Christian? The world over the desire to get to the top as one of the deepest drives of men. It is an essential part of human nature and equipment. It is true that one of the most desperate needs of the Nagas today is dependable, solid and morally strong leadership at the top of the state, the church and the society.
The Nagas need leaders who are ambitious to rise to the top with their dint of talents and character. A leader who is yielded to the control of God in his life.
“….to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey- his servants ye are who ye obey…whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness.” Rom 6:16
The ethical norm for Nagaland is the Christian norm-Nagaland being converted by the Nagas as a land for Christ. The Nagas are well aware that our character is the true replica of our conduct.
We can order our conduct to impress others to gain their confidence to achieve an ugly purpose. We can pretend to be what we are not and do great sins. It is rather a question of what we are, not what we do. What we are when we are alone, off guard when no one is looking at us- this character the Christ like life that follows the foot-step of Christ at all times.
A Christian leader is the true replica of Christ who does not seek great things for himself- power, money, wealth, unnatural desire to become big, who tries to become rich over night at the cost of the people- he is not corrupted who loves Christ and His people is truly the type of a leader, the Nagas desperately need. Do we have God fearing, dedicated, solid and reliable Naga leaders in the church, the state and the community? A Christian state, a Nagaland for Christ-ought to have distinguished and excellent leaders of Christian ethics and character.
Yes, we know that a train gets nowhere without power, neither do we without the right ambition. The lack of ambition is seen today among the youth who have not set an ambition to be in life. Strong ambition may make greater sinners or great saints, lack of it makes nothing. All self-centered ambition is sinful- Mark 10:35-45. Jesus Christ had clearly pointed out that any endeavour aiming at advancement of self is corruption. The selfishness of Eve at the first instance and Adam at the second that their selfishness to become like God- the tempter said, “You will be like God.” Gen 3:5. That led to the fall of man in sin.
Consecrated ambition is what Jesus had taught his disciples and subsequently to His church. This was reiterated by St. Paul: “For me live is Christ.” I Cor 15:10. Jesus does not suppress ambition, but directs it to the welfare of others and the service of God. What about the Naga leaders? One day, sooner or later, the Lord Jesus will ask you to give a account of your stewardship- Luk 16:2. He will X-Ray you and test your blood- you will be laid in the sun-all will be exposed. Can you face His judgment?
Everyone is looking for a good lubricative job. Less work and handsome salary. You get good job without doing anything for the people you serve- this is a bad job. Christian ethics do drive and initiate utility jobs which are directed to the service of God and to glorify Him.

Dishonesty:
In the scenario of Christian ethics, dishonesty is a real big problem. In Nagaland, as elsewhere, honesty has been marked with Red Ink as declining and degenerating. The gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God- the preaching to the Nagas was like pouring water on the rocks. The love, peace and orderliness that the Gospel of Christ brought to the Nagas short lived. Today, Nagaland is virtually a land of hypocrisy. Nagaland is ravished with hatred, jealousy, conflict, theft, robbery, extortion, killings, corruptions, dishonesty, cheating, discrimination, exploitation and sectarianism, regionalism and tribalism- a victim of isms. In the name of borrowings many people are cheated because the same is never paid back ever. Office stationeries are openly used as private property. Illegal extortions of money from the contractors, etc, are forcibly collected as commissions by the officers and the ministers-Govt. Vehicles are rampantly misused for private purposes. This dishonesty is caused by a greedy, insatiable desire to have more than one’s fair share of good things in life. The Bible equates this greediness and grasping desire with idolatry- Col 3:5. Materialism has become a substitute God for many Nagas. Distortion, exaggeration, misinterpretation have become customary and normal. These offset the Christian ethics. All these are sweet forms of lying, which is a sin God hates most.
The dishonest use of time: Is another non-ethical way of life many Christians are used to. We steal a lot of other’s time. Some of us are consistently late at work and just as consistently early in knocking off. Some waste time by having prolonged lunch, tea lunch, doing private works, gossiping. Many of us go the work place but do very little work. Some remain absent from the place of posting, otherwise remaining in their homes, only reporting for the pay.
The Bible rates integrity and uprightness very high. The man who fears God must be straight, genuine honest and upright. Prophet Amos saw the Lord standing beside a wall with a plumb line in His hand- Amos 7:7, Are we straight?

Politics:
This is like a play ground where the Christians are scrutinized and tested as to exhibit their worthiness. Politics is an activity which is a part of God’s plan for this present life. Christians have a responsibility to take part in politics because it refers to the ordering of the affairs of public life. The Christians are called to serve the community, discharging all the responsibilities of good citizenship for transparent, clean, accountable and good governance of the state. Christian ethics means doing the right thing morally. The Christians ethical witness is one which grows out of love, not out of hope for results. Love your neighbors as yourself is the Lord’s command. That command remains the highest goal of the Christian ethics. Let the Christians rise up in unison to show to the world that we are on earth to live like a colony of brotherhood. The Nagas deserve to live as a people whose God is the Lord Jehovah, a free people from sin, from all its ravishes, to live as a democratic people free from injustice, ignorance, inequality, discrimination, prejudices, exploitations, conflicts and violence- to enjoy tranquility, peace and harmony.
While on earth, the Christians are asked to walk through the narrow way which is the way that leads to life i.e. the Lord Jesus. The Christians must identify the false prophets, the dishonest and hypo critic leaders who are in sheep’s clothing but they are in reality Ravening Wolves. We are to shun them and not follow them. We rather choose the Narrow Way- the Christian Ethical Way- The Way of Christ.
The right thing is always the thing that is right from Christian ethical point of vies. That means the right thing morally is always the right thing religiously, politically, socially and economically. Anything which is morally wrong cannot be politically right. Moral law’s source is God’s bosom which is the harmony of the World. The Christians are the salt of the earth which has the power to preserve the food. They can save their fellowmen from being perished in sin by the ever saving power of the Lord Jesus. God’s will is harmony, men’s will is disharmony. The Christians Ethic is the will of God. Good will and peace on earth is possible only if the Christians live and love each other and love as well as the Lord Jesus does. Christ is the ethics of the Christians. Are we the true replica of Jesus Christ as to overcome the sin and its ramifications?