News Analysis India

Tag: Nagaland

  • Process to repatriate human remains of Nagas from UK museum underway

    By PTI

    KOHIMA: The process to repatriate the human remains of Nagas from a museum in the United Kingdom is underway, with a collective at the helm of the initiative.

    The Pitt Rivers Museum (PRM) in Oxford, which houses 213 human remains of Nagas among other artefacts from across the globe, had in 2020 announced it would remove the human remains and other “insensitive exhibits” from the display.

    Coming to know of it, an Australia-based Naga anthropologist, Dolly Konyak, roped in a fellow Naga social scientist, Dr Arkotong Longkumer, who is based in Edinburgh in Scotland, and approached PRM director Laura Van Broekhoven, who in turn urged Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) to be the facilitator in the repatriation process.

    FNR has been playing an active role in reconciliation among various Naga factions that have been holding peace talks with the Centre. These human remains were taken from Nagaland and other Naga-inhabited areas in the region by the British more than a century ago for an exhibition of the colonised people and the repatriation is part of the “decolonisation” process.

    FNR convenor Wati Aier said the organisation is working as a facilitator in the process, which is in the initial stage.

    Ellen Konyak Jamir, a member of FNR, said the forum, along with Dolly Kikon and Arkatong Longkumer and some other members of the Naga society, formed a Recover, Restore and Decolonise (RRaD) team in 2020 for the repatriation process.

    “We have learnt that the human remains were taken under duress and not given due ritual of burial or treated with dignity. They were taken for infotainment or research purposes which are against our values and belief,” Jamir told PTI.

    “The actual repatriation process has not yet begun but the process has been initiated and it may take some time as it is an international issue. We have a lot of work to do,” she said.

    Jamir said the RRaD team has conducted interviews with scholars, elders and tribal organisations and generated awareness on the issue.

    She said that mixed reactions were received during their interaction with the Naga people.

    “Youths attended morung lectures in Kohima and Dimapur in large numbers. They were very curious. But some elderly people felt that the remains must not be brought back as those will bring back bad memories and the pain associated with it but most of the people wanted the remains to be repatriated,” she said.

    Jamir said more consciousness needs to be created on the issue.

    She said Arkatong Longkumer and Meren Imchen have brought out a graphic novel on the remains titled ‘A Path Home’ to engage with the people.

    “We feel it is an important work…the repatriation of our ancestors’ remains is an important initiative and Naga people must be made aware of the issue,” Jamir said.

    The museum also houses around 6,000 Naga artefacts but the forum is working on the repatriation of only the human remains, which include parts of skulls, fingers and limbs.

    Asked if the remains have been individually identified or if the descendants are known, she said the museum has some names of regions and tribes they belong to but a lot of work remains to be done with the help of anthropologists and researchers. “It is going to be a huge task and will involve a lot of research work,” she said.

    Asked whether any specific time frame has been given by the museum, Jamir replied negatively but said that the museum is “very serious” about repatriation.

    Broekhoven had herself visited Nagaland during the Hornbill festival last year to learn more about Naga culture and engage with various tribes, she added.

    KOHIMA: The process to repatriate the human remains of Nagas from a museum in the United Kingdom is underway, with a collective at the helm of the initiative.

    The Pitt Rivers Museum (PRM) in Oxford, which houses 213 human remains of Nagas among other artefacts from across the globe, had in 2020 announced it would remove the human remains and other “insensitive exhibits” from the display.

    Coming to know of it, an Australia-based Naga anthropologist, Dolly Konyak, roped in a fellow Naga social scientist, Dr Arkotong Longkumer, who is based in Edinburgh in Scotland, and approached PRM director Laura Van Broekhoven, who in turn urged Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) to be the facilitator in the repatriation process.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    FNR has been playing an active role in reconciliation among various Naga factions that have been holding peace talks with the Centre. These human remains were taken from Nagaland and other Naga-inhabited areas in the region by the British more than a century ago for an exhibition of the colonised people and the repatriation is part of the “decolonisation” process.

    FNR convenor Wati Aier said the organisation is working as a facilitator in the process, which is in the initial stage.

    Ellen Konyak Jamir, a member of FNR, said the forum, along with Dolly Kikon and Arkatong Longkumer and some other members of the Naga society, formed a Recover, Restore and Decolonise (RRaD) team in 2020 for the repatriation process.

    “We have learnt that the human remains were taken under duress and not given due ritual of burial or treated with dignity. They were taken for infotainment or research purposes which are against our values and belief,” Jamir told PTI.

    “The actual repatriation process has not yet begun but the process has been initiated and it may take some time as it is an international issue. We have a lot of work to do,” she said.

    Jamir said the RRaD team has conducted interviews with scholars, elders and tribal organisations and generated awareness on the issue.

    She said that mixed reactions were received during their interaction with the Naga people.

    “Youths attended morung lectures in Kohima and Dimapur in large numbers. They were very curious. But some elderly people felt that the remains must not be brought back as those will bring back bad memories and the pain associated with it but most of the people wanted the remains to be repatriated,” she said.

    Jamir said more consciousness needs to be created on the issue.

    She said Arkatong Longkumer and Meren Imchen have brought out a graphic novel on the remains titled ‘A Path Home’ to engage with the people.

    “We feel it is an important work…the repatriation of our ancestors’ remains is an important initiative and Naga people must be made aware of the issue,” Jamir said.

    The museum also houses around 6,000 Naga artefacts but the forum is working on the repatriation of only the human remains, which include parts of skulls, fingers and limbs.

    Asked if the remains have been individually identified or if the descendants are known, she said the museum has some names of regions and tribes they belong to but a lot of work remains to be done with the help of anthropologists and researchers. “It is going to be a huge task and will involve a lot of research work,” she said.

    Asked whether any specific time frame has been given by the museum, Jamir replied negatively but said that the museum is “very serious” about repatriation.

    Broekhoven had herself visited Nagaland during the Hornbill festival last year to learn more about Naga culture and engage with various tribes, she added.

  • Rio to remain Nagaland CM, says Himanta

    Express News Service

    DIMAPUR(NAGALAND): Neiphiu Rio will continue as the Nagaland chief minister if the BJP-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) combine retains power, his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma declared on Monday.

    “We managed to give a stable government in the last five years because of the strong friendship between BJP and NDPP.  This time too, we decided on the 20:40 seat-sharing deal. Neiphiu Rio will be the chief minister again if we retain power. That is the agreement we had,” Sarma told a crowd at a BJP rally in the Wokha district of the state.

    A BJP source said there are no other contenders for the CM’s post but “there was a confusion who will lead the government if BJP-NDPP retains power.” As per their understanding, BJP and NDPP will contest 20 and 40 seats respectively like the last time. Nagaland has altogether 60 seats.

    DIMAPUR(NAGALAND): Neiphiu Rio will continue as the Nagaland chief minister if the BJP-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) combine retains power, his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma declared on Monday.

    “We managed to give a stable government in the last five years because of the strong friendship between BJP and NDPP.  This time too, we decided on the 20:40 seat-sharing deal. Neiphiu Rio will be the chief minister again if we retain power. That is the agreement we had,” Sarma told a crowd at a BJP rally in the Wokha district of the state.

    A BJP source said there are no other contenders for the CM’s post but “there was a confusion who will lead the government if BJP-NDPP retains power.” As per their understanding, BJP and NDPP will contest 20 and 40 seats respectively like the last time. Nagaland has altogether 60 seats.

  • MHA team in Nagaland to study statehood

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI:  With tribal organisations in eastern Nagaland sticking to their guns on the statehood demand, the home ministry sent a three-member team to Nagaland on Friday to study the demand. The team held a meeting with tribal leaders in Tuensang. Several other meetings with various organisations are scheduled on Saturday.

    The senior officials will brief the Centre on the issue after returning to New Delhi. During a recent meeting with the leaders of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised to visit Nagaland in January and talk to them to understand the demand.

    The ENPO is spearheading a “people’s movement” for the creation of the envisaged “Frontier Nagaland” state by carving out the six eastern Nagaland districts of Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Tuensang, Shamator and Noklak.

    GUWAHATI:  With tribal organisations in eastern Nagaland sticking to their guns on the statehood demand, the home ministry sent a three-member team to Nagaland on Friday to study the demand. The team held a meeting with tribal leaders in Tuensang. Several other meetings with various organisations are scheduled on Saturday.

    The senior officials will brief the Centre on the issue after returning to New Delhi. During a recent meeting with the leaders of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised to visit Nagaland in January and talk to them to understand the demand.

    The ENPO is spearheading a “people’s movement” for the creation of the envisaged “Frontier Nagaland” state by carving out the six eastern Nagaland districts of Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Tuensang, Shamator and Noklak.

  • Black flag protest marks one year of Nagaland killings, victims’ kin seek justice

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI:  On the first anniversary of the botched operation by the paramilitary forces of the Indian Army on December 4, 2021, that killed 13 civilians in Nagaland’s Mon district, people staged a black flag protest demanding justice for the families of the victims, on Sunday.

    Tribal organisation Konyak Union (KU) in Mon said the protest was staged in the six districts of Eastern Nagaland – Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, Shamator and Tuensang. “People hoisted black flags outside their houses, public places and the offices of civil society organisations across the Eastern NagalandPeople’s Organisation  (ENPO) areas,” HA Hongnao Konyak, vice president of KU, told this newspaper.

    ENPO, which is the apex tribal body of Eastern Nagaland, had called for the black flag protest on Sunday and Monday. A candlelight vigil was also organised at the Konyak Community Centre in Mon in memory of the victims. In Oting, the villagers remembered the victims at a special programme. “The world may forget but we remember how you were killed by Indian 21 Para special forces on this day. May you all rest in peace!” a poster read.

    Meanwhile, the church and civil society leaders will attend a prayer meeting being organised at the office of the KU on Monday. The KU will build a “Martyrs’ Park” with donations from public in Mon town in memory of the victims. The state government has already provided with land for the purpose.  

    The paramilitary forces of the Indian Army had gunned down six coal miners near Oting village after “mistaking” them for militants last year. Seven other civilians and a para commando were killed soon after when the villagers retaliated. Another villager was killed the next day in Mon town when Assam Rifles opened fire after their camp was attacked by a mob.

    GUWAHATI:  On the first anniversary of the botched operation by the paramilitary forces of the Indian Army on December 4, 2021, that killed 13 civilians in Nagaland’s Mon district, people staged a black flag protest demanding justice for the families of the victims, on Sunday.

    Tribal organisation Konyak Union (KU) in Mon said the protest was staged in the six districts of Eastern Nagaland – Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, Shamator and Tuensang. “People hoisted black flags outside their houses, public places and the offices of civil society organisations across the Eastern Nagaland
    People’s Organisation  (ENPO) areas,” HA Hongnao Konyak, vice president of KU, told this newspaper.

    ENPO, which is the apex tribal body of Eastern Nagaland, had called for the black flag protest on Sunday and Monday. A candlelight vigil was also organised at the Konyak Community Centre in Mon in memory of the victims. In Oting, the villagers remembered the victims at a special programme. “The world may forget but we remember how you were killed by Indian 21 Para special forces on this day. May you all rest in peace!” a poster read.

    Meanwhile, the church and civil society leaders will attend a prayer meeting being organised at the office of the KU on Monday. The KU will build a “Martyrs’ Park” with donations from public in Mon town in memory of the victims. The state government has already provided with land for the purpose.  

    The paramilitary forces of the Indian Army had gunned down six coal miners near Oting village after “mistaking” them for militants last year. Seven other civilians and a para commando were killed soon after when the villagers retaliated. Another villager was killed the next day in Mon town when Assam Rifles opened fire after their camp was attacked by a mob.

  • Nine prisoners escape from jail in Nagaland, search ops underway

    By PTI

    KOHIMA: At least nine inmates of Mon district jail in Nagaland have escaped from prison, and a massive search operation is underway to trace them, police said on Sunday.

    The prisoners include under-trial inmates and murder convicts, a police officer said, adding, they managed to flee in the early hours of Saturday after somehow getting hold of their cell keys.

    A case has been registered at Mon police station and further investigation is underway.

    “Police have started an elaborate search operation, issued a look-out notice and alerted different agencies concerned,” he said.

    The village councils of prisoners have also been asked to contact the police in case there is any information regarding those who escaped from jail, the officer said.

    KOHIMA: At least nine inmates of Mon district jail in Nagaland have escaped from prison, and a massive search operation is underway to trace them, police said on Sunday.

    The prisoners include under-trial inmates and murder convicts, a police officer said, adding, they managed to flee in the early hours of Saturday after somehow getting hold of their cell keys.

    A case has been registered at Mon police station and further investigation is underway.

    “Police have started an elaborate search operation, issued a look-out notice and alerted different agencies concerned,” he said.

    The village councils of prisoners have also been asked to contact the police in case there is any information regarding those who escaped from jail, the officer said.

  • Nagas should support negotiating groups for an early political solution: T R Zeliang

    By PTI

    KOHIMA: Former Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang has urged the Naga people to join hands and support the negotiating groups to bring the Naga Political issue to a logical conclusion at the earliest as this is the finest time for a solution.

    Zeliang, who is currently the chairman of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) said this while addressing a press conference in Chumoukedima on Monday.

    “At present, all the Naga negotiating groups have come together and all 60 MLAs are also together with one voice for the sake of Naga solution. So why not we all join hands and support both the negotiating groups to arrive at a logical conclusion at the earliest instead of pointing fingers at each other with political vendetta for personal vested interest,” said Zeliang.

    Maintaining that the political talks between the Government of India (GoI) and NSCN (IM) are positively progressing, he said “we expect a solution sooner than later, so let us hope that GoI will bring out the common draft so that before inking the accord, it can be brought to the Naga leaders, and all concerned to also see and acknowledge if it is acceptable to us.”

    By any standard, Zeliang said, the negotiation is long enough, and it must have a logical conclusion.

    Some principal issues which are being deliberated upon and yet to arrive at a conclusion, need to be resolved amicably at the earliest, he said.

    Zeliang said that the core committee of the state government on Naga Political Issue was informed that some competency points are transitional towards a final settlement.

    “With such a solution formulation process, we can keep moving forward to reach the final agreement as stated by the Prime Minister,” he said.

    For the last many decades, no Prime Minister or Home Minister has come up in this manner with such a positive attitude to solve the Naga Political issue, he said, while strongly maintaining that this is the finest opportunity for both parties, the GoI and the Nagas to finally resolve the long-protracted Naga Political Issue.

    “If we miss this opportunity, I am doubtful that we will be able to maintain this momentum again in the coming years and also for any Indian leader to revisit this chapter with such vigour and concern to solve the Naga Political Issue,” said Zeliang.

    The Government of India (GoI) has been holding parallel peace parleys with NSCN-IM and the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) comprising at least seven Naga groups.

    The talks with NSCN-IM started in 1997 following the signing of a ceasefire agreement and they inked the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015.

    While the WC NNPGs started separate negotiations in 2017 and signed the Agreed Position in November same year, have expressed their willingness to go ahead with a solution with whatever is possible now and continue discussing the remaining issues post solution.

    KOHIMA: Former Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang has urged the Naga people to join hands and support the negotiating groups to bring the Naga Political issue to a logical conclusion at the earliest as this is the finest time for a solution.

    Zeliang, who is currently the chairman of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) said this while addressing a press conference in Chumoukedima on Monday.

    “At present, all the Naga negotiating groups have come together and all 60 MLAs are also together with one voice for the sake of Naga solution. So why not we all join hands and support both the negotiating groups to arrive at a logical conclusion at the earliest instead of pointing fingers at each other with political vendetta for personal vested interest,” said Zeliang.

    Maintaining that the political talks between the Government of India (GoI) and NSCN (IM) are positively progressing, he said “we expect a solution sooner than later, so let us hope that GoI will bring out the common draft so that before inking the accord, it can be brought to the Naga leaders, and all concerned to also see and acknowledge if it is acceptable to us.”

    By any standard, Zeliang said, the negotiation is long enough, and it must have a logical conclusion.

    Some principal issues which are being deliberated upon and yet to arrive at a conclusion, need to be resolved amicably at the earliest, he said.

    Zeliang said that the core committee of the state government on Naga Political Issue was informed that some competency points are transitional towards a final settlement.

    “With such a solution formulation process, we can keep moving forward to reach the final agreement as stated by the Prime Minister,” he said.

    For the last many decades, no Prime Minister or Home Minister has come up in this manner with such a positive attitude to solve the Naga Political issue, he said, while strongly maintaining that this is the finest opportunity for both parties, the GoI and the Nagas to finally resolve the long-protracted Naga Political Issue.

    “If we miss this opportunity, I am doubtful that we will be able to maintain this momentum again in the coming years and also for any Indian leader to revisit this chapter with such vigour and concern to solve the Naga Political Issue,” said Zeliang.

    The Government of India (GoI) has been holding parallel peace parleys with NSCN-IM and the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) comprising at least seven Naga groups.

    The talks with NSCN-IM started in 1997 following the signing of a ceasefire agreement and they inked the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015.

    While the WC NNPGs started separate negotiations in 2017 and signed the Agreed Position in November same year, have expressed their willingness to go ahead with a solution with whatever is possible now and continue discussing the remaining issues post solution.

  • Centre asks Naga govt to convince NSCN-IM to sign final pact

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: The Centre is understood to have asked the Nagaland government to convince the leadership of the insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) to sign the final agreement for a solution to the protracted “Naga political problem”.

    A delegation of the Core Committee on Naga Political Issue, headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Monday and urged him to expedite the solution to Naga issue but he put the ball in the court of the Naga leaders.

    “According to reports, Amit Shah is said to have asked the state leaders to convince NSCN-IM to sign the final agreement but I think that is not the way,” former Nagaland Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu told this newspaper.

    The NSCN-IM has stuck to its guns on the “non-negotiable” demand of Naga flag and constitution. But the Centre has already rejected it.

    Liezietsu said all points, including the demand of Naga flag and constitution, were discussed when RN Ravi had served as the Nagaland governor.

    “The point is the Government of India cannot go for a piecemeal settlement but it signed two-three different agreements with different groups. I really don’t know how the Government of India will tackle the whole thing,” Liezietsu said.

    He further said that it is the “burden” of the Naga political leaders to bring together all factions first to form a common front. It will then be easy to have dialogues with Government of India, he added.

    The Centre held separate peace talks with the NSCN-IM and seven groups which came together under the banner of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs). The process of talks has already concluded.

    Unlike the NSCN-IM, the groups in the NNPGs are flexible. They say the contentious issues could be pursued post-settlement.

    Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM expressed concern over the manner in which the Centre is trying to resolve the Northeast’s oldest insurgency problem.

    “We are wary of the multi-pronged approach of the Government of India towards resolving the Naga political issue. Sincere approach by what has been agreed together in Framework Agreement will only bring about lasting peace,” W Saya, a senior leader of the group, told this newspaper.

    GUWAHATI: The Centre is understood to have asked the Nagaland government to convince the leadership of the insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) to sign the final agreement for a solution to the protracted “Naga political problem”.

    A delegation of the Core Committee on Naga Political Issue, headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Monday and urged him to expedite the solution to Naga issue but he put the ball in the court of the Naga leaders.

    “According to reports, Amit Shah is said to have asked the state leaders to convince NSCN-IM to sign the final agreement but I think that is not the way,” former Nagaland Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu told this newspaper.

    The NSCN-IM has stuck to its guns on the “non-negotiable” demand of Naga flag and constitution. But the Centre has already rejected it.

    Liezietsu said all points, including the demand of Naga flag and constitution, were discussed when RN Ravi had served as the Nagaland governor.

    “The point is the Government of India cannot go for a piecemeal settlement but it signed two-three different agreements with different groups. I really don’t know how the Government of India will tackle the whole thing,” Liezietsu said.

    He further said that it is the “burden” of the Naga political leaders to bring together all factions first to form a common front. It will then be easy to have dialogues with Government of India, he added.

    The Centre held separate peace talks with the NSCN-IM and seven groups which came together under the banner of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs). The process of talks has already concluded.

    Unlike the NSCN-IM, the groups in the NNPGs are flexible. They say the contentious issues could be pursued post-settlement.

    Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM expressed concern over the manner in which the Centre is trying to resolve the Northeast’s oldest insurgency problem.

    “We are wary of the multi-pronged approach of the Government of India towards resolving the Naga political issue. Sincere approach by what has been agreed together in Framework Agreement will only bring about lasting peace,” W Saya, a senior leader of the group, told this newspaper.

  • Nagas hit Dimapur streets seeking to fulfill their seven-decades-old political demands

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: In the backdrop of calls for the suspension of Assembly elections and the resignation of all 60 MLAs, thousands of the Nagas hit the streets of Nagaland’s commercial hub Dimapur on Friday to seek a speedy settlement of the seven-decade-old “Naga political issue”.

    The Centre’s peace talks with the Naga rebel groups have already concluded but the issue remains unresolved as major extremist group National Socialist Council of Nagalim or NSCN-IM has stuck to its guns on the demand of “Naga flag” and “Naga constitution” which, the outfit said, is “non-negotiable.”

    The Nagas on Friday demonstrated their yearning for a solution by observing a two-hour-long bandh in most parts of the state.

    In a memorandum, the Nagaland People’s Action Committee, which organised a public rally in Dimapur, told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the unending political process had not only adversely affected the lives of people but also taken a huge toll on the entire system of governance.

    “The unresolved political issue has heralded an unimaginable cycle of corruption, crippling public health care, education and infrastructure developments and produced countless scoundrels and thieves. In the name of political issue, threats and intimidations (by the rebels) have stifled the growth of a perceived Naga society which, you assured, would be a vibrant one,” the memorandum to the PM reads.

    “Without a political settlement, we foresee thousands of futureless and highly-qualified angry men and women taking up guns to challenge those stifling their growth and progress,” the committee warned.

    It said when the civil societies and all political parties unequivocally demanded solution before elections in 2018, the BJP had breached the trust of people by filing nominations with the slogan of “election for solution.” It reminded Modi that the promise remained unfulfilled.

    For some time, the political parties in the “Opposition-less” Nagaland have been under intense pressure from the civil societies which are clamouring for settlement, not elections.

    Recently, the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the BJP had signed a seat-sharing agreement much to the chagrin of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), which is a conglomerate of seven insurgent outfits. It slammed the NDPP for showing more interest in the elections than the settlement of the Naga issue.

    Subsequently, an influential anti-corruption body ACAUT (Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation) had dared the MLAs to resign en masse to facilitate the settlement of the Naga issue.

    GUWAHATI: In the backdrop of calls for the suspension of Assembly elections and the resignation of all 60 MLAs, thousands of the Nagas hit the streets of Nagaland’s commercial hub Dimapur on Friday to seek a speedy settlement of the seven-decade-old “Naga political issue”.

    The Centre’s peace talks with the Naga rebel groups have already concluded but the issue remains unresolved as major extremist group National Socialist Council of Nagalim or NSCN-IM has stuck to its guns on the demand of “Naga flag” and “Naga constitution” which, the outfit said, is “non-negotiable.”

    The Nagas on Friday demonstrated their yearning for a solution by observing a two-hour-long bandh in most parts of the state.

    In a memorandum, the Nagaland People’s Action Committee, which organised a public rally in Dimapur, told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the unending political process had not only adversely affected the lives of people but also taken a huge toll on the entire system of governance.

    “The unresolved political issue has heralded an unimaginable cycle of corruption, crippling public health care, education and infrastructure developments and produced countless scoundrels and thieves. In the name of political issue, threats and intimidations (by the rebels) have stifled the growth of a perceived Naga society which, you assured, would be a vibrant one,” the memorandum to the PM reads.

    “Without a political settlement, we foresee thousands of futureless and highly-qualified angry men and women taking up guns to challenge those stifling their growth and progress,” the committee warned.

    It said when the civil societies and all political parties unequivocally demanded solution before elections in 2018, the BJP had breached the trust of people by filing nominations with the slogan of “election for solution.” It reminded Modi that the promise remained unfulfilled.

    For some time, the political parties in the “Opposition-less” Nagaland have been under intense pressure from the civil societies which are clamouring for settlement, not elections.

    Recently, the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the BJP had signed a seat-sharing agreement much to the chagrin of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), which is a conglomerate of seven insurgent outfits. It slammed the NDPP for showing more interest in the elections than the settlement of the Naga issue.

    Subsequently, an influential anti-corruption body ACAUT (Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation) had dared the MLAs to resign en masse to facilitate the settlement of the Naga issue.

  • Air hostess’ gynaecological issue treated by dentist at Gurugram hospital; CBI books doctors

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Dentist for a gynaecological problem! This bizarre incident took place at a private hospital in Gurugram, resulting in the death of an air hostess from Nagaland on June 24 last year, prompting the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to launch an inquiry.

    The CBI, on the directions of the Union Home Ministry, registered a case against doctors — Managing Director of Alfa Health Care Dr Anuj Bisnoi and dentist Anjali Ashk.

    According to the CBI FIR, the two have been booked under Section 304 (death due to negligence) of the Indian Penal Code.

    Samuel Sangma, a relative of deceased Rosy Sangma, had an altercation with doctors and other hospital staff suspecting medical negligence, a Home Ministry statement had said.

    The next day, on June 25, the Delhi Police received information regarding the death of Samuel in the national capital.

    “The gross negligence of the hospital and its doctors is also clear from the fact that the critical patient of vaginal bleeding is being treated by a Dentist who is not at all qualified for the same,” the CBI said in its preliminary inquiry findings.

    This preliminary inquiry showed that Rosy was admitted in the hospital for severe bleeding and pain on June 24, and Ashk was deputed to attend her, while main doctor Bisnoi came four-and-a-half hours later.

    The inquiry showed that even though Bisnoi was informed about Rosy’s serious condition, he gave instructions to Ashk, a dentist with no experience to handle gynaecological issues, to handle the case.

    At 10.45 AM, Bisnoi had asked Rosy’s relatives to bring blood from blood bank as it was an emergency.

    Bisnoi sent a letter to Bijwasan police station SHO informing that the patient, who was in a serious condition, had died.

    In another piece of information later, he told the police about suspected poisoning and foul play as the cause for her death and also claimed that she was not responding to the treatment.

    He said she was being referred to civil hospital for further treatment.

    “The said information is carbon copy but the time 1.30 PM is mentioned in original blue ink,” the CBI said.

    ALSO READ | CBI court convicts man in 17-year-old murder case

    Bisnoi prepared a discharge card of Rosy mentioning the time of admission at 6 AM and that of referral as 12 PM and also mentioned about blood transfusion, serious condition, gasping of patient and her referral to higher centre but actually “did not refer” her to any for further treatment, the CBI alleged.

    The Home Ministry had last year directed the CBI to probe the mysterious deaths of Rosy and her nephew Samuel, both from Nagaland’s Dimapur, on a complaint from MP Agatha Sangma to Home Minister Amit Shah.

    The family of the deceased has alleged that Rosy had died due to the hospital’s negligence.

    It had also alleged that Samuel died due to foul play by the hospital personnel, the home ministry statement had said.

    In her letter to Shah, Agatha Sangma explained that Rosy had complained of a medical condition and was taken to the hospital for treatment, where she passed away.

    The MP also wrote that Samuel had alleged medical negligence by the hospital and had registered a complaint regarding the events leading to his aunt’s death.

    “The next day, Samuel was found hanging in his hotel room and the circumstances leading to his death rose suspicion of foul play, and now, there is an enormous indignation in the public space and call for justice is growing with every passing day,” the letter had said.

    “Prima facie, this appears to be a case of orchestrated homicide, which requires investigation of highest order to unearth the truth leading to the death of two young persons in their prime,” the MP had said.

    The MP from Meghalaya had urged Shah “to initiate necessary investigation at the earliest and book the perpetrators of the crime in consonance with the law of the land and deliver justice” to Rosy and Samuel’s family.

    NEW DELHI: Dentist for a gynaecological problem! This bizarre incident took place at a private hospital in Gurugram, resulting in the death of an air hostess from Nagaland on June 24 last year, prompting the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to launch an inquiry.

    The CBI, on the directions of the Union Home Ministry, registered a case against doctors — Managing Director of Alfa Health Care Dr Anuj Bisnoi and dentist Anjali Ashk.

    According to the CBI FIR, the two have been booked under Section 304 (death due to negligence) of the Indian Penal Code.

    Samuel Sangma, a relative of deceased Rosy Sangma, had an altercation with doctors and other hospital staff suspecting medical negligence, a Home Ministry statement had said.

    The next day, on June 25, the Delhi Police received information regarding the death of Samuel in the national capital.

    “The gross negligence of the hospital and its doctors is also clear from the fact that the critical patient of vaginal bleeding is being treated by a Dentist who is not at all qualified for the same,” the CBI said in its preliminary inquiry findings.

    This preliminary inquiry showed that Rosy was admitted in the hospital for severe bleeding and pain on June 24, and Ashk was deputed to attend her, while main doctor Bisnoi came four-and-a-half hours later.

    The inquiry showed that even though Bisnoi was informed about Rosy’s serious condition, he gave instructions to Ashk, a dentist with no experience to handle gynaecological issues, to handle the case.

    At 10.45 AM, Bisnoi had asked Rosy’s relatives to bring blood from blood bank as it was an emergency.

    Bisnoi sent a letter to Bijwasan police station SHO informing that the patient, who was in a serious condition, had died.

    In another piece of information later, he told the police about suspected poisoning and foul play as the cause for her death and also claimed that she was not responding to the treatment.

    He said she was being referred to civil hospital for further treatment.

    “The said information is carbon copy but the time 1.30 PM is mentioned in original blue ink,” the CBI said.

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    Bisnoi prepared a discharge card of Rosy mentioning the time of admission at 6 AM and that of referral as 12 PM and also mentioned about blood transfusion, serious condition, gasping of patient and her referral to higher centre but actually “did not refer” her to any for further treatment, the CBI alleged.

    The Home Ministry had last year directed the CBI to probe the mysterious deaths of Rosy and her nephew Samuel, both from Nagaland’s Dimapur, on a complaint from MP Agatha Sangma to Home Minister Amit Shah.

    The family of the deceased has alleged that Rosy had died due to the hospital’s negligence.

    It had also alleged that Samuel died due to foul play by the hospital personnel, the home ministry statement had said.

    In her letter to Shah, Agatha Sangma explained that Rosy had complained of a medical condition and was taken to the hospital for treatment, where she passed away.

    The MP also wrote that Samuel had alleged medical negligence by the hospital and had registered a complaint regarding the events leading to his aunt’s death.

    “The next day, Samuel was found hanging in his hotel room and the circumstances leading to his death rose suspicion of foul play, and now, there is an enormous indignation in the public space and call for justice is growing with every passing day,” the letter had said.

    “Prima facie, this appears to be a case of orchestrated homicide, which requires investigation of highest order to unearth the truth leading to the death of two young persons in their prime,” the MP had said.

    The MP from Meghalaya had urged Shah “to initiate necessary investigation at the earliest and book the perpetrators of the crime in consonance with the law of the land and deliver justice” to Rosy and Samuel’s family.

  • Nagaland deputy CM Y Patton loses Roads and Bridges department as H Chuba Chang becomes minister

    By PTI

    KOHIMA: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday took away the Roads and Bridges Department from Deputy CM Yanthungo Patton and reassigned it to NDPP MLA H Chuba Chang. Rio and Chang were ministers in the then SC Jamir-led Congress government from 1998 to 2003.

    Chang got elected uncontested in the by-election to the Noksen assembly seat in Tuensang district in April last year. Rio had appointed Chang as Advisor for Law and Justice, and State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT) on February 9.

    A notification issued by Chief Secretary J Alam said Chang has been relieved as an advisor, and assigned the Roads and Bridges Department, which was held by Patton. Patton, a BJP MLA, is now left with only one department — Home.

    Meanwhile, Rio has reassigned SCERT to MLA KT Sukhalu, who is the advisor for School Education. The development, which is raising speculation about the relation between the NDPP and BJP, comes months ahead of the state elections, due early next year.

    However, neither of the two parties commented on the reshuffle.