Top Leaders of 3 Naga Groups Meet, Vow to Reconcile

Kohima, Sep 19 : Top leaders of three Naga underground organizations have met for the first time and vowed to work towards ending hostilities among themselves and consolidating understanding.

NSCN(I-M) general secretary Th Muivah, NSCN(K) general secretary N Kitovi Zhimomi and NNC/FGN president S Singnya held a meeting organized by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) at Dimapur on Saturday.

"We commit to cessation of all forms of hostilities, including any territorial expansion (supremacy of one group over other in geographical term), and for this the joint working group (of three factions) will meet from time to time," the three leaders said in a joint declaration.

The joint declaration was made honoring the spirit of "Covenant of Naga Reconciliation" signed at Chiang Mai in Thailand in June last year by the three groups.

The "Covenant of Reconciliation" was only signed by the top underground leaders at the initiative of the FNR but they never met face-to-face.

The FNR, comprising representatives of Churches, NGOs and civil society groups, has been insisting on the top level meeting for consolidating peace and reconciliation process.

"In the spirit of love and respect with each other facilitated by the FNR, we are reconciled based on the historical and political rights of the Nagas; and henceforth, we commit to working out our differences as outlined in the Covenant of Re-conciliation," the declaration said.

The leaders "emphasized the need for Naga reconciliation and to end all forms of violence and bloodshed amongst the Nagas, an FNR statement said, adding "this historic meeting" was the beginning of a new phase in the reconciliation initiatives.

Since the FNR initiated the peace and reconciliation move among the warring Naga underground groups, Nagaland witnessed substantial reduction in violence for past two years.

Read full history - Top Leaders of 3 Naga Groups Meet, Vow to Reconcile

Nagaland to Confer Honorary Naga Citizenship to Hamid Ansari

Kohima, Sep 17 : Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari will be conferred honorary Naga citizenship when he arrives here at Kisama on Sunday to inaugurate the World Bamboo Day.

The choice to confer the honorary citizenship upon Dr Ansari was adopted by the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, about 12 Kms east of capital Kohima, Nagaland Chief Minster Neiphiu Rio announced this to local media recently. He also informed that Dr Ansari will accompanied by wife Salma Ansari.

Dr Ansari, accompanied by Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar and Mr Rio, will also visit Tuensang on September 19th where he will be honoured by a civic reception.

The Vice President will also visit Tuensang village as he wanted to visit some interior villages to acquaint himself about the Naga village life.

Read full history - Nagaland to Confer Honorary Naga Citizenship to Hamid Ansari

Nagaland to Confer Honorary Naga Citizenship to Hamid Ansari

Kohima, Sep 17 : Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari will be conferred honorary Naga citizenship when he arrives here at Kisama on Sunday to inaugurate the World Bamboo Day.

The choice to confer the honorary citizenship upon Dr Ansari was adopted by the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, about 12 Kms east of capital Kohima, Nagaland Chief Minster Neiphiu Rio announced this to local media recently. He also informed that Dr Ansari will accompanied by wife Salma Ansari.

Dr Ansari, accompanied by Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar and Mr Rio, will also visit Tuensang on September 19th where he will be honoured by a civic reception.

The Vice President will also visit Tuensang village as he wanted to visit some interior villages to acquaint himself about the Naga village life.

Read full history - Nagaland to Confer Honorary Naga Citizenship to Hamid Ansari

Naga Mahila Policemen Leave For CWG in Delhi

Kohima, Sep 13 : The personnel of the 15th Nagaland Armed Police (Mahila Battalion of Indian Reserve Battalion) have left for New Delhi to provide security during the upcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi from October 3.

According to official sources here today, altogether six Companies of the 15th Mahila IRB, led by their Deputy Commandant Asenla, left Dimapur by train for New Delhi yesterday.

This will be the first exposure tour for the girls after raising this Mahila Indian Reserve Battalion a few months back.

All the girls are well trained to perform their duties. They will be back only after conclusion of the CWG, sources said.
An Indian security personnel's from the Naga Mahila. 15 Indian Reserve battalion (IRB) patrol during their first field duty after their training in the street of Dimapur, India's north eastern state of Nagaland.

Read full history - Naga Mahila Policemen Leave For CWG in Delhi

Naga Mahila Policemen Leave For CWG in Delhi

Kohima, Sep 13 : The personnel of the 15th Nagaland Armed Police (Mahila Battalion of Indian Reserve Battalion) have left for New Delhi to provide security during the upcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi from October 3.

According to official sources here today, altogether six Companies of the 15th Mahila IRB, led by their Deputy Commandant Asenla, left Dimapur by train for New Delhi yesterday.

This will be the first exposure tour for the girls after raising this Mahila Indian Reserve Battalion a few months back.

All the girls are well trained to perform their duties. They will be back only after conclusion of the CWG, sources said.
An Indian security personnel's from the Naga Mahila. 15 Indian Reserve battalion (IRB) patrol during their first field duty after their training in the street of Dimapur, India's north eastern state of Nagaland.

Read full history - Naga Mahila Policemen Leave For CWG in Delhi

Groundwater Development in Nagaland Emerging

Kohima, Sept 12 : The Department of Geology & Mining organised an awareness programme on Artificial Recharge to Groundwater through Rainwater Harvesting in Dimapur recently. GC Saha, Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) MOWR, Government of India, NER, Guwahati was the chief guest at the inaugural function.  

E Kikon, Additional Director, department of Geology and Mining, in his keynote address said that the development of groundwater in Nagaland is fast emerging owing to the pressing demand for water in all sectors. He, however, added that the availability of groundwater is restricted to geo-structures in hilly terrains due to low retention and storage capacity. Kikon said while there is a substantial amount of surface water during monsoon, it is never utilised nor infiltrated into the ground as most of the water is drained away as run-off.

He underscored the need to supplement equal amount of groundwater withdrawn from underground reservoirs through artificial means or man made techniques from the surplus rain water and avoid excessive development. He said that the stage of groundwater development in the State is 3 per cent which is negligible as groundwater development in the State is not uniform so as to be contented with the current percentage.

Kikon added that in and around Dimapur, major requirement of water resources is met from groundwater but due to urbanization, the avenue for natural infiltration to groundwater has been reduced which is evident by drying up of ring wells and shallow bore wells in some areas resulting in scarcity of water.

GC Saha in his address said that, though there is scope for further development in Nagaland, urged the department to take into account cases of over-exploitation that have occurred in many areas in the country. He urged the department to avoid over exploitation in a particular area.  He said that in some districts in the country the stage of development is so high that it has resulted in harmful effects. He said that in such areas water level is declining and quality of water is deteriorating.

Saha also underscored the role of the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) which was declared a permanent body of the Government of India in 2000. He said that with the Nagaland government’s recent declaration of the Geology & Mining as the nodal department, the department is headed in the right direction. He said the department must work in close coordination with other related departments for proper implementation of projects and tackle water shortage problems in the state.

He said that in States like Nagaland, the Deputy Commissioner has been declared the Nodal Officer and that state would also need to regulate the ground water extraction with the help of judiciary to safeguard the random extraction by individual. He informed that CGWB Secretariat has now chalked out a strategy to issue notifications- to check over-exploitation of existing wells and for regulation under which declared or notified areas would be demarcated where no organization/ individual can extract water unless permitted by the board. He suggested that the government open an office as a branch of the CGWB in the state to oversee projects and related matters. He also urged the schemes should be community based.

Director Geology and Mining, HK Chishi in his welcome address said that the department is organizing the seminar to impart technical input to the officers from various departments for effective and result oriented implementation of artificial recharge to ground water based on scientific methods.  

Later a technical session was held in which P Kalita, Scientists- D, CGWA, R Kelio, Executive Engineer, Dr S Singh, CGWA Scientist attended as resource persons.

Read full history - Groundwater Development in Nagaland Emerging

Groundwater Development in Nagaland Emerging

Kohima, Sept 12 : The Department of Geology & Mining organised an awareness programme on Artificial Recharge to Groundwater through Rainwater Harvesting in Dimapur recently. GC Saha, Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) MOWR, Government of India, NER, Guwahati was the chief guest at the inaugural function.  

E Kikon, Additional Director, department of Geology and Mining, in his keynote address said that the development of groundwater in Nagaland is fast emerging owing to the pressing demand for water in all sectors. He, however, added that the availability of groundwater is restricted to geo-structures in hilly terrains due to low retention and storage capacity. Kikon said while there is a substantial amount of surface water during monsoon, it is never utilised nor infiltrated into the ground as most of the water is drained away as run-off.

He underscored the need to supplement equal amount of groundwater withdrawn from underground reservoirs through artificial means or man made techniques from the surplus rain water and avoid excessive development. He said that the stage of groundwater development in the State is 3 per cent which is negligible as groundwater development in the State is not uniform so as to be contented with the current percentage.

Kikon added that in and around Dimapur, major requirement of water resources is met from groundwater but due to urbanization, the avenue for natural infiltration to groundwater has been reduced which is evident by drying up of ring wells and shallow bore wells in some areas resulting in scarcity of water.

GC Saha in his address said that, though there is scope for further development in Nagaland, urged the department to take into account cases of over-exploitation that have occurred in many areas in the country. He urged the department to avoid over exploitation in a particular area.  He said that in some districts in the country the stage of development is so high that it has resulted in harmful effects. He said that in such areas water level is declining and quality of water is deteriorating.

Saha also underscored the role of the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) which was declared a permanent body of the Government of India in 2000. He said that with the Nagaland government’s recent declaration of the Geology & Mining as the nodal department, the department is headed in the right direction. He said the department must work in close coordination with other related departments for proper implementation of projects and tackle water shortage problems in the state.

He said that in States like Nagaland, the Deputy Commissioner has been declared the Nodal Officer and that state would also need to regulate the ground water extraction with the help of judiciary to safeguard the random extraction by individual. He informed that CGWB Secretariat has now chalked out a strategy to issue notifications- to check over-exploitation of existing wells and for regulation under which declared or notified areas would be demarcated where no organization/ individual can extract water unless permitted by the board. He suggested that the government open an office as a branch of the CGWB in the state to oversee projects and related matters. He also urged the schemes should be community based.

Director Geology and Mining, HK Chishi in his welcome address said that the department is organizing the seminar to impart technical input to the officers from various departments for effective and result oriented implementation of artificial recharge to ground water based on scientific methods.  

Later a technical session was held in which P Kalita, Scientists- D, CGWA, R Kelio, Executive Engineer, Dr S Singh, CGWA Scientist attended as resource persons.

Read full history - Groundwater Development in Nagaland Emerging

Nagaland Inks MoU For Metro Cable in Kohima

Kohima, Sep 10 : Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland, is all set to have a Metro Cable transport system for the people.

The Metro Cable is considered to be the best alternative transport system for the commuters and visitors of the city and accordingly the Nagaland government has signed an MoU to set up Metro Cable system.

Official sources today said the deal to set up the Metro Cable system was signed through a tripartite MoU among the Transport Department of the state government, Leading Edge Adventures and Airparks Private Limited (LEA&A) and Rangarsons Resources in presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport P Dako Phom and Chief Secretary Lalthara yesterday.

Mr Lalthar said Metro Cable was successfully set up in some South American and Middle East countries.

Funds for the project would be provided by the Centre or foreign funding agencies through the efforts of Rangarsons Resources, which would be working as an advisor for the project.

The Cable system would be set up jointly by the North East Infraprojects Private Limited, New Delhi, the sources said.

Read full history - Nagaland Inks MoU For Metro Cable in Kohima

Nagaland Inks MoU For Metro Cable in Kohima

Kohima, Sep 10 : Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland, is all set to have a Metro Cable transport system for the people.

The Metro Cable is considered to be the best alternative transport system for the commuters and visitors of the city and accordingly the Nagaland government has signed an MoU to set up Metro Cable system.

Official sources today said the deal to set up the Metro Cable system was signed through a tripartite MoU among the Transport Department of the state government, Leading Edge Adventures and Airparks Private Limited (LEA&A) and Rangarsons Resources in presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport P Dako Phom and Chief Secretary Lalthara yesterday.

Mr Lalthar said Metro Cable was successfully set up in some South American and Middle East countries.

Funds for the project would be provided by the Centre or foreign funding agencies through the efforts of Rangarsons Resources, which would be working as an advisor for the project.

The Cable system would be set up jointly by the North East Infraprojects Private Limited, New Delhi, the sources said.

Read full history - Nagaland Inks MoU For Metro Cable in Kohima

1,000 New HIV Cases in Nagaland

Dimapur, Sep 8 : The HIV/AIDS prevalence scenario in Nagaland continues to remain alarming with the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) detecting over 1,000 HIV positive cases in the first quarter of this year.

With this, the cumulative figure of HIV positive cases in Nagaland have touched over 10,000 since 1999. There have been 505 recorded AIDS related deaths and 1,898 are currently on ART treatment.

Interacting with this reporter, NSACS Project Director Dr Neiphi Kire termed the figures as alarming. While the State’s overall percentage has come down drastically, the situation in the commercial district of Dimapur refuses to stabilise, he further stated.

Dimapur alone accounts for least 150 new cases every month, a trend since 2009, a clearly worried Dr Kire said.

Emphasising on the need to bring about a paradigm shift in tackling the problem in the commercial hub, the reason that the State continues to record high statistics, Dr Kire informed that the department was organising a two-day integrated HIV programme for the district on September 19 and 20. NACO Director General is expected to participate in the programme along with other stakeholders including student organisations, NGOs and civil society leaders, he said.

The doctor also did not rule out the possibilities of the HIV positive figures further shooting up, stating that the department suspects at least 19,000 possible positive cases of which some 9,000 are yet to be reached.

The NSACS head also expressed concern over the growing figures in Kiphire district which, he said, has seen a sharp increase posting 23 positive cases in the first quarter of 2010 out of the 685 tested.

The Department has already earmarked and agreed on establishing one ART centre in Pungro sector. However, as per guidelines, the department has to await final clearance from NACO which will follow after the feasibility report.

The completion of the feasibility report by officials from the centre of excellence as per NACO guidelines is being awaited, the PD informed.

On stepping up measures to reach advocacy programmes to all sections of the society, especially the rural areas, Dr Kire said that the department has adopted a strategic change by engaging Inter-Personal-Communication (IPC) system.

“We engage women organisations of the respective tribes who reach out to the community members and villages. The department has already covered Kohima, Phek while others are underway,” he informed.

He was also of the opinion that the IPC format has been showing results with many women organisations now coming forward to work hand in hand with the department.

On high risk groups, the migrant population has been found to be the most sensitive, it was learnt. Realising the imperative need to map them, the NACO had reportedly carried out an exercise by engaging Sharon Agency.

The mapping, however, limited migrant population to an insignificant 2,000 to 3,000 in Dimapur when the actual number could be anywhere near 15,000 to a lot more, the NSACS Director regretted.

Read full history - 1,000 New HIV Cases in Nagaland

1,000 New HIV Cases in Nagaland

Dimapur, Sep 8 : The HIV/AIDS prevalence scenario in Nagaland continues to remain alarming with the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) detecting over 1,000 HIV positive cases in the first quarter of this year.

With this, the cumulative figure of HIV positive cases in Nagaland have touched over 10,000 since 1999. There have been 505 recorded AIDS related deaths and 1,898 are currently on ART treatment.

Interacting with this reporter, NSACS Project Director Dr Neiphi Kire termed the figures as alarming. While the State’s overall percentage has come down drastically, the situation in the commercial district of Dimapur refuses to stabilise, he further stated.

Dimapur alone accounts for least 150 new cases every month, a trend since 2009, a clearly worried Dr Kire said.

Emphasising on the need to bring about a paradigm shift in tackling the problem in the commercial hub, the reason that the State continues to record high statistics, Dr Kire informed that the department was organising a two-day integrated HIV programme for the district on September 19 and 20. NACO Director General is expected to participate in the programme along with other stakeholders including student organisations, NGOs and civil society leaders, he said.

The doctor also did not rule out the possibilities of the HIV positive figures further shooting up, stating that the department suspects at least 19,000 possible positive cases of which some 9,000 are yet to be reached.

The NSACS head also expressed concern over the growing figures in Kiphire district which, he said, has seen a sharp increase posting 23 positive cases in the first quarter of 2010 out of the 685 tested.

The Department has already earmarked and agreed on establishing one ART centre in Pungro sector. However, as per guidelines, the department has to await final clearance from NACO which will follow after the feasibility report.

The completion of the feasibility report by officials from the centre of excellence as per NACO guidelines is being awaited, the PD informed.

On stepping up measures to reach advocacy programmes to all sections of the society, especially the rural areas, Dr Kire said that the department has adopted a strategic change by engaging Inter-Personal-Communication (IPC) system.

“We engage women organisations of the respective tribes who reach out to the community members and villages. The department has already covered Kohima, Phek while others are underway,” he informed.

He was also of the opinion that the IPC format has been showing results with many women organisations now coming forward to work hand in hand with the department.

On high risk groups, the migrant population has been found to be the most sensitive, it was learnt. Realising the imperative need to map them, the NACO had reportedly carried out an exercise by engaging Sharon Agency.

The mapping, however, limited migrant population to an insignificant 2,000 to 3,000 in Dimapur when the actual number could be anywhere near 15,000 to a lot more, the NSACS Director regretted.

Read full history - 1,000 New HIV Cases in Nagaland

Rodents Destroy Over 40% Paddy Cultivation in Mokokchung

Kohima, Sep 7 : Over 40 per cent of the paddy crop has been totally damaged in various parts of Mokokchung district and many other areas of the state due to the rodent menace following bamboo flowering.

According to official sources over 40 per cent of Jhum paddy cultivation in the terrace fields on the hill slopes were fully eaten up by swarms of rats and mice.

The pests seem to have developed resistance to the rat killer poison provided by the Nagaland Government Agriculture Department.

Five major ranges in the Mokokchung district namely Tzurangkong, Japukong, Changikong, Ongpangkong and Asetkong are the ones severely affected by the rodents. Maximum losses have been reported from almost all the villages under Mangkolemba sub-division.

In Mopungchuket village in the district, with the bamboo flowering clumps in its area, the increasing number of rats have started targeting all types of cultivated crops and the State Agriculture Department is battling to kill the rodents by various means.

The Department is deputing officials and teams throughout the district to study the rodent menace and the areas highly infested by the rodents.

The bamboo flowering and rodent menace was last seen in the district in the year 1961-1962, sources said.

Read full history - Rodents Destroy Over 40% Paddy Cultivation in Mokokchung

Rodents Destroy Over 40% Paddy Cultivation in Mokokchung

Kohima, Sep 7 : Over 40 per cent of the paddy crop has been totally damaged in various parts of Mokokchung district and many other areas of the state due to the rodent menace following bamboo flowering.

According to official sources over 40 per cent of Jhum paddy cultivation in the terrace fields on the hill slopes were fully eaten up by swarms of rats and mice.

The pests seem to have developed resistance to the rat killer poison provided by the Nagaland Government Agriculture Department.

Five major ranges in the Mokokchung district namely Tzurangkong, Japukong, Changikong, Ongpangkong and Asetkong are the ones severely affected by the rodents. Maximum losses have been reported from almost all the villages under Mangkolemba sub-division.

In Mopungchuket village in the district, with the bamboo flowering clumps in its area, the increasing number of rats have started targeting all types of cultivated crops and the State Agriculture Department is battling to kill the rodents by various means.

The Department is deputing officials and teams throughout the district to study the rodent menace and the areas highly infested by the rodents.

The bamboo flowering and rodent menace was last seen in the district in the year 1961-1962, sources said.

Read full history - Rodents Destroy Over 40% Paddy Cultivation in Mokokchung

Indigenous Delicacies of Nagaland Out Of Reach

A customer tries to negotiate the price of bee larva at the super market in Dimapur. (Morung Photo)

Dimapur, Aug 30 : Indigenous delicacies of Nagaland are no more a gourmet treat for most people. Of late, the prices of exotic meat, bee larva, aquatic creatures, domesticated birds etc, have risen beyond the common man’s budget. Most people don’t even want to contemplate buying the tantalizing food anymore.

In Dimapur’s super market, a plate sized hive of bee larva is priced anywhere between ` 600 to ` 1000. The price varies within the market. A wicker holding about ten chunks of banned exotic smoked meat is priced between ` 400 to ` 700.

A pair of local chickens, is sold for not less than ` 500, irrespective of weight; while dry river fishes is priced anywhere between ` 400 to ` 500 depending on the quantity. Silkworms come for a high price of ` 150 to ` 300 per plate.  

The vendors attribute the high cost of indigenous delicacies to ‘scarcity.’ “Moi khan bhi bishi dukh para ani ase (we are bringing it with a lot of difficulty),” most say. The vendors also try to make up for the different kinds of taxes they pay for renting stalls. Most people are now complaining about the high cost of indigenous delicacies.

“We understand it involves hard work…but ` 900 for a handful of bee larva is unreasonable,” a customer said. The vendors are having their way by fixing exorbitant prices on indigenous delicacies.

While it is amply clear such high rates exist in the market, yet there is no mechanism in place to prevent hoarding of any kind. There is no price monitoring system on such items and the prices are soaring every week. Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), which is in-charge of fixing rates for all perishable items in the market, has not formulated the prices of indigenous delicacies owing to several factors. As a result, local vendors continue to fix rates according to their whims and fancies.

DMC Advisory member in-charge of market rate and quality control, Atovi Zhimomi said “It is difficult to fix rates for such items because they are not regular in the market.” Another problem he cited was prices for such food items are hard to determine. “Such products cannot be fixed in terms of kilograms or pieces,” the member said. Furthermore he said price for exotic meat is not fixed by DMC because there is ban on sale of such meat.

Zhimomi added he does not want to discourage local vendors because it takes a lot of hard work to bring the produce in the market. However, DMC would be compelled if it feels the prices are unreasonable, he said. Also taking cue of the complaints received, he assured the DMC would inspect the market and make sure the vendors don’t overprice their products. “Yes…if prices are unreasonable we may be compelled to take action,” Zhimomi said.

Unless a proper mechanism is put in place to check the random pricing of indigenous food in the market, vendors will continue to fix prices on indigenous delicacies unreasonably. . “It is a complete rip-off,” a lady opined.

A lover of silkworms, she stopped buying them due to high price. Prices of all food items- both local and imported- must be regulated by concerned authority to prevent vendors from hoarding.

via The Morung Express

Read full history - Indigenous Delicacies of Nagaland Out Of Reach

Indigenous Delicacies of Nagaland Out Of Reach

A customer tries to negotiate the price of bee larva at the super market in Dimapur. (Morung Photo)

Dimapur, Aug 30 : Indigenous delicacies of Nagaland are no more a gourmet treat for most people. Of late, the prices of exotic meat, bee larva, aquatic creatures, domesticated birds etc, have risen beyond the common man’s budget. Most people don’t even want to contemplate buying the tantalizing food anymore.

In Dimapur’s super market, a plate sized hive of bee larva is priced anywhere between ` 600 to ` 1000. The price varies within the market. A wicker holding about ten chunks of banned exotic smoked meat is priced between ` 400 to ` 700.

A pair of local chickens, is sold for not less than ` 500, irrespective of weight; while dry river fishes is priced anywhere between ` 400 to ` 500 depending on the quantity. Silkworms come for a high price of ` 150 to ` 300 per plate.  

The vendors attribute the high cost of indigenous delicacies to ‘scarcity.’ “Moi khan bhi bishi dukh para ani ase (we are bringing it with a lot of difficulty),” most say. The vendors also try to make up for the different kinds of taxes they pay for renting stalls. Most people are now complaining about the high cost of indigenous delicacies.

“We understand it involves hard work…but ` 900 for a handful of bee larva is unreasonable,” a customer said. The vendors are having their way by fixing exorbitant prices on indigenous delicacies.

While it is amply clear such high rates exist in the market, yet there is no mechanism in place to prevent hoarding of any kind. There is no price monitoring system on such items and the prices are soaring every week. Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), which is in-charge of fixing rates for all perishable items in the market, has not formulated the prices of indigenous delicacies owing to several factors. As a result, local vendors continue to fix rates according to their whims and fancies.

DMC Advisory member in-charge of market rate and quality control, Atovi Zhimomi said “It is difficult to fix rates for such items because they are not regular in the market.” Another problem he cited was prices for such food items are hard to determine. “Such products cannot be fixed in terms of kilograms or pieces,” the member said. Furthermore he said price for exotic meat is not fixed by DMC because there is ban on sale of such meat.

Zhimomi added he does not want to discourage local vendors because it takes a lot of hard work to bring the produce in the market. However, DMC would be compelled if it feels the prices are unreasonable, he said. Also taking cue of the complaints received, he assured the DMC would inspect the market and make sure the vendors don’t overprice their products. “Yes…if prices are unreasonable we may be compelled to take action,” Zhimomi said.

Unless a proper mechanism is put in place to check the random pricing of indigenous food in the market, vendors will continue to fix prices on indigenous delicacies unreasonably. . “It is a complete rip-off,” a lady opined.

A lover of silkworms, she stopped buying them due to high price. Prices of all food items- both local and imported- must be regulated by concerned authority to prevent vendors from hoarding.

via The Morung Express

Read full history - Indigenous Delicacies of Nagaland Out Of Reach

Nagaland Sends 'ill-Equipped' Men to Fight Naxals

Nagaland IRB Jawans boarding train

Kohima, Aug 25 : The Nagaland government is facing flak from the Opposition Congress, which held the Neiphiu Rio-led Nagaland People's Front government responsible for the virtual revolt by IRB jawans demanding better arms and logistic support before their departure for West Bengal to fight the "well-equipped" Maoists.

The 10th IRB of Nagaland has been requisitioned by the Centre to fight Maoists in Bengal's Midnapore and Purulia districts, but a section of jawans staged protest at the police training centre at Chumukedima, near Dimapur, on Saturday alleging they had inadequate logistic support and 'vintage' firearms were provided to them.

In a statement, CLP leader Tokheho Yepthomi asked the state's home minister, Imkong Imchen, to disclose how the huge amount of funds received from the centre for police modernization was utilized by the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government.

He pointed out that the state had received Rs 123 crore in last four years for modernization of the police force, which means that the Centre allotted on an average Rs 30 crore annually to the state government.

He wondered how the state government was sending the 10th IRB jawans without modern weapons, required number of platoon commanders and without a single driver for a vehicle by road to fight the Naxals, which he claimed was "the most organized terror outfit of modern India."

"The situation demanded a thorough probe into how the funds released by the Centre were being utilized in the state," he said.

Senior police officials said the advance party of 'A' and 'F' Companies of the battalion, comprising around 230 personnel led by deputy commander of the force, finally left Dimapur by buses and trucks last Sunday.

The rest of the battalion would leave for Bengal within a day or two, DGP K Kire said.

Read full history - Nagaland Sends 'ill-Equipped' Men to Fight Naxals

Nagaland Sends 'ill-Equipped' Men to Fight Naxals

Nagaland IRB Jawans boarding train

Kohima, Aug 25 : The Nagaland government is facing flak from the Opposition Congress, which held the Neiphiu Rio-led Nagaland People's Front government responsible for the virtual revolt by IRB jawans demanding better arms and logistic support before their departure for West Bengal to fight the "well-equipped" Maoists.

The 10th IRB of Nagaland has been requisitioned by the Centre to fight Maoists in Bengal's Midnapore and Purulia districts, but a section of jawans staged protest at the police training centre at Chumukedima, near Dimapur, on Saturday alleging they had inadequate logistic support and 'vintage' firearms were provided to them.

In a statement, CLP leader Tokheho Yepthomi asked the state's home minister, Imkong Imchen, to disclose how the huge amount of funds received from the centre for police modernization was utilized by the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government.

He pointed out that the state had received Rs 123 crore in last four years for modernization of the police force, which means that the Centre allotted on an average Rs 30 crore annually to the state government.

He wondered how the state government was sending the 10th IRB jawans without modern weapons, required number of platoon commanders and without a single driver for a vehicle by road to fight the Naxals, which he claimed was "the most organized terror outfit of modern India."

"The situation demanded a thorough probe into how the funds released by the Centre were being utilized in the state," he said.

Senior police officials said the advance party of 'A' and 'F' Companies of the battalion, comprising around 230 personnel led by deputy commander of the force, finally left Dimapur by buses and trucks last Sunday.

The rest of the battalion would leave for Bengal within a day or two, DGP K Kire said.

Read full history - Nagaland Sends 'ill-Equipped' Men to Fight Naxals

Nagaland's 1st 'Centre of Social Work' at Mokokchung

Kohima, Aug 25 : The Mahatma Gandhi Centre of Social Work (MGCSW), first of its kind in Nagaland, was set up at Chuchuyimlang under Mokokchung district as part of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education and Development (MGIED).

Official sources said here today that the Centre of Social Work has been established under the auspices of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)-as part of the Nagaland Gandhi Ashram Educational Project, which would initially offer Bachelor of Social Works course and Master of Social Works Would be added from the session 2011-2012 onwards.

Gradually, short term courses with special reference to the Northeast for various stake holders in development field such as Village Development functionaries, Government Officials, NGOs workers and workers in the Health Department shall be offered, sources said.

The MGCSW will have 24 seats for the current session, for which 22 applications have already been received and out of the 22, a total of 17 candidates were selected which has representations from Assam and Meghalaya, as well as through an elaborate selection process conducted at Guwahati.

Sources, quoting Dr Aotoshi, said trustee of the Nagaland Gandhi Ashram, Chuchuyimlang, will take over the classes in ashram's premises presently, but would be gradually shifted to the new complex being developed in a compact area of 230 Acres of land donated by Chuchuyimlang Village Council without any cost or conditions.

The complex will be developed as a flagship programme to commemorate the 25 years of existence of the IGNOU, sources added.

Read full history - Nagaland's 1st 'Centre of Social Work' at Mokokchung

Nagaland's 1st 'Centre of Social Work' at Mokokchung

Kohima, Aug 25 : The Mahatma Gandhi Centre of Social Work (MGCSW), first of its kind in Nagaland, was set up at Chuchuyimlang under Mokokchung district as part of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education and Development (MGIED).

Official sources said here today that the Centre of Social Work has been established under the auspices of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)-as part of the Nagaland Gandhi Ashram Educational Project, which would initially offer Bachelor of Social Works course and Master of Social Works Would be added from the session 2011-2012 onwards.

Gradually, short term courses with special reference to the Northeast for various stake holders in development field such as Village Development functionaries, Government Officials, NGOs workers and workers in the Health Department shall be offered, sources said.

The MGCSW will have 24 seats for the current session, for which 22 applications have already been received and out of the 22, a total of 17 candidates were selected which has representations from Assam and Meghalaya, as well as through an elaborate selection process conducted at Guwahati.

Sources, quoting Dr Aotoshi, said trustee of the Nagaland Gandhi Ashram, Chuchuyimlang, will take over the classes in ashram's premises presently, but would be gradually shifted to the new complex being developed in a compact area of 230 Acres of land donated by Chuchuyimlang Village Council without any cost or conditions.

The complex will be developed as a flagship programme to commemorate the 25 years of existence of the IGNOU, sources added.

Read full history - Nagaland's 1st 'Centre of Social Work' at Mokokchung

Nagaland Tops in Contraband Drug Seizure

Kohima, Aug 24 : Nagaland has topped the northeastern states in seizure of contraband drugs, which are flowing into the state through porous borders with Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.

This was revealed at the two-day Consultative Meeting of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) at Dimapur, which concluded on Saturday last.

Speaking at the meeting, the members of NSACS said, the Excise Department and the Narcotic Department of Nagaland Police topped the North Eastern States in seizure of contraband drugs, which are flowing into the state through the porous borders with Myanmar in Noklak, Kiphire, Mon, Phek and Tuensang districts.

The most common contraband drugs smuggled into Nagaland are Opium, Brown Sugar, Heroin, Ganja and life saving drugs used as narcotics like Phensydyl, Spasmoproxivon and others are coming from Assam and Manipur.

Since the pharmaceutical life saving drugs is cheaper and affordable than the contraband drugs, the uses of these are more.

With no mechanism to keep check at the porous border, the flow of drug trafficking is unabated despite all efforts of limited manpower of the Excise Department and Narcotic personnel of the State Government and only a few cases are only detected out of huge smuggling consignments, they opined.

Read full history - Nagaland Tops in Contraband Drug Seizure