Witoubou Newmai                                     A superficial observation regarding Nagas in the context of the Naga political movement suggests that different sections of Nagas speak differently. However, a closer examination suggests that all these ‘differences’, in a broader and deeper sense, are the same thing talking from different standpoints producing different echoes. But

Veroli Zhimo Police Reforms Day in Nagaland went by rather unceremoniously. On September 22, 2006, the Supreme Court gave its landmark judgment listing out seven key steps for ushering in the much-needed police reforms. These include – limiting political control, merit-based appointment, fixing minimum tenure, separating functions of investigation from maintaining law and order, setting up of a fair and transparent system, establishing a police complaints authority in each

Dr Asangba Tzüdir Amid ironically comical chaotic scenes and uproar, the Rajya Sabha passed two of a set of 3 ‘controversial bills’ related to India’s Agricultural sector. The farm bills are – Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill; Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Services; and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill. The bills are aimed at transforming the Agri-sector in order to provide

Imlisanen Jamir The past couple of weeks should serve as a reminder that commuters travelling the National Highway 2 between Dimapur and Kohima are doing so under constant danger. The incidents of the past weeks must also force the hand of government authorities to ensure that safety protocols are followed. This month alone has seen three incidences of rockslides in the National Highway 2 at Chümoukedima. The first of these was when falling rubble damaged the Welcome Gate at

“The problem with the electronic media is all about TRPs, leading to more and more sensationalism, damage reputation of people and masquerade as form of right,” a 3-judge bench of the Supreme Court (SC) reportedly observed during the ongoing hearing on the broadcast of a news series on a private news channel.   In one of the hearings on September 15, the bench also stayed broadcast of 5 subsequent episodes of the series stating that the "intent and purpose&rdqu

Witoubou Newmai Amartya Sen in his celebrated book, Identity and Violence: The Illusion of Destiny, says that “important choices have to be made even when crucial discoveries occur.” He adds, “Life is not mere destiny.” The above comments can also mean, in a faint distant point, that one doesn’t need to wait for problems to get resolved altogether. From Sen’s opinion till this point of argument, there are so many things to be filled in for clar

The issue of land is sensitive and emotional. More so, in the context of Nagaland, where different layers of ownership, as well as protection, exist given the historical circumstances that resulted in the statehood of Nagaland and political undercurrent thereafter. It is against this background that the allegation of “some violation of Nagaland Land Revenue Regulation (Amendment Act) 1978,” made by the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) on September 9 must be viewed and

Dr Asangba Tzüdir         Citing “deliberate suppression and deprived in all aspects for the last six decades”, the ENSF while rejecting the present form of the Nagaland Staff Selection Board regulation 2020, listed seven demands that included earmarking 45% of posts for the six tribes of Eastern Naga Tribes for 20 years till the tribes are at par with the rest of the other Nagas. It said that the demands have been made in order to constitute a fa

Imlisanen Jamir September 13 was the 22nd death anniversary of Dr Talimeren Ao—the sporting icon from Nagaland, and Independent India’s first flag bearer and captain of the Indian Football Team to the London Olympics in 1948.  Dr T Ao’s achievements ushered in a silent football revolution in the North East, which is often considered the nursery of modern Indian football. While his name has lived on, especially in the North East, with institutions, awards an

Imkong Walling In law, there is a term called ‘suo moto.’ This term, of Latin origin is defined as “on its own motion/accord,” or in other words— taking a conscientious initiative to act or do something at one’s own accord. This, however, does not imply that an individual/party/government body can act with impunity. The law is very clear as to which state authority has the privilege to exercise this code.  Article 32 and Article 226 of

Witoubou Newmai For a long time, the efficiency in physical marketing or transport prowess also determined the positions of media houses to a great degree. But now, with the advent of the digital era, we begin to notice so many inverted or otherwise positional scenarios of the media houses. As such, there is a fascinating trend of how small media houses begin to feel big. Reversely speaking, we also notice how those big media houses have started to feel they are losing the monopoly

Veroli Zhimo Under massive pressure from the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA), the then Congress government passed the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989 in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in 1989. Those who support alcohol prohibition point at the dangers of drinking, the lives it has destroyed and the misery caused. They no doubt have a point, but some countered that alcohol consumption should be regulated in pub

Dr Asangba Tzudir Since the times of Shakespeare and even before, there have been issues regarding the “law’s delay” and thus it has become a common perception that cases generally take too long to complete trial and pronounce judgment, and therefore, normatively a matter of ‘delay’ versus ‘haste.’  The recently released ‘Prison Statistics in India’ by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows that the number of pris

Imlisanen Jamir They were equalizers of sorts—things which democratized the gamer tag, one preciously held on to and guarded by only a certain section of people for a very long time.  The two most talked about banned apps in the Government of India’s latest moves amidst increasing tensions with the Chinese government amassed their popularity with the Indian audience largely due to them being mobile games. India has never been a Personal Computer (PC) or console b

The lifting of restriction on the movement of passenger vehicles came as a relief for both the public as well as the auto drivers in Dimapur but with nothing said about fares till date, passengers have been at the receiving end, reported this newspaper on September 5.  A day after another local daily reported that the common citizen in Nagaland is yet to see “respite from oppressive public transport services.”  Nagaland Government issued new Standard Operating

Witoubou Newmai The Naga political issue needs to be resolved by adopting how genuine issues are resolved, and not by glossing over its nuances from the burden of impatience and circumstances. It is to mean that the state as well as the Nagas cannot afford to ignore the fact that the Naga political issue requires a solemn ‘conclave’. Here, we need to note that solemness requires participants who suit the ambience. In other words, the ambience requires participants who

Veroli Zhimo Back in the 90s, Star TV would show reruns of an American cop show called, ‘Hill Street Blues.’  At the beginning of each episode, the duty sergeant would read out a list of cases that his officers might face in the coming day and the fugitives to look out for or related stuff.  Then as he wrapped up the meeting and all the officers started scuffling out of their chairs and heading for the dangerous streets of the dirty urban metropolis, he w

Dr Asangba Tzüdir The various instances of sexual offences perpetrated, especially on girl child, in our own den over the years, have over and above everything else, brought to fore the need to attack the crime.  The narratives on rape somehow find fixated like the story of the frog in the well. While rape is being considered and acknowledged as a heinous crime, it also comes attached to the notion of shame, that the focus somehow loses its attention and shifts to the l

Imlisanen Jamir It’s the kind of good news we could get used to. Nagaland’s COVID-19 positivity trend over the past two weeks has been quiet re-assuring, especially following the large number of cases which had been reported previously.  But getting used to it might be the worst thing we could do. Complacency in the face of this pandemic; letting down our guard with the belief that it will soon be all over, could open the door to a resurgence. There was panic

The art of persuasion is a crucial skillset for a politician or in politics. Glib talk and lofty promises too are essential ingredients for sustaining or starting any political campaign. In contrast, statistics often come as a humble reality check. Nonetheless, the persuader often has a way out, many a time, employing the ‘fine print’ or contextualisation as the exit route. It is against this backdrop, one should examine the recent survey report on Local/Block Level S