Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, JANUARY 26
State Home Minister, Y Patton appealed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to release funding project at the state police department citing huge liabilities to be cleared against the establishment of State IR battalion in different locations of the state.
Patton while talking to media in a sideline during his visit to the inaugural function of 14th AP (IR) at Kiphire on January 25 said the state government has huge liabilities to be cleared against the establishment of State IR battalion in different locations of the state due to non release of funds by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
The Home Minister has requested Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home to personally take up the matter for clearance of all liabilities pending against the Nagaland Government.
Giving a brief highlight on the establishment of 14the NAP (IR), Patton said with the approval of the MHA, 14the NAP (IR) came into being in the month of March 2008 and was raised as ‘The 6th Indian Reserve Battalion’ in Nagaland. However, he also pointed out that due to infrastructure taking longer time at the Battalion headquarter, the Battalion was initially located at Chumukedima Police Complex, and later shifted to Ruzaphema, near Dimapur where the unit recruits were given basic training and passed out on March 16, 2010 with the motto ‘Fearless Fourteenth’.
He acknowledged MHA for the approval and funding for which the state government has been able to raise 7th NAP (IR) battalions in the state including one Mahila (IR) Battalion, thereby giving ample opportunity to the Naga youths for employment.
However, at the same time Patton also highlighted that due to limitation of funding project by the MHA, the construction or headquarters at different locations in the state could not be accomplished including 11 NAP (IR) Battalion at Aboi, Mon, 12 NAP (IR) Battalion at Chingtok Longleng, 13 NAP (IR) Battalion at Yachang, Mokokchung, 14 NAP (IR) Battalion at Okhe Zong Kiphire and 15 NAP (IR) Mahila Battalion at Meptsa Dimapur.
He also added that 14 NAP (IR) Headquarter Okhezong Kiphire alone has Rs 192.45 crores balance bill including price escalation to be release by the Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI. Therefore, he fervently appeals Kiren Rijiju to take up the matter personally and address the same at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the Home Minister assured the public of Kiphire that the setting up of various IR headquarters at the outpost locations was not to create fear psychosis to the public but to safeguard the people and the nation to live in peace and harmony. He also sought the cooperation of the citizens of Kiphire district and its adjoining areas the battalion in all aspects for peaceful co-existence.
At the same time, Home Minister has also appealed the battalion personnel who are the beck and call of duties providing excellent and gallantry performance to the people of the country, especially in trouble torn areas and sections to continue with the same spirit and to rededicate themselves in their responsibilities for the welfare of the citizens.
He also assured the public of Kiphire to take up their representation which was supposed to be presented to the Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju will be looked into by him and will be addressed to the Union Minister on behalf of the citizens of Kiphire.
