Zeliang had earlier suggested Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to convert the border into ‘Line of Control’ (LoC) model. Zeliang said he suggested the LoC model with additional guards to ensure that there was no new settlement in the disputed territory.
On August 21, chief ministers of both Assam and Nagaland stated that both the state governments have mutually agreed to resolve the border row amicably and to form a joint mechanism to address problems arising in the border areas. Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi and T.R. Zeliang had agreed to resolve the long pending border issues by forming a joint mechanism. They said both the states would continue with the efforts to resolve the border issues from the chief secretary level down to the deputy commissioner level. The chief ministers said that a good beginning has been made to resolve the long pending border imbroglio and efforts would continue at the official level with holding of frequent meetings.
Kiren Rijiju had also stated that the Centre would extend all possible help and support to both the Governments to contain border tension.
Rijiju said the coming together of both the States has send out a clear signal that they want resolution of the problems across the table. “The decision to form a joint mechanism to resolve the border issues is a step in the right direction,” he had said appreciating the stand of both the state governments.
Appeals MHA to release security related funds
Zeliang also urged MHA for early release of “long pending outstanding reimbursement bills, particularly, against the redeployment of IR Battalion to West Bengal amounting to Rs. 90 crores”.
Stating that more than four years had passed and no payments made till date, Zeliang appealed Rijiju to direct the West Bengal government clear the dues at the earliest, adding that the deployment was done as per the directions of the MHA.
He further suggested MHA to deduct the pending dues at source and credit the same to Nagaland government.
Construction of five IR Battalions headquarters was also discussed. T.R Zeliang requested MHA to expedite “granting of onetime special grant for completion of IR Battalion Hqrs, which are under construction”.
Raising the issue regarding 75% subsidy on Helicopter services amounting to Rs. 34.36 crores, Zeliang sought Rijiju’s personal intervention on the matter for early disbursement.
Pending reimbursement issues related to the construction of Central Para-Military Force Accommodation (CPMFA) amounting to Rs. 31.42 crores was also taken up during the meeting.
Though the same issues were discussed with Rajnath Singh, Zeliang said he was optimistic that “since Kiren Rijiju being from the North East and familiar with the financial problems of the region, he would take up the matter to the concerned department”.
Stating that his priority was to look after the problems and the welfare of the North East, Rijiju assured Zeliang that all pending SRE would be released without further delay “provided all the related documents are submitted by the State to the MHA”.
Later, Rijiju directed his officials to hold further discussions with Nagaland government officials who had accompanied Zeliang.
Meanwhile, Zeliang and Patton conveyed their appreciation to Rijiu for his prompt action in releasing pending SRE amounting to Rs.40 crores and Rs. 21 crores recently.
Zeliang and Patton was accompanied by Jyoti Kalash, Resident Commissioner and Y. Kikheto Sema, Finance secretary.
Source: Nagaland Post
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