DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 21 (MExN): A newly finished building which will house the office of the ADC cum Border Magistrate, Niuland under Dimapur was inaugurated on Friday, October 21. The complex, constructed at a cost of Rs. 131.6 lakh, was inaugurated by Y. Patton, Parliamentary Secretary for Border Affairs, Geology & Mining, Irrigation and Flood Control today. The programme also had in attendance Khekiho Zhimomi, Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha; Azheto Zhimomi, MLA & Advisor Sericulture and Cooperation; L. Temjen Jamir, MLA & Advisor NBDA; and HK Khulu, Principal Secretary & commissioner, Nagaland.
Falling along the Disputed Area Belt with Assam, the setting up of a full fledged Border Affairs office at Niuland, headed by an officer in the rank of an ADC is understood to go a long way in handling the border dispute with Assam. The construction of the complex was first initiated during the term of Khekiho Zhimomi as Minister for Border Affairs, Industries & Commerce. It was later pursued by Y. Patton, present Parliamentary Secretary incharge of Border Affairs. The State Planning Board finally approved a proposal for the office complex and fund for the first phase of construction was released during the Annual Plan 2006-07.
Patton in his address reminded that the border dispute between Assam and Nagaland is still pending at the Supreme Court. Even so, the purpose of the office is not to fight with the neighbouring state rather a means which may help settle it, he said. The office is not only for the people of Niuland, it is for the four tribes (Western Sema, Lotha, Rengma and Northern Angami) which inhabit part of the disputed area, he added.
On developments projects, Patton while stating that it was the fourth time he is visiting Niuland in his capacity as Parliamentary Secretary, further informed that 20 projects are presently ongoing under Niuland sub-division. The long awaited Foothill Road project, which is proposed to start from Niuland till Tizit in Mon district, he hoped, will not face any problems from landowners.
Earlier president of the Western Sumi Hoho, LK Achumi speaking on behalf of the public of Niuland had outlined certain immediate requirements in the area. The Western Sumi, Achumi said consists of 157 villages, out of which 83 villages fall under Niuland. The numbers alone demands the need for the upgradation of the ADC Border Affairs to that of one headed by an officer in the rank of a DC. He reminded that border affairs under Golaghat district in Assam is headed by a DC. Aqhunaga, which runs right along the border, requires the immediate posting of an officer in rank of an EAC, he said. Thirty-eight villages fall under Aqhunaga, it was informed. At present, the Sub-D ivisional Police Officer for Niuland is based in Dimapur town. The SDPO alongwith its office should be shifted to Niuland, fulltime, he added. Further, Border Development Fund should be specifically utilized for the people of inhabiting border areas. In this aspect, there is not much investment here, he said.
Patton, commenting on the appeal, said that the government will be doing whatever there is under its means to take up the demands. Posting of EAC (Border Magistrates) is facing some problems owing to certain technical problems, otherwise the vacancies are there, he said. On recruitment of Border Guards, he made it clear that the candidates must be bonafide residents of villages falling laong the borders.
Earlier, HK Khulu commenting on the border row with Assam, which is being heard at the Supreme Court, said that the apex court had appointed two neutral senior advocates to study the case. The report is awaited, he added. Assam had filed a lawsuit against Nagaland back in 1988, claiming parts or whole of the foothill area along Assam-Nagaland border, starting from Niuland till Tizit. After a lull, the case was revived in 2009 and still being contested. Nevetheless, today the Border Affairs department is being strengthened with the department putting emphasis on documents collected, dating back to colonial times, he said.
Rajya Sabha MP, Khekiho Zhimomi in his speech said that any government property, wherever it is located becomes the property of the people, particularly for those residing in the nearby vicinity. Stating the proposed state Foothill Road starts from Niuland, he remarked thus, that the sub-division might become the next gateway of Nagaland. However, to achieve that it requires the cooperation of the people, he said. Further remarking on the border dispute, he posited that if Assam can set up polling booths in the Disputed Area Belt, “Why can’t Nagaland?”
Falling along the Disputed Area Belt with Assam, the setting up of a full fledged Border Affairs office at Niuland, headed by an officer in the rank of an ADC is understood to go a long way in handling the border dispute with Assam. The construction of the complex was first initiated during the term of Khekiho Zhimomi as Minister for Border Affairs, Industries & Commerce. It was later pursued by Y. Patton, present Parliamentary Secretary incharge of Border Affairs. The State Planning Board finally approved a proposal for the office complex and fund for the first phase of construction was released during the Annual Plan 2006-07.
Patton in his address reminded that the border dispute between Assam and Nagaland is still pending at the Supreme Court. Even so, the purpose of the office is not to fight with the neighbouring state rather a means which may help settle it, he said. The office is not only for the people of Niuland, it is for the four tribes (Western Sema, Lotha, Rengma and Northern Angami) which inhabit part of the disputed area, he added.
On developments projects, Patton while stating that it was the fourth time he is visiting Niuland in his capacity as Parliamentary Secretary, further informed that 20 projects are presently ongoing under Niuland sub-division. The long awaited Foothill Road project, which is proposed to start from Niuland till Tizit in Mon district, he hoped, will not face any problems from landowners.
Earlier president of the Western Sumi Hoho, LK Achumi speaking on behalf of the public of Niuland had outlined certain immediate requirements in the area. The Western Sumi, Achumi said consists of 157 villages, out of which 83 villages fall under Niuland. The numbers alone demands the need for the upgradation of the ADC Border Affairs to that of one headed by an officer in the rank of a DC. He reminded that border affairs under Golaghat district in Assam is headed by a DC. Aqhunaga, which runs right along the border, requires the immediate posting of an officer in rank of an EAC, he said. Thirty-eight villages fall under Aqhunaga, it was informed. At present, the Sub-D ivisional Police Officer for Niuland is based in Dimapur town. The SDPO alongwith its office should be shifted to Niuland, fulltime, he added. Further, Border Development Fund should be specifically utilized for the people of inhabiting border areas. In this aspect, there is not much investment here, he said.
Patton, commenting on the appeal, said that the government will be doing whatever there is under its means to take up the demands. Posting of EAC (Border Magistrates) is facing some problems owing to certain technical problems, otherwise the vacancies are there, he said. On recruitment of Border Guards, he made it clear that the candidates must be bonafide residents of villages falling laong the borders.
Earlier, HK Khulu commenting on the border row with Assam, which is being heard at the Supreme Court, said that the apex court had appointed two neutral senior advocates to study the case. The report is awaited, he added. Assam had filed a lawsuit against Nagaland back in 1988, claiming parts or whole of the foothill area along Assam-Nagaland border, starting from Niuland till Tizit. After a lull, the case was revived in 2009 and still being contested. Nevetheless, today the Border Affairs department is being strengthened with the department putting emphasis on documents collected, dating back to colonial times, he said.
Rajya Sabha MP, Khekiho Zhimomi in his speech said that any government property, wherever it is located becomes the property of the people, particularly for those residing in the nearby vicinity. Stating the proposed state Foothill Road starts from Niuland, he remarked thus, that the sub-division might become the next gateway of Nagaland. However, to achieve that it requires the cooperation of the people, he said. Further remarking on the border dispute, he posited that if Assam can set up polling booths in the Disputed Area Belt, “Why can’t Nagaland?”
