‘Beyond the sunset mountain, no clouds will gather’
THE NINE Indian Reserve Battalion cadres who were killed in a landmine blast triggered by Naxalites at Chhattisgarh were today read their last rites at Police Training Centre, Dimapur. A humongous crowd gathered to pay their last respects to the slain cadres. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio while offering his condolences said this of the ‘Daring Nine’ from the 9 IRB: “We are proud of them for their bravery, for their sense of duty, and for the way they have taken up their difficult assignment in a distant land with courage and dedication.”
Communicating the Nagaland government’s helplessness in stopping IR battalions from venturing outside the state, Rio said, “When we agreed to raise the NAP (IR) Battalions with Central assistance, we were aware of the terms and conditions for raising of the IR Battalions, that is, the Central Government would have the right to call for their services outside Nagaland State, as and when the need arises.” As such, when the moment of truth arrived, the Nagaland government had to say ‘yes.’ The chief minister hailed the deceased as heroes worthy of admiration and remembrances for years to come.
Besides the ex-gratia payment of Rs two lakh each to the families of the deceased by the State Government, Rio also announced that a government job would be provided to a family member next to the kin of the deceased. Two seriously injured soldiers would be paid Rs 50,000 each while the others injured are to be paid Rs 25,000 each. “We know that money cannot compensate for the lives lost, or bring them back. Nevertheless, it will soften the blow on the economic condition of the bereaved families,” Rio said. A 21-gun salute was sounded in honour of the nine who fell prey to the landmine blast.
Three NAP (IR) battalions have already been raised. The fourth one is already sanctioned and is in the process of being raised.
Other dignitaries who attended the funeral service included Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Wangyuh Konyak, Home Minister Thenucho, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr T M Lotha, Chief Secretary Talitemjen Ao and a host of Police officers from different ranks. All those who spoke termed the killings as a dastardly and unfair act.
