DIMAPUR, JUNE 20 (MExN): Almost five years after its inauguration the New Naga Cemetery for Dimapur is still waiting to be commissioned. Located in a midst of brick fields, the new burial ground was inaugurated way back in July 2005 by the then state industries minister and present Rajya Sabha MP, Khekiho Zhimomi.
A dearth of funds is cited as hindering the full fledged commissioning of the cemetery, which is around five kilometres away from Zion Hospital & Research Centre at Zani village. The Naga Council Dimapur is charged with its maintenance.
A source from the Council said some infrastructural deficiency is hampering its completion. Perimeter fencing with entrance gate; leveling of the earth and black-topping of the approach are what is left to be done; besides proper demarcation for burial has to be worked through expert help.
By a rough estimate some two to three crores will be required to fully complete the unfinished works. Taking into consideration the requirement of such a huge amount, the source said a proposal has been submitted to the government in this regard. Queried on the response from the government, the source replied it has not been very forthcoming as yet.
It is to be noted that a funeral chapel, a well and caretaker’s residential quarters has already been completed while the construction of the chapel was funded by the family of late Phulchand Sethi.
The present plot of land measuring 18 ‘bighas’ was bought for an amount of Rs 18.75 lakhs, thanks to a lump sum donation from the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
During the inauguration, the source recalled that the then industries Minister Khekiho Zhimomi had generously pledged to help towards the expansion of the existing plot of land by another 10 ‘bighas’.
Lack of funds notwithstanding, if all goes according to plan, the source said that the space in the new cemetery will accommodate burial for the next fifty years. Further, the cost of burial will also be lessened which at present costs Rs 3000-4000, if not more.
With space in the present cemetery completely exhausted, it is high time that the authorities in concern seriously take up the matter.
