Our Correspondent
Kiphire | January 25
Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju today inaugurated the 14th NAP (IR) battalion Headquarters at Okhe Zong, some 10 km away from Kiphire district Headquarters. He unveiled a monolith to commemorate the occasion.
However, the Minister could not stay on for the reception programme due to time constraints. Rijiju reached Kiphire by a helicopter and left for Delhi by the same mode expressing regret for not being able to stay longer.
A formal programme was held at the New Headquarters’ Conference hall at Okhe Zong. C Kipili Sangtam, Minister of Power, Nagaland State, speaking as chief guest on behalf of Rijiju, thanked the Kiphire Village Council for giving the land for setting up of 14th NAP (IR) Battalion headquarter at Okhe Zong Kiphire.
Sangtam said that setting up of the IR headquarters here is a memorable day for the people of Kiphire. He said that Kiphire has multiple tribes and appealed for them to be united in development works. He also appealed the people of Kiphire to aim to construct Kiphire into a developed district. C Kipili Sangtam said that the department will try to do something good for the landowners, but requested them to know the timing of when to approach the government.
The Nagaland State Minister also said that government’s property is people’s property and asked people to take care of the government’s property. He further appealed the land owner of the NAP headquarters to take care of the land.
It may be mentioned that the 14th NAP (IR) Battalion headquarter has a total of 234.72 acres of land at Okhe Zong under Kiphire district. According to police Engineering project report, the project was for Rs. 219.39 crore which was duly approved by the State level Programme Implementation committee (SLPIC) headed by the Chief Minister of Nagaland as Chairman. The Battalion headquarter has a total of 521 units residential building, 26 units Non residential buildings and Construction of Roads, water supply, site development and electrification.
The Construction works was done by M/s Singh Construction commenced in the first week of December 2009. It is also learnt that the amount for construction of the battalion headquarters is due by some crores which is yet to be paid to the contractor.
Kiren Rijiju was accompanied by Home Minister Nagaland Y. Patton, Education Minister Nagaland Yitachu, Power Minister Nagaland C. Kipili Sangtam, L. L. Doungel IPS DGP Nagaland, Akheto Sema IPS ADGP (ADM) Nagaland, Lakha Koza NPS Commandant 14th NAP (IR) BN, Deputy Commissioner Kiphire A. Chumremo Odyuo, Superintendent of Police Kiphire and other dignitaries of the State. The reception programme was attended by United Sangtam Students’ Conference, United Sangtam Likhum Bumji, Kiphire District Sumi Hoho, Yimchungrü Tribal Hoho and political party leaders from Kiphire district.
The formal programme was chaired by Akheto Sema, IPS ADGP (Adm) Nagaland and vote of thanks was presented by Lakha Koza, NPS Commandant, 14th NAP (IR) BN. Presentation of project reports was made by Er.O.N.Ngully, Chief Engineer, Police Project Nagaland Kohima.
