Nagaland govt’s first-hand assistance to NC Hill victims
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 9
Nagaland state government officials today in Jalukie met with the around 130 Zeliangrong refugees from troubled North Cachar Hills district of Assam. Nagaland Commissioner HK Khulu, IAS, met with the displaced people and assured them of all possible help from the state government. It was informed that the state government and the district administration of Peren district, under which Jalukie falls, would be extending “assistance” to the affected people, including those who were injured in the violence.
It was informed that around 130 people are currently in Jalukie, after fleeing their homes in North Cachar Hills recently following a surge of violence between the Dimasa and Naga communities. The refugees set up in ‘relief camps’ in Jalukie are said to be from ten villages in the troubled district.
Interacting with this daily, Commissioner JK Khulu said basic essentials such as mosquito nets, blankets, water and rice were distributed to the families. Queried on the nature of the government’s extending “assistance” to the refugees, the state official said the administration of Peren would be making some contributions in kind aside from whatever monetary help can be extended as well.
The refugees came with nothing and the government is helping in whatever way it can, the official said. Khulu also informed to have written to his counterpart in Assam state over the NC Hills situation. While any official response has yet to be received, the commissioner said, it is understood that the Assam government on its part has taken up relief exercises as well. The relief measures include ex-gratia and monetary assistance, it was informed. An official confirmation to the matter has yet to be communicated or received by the state, Khulu said.
In a related report from Jalukie, Khulu is said to have assured that he would talk to the Assam Government and take whatever measure is possible from the Nagaland government’s side. The commissioner is said to have conveyed the message that he would take up the refugees’ plight with the Home minister of the state, Imkong Imchen. The Home minister could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this news report.
The visiting officials from the government were also given first-hand account of the plight of the displaced, by the refugees. One refugee told the Home Commissioner that they spent 10 days and 10 nights in the jungle and as they had finished their ration, they decided to take shelter in Nagaland. She said it took three days to cross the border. The refugees are mostly women and children. Commissioner HJ Khulu was accompanied by government and administrative officials including the deputy commissioner of Peren, secretary of Law & Justice and the deputy secretary of Border Affairs.
