Dimapur, June 10 (MExN): The department of Development of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA) is urged to implement the program activities of Border Area Development Programmes (BADP) in the border areas of Nagaland as has been planned and proposed. An organization, called the International Border Area Peoples’ Welfare Organization (IBAPWO) from Kiphire district said “these areas have become a raw deal, un-nurtured because of being neglected in various ways.”
According to a note from the IBAPWO Director N. Rhuletsu Whurr, it been intervening in some projects with the help of the funders but to initiate programs in the remote areas have been a “tough tussle to tackle.” The organization has approached the department urging to implement programs through NGOs in the border blocks as the NGOs ‘are supposed to have access to funds to implement some projects under BADP.’
“It is pathetic to learn and see that the border areas are neglected from the mainstream of development, despite of Nagaland being a fortunate state to have additional funds for the areas. In a year, only a meager or handful of development takes place in border blocks and very often that too are incomplete. In fact, the government should be playing a much greater role in bringing a socio-economic change in the region,” the IBAPWO stated. The poor villagers should not be ignored, the note stated.
“People who have visited the border blocks of Nagaland can do a little recollection of their visits to these places; they give you all the honour and respect for being great leaders despite of unfulfilled dreams of these poor villages. Remember that they spend weeks to prepare for VIPs’ visit to their village, leaving their daily work loads in the fields, which is the only sustainability they are surviving with.”
IBAPWO reminded that there are people in the remote areas suffering from oppression and negligence “of the few, towards their welfare”. These people suffer “not just because they are human beings” but also for “not getting what they deserve”.
