Nagaland Dy CM details grant, stipend for rehabilitating militants

DIMAPUR — In order to wean away the misguided youths and hardcore militants who have strayed into the fold of militancy and now find themselves strapped into the net, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) circulated a revised scheme for surrender-cum-rehabilitation of militants in the NE states (except Sikkim and Mizoram) under the security expenditure scheme during the year 2018.

Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, Y Patton, disclosed this in response to a starred question posed by MLA Kuzholuzo Neinu during the second session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He said that the scheme aims to deter surrendered militants from rejoining militant activities.

Sharing about the eligibility criteria of the scheme, he said that it applies to militants who surrender at least one weapon. However, in exceptional and deserving cases, militants who surrender without arms may also be considered for rehabilitation under the scheme. Their cases will be evaluated by a screening committee, and a final decision will be made by the United Headquarters or a similar governing body.

Some of the benefits provided under the scheme, as updated by Patton, include eligible individuals initially being placed in a rehabilitation camp, where they will receive training in a trade or vocation of their choice or one that suits their aptitude. Additionally, they will receive a monthly stipend for a duration of 36 months. The stipend for a surrenderee will not exceed INR 6,000 per month, as determined by the state government in consultation with the government of India.

Furthermore, an immediate grant of INR 4 lakh is to be deposited in a bank in the name of the surrenderee as a fixed deposit for a period of three years, after which they can withdraw it. However, it is important to note that a surrenderee who engages in criminal activities during their rehabilitation period will forfeit the benefits provided under the scheme.

Status of road from Phek to Ketsapo village

In response to another starred question from Neinu, Minister of PWD (R&B) G Kaito Aye stated that the physical progress of the road construction from Phek to Ketsapo village is at 52% and the amount realised for the work is INR 801.94 lakh (100%). However, only an amount of INR 330 lakh (42% of the total) has been released to the contractor as per the work executed.

He mentioned that the notice inviting tender (NIT) was issued on November 30, 2022, and on December 17, 2022, the Chief Engineer of PWD (R&B) sent a notice to proceed with the work to M/S Neo Enterprise.

Status of NH2 from Chuchuyimlang to Pangsha

Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang, in response to a starred question posed by MLA Nuklutoshi, stated that a tentative cost estimate for consultancy services and the preparation of a feasibility study and detailed project report for NH2 from Nagaland Gandhi Ashram, Chuchuyimlang, to Pangsha was approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on July 31, 2017.

He said that the tender-based estimate was submitted to the ministry on April 24, 2018, for approval, but a response to this matter is still pending despite the state government’s request for instructions from MoRTH.

He mentioned that no amount has been sanctioned for the project. The sanction for the road is out of the purview of the state government, and the competent authority is MoRTH, he added.

Safety measures along Dimapur-Kohima four-lane

In response to a starred question from Neinu regarding the Kohima-bypass two-lane road, NH-229 (package 4), Zeliang reported that the project is still in progress, with physical progress at 23% and financial progress at 19.92%.

When asked about the safety measures taken by the concerned department and the NHIDCL for landslide and rockfall-prone areas along the Dimapur-Kohima four-lane road (package 1), Zeliang outlined the measures implemented.

These measures include the construction of a breast wall and the use of coir mats, rockfall protection systems (such as rock barriers, netting, and bolting), slope protection work with hydroseeding, installation of a metal beam crash barrier at vulnerable locations in the Paglapahar stretch, neutralisation of potentially hazardous rocks and unstable soil on hill slopes at locations identified by the NHIDCL technical committee and the HLTC, among others.

Status of road from Amguri NH 61 (2) Tuli to Niuland

Zeliang, replying to a starred question raised by Nuklutoshi, said that the final detailed project report of the road from Amguri NH 61 (2) Tuli to Niuland under SARDP-NE Phase-B was submitted to MoRTH, amounting to INR 3284.06 crore, on June 12, 2019.

However, he said that the amount has not been sanctioned for the road project.

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