DIMAPUR, July 2 � Nagaland Home Minister Y Patton called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi yesterday and took up the issue of appointment of interlocutor for Naga peace talks at the earliest.
In the meeting, Patton also raised the issues of pathetic infrastructure of the IRB Battalion and non-receipt of reimbursement claim from West Bengal Government for deployment of Nagaland IRB battalions in that State though the reimbursement claim was released by the Centre long time back. The Union Minister was also informed of the acute shortage of IAS and IPS officers in Nagaland, particularly at the top level.
Patton suggested that the reimbursement claim be directly be released to Nagaland Government and not through the State Government where IBR Battalion is deployed. This would not only cut the delays in the receipt of reimbursement claim but also avoid the unnecessary red-tapism involved in the process, he stated. The Union Home Minister appreciated the suggestion put forward by Patton and assured full cooperation to the State Government on priority basis, according to an official release.
On Monday, Patton met Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju in his office chamber in New Delhi to discuss issues pertaining to Nagaland.
Patton took up the matter of construction of New Police Training Centre at Razaphema, Dimapur, and allocation of a special one-time grant for the renovation of police infrastructure in the State. He further urged Rijiju to expedite the appointment of interlocutor for the ongoing Naga peace talks.
Rijiju, on his part, spoke highly on the effectiveness of the Nagaland IRB Battalion in tackling Naxals in Maoist- affected States in the country and assured to address all the issues raised by Patton positively.
