Dimapur, May 31 (EMN): The Chakhroma GBs Union (CGBU) has expressed disappointment over the ongoing work on four-lane highway between Purana bazaar and Chümoukedima been disturbed by some people claiming compensation.
In a statement issued on Friday, the union said that it has been closely observing the road construction works in the area and noticed that “certain undesired elements are cropping up from time to time to create unnecessary hindrance to the ongoing work.”
“The present Highway falls within the Chakhroma traditional land and when the highway was built, no compensation whatsoever was demanded but given freely for development of our land. Moreover, provisions of 75ft on both sides from the middle of the highway was also kept reserved for future developments, but with increase of settlers in the area people had started encroaching the highway who are now asking for compensation claiming to be land owners,” read the statement.
The CGBU stated that “no individual or union will be allowed to disturb the development work of the region claiming to be the land owner as there is no other land owner except the traditional land owners who had freely given our land to the government as it is not our custom to block roadways and waterways from passing our land and the later settlers who are now demanding compensation had encroached upon the portions of land already been given to the government; hence there is no question of paying compensation to the encroachers of reserved land.”
While endorsing the resolution taken by the Chümoukedima Area GBs and Village Council Chairmen with the EAC Chümoukedima during a meeting held on May 7, the union asserted that the people cannot allow a few self-centred individuals to form union and snatch away a hard-earned development project.
“This opportunity, if once missed, will never come back to us. So every right thinking Naga should support the timely and satisfactory completion of the work. The CGBU also make a fervent appeal to every Naga to report to the authority if they feel that proper specifications are not being followed and get expert opinion before taking the matter into their own hands,” said the statement.
The union also appreciated four villages -- Purana Bazaar, Padumpukhri, Naharbari and Darogapathar – for declaring not to claim nor allow any individual or unions to claim land compensation within its jurisdiction. It added that such “wise and mature” decision should also be emulated by other villages to pave the way for progress and development in the state.
It urged the public to extend their support to making the state a developed one.
“The Union shall ever stand committed to development of our area in the interest of all Nagas and once again call upon all the Council of the Villages situated along the highway to lend your support for smooth execution of the works in your area,” it appealed.
NH-29 landowners defends compensation claim
Amid requests from several organisations not to obstruct the construction of four-lane road between Purana bazaar and Chümoukedima, the Landowners Union of NH-29 has taken offence at how “certain individuals and organisations” have viewed its demand for compensation as unreasonable.
In a statement issued on Friday, the union asked if the landowners across the state have “forfeited compensation issue.”
“What is so gross about requesting compensation when the concerned landowners are willing to accommodate government’s requirement by moving out of their comfort zone? Do the word rehabilitation, displacement and resettlement ever make sense to them?” it asked.
The union stated that it was equally dismayed at how certain vested individual and organisation easily talk of “magnanimity, benignity and renunciation” without considering the plight of the landowners.
