HC says Peren-Chümoukedima boundary row should not stall NH-329A

DIMAPUR — The Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court has directed that the pending boundary dispute between Peren and Chümoukedima districts should not delay the construction of NH-329A. It also directed the authorities to expedite the verification of affected land and assessment of compensation.

The order was passed on September 23 by a division bench comprising Justice Devashis Baruah and Justice Helen Dawn Glangiani in a public interest litigation concerning the highway.

The court noted that the proposed highway has been a “long wait” for people living along the Pimla Junction–Mhainamtsi stretch and observed that its construction would be in the interest of the public.

The PIL had prompted the court to seek action on the Right of Way (RoW) for the highway. Following an earlier order, the offices of the deputy commissioners of Peren and Chümoukedima issued public notices regarding the RoW.

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The court further noted that landowners whose properties would be affected had subsequently submitted No Objection Certificates to the respective district administrations. They stated that they had no objection to construction on the portions of land falling within the RoW, provided they received due compensation. They also agreed not to raise future disputes over the construction.

However, affidavits submitted by the two deputy commissioners referred to a boundary dispute between Peren and Chümoukedima that is pending before the state government.

The court made it clear that the dispute should not obstruct construction of NH-329A.

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As an interim measure, the bench directed the deputy commissioners of Peren and Chümoukedima, along with the respective additional deputy commissioners, to verify the extent of land belonging to the affected persons and assess the compensation payable.