RALOA opposes repeated Railway eviction orders in Nagaland, urging respect for court status quo orders and the state government’s high-powered committee on land disputes.
DIMAPUR — The Railway Affected Landowners Association (RALOA) has expressed unhappiness over the Railway department’s repeated issuance of eviction orders to landowners, alleging that such actions violate status quo orders issued by the court and could amount to contempt of court.
In a press release, RALOA described the repeated eviction orders as an “unacceptable and immature decision” that was creating an unpleasant environment between the Railway authorities and affected landowners.
The association said the issue assumes greater significance at a time when the state government is taking up the land dispute seriously by constituting a high-powered committee to examine the matter and explore the withdrawal of court cases by landowners, subject to the payment of land compensation.
RALOA also referred to the status of the pata lands in Dimapur, stating that the lands were originally passed over by the British government to the Government of India and subsequently transferred to the Nagaland Government.
According to the association, the pata lands are supported by detailed scale mapping and specific surveys, with relevant records maintained to date.
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The association maintained that any agency, department, company, NGO or individual claiming ownership of land within the pata areas must possess the corresponding mouza number, dag number and pata number. In the absence of these records, RALOA claimed that such land claims should be treated as questionable.
Regarding non-cadastral land, particularly in village areas, RALOA said village authorities have jurisdiction under their respective areas and that such claims should be properly examined before a final report is submitted to the government.
RALOA urged the Railway department not to take unilateral decisions that could supersede the ongoing process, provoke landowners, disregard court orders or undermine the work of the high-powered committee.
The association warned that it would no longer remain a silent spectator if such actions continued and said it would pursue what it described as the legitimate rights of affected landowners.
RALOA further stated that if any confrontation or dispute arises as a result of continued eviction actions, the Railway department would be held responsible, alleging that the department’s approach was hindering efforts to find an amicable solution to the long-standing land issue.