Six villages to impose blockade from August 1

Dimapur-Zubza rail project Dimapur, July 30 (EMN): Six villages in Dimapur district have announced a blockade on an ongoing rail project in the state for an indefinite period of time starting August 1 next. The villages had on July 17 last, issued an ultimatum to the state government demanding uniform rates in the payment of land compensation for the rail project. On Sunday, the GBs of Pimla, Dhansiripar, Razaphe Basa, Khemnok, Zutovi and Sokhuvi issued a press statement informing that they have decided to impose the blockade ‘as per the ultimatum’ served earlier. The blockade will last ‘till the discrepancy in the rate of compensation of the land is settled’, they informed. Contractors engaged in the project have also been asked to ‘stop the work accordingly’. On July 17 last, the six village authorities had given the state government 15 days to address said grievance. “The rate of compensation applied to the villages was Rs.28.75 per square feet against Rs.60/- per square feet in Chumukedima area which was discriminatory despite the major portion of the land acquired were paddy fields. The cabinet decision to give Rs.60/¬per square feet in Chumukedima area up to 18.400 km covers those lands of the six villages in question,” it had stated.