Aggrieved landowners at DC Office Phek on November 18 after serving their ultimatum.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 18
The aggrieved landowners affected by the Kohima-Jessami 2-lane road construction project, specifically Packages II, III, IV, and V, have served an ultimatum to the Deputy Commissioner Phek to coordinate with the Executive Director NHIDCL RO Kohima and resolve the long-standing issue of delayed damage compensation within a week.
“Failure to do so will result in legal action being taken against the concerned authorities,” said Kuveluyi Chuzho, Convenor on behalf of the aggrieved Landowners. Chuzho stated that numerous discrepancies and irregularities have surfaced in the compensation process, as revealed through information obtained via Right to Information (RTI) from the Deputy Commissioner's office.
“Shockingly, several fraudulent cases have been approved and compensated easily, while the genuinely affected persons have been deliberately neglected and made to suffer for an unreasonable period of time,” he stated.
This includes instances of the same structures being compensated twice; untouched left-hand side structures being compensated while still standing; compensation provided for structures far beyond the right-of-way (ROW); and compensation claimed in others' names have been uncovered pointing towards a systematic and deliberate manipulation of the compensation process.
The affected landowners demanded immediate justification and clarification for these discrepancies and irregularities, as well as a fair and just resolution to their long-standing sufferings.
They have requested an urgent meeting with the Deputy Commissioner, the Executive Director of NHIDCL, and other relevant officials to address these grave concerns and seek a satisfactory resolution.
“If no prompt response is received, or if their concerns are not adequately addressed, the aggrieved landowners have expressed their intention to initiate legal action to seek justice and compensation for the genuine victims of this situation,” Chuzho said.
