Dimapur, August 26 (MExN): The Rengma Landowners Association (RLA) of National Highway 61 held its meeting at Tseminyu on August 25 and the it unanimously resolved to submit a memorandum to the Chief Engineer Road & Bridges to demand that earth cutting for widening of road and construction of protection walls/ culverts/drainage etc at NH 61 which falls under Tseminyu Sub-division be allotted to the landowners.
It has affirmed that unless the concerned department fulfills the landowners’ "legitimate demands", it will take its own course of action.
A press note issued by its President Khonbi Jemu and General Secretary Khetu Kath stated that the meeting also welcomed the process for construction of two lane highways (32.4 Kms) which falls under Rengma area however, the house decided to place its legitimate demands to the chief engineer, road & bridges department for consideration.
The Association stated in the note that according to the constitution of India under article 371(A), the landowners have the right to claim – cutting works, construction of culverts, protection walls, drainage etc stating that the special provision under this article is that the ownership of land and its resources belong to its owner.
"In Nagaland, lands belong to individuals and government has no say on it unless the government acquires the land and pay compensation. According to National Highway act 1956, no one can stop construction of National Highway which we agree but at the same time it should be noted that unless the government acquires the land and pay compensation to the landowners, they have cent percent right to claim everything and can stop the construction till their legitimate demands are fulfilled. Article 31 of Indian Constitution says that no person shall be deprived of his property by authority of law," it added.
The Association has also demanded that adequate compensation be paid to landowners for “uprooting of plantation tress, fruit pants, orchard farms, developed areas like fishing pond, terraced fields etc while widening the road”. Moreover, while construction of two lane highways compensation should be paid for dismantling houses, buildings, sheds, historical monuments and pillars (if any).
