Dimapur, July 10 (MExN): Rallying against the proposed “land acquisation of Langrik area” by the military, hundreds of people cutting across tribal and communal spectrum turned up at a public meeting called by the Langrik Anchal Surakhya Samity (LASS) at Bor Lengri public ground under Bokajan sub-division, Karbi Anglong on Friday, July 10. The people who would be most affected if the proposed land acquisition goes through, belong to the villages of Bor Lengri I, Bor Lengri II, Choto Lengri, Aoyimsen, Mohan Bosti, Nahorijan, Lengrijan Cadastral, Manipuri Bosti, Longki Bosti, Lengri tea estate, Lama Bosti, Wapang Taro Bosti and Rengma Gaon which comes under Assam (Karbi Anglong) -Nagaland border.
More than 5500 households in the said villages with a population of 35000 people will be severely affected if it goes through. If other villages are included it said that the number of affected will come up to 50000 people.
The rally was called against the backdrop of a 30 days’ notice issued on June 15, 2009 to the residents of the aforementioned villages to vacate the land to make way for a military camp. It is to be mentioned that the proposed land acquisition by the military has been going on for the past more than one decade.
Wochamo Odyuo, joint secretary (publicity) of LASS giving the introductory speech said that the first notice came from the government of Assam on June 21, 1993 followed with two other notices on July 29, August 4, 2003 with the latest received on June 15. Religious places of worship will also have to make way he said. The area in concern was established way back in 1869 with appointment of a ‘Sarkari Gaonbura’ as early as 1927 during the colonial days.
All the speakers who spoke had one common voice that they will not budge from their land no matter what and questioned the motive behind the move of the government (Assam). The speakers also lamented the fact that there are no signs of development in the area even after more than a century of the establishment of the said area. With no help from the government in sight, bridge connecting the affected area with Dimapur was constructed solely from the contribution of the villagers. “It is not acquisition but forced eviction” said one concerned speaker. Another downplayed the claim that the area is disputed and declared that it “is very much a part of Karbi Anglong.
The rally culminated with the reading of a 5 page long memorandum/petition to be placed before the Deputy Commissioner, Diphu’ highlighting the facts and circumstances on why the proposed acquisition is illegal within the constitution of India.
