Construction of school/college building stopped
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 26
Ground work to begin construction of a new building-cum-campus for SD Jain Higher Secondary School and College, Dimapur has been brought to a halt. The work was stopped after Defence personnel disputed the ownership over the land located behind the CSD Canteen, Army Supply Road.
The dispute is not new however.
According to the Shri Digamber Jain Samaj Dimapur, the plot of land roughly over 2 acres in area has been in the possession of the Samaj (community) for 8 years. It was bought in 2010 from a private individual for constructing a new campus for SD Jain Higher Secondary School and College.
The work was supposed to have started four years back but it had to be halted after the Army disputed claiming it was part of Defence land.
The dispute reached the court of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur. The Samaj eventually submitted a representation in July 2017 to the DC seeking arbitration. The DC issued an order on June 21, 2018 stating that SD Jain Samaj Dimapur as the “pattaholder” and the rightful owner of the land is allowed to undertake developmental activities within the area of their patta land.” The order further directed the Army to restrain “from raising any objection whatsoever or interfere in the peaceful occupation of the said land.”
The order cited revenue records entered in the Land Records office proving the SD Jain Samaj Dimapur as the owner of the land.
As per the order, subsequent to the representation from the Jain Samaj in July 2017, the “Administrative Commandant, Station Headquarters Rangapahar, Dimapur” was intimated on April 3, 2018 to “produce legal claim from the Army/Defence if any, supported by relevant legal document on or before 12/04/2018.”
The order said that the Administrative Commandant, in response, “without submitting any documents to substantiate their claims” maintained that the said plot of land is part of Defence land acquired by the Army since 1942.
It further directed the removal of a signboard put by the Army/Defence at the site with immediate effect, failing which “the rightful patta holder” was permitted to remove the same.
Following the directive from the DC, the Samaj said that on Friday (June 22) they were conducting ritual at the site to begin construction of the building when Army personnel arrived asking them not to undertake any developmental activity. The DC’s office was intimated to which the DC was said to have asked the Samaj to go ahead as directed.
“Again today, while preparations were on to start work, they (Army personal) came and asked us to stop work,” said a member of the Samaj.
