Dimapur, August 1 (MExN): Adding more to the list of organizations in Nagaland – and to the woes of Neiphiu Rio’s government – an organization called the ‘All Nagaland SARDP Affected Landowners Welfare Committee’ today demanded compensation for what it said is “genuine properties damaged owing to the ongoing 2- lanning of roads in Nagaland under SARDP- NE.”
The organization issued a letter today addressed to the chief engineer of PWD (national highways) placing their demand for compensation. The group said there are “myriad villages and landowners affected under the ongoing 2 lanning of roads” namely the Longleng-Changtongya road, Mon-Tamlu-Merangkong road, Phek-Pfutsero road and Zunhebhoto-Chakhabama road.
“In our deliberations it was also found that common problems exist in the ongoing works whereby it is imperative to inform you for corrective measures. Thus the list of persons to be compensated as finalized by you and sent to the Ministry vide your letter… dated Kohima the 20th February 2012 at an estimated amount of Rs. 2316.66 lakhs (Rupees twenty three crores sixteen lakhs sixty six thousand) only is found wanting in many respect as it has excluded many genuine people in the list,” the letter to the PWD national highways department stated.
“It is pertinent to mention here that the exercise to identify loss and damages to be caused was carried out during the dry season before the commencement of the actual work whereby various factors that could damage properties were overlooked,” the All Nagaland SARDP Affected Landowners Welfare Committee’ stated.
The group explained further that with the onset of monsoon, landslides have occurred at various stretches of the road washing away paddy fields, irrigation canals, horticulture plantations, reserve forest, cultivable lands, community drinking water sources, building etc.
“Further, with the blockade of natural flow of rivers and streams while undertaking earth cutting, water flow is creating havoc to the road, paddy fields, cultivable areas thus depriving people to gain meaningful livelihood. Thus, it is evident that the compensation list drawn by you is not commensurate to the damages incurred following the monsoon and that explains why we would like to request you to undertake a fresh exercise of the compensation package whereby all the genuine affected persons are taken into account.”
