Dimapur, March 30 (MExN): Reacting strongly to the March 28 eviction drive carried out by the Dimapur administration, “Purana Bazar B village council” has demanded compensation for the “innocent victims.” The village, banned by the administration as illegal last year on July 26, has also demanded that the ban be lifted failing which a course of action would be initiated.
A note from the ‘council’ appended by ‘chairman’ L Temjen and ‘secretary’ Rajesh Mech stated that the 18 houses demolished were all ‘valid’ patta holders issued by the ‘Purana Bazar B Village Council.’ For this, the “innocent victims” should be compensated, the note demanded and observed that the motive and action of the district administration “particularly Deputy Commissioner” is questionable “which was illegal and beyond his discretionary power.”
The note asked the DC to clarify on what grounds the ‘village’ was banned ‘knowing that it is one of the oldest villages in Nagaland.’ It questioned if it was justified that the eviction notice was issued on March 27 and eviction carried out the very next morning without giving sufficient time to the “victims” and whether the ban order was to carry out the drive.
The note also observed that of the 18 houses demolished two were “spared” one of which was former minister TA Ngullie’s, “in the heart” of Geology & Mining department’s land. It questioned if his house was “spared” because he happened to be “an Ngullie.”
While mentioning that the ‘village’ was warned not to use “village” or “council,” the note wondered “when there is a council even in an unrecognized village, what is the reason behind.” The ‘council’ asked the administration to revoke the ban order on the village immediately failing which the ‘council’ and “the general public” would not be held responsible for any “future consequences.”
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