Rail project row deepens in Dimapur as landowners seek compensation

Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 14

The Railway Affected Landowners Association (RALOA) on May 13 reiterated its demand for compensation for both land and structures affected by the redevelopment of Dimapur Railway Station under the Amrit Bharat Scheme, while rejecting claims that the area is a “no man’s land.”

The association, addressing reporters after its sixth general body meeting in Dimapur, maintained that it was not opposed to the proposed upgradation of the railway station into a world-class facility but insisted that the rights of affected landowners must be recognised.

The meeting took place hours after the Railway Land Patta Holders’ Union declined to participate in a consultative meeting convened by the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) on the Rs 283-crore railway station redevelopment project.

RALOA president Khekaho Assumi said the association supports the station modernisation project but expects compensation in accordance with provisions of the Railway Act.

He asserted that the land belongs to the people of Nagaland and is protected under Article 371A of the Constitution, rejecting suggestions that the area was “no man’s land.”

The association also criticised the Naga Council Dimapur for what it described as interference in the matter and said affected landowners should have been consulted before public statements were made on the issue.

Assumi said scrutiny of pattas in Blocks 6 and 7, the areas affected by the project, showed that out of 397 pattas examined so far, 205 were found to be genuine.

He dismissed claims that around 900 pattas would lead to a compensation burden of Rs 20-30 crore, alleging that several pattas were either doubtful or issued by village authorities and councils without proper verification.

According to him, the district administration’s list of 96 pattas pertains only to buildings and structures, while final verification is still pending government approval.

He said the association has remained in touch with the state government and added that proposals related to the issue have already been forwarded to Delhi.

The association also plans to meet the Railway Minister before May 20 regarding the matter, Assumi said, adding that during an earlier meeting last year the minister had assured protection of Naga rights.

RALOA chief advisor Hokavi Zhimomi claimed that the Railways had failed to produce land ownership documents for the disputed area despite RTI applications seeking dag and patta details related to railway land in Dimapur.

According to him, the only available document was a “sketch map” prepared by the Railways in 1965 and not an official land record issued by the state government or village authorities.

Zhimomi alleged that there was no record of land acquisition or requisition by the Railways in the area and maintained that land ownership in Nagaland rests with the people and village authorities under Article 371A.

Responding to concerns raised by the Naga Council Dimapur that the project could be shifted elsewhere if disputes persist, he said work on portions of the project unaffected by the land issue was already progressing and there was no possibility of relocating the redevelopment project.