Agitation against non-payment of compensation under SAEDP-NE road project 2011
Zunheboto, February 16 (MExN): The SARDP Sumi Area Affected Landowners Welfare Committee (SSAALWC) on Tuesday announced an indefinite suspension of the ongoing 2-Lane road project under Sumi jurisdiction.
It further directed contactors/firms engaged and executing the work to halt/suspend the work with immediate effect from February 17. “Failure to comply shall invite seizure of machineries,” it cautioned.
In a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zunheboto, the SSAALWC stated that in a joint meeting held on February 13, the Committee reviewed the unresolved matter of non-payment of second phase property damage compensation under SARDP-NE Road Project, 2011.
After crucial deliberation, the Committee stated that it found dissatisfaction with the authorities concerned for giving false assurances.
In this regard, the SSAALWC decided to reaffirm its earlier resolutions of August 28, 2019; September 4, 2019; and October 17, 2019, which were submitted to the government authorities.
It decided to enforce total indefinite cessation of ongoing road project till the payment is made to the genuine beneficiaries listed and verified by respective village council, Deputy Commissioner and concerned departments from the year 2012-2016.
According to the letter, on August 28, 2019 the Committee had submitted a joint resolution to halt the work for an indefinite period. However, owing to the courtesy call of DC Zunheboto and Sumi Hoho in good faith, the SSAALWC had agreed to call off the cessation of work and apprised the authorities to come out with logical conclusion at the earliest.
On September 4, 2019, the Committee again submitted a representation addressed to Chief Secretary through the DC Zunheboto, to address their demand. The Works and Housing Department (Works Branch), on September 13, 2019 had directed DC Zunheboto to take up proper verification and submit detailed reports with factual estimates as per the approved rates, the letter informed.
On October 17, 2019 the Welfare Committee and the representatives of the Sumi Hoho had a joint sitting at Oking; Zunheboto to deliberate the issue for suspending the ongoing work.
After cordial discussion, the Sumi Hoho gave an assurance to take up the matter on priority with the State Governor.
However, the representation/letter of the Sumi Hoho could reach the Governor’s office only on May 25, 2020, after a lapse of six months from the date of joint meeting.
On June 2, 2020 the Governor’s Secretariat, Kohima directed DC Zunheboto to submit the copy of the spot verification of the damages assessed during the year 2011 afterwards and the action taken thereon and also to furnish the details to the Secretariat.
In light of these events, the Committee said that the negligence of its ‘genuine demands’ by the government authorities was unacceptable.
The SSAALWC further asserted that it would not attend any joint meeting till the issue is addressed.
