One of the houses built on illegally occupied government land, which was demolished on June 13. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 13
A total of 31 individuals, including six government officials, have been named in a criminal case related to the illegal encroachment of land at Dimapur Airport. Chargesheets have been filed against 25 private individuals, while sanction for prosecution has been sought for the six public servants, according to a press release from the Nagaland Police.
The case follows an enquiry ordered by the Home Department, Government of Nagaland, into allegations that portions of airport land had been encroached upon using forged and fabricated documents. A Preliminary Enquiry established that a cognizable offence had occurred, leading to the registration of a regular criminal case at the State Crime Police Station (SCPS), Police Headquarters, Kohima.
A Special Investigating Team (SIT) was constituted to probe the matter. After a thorough investigation, including the collection and scrutiny of documents and evidence, the SIT found sufficient grounds to recommend chargesheeting 31 accused persons — comprising 25 private individuals and six public servants — under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and other related offences.
Following approval from the competent authority, the SIT has filed chargesheets against the 25 private individuals in the appropriate court in Dimapur. For the six government officials, the Investigation Officer has submitted a prayer to the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms (P&AR) and the Department of Land Records for prosecution sanction, as mandated under law for public servants.
The police stated that further legal action will proceed upon the court’s direction and pending the required sanction from the relevant government departments.
Illegally occupied land cleared after years-long court battle
Following a protracted court battle, the state government removed structures from illegally occupied airport land in Dimapur. The exercise was jointly carried out by the Chümoukedima and Dimapur administration, on June 13, on the eastern fringe of the airport.
According to authorities, the evicted land covered some 17.9 acres in area. Some 24 structures were demolished. Deputy Commissioner, Chümoukedima, Polan John, informed that the demolished structures included four RCC buildings, three “semi pucca” buildings and 17 bamboo structures. The structures were reportedly built by 22 individuals termed as “evictees” by the government. The evicted individuals had challenged a government notification, in court, to vacate what the state government maintained was public land handed over to the Airport Authority. The day’s demolition was the culmination of multiple court interventions.
He said the eviction drive specifically targeted land at Dak number 38 and 40 in Diphupar village. “Today's exercise pertains to the eviction of 22 individuals, who were in illegal occupation of the Dimapur Airport land. Their land documents were of Ekranipathar village, whereas they were actually occupying land at Dak number 38 and 40 of Diphupar village,” he said.
The DC Dimapur, Dr Tinojongshi Chang pointed out alleged fraudulent aspects of the land occupation. He held that the land, originally falling under Ekranipathar, was illegally brought under Diphupar after the encroachment. “This land was already purchased by the government and handed over to the airport authority,” Chang stated.
He revealed that an area of 27 bigha, which was government property, was manipulated by the encroachers and fraudulently entered into records as 47 bigha.
The alleged act of fraudulently manipulating land records occurred between 2012 and 2015. The names of Revenue officials under the administration of the then undivided Dimapur district in office at the time were not revealed. All fraudulently made land deeds related to the occupied area have been officially cancelled.
Additionally, the Assam Rifles centre adjacent to the airport has also been instructed to relocate as part of the broader efforts to clear the airport periphery.
Regarding allegations by some occupants that insufficient time was given to vacate, the Dimapur DC clarified that the High Court judgment was passed on May 27, providing them with ample notice.
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