Dimapur, July 22 (MExN): The government’s proposal to shift Police Training Center and Nagaland Armed Police Training Center, Chumukedima, to Gaili-Raziephema area has run into rough weather with its land owners, Gaili village, strongly opposing the move. According to Gaili Village Council, the stated area where the training centre is located belongs to Gaili village and as such objection is being raised since the proposal for shifting has not the permission of the said village.
“It must be made clear that we are not against any work of development but we are against only the system of implementation bypassing the landowners in order to rob the benefits and the privileges such as land compensation, employment benefits etc to landowners.,” stated a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister by Latui Haikube, Gaili Village Council Chairman, Dirai Zeliang, Head GB, and Heungem Hau, Council members. It asserted that Gaili village is the rightful landowners of the entire land up to the boundary of Chumukedima and that both Gaili and Raziephema village made a joint declaration to maintain the relationship as “father (Gaili) and son (Raziephema) as such Raziephema village is in the land of Gaili Village”.
The council felt snubbed that developmental works i.e., 500 bedded Referral Hospital, International Airport proposed in 1980 and 2002, had to be dropped “on the failure of administration to give little land to Gaili Village as Government refused to name as ‘Gaili Village’ or say ‘Refferal Hospital at Gaili’”. For this the villagers were forced to seek justice from court, it added. The memorandum reminded that there is a standing High Court ruling in regard to utilization; that the actual verdict vide Civil Revision No. 17 (H) of 1988 Dated June 16, 17 and the 23rd between Gaili (petitioner) Vs Raziephema Village (Respondent).
The memorandum expressed surprise that the Nagaland Government proposed to acquire 500 areas of land in the disputed area via agreement with Raziephema for construction of PTC and NAPTC with payment of Rs 2,47,50,000 to Raziephema without the permission or knowledge of Gaili village; that DC Dimapur issued notifications for claims and objection before March 20, 2006 “and even before 30 days is over, DC Dimapur has already paid Rs 1, 50,000 to Raziphema on March 7, 2006 bypassing all norms and rules against government notification”. It was also stated that the stretch map prepared by the Government does not even indicate boundaries of neighboring villages such as Gaili, Ngwalwa, Heningkunglwa, villages or roads/streams/rivers Etc.,. “DC Dimapur has countersigned on the simple map for such a big project and have paid land compensation and signed the agreement against the wishes of the real land owner” the council lamented.
In view of the “historical and legal status of Gaili Village” the memorandum demanded: restoration of the right of Gaili village and PTC and NAPTC proposals be given as ‘Gaili and Not Raziephema; that the concern department be given directives to make proposals in the name of Gaili Village and not Raziephema; that compensations, if any, should be paid to the landowners, Gaili Village.
“Further we will like to make our stand clear that we are not against the PTC and NAPTC proposal, but ownership over the land should be given to Gaili village, failing which if any consequences arise out of this project, the government will be solely held responsibility” the memorandum warned. While assuring full cooperation to the government, the memo requested that consideration into the matters elaborated be taken.
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