Phek, November 29 (MExN): The Phek District Maytas-Gayatri Damaged Victim Association (PDMGDVA) today informed that it is postponing its proposed mass protest scheduled to start from December 1 till December 7 following an appeal by Deputy Chief Minister office.
The decision was taken by the Association during an emergency meeting on November 28 where it resolved to reciprocate the appeal made by the Deputy CM and also by concerned authority, and accordingly postponed the proposed mass protest.
Incidentally, December 7 is the date when the next hearing of a case in the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench related with the State Government non-compliance with the contempt order of dated October 30, 2023 dealing damaged compensation, it said.
Meanwhile, the PDMGDVA pointed out that the HC Kohima Bench on January 30 this year directed the Government of India (GoI) to pay the damaged compensation to the poor victims within 6 months time ending July 30, 2023.
Almost three months late but GOI had given sanctioned order on October 27 but since then the State Government is still “taking time to clarify or whatever with the Ministry,” it said.
The Association also charged the State Government of prolonging the agony and patience of the restive aggrieved community on pretext of corresponding with the Ministry till date and termed it “most inappropriate.”
The State Government is at liberty to go back to the court and challenge any outside court imposition if so, or at least allow the release of time bound damaged compensation to the poor victims and then negotiate at government-to-government level, it asserted.
Else repeated defiance of Court’s contempt order may “avoidably risk the concerned authority on one side and aggravate the anger of the more than 10 years aggrieved community beyond reasonable protest on other side,” it added.
Hence, while maintaining that the PDMGDVA is being reasonable by deferring the agitation till December 7, it cautioned that if State Government still fails to clear the pending matter by the deadline, the Association may be forced to go for intensive protest till payment is released.
Any further plea by authority for withdrawal of protest without payment may not be reciprocated, it added.
