The manner in which encroachment and vandalism has been reported at Referral Hospital Dimapur is shocking and deserves the highest condemnation. Such kind of despicable behavior on the part of some lowdown elements brings nothing but shame and dishonor to the entire Naga society. Indulging in such illegal acts cannot be tolerated more so because in this case, the victim happens to be a highly respectable public institution. The State government and the concerned department should own moral responsibility and apologize to the management of the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) including the Vellore-based Christian Medical College, which has taken up the development project of Referral Hospital.
The Dimapur district administration under whose jurisdiction the hospital falls should in consultation with the concerned State department ensure proper security so that such acts of encroachment and vandalism do not occur in the future. It is unfortunate that even after more than eight months since developmental works commenced the completion of the ambitious project seems a far cry – thanks to the nefarious activities of wanton elements. Every effort must now be made to sanitize the entire area and to ensure a congenial atmosphere for the early completion of the hospital.
The concerned public of the area adjoining the hospital property should also act as a watchdog and report any undesirable incident to the administration immediately. For the State government, in order to deal with similar kinds of problem related to development, the relevant section of the law has to be found and effectively enforced. Unless punitive action against illegal activity is taken and the public at large is educated on such issues, people will continue to flout the rules and get away lightly. As such, the State should be prepared not only to take action against the wrong doer but also ensure penalties commensurate with the crime done. Failure to do so will only justify such acts of encroaching and damaging of public property.
In this regard, it is suggested that the government look into the feasibility of strictly enforcing the relevant provisions of the existing law. There already exists an Act to provide for preventing such public nuisance called the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, which has stringent measure for imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with fine. Similarly, a uniform encroachment drive wherever and against whomsoever it is applicable should be enforced across the board and not selectively. The State government should get its act together to deal firmly with such criminal elements and ensure that those who destroy public property or encroach upon government land are dealt with ruthlessly, irrespective of whether one is rich or poor and powerful or weak. Failure to take a firm stand on such illegal acts will only help reinvent the cycle of illegality and giving legitimacy to the wrong doer and those who perpetuate lawlessness and break the law.
