DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 14 (MExN): The Railway Affected Land Owners Association (RALOA) has called on Indian Railways to resolve a longstanding land dispute by offering compensation in accordance with the Indian Railway Act, stating that no railway land exists in Nagaland and that landowners are prepared to negotiate only if due compensation is provided.
"The landowners are willing to make their stand very clear. They are not totally against giving away their lands/properties. However, they are prepared to concede only at the behest of Railways agreeing to offer land compensation as per Indian Railway Act (i.e., twice the actual land/property valuation)," RALOA stated in a press release.
The association accused the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) of shifting blame onto landowners by alleging encroachment instead of working toward an equitable solution. "Instead of exploring viable solution in its right perspective, the North Frontier Railways (NFR) is blaming squarely on landowners for land encroachment which smells nothing short of finding ways and means to avoid paying land compensation to the genuine landowners," the statement read.
The land in question, spanning approximately 8 kilometers between Rangapahar and Khatkati, is occupied by the Railways but consists of village lands (non-cadastral) and land belonging to registered landowners (cadastral), according to RALOA. The association asserted that "there is no Railway land in Nagaland," citing Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, which vests ownership of land and resources in the people of Nagaland and limits the applicability of central laws unless approved by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
RALOA pointed out that other central agencies operating in Nagaland, including the Airport Authority and the military, have either paid land compensation or secured leases for their projects. "Even the current Airport at Kohima and the Railway Project extending to Zubza (Sechu) could be carried out only after the payment of due compensation to the respective landowners," it stated.
As Indian Railways moves forward with the modernization of Dimapur Railway Station, the association emphasized that the station has been a key revenue generator in the region, second only to Guwahati in the Northeast. "Over the years, it has contributed immensely to the National Income. Hence, payment of land compensation need not be burdensome for the concerned department," RALOA stated.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to fostering cooperation among the Railways, state administration, and landowners to facilitate expansion projects but maintained that a resolution to the land issue was imperative. "It will spare no effort to find an early solution to the land issue so that the Railways could be enabled to carry out the upgradation and expansion work without further hindrance," the statement read.
