SARDP Sumi Area Affected Landowners’ Welfare Committee (SSAALWC) has served an ultimatum to deputy commissioner (DC) Zunheboto to stop the two-lane road work under SARDP-NE project in Sumi area until the second phase of compensation were paid to landowners.
In a representation to the DC on February 17 and signed by its convener Ghuvishe Zhimomi and secretary Kakheto Zhimo, the committee also threatened to file a PIL, if its ultimatum was ignored.
SSAALWC pointed out that though the affected land owners had approached the DC on various occasions seeking halt to the project work till second phase of compensation for damaged property was paid, these were of no avail.
Hence, the representation explained the affected land owners had resolved and reaffirmed that no contractor/ firm should execute the work within the affected jurisdiction until the compensation was cleared.
The committee also warned that in case of an untoward incident arising out of the decision of landowners, the authority concerned would have to borne the responsibility.
Mentioning that whether the second phase of compensation was under arbitration or not had nothing to do with the landowners, SSAALWC said it was the government’s responsibility to fulfil the demand.
Further pointing out that Madhucon Projects Ltd had been awarded contract by NHIDCL on the same project that was abandoned by Gayatri-Maytas joint venture and not some other project at a different location, the committee reasoned that the question of administration allowing Madhucon to carry on work without any hindrance did not arise.
Hence, it demanded that the present contractor must halt the ongoing work and leave the site immediately from the date of publication of the resolution.
Admitting that overall development was required, SSAALWC however emphasised that NGOs or security forces could not command “our land” forcefully for any developmental work without addressing the genuine issues with the landowners as Nagas had ownership rights that nobody could compromise it.
The representation said without halting the ongoing work the second phase of compensation would not come about. Hence the landowners took the decision, it added.