With voices for and against the shifting of Peren district headquarters (HQ) to the proposed new site still yet to settle despite a High Court order, Zeliang People’s Organization (ZPO) and Peren Students’ Union (PSU) Saturday told Nagaland Post that they wanted proper infrastructure to be placed at the new site and surrounding area before the date of actual shifting.
“There are no hospital, banks, schools, market, etc., then how can we call this a model town”, ZPO and PSU wondered and stated that the government was taking advantage of the “public ignorance”. PSU also expressed dismay that the proposal to shift at the new site was made when not even “a quarter of the work” required was complete in and around the area. It may be mentioned that foundation stone for the proposed new Peren district HQ was laid by state chief minister Neiphiu Rio on May 15, 2007.
When media persons Saturday made a quick survey of the new site, the proposed new site or rather the DC’s complex and surrounding area were at the nascent stage of development with little or no infrastructure put in place as has been reported.
Six office buildings including DC office complex have been completed while some staff quarters were still under construction. It was also found out that the road leading towards the DC’s office at the new site was not properly accessible for vehicle and could be even more difficult to do so during inclement weather as experienced by the media persons Saturday.
It was also found that some police personnel have been deployed at the new site since Friday evening. When asked, the police personnel replied that they did not know the reason for their deployment at the new site. Those personnel deployed at the site said that there was no power supply and drinking water was not available.
It may be recalled that DC Peren also in his assessment as quoted by ZPO on September 5 had said that the “immediate shifting” of new headquarter would create serious hardships to the public for which he had urged the “appropriate authority” to postpone the shifting till such time basic infrastructure was ready.
Earlier, as per government order, the shifting to the new site was to be completed by September 14. According to the chart, 23 offices were to be shifted and have to function in one office building — the new DC office complex.
However, following a PIL filed by Zeliang People’s Organization (ZPO) on September 7, the Gauhati High Court on the same day directed the state government not to shift the Peren district HQ before required infrastructures were made available at the new site. The High Court, in its order had directed state chief secretary Lalthara to visit the new site and ensure that minimum infrastructure was available to “his satisfaction” before shifting of the district headquarters.
ZPO has also alleged that real land owners were “omitted” during the signing of MoU for the proposed new site. As per the MoU, the site selection of Peren district HQ within Tebam, Hegeilulo-New Peren-Kezanglwa area was concluded on July 3, 2006 based government order No. GAB-10/03/04 dated 11/05/2005 between the village authorities of Peren Village Council, New Peren Village Council and Kezanglwa Village Council and the Government of Nagaland.
At the signing of the MoU, ZPO has alleged that Old Jalukie Village who “real landowner” was excluded while Kezanglwa Village who was paying annual tax to the “real landowners” (Old Jalukie Village) were included.
Old Jalukie Village Council had earlier in a letter addressed to DC Peren dated January 12, 2009 claimed that Kejanglwa villagers had no authority to negotiate or be a party in land issues with the government or any agencies without the consent of the absolute owner –Old Jalukie Village Council as the Kejanglwa villagers were allowed to settle in the same location as a “tenant” by paying annual land tax.