Affected owners say no to land survey
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 25 2023:
The National Highway 37 Affected Land Owners' Association has warned of intense agitation if the Government does not annul the land survey being conducted for acquisition of land measuring 75 feet on both sides of the said National Highway between Oriental College and Keithelmanbi (National Highway 37, Package 1) .
National Highway 37 Affected Land Owners' Asso- ciation secretary Irengbam Gandhajit announced this to the media while addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul today.
Saying that a land survey for acquiring 75 feet on both sides of the National Highway stretch is being con- ducted since yesterday by NHIDCL, he asserted that a large number of houses and standing properties were already dismantled in 2021 when the Government acquired 40 feet of land for expansion of the same National Highway stretch.
"A large number of land owners whose land and standing properties were affected in the previous (2021) eviction have not been compensated till date.
However, instead of addressing the grievances of the affected land owners, the Government is now taking up measures to acquire 75 feet each on both sides of the same National Highway stretch", Gandhajit decried.
The secretary conveyed that the initial notification for land survey to acquire 12.5 metres on both sides of the National Highway stretch from Oriental College to Keithelmanbi was issued in 1983 by the Government and its land award was disbursed only in 1994 after the same (land award) had been announced in 1988 .
He went on to assert that many of the locals whose lands were affected in the initial survey had not accepted the land award as it was disbursed after a gap of 6 to 7 years and not suitable with the land values at the time.
Gandhajit added that the land owners who refused to accept the land award filed a case in connection with the survey for land acquisition and the matter is still pending in the Court.
Notwithstanding this fact, the Government issued an order for eviction on November 3, 2021 and subsequently carried out an eviction drive for expansion of the road.
Following the eviction in which houses, business establishments and other properties were dismantled, the Government issued another notification for acquiring another 75 feet on both sides of the same National Highway stretch on August 22, 2022 and a survey for the same purpose is being conducted since yesterday, the secretary added.
Stating that the authorities concerned have informed them of issuing an eviction order for the land acquisition within 10 days, he asked how the affected land owners will shift their houses and rehabilitate within the stipulated time.
While questioning whether there is rule of law in the State and the country, Gandhajit maintained that the affected land owners have been repeatedly traumatised by the land acquisition process on the National Highway.
Appealing to the Government to nullify the order for acquiring 75 feet on both sides and disbursed the pending compensation for the previous land acquisition by understanding the sentiments and hardships of the affected land owners, the secretary announced that the National Highway 37 Affected Land Owners' Association will take up intense form of agitation if the Government does not pay heed to their request/demand.