Committee urges ICGL to halt gas pipeline works
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, February 05 2024:
Mayangkhang Area Naga Villages Core Committee has asked Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) to stop gas pipeline works in areas under the jurisdiction of the committee from February 10 in view of the ongoing agitation including the ban on NH-2 highway expansion works by affected land owners against prolonged delay in arbitration process.
According to a statement of the committee, IGGL being competent authority for land acquisition for gas pipeline works has been told to stop gas pipeline works to avoid unwanted incident arising out of democratic agitation being launched by land owners who have been affected by NH expansion works.
Justifying its stance, the committee pointed out that CALA fixed the land rate without any consultation with the affected land owners and accordingly the affected beneficiaries refused to accept the compensation award.
It was after a series of meetings and on the request of CALA that representatives of the affected land owners and CALA signed an MoU on July 31, 2021 .
The affected land owners accepted the compensation award as the competent authority had given the assurance that an arbitrator will be appointed and the final land rate will be decided through the arbitration process.
However, arbitration process remains incomplete till date owing to different issues.
The arbitration process remains halted since the ethnic clash erupted on May 3, 2023 but the committee submitted a written request to the arbitrator for resumption of the process on August 28, 2023 and again on September 26, 2023.However, there has been no response from the authorities and accordingly the committee served an ultimatum giving October 30, 2023 as deadline, which too was neglected.
Considering all these grievances, the committee was compelled to resort to intense democratic agitation by banning all kinds of highway expansion works, the statement said, adding that the competent authority should be held responsible for any eventuality.