The Asian Highway Land Affected Village Chairmen/Chiefs’ Association (Gamgiphai-Taphou Kuki) expressed objections to the notification of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway dated May 28, and the subsequent notification of district collector (LA)/ DC Kangpokpi district dated May 31 in connection with the acquisition of land for widening of NH-2 at a stretch of land falling under the revenue jurisdiction of Kangpokpi district.
The association on Friday submitted a written objection to the deputy commissioner (LA), Kangpokpi district, signed by its chairman Thangkholun Haokip and general secretary Semson Kipgen.
The issuance of the notification and its procedure was intended to misguide the general public and it will not be accepted by the association, the association stated.
It also alleged that the whole process of land acquisition since its beginning was marred with discrepancies as it kept the rightful landowners and stakeholders completely in the dark during the whole process.
“Our demand for transfer of land records from Imphal West to DC's office Kangpokpi is still not happening while the whole process of land acquisition has been executed on the behest of Imphal West Secretariat in bad faith and we strongly objected to the procedural blunder,” it stated.
It recalled that their strong objection to the notification dated April 12 in connection with the same purpose for land acquisition on behalf of the rightful landowners and stakeholders was also turned on the deaf ears. “But we strongly reiterated that without the consent and confidence of the landowners and stakeholders the government cannot and never be able to acquire land for any developmental purposes and the said stretch of land cannot be forcefully kept in abeyance,” the association stated.
It alleged that all notifications regarding land acquisition are done at the behest of Imphal West secretariat which is against the rule of law, and such notifications do not accommodate the survey undertaken by the staff of DC Kangpokpi for the sole purpose of acquiring land for expansion of NH-2.
The whole exercise of surveying the land for the acquisition was carried out just for formality, and that the highest competent authority of the district administration cannot and shall not be allowed to delinquent its duty, it stated. Such authority must be held responsible for any eventualities, it added.
Conveying that the people of the district in general and the rightful landowners and stakeholders, in particular will fight tooth and nail for their rights, the Association cautioned that it will not leave any stone unturned for justice. The Association shall not be burdened to take responsibility for any eventuality that may be unfolding over the issue, it added.
