Aggrieved landowners in Nagaland file PIL in High Court over non release of compensation

Aggrieved landowners numbering 177 families along the Zunheboto-Chakabama two-lane road have filed public interest litigation (PIL) in the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, over non release of compensation.

A bench of justices Kakheto Sema and Marli Vankung in an order on Wednesday stated that the petitioners represent the Gayatri-Maytas 2 Land Damaged Victims’ Associations, Chakhabama-Sidzu Section and Affected Landowner’s Union, Sakhabama village, Kohima district, whose land, properties and houses etc., were damaged during the two-laning of Longleng-Changtongya road, Mon-Tamlu-Merangkong road, Phek-Pfutsero road and Zunheboto-Chakabama SARDP-NE (Phase-A).

‘Particularly, the aggrieved landowners numbering about 177 families whose land, properties and houses were damaged along the Zunheboto-Chakabama road under the Administrative Jurisdiction of SDO(C) Dev, i/c Kezocha Circle under the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima District,’ it stated.

“It is the case of the petitioners that although the Government has assessed the compensation payable to the aggrieved landowners, no action has been taken so far to release the compensation and due to which the aggrieved landowners are before this Court by filing the present petition,” the Court added.

It also directed the learned counsel for the petitioners to serve requisite copies of the petition to the learned state counsel within a period of two days from Wednesday (February 8).

The PIL was filed by one Vizadel Yongo and two others versus Union of India and 10 others.