PDMGDVA announces 15-day ‘No Reply, No Work’ agitation over land compensation issue

Dimapur, Oct. 4 (EMN): The Phek District Maytas-Gayatri Damaged Victim Association (PDMGDVA) decided at an emergency meeting on October 4 to initiate its second phase of agitation from Wednesday if the government of India fails to file its affidavit-in-opposition by October 5, the date the matter is being listed.

The government of India has, till date, failed to file a reply to the public interest litigation (PIL) filed with the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High for claim of damage compensation to people affected by road projects in Phek district.

The association informed that the first stage of its second phase of agitation will start on October 6 and conclude on the 21st (15 days) will be in the form of “No Reply, No Work”, wherein no company or contractor will be allowed to undertake any work on Chakhabama-Zunheboto (under Phek district) and Pfutsero-Phek two-lanning roads till the Centre files its reply to the PIL.

It went on to inform that it would intensify the agitation if the Indian government ignores its pleas even after the expiry of 15 days’ agitation.

The association informed that it had restraint from imposing an indefinite road blockade in order not to disrupt the normal activity of the public. Working company and contractors will not be allowed to carrying out their activity on the mentioned two roads till the Centre files its reply in the court but vehicular movement won’t be affected, it clarified.

Recalling the sequence of the matter, the association stated that it had submitted a memorandum to the secretary, Ministry of Road and Transport, through the chief secretary of the state, on August 16; the matter was last heard on August 11 before it was listed for September 15 and then to October 5.

While stating that the association temporarily suspended its first phase of agitation after the government of Nagaland intervened by assuring to pressurise the Centre to file a reply on the latter on or before Oct. 5. It went on to caution that “should there be any fallout with the agitation Union of India shall be held fully responsible”.