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Govt. of Nagaland,
H.Q. Kohima.
Subject: Acquisition of land for Nagaki City in Chathe valley under Medziphema
Sub-Division, Chumukedima District. Queries and clarifications sought thereof.
Sir
With due respect, we beg to submit the following few points seeking clarifications in regard to the land acquisition for Nagaki City in Chathe Valley since we, the land owners, are still in the dark about the basic profile and the modus operandi of the whole process.
1. Investments on the proposed Mega Project from land acquisitions to the infrastructural developments of modern city standard is going to be very huge. Whether it is funded by Government of India (Gol) that is given to the citizens of Nagaland or with loan taken from any bank which has to be repaid with interest and for which the debt servicing has to be borne by the citizens ultimately. Therefore it is indispensable for the proposed project to be approved by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Whether the matter was placed before the August House or not.
2. The Nagaland Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Act of 1978 which bars any non-indigenous person to own land nor land can be given on lease to that category of people in the State of Nagaland. Whether the Govt. of Nagaland will enforce the same law on the proposed project?
3. What is or the reason that prompted the State Govt. to go ahead with the Detail Project Report (DPR) and the application for seeking necessary approval from Gol without ascertaining the availability of land in the earmarked land from the land owners first? To begin with, it is the land owners whose opinion and cooperation should have been sought first. What is or are the factor that led the Govt. to commit the basic error of placing the landowners to be the secondary?
4. The indigenous customs and traditions are protective enough for any citizens to possess and retain any movable or immovable property according to one's choice. Also the Constitution of India provides Right to Property to all its citizens. Whether the State Govt. is giving due respect to the legal right of the individual land owners?
5. What is or are the reason for the Govt. to be so vague/ secretive on the proposed acquisition rate being offered to the land owners?
6. In the Project profile, the Govt. intends to reserve 16.5 Hectars out of the total area of 330 Hectars which would be disposed at later date at the rate of INR 5000/- (rupees five thousand) per square meter. Is the proposed Project for the welfare of the people or at the expense of the gullible land owners who may be subjected to exploitation at the rate?
7. The Govt. has failed to enforce uniformity in the earmarking of lands for the Project. The fact is that certain area of lands belonging to the rich and powerful are not booked but conveniently left out. Is this not an act of exploitation?
8. In the event of failing to utilise the acquired lands as scheduled for want of fund or otherwise, will the Govt. return the lands to respective land owners at the original purchase rate?
We shall be glad to have an answer on the above queries.
Kuolachalie Seyie
for Community Land New Secünoma
Z. Lohe, former Speaker, NLA
K Kire (IPS), Retd. DGP, Nagaland.