Concerns raised over land acquisition for Nagaki city

DIMAPUR — Concerns have been raised regarding the transparency of the proposed ‘Nagaki’ city project in Chathe Valley under Medziphema sub-division of Chümoukedima district.

In an open letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, a group of prominent citizens, including former Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Z Lohe,  retired Director General of Police (DGP) K Kire, and KuolachalieSeyie (for community land New Secünoma) outlined a number of issues, seeking clarification on various aspects of the proposed project.

Stating that the land owners are still in the dark about the basic profile and the modus operandi of the land acquisition process, the letter questioned the government’s decision to proceed with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) without first consulting the landowners whose land is being acquired.

“What is or are the factor that led the government to commit the basic error of placing the landowners to be the secondary?” it asked.

It also highlighted the lack of clarity on crucial matters such as funding sources for the project and whether the project adheres to the state’s land ownership laws, particularly the Nagaland Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Act of 1978, which restrict land ownership to indigenous inhabitants.

Questioning why the state government is being “so vague/secretive” on the proposed acquisition rate being offered to the land owners, it said that the government’s plan, as outlined in the project profile, to reserve 16.5 hectares out of the total 330 hectares acquired for later disposal at a rate of INR 5,000 per square metre raises serious concerns about the potential exploitation of landowners.

Further, it pointed out perceived inconsistencies in the land earmarking process, alleging that land belonging to influential individuals have been conveniently excluded from the acquisition process.

It also sought clarification on whether the project was approved by the NLA and if the land would be returned to the original owners at the original purchase rate should the project fail.

Also read: To the Chief Secretary,