The plight of land affected owners of Ramva village NH-202 construction from Yaingangpokpi to Finch Corner
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L Luingam
Roads are universally recognized as instruments of economic progress and social transformation. As Mr Culay Maloc stated, “Roads make crucial contributions to development, providing access to employment, healthcare, and education. It also help Nations fight poverty.” In the same spirit, the people of Ukhrul District believed that the construction of NH-202 would usher in long-awaited development and growth for the region. Therefore, with a sincere desire to contribute to this collective progress, the land affected owners of Ramva village, formally known as Lambui village, willingly agreed to part with their lands and dismantle their homes provided that they were awarded fair, adequate and just compensation as mandated under the National Highways Act. However, their hopes were deeply shaken seeing the compensation order issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul date 31/10/2020, which fixed the land rate as Rs. 40/- per sq. ft. for open and cultivated land, Rs. 120/-per sq. ft for homestead/residential and Rs. 200/- per sq. ft. for commercial land. These rates are drastically lower when compared to corresponding compensation structures in other States of India. Such an undervaluation cannot be considered fair compensation by any reasonable standard at a time when one kg of local rice costs Rs 60/-in the prevailing market rate. Ramva Village is not just another settlement-- it is the commercial hub as well as the central link point for many neighbouring villages, situated at the convergence of 4 State highways. Naturally its land value is significantly higher than any other villages in Ukhrul District. Yet, this reality was overlooked in the compensation assessment.
During this already challenging period, land affec- ted owners are further distressed to discover multiple irregularities in land classification carried out by the former officials of the district. Lands that should have been categorized as commercial are marked as homestead and homestead lands are labelled as cultivation/open areas. More- over, even plots located along the same alignment and same stretch of the highway were advertently and inconsistently categorized at the disposal of the past officials. This arbitrary exercise has not only created discrepancies but has also sown resentment and distrust among affected land owners and it also engendered a feeling of hatred towards those former unscrupulous officials.
The orders of the Deputy Commissioner vide No. 10/157/2020 Rev(Ukl) Pt/0378 dated, February 2020 and No. 10/157/2020 Rev(Ukl) Pt/0360 dated 22nd December, 2021 regarding verifi- cation of land classification bears only half-truth. Land verification was partially carried out without covering the whole affected lands of the village. Keeping in view the right to fair compensation and transparency in land acquisition, repeated verbal and written appeals had been made to the district officials for rectifi- cation of error and discrepancy found in land classification. Amidst all these turn of events, former district revenue officials and NHIDCL Officials repeatedly emphasized that the 3A Order once finalized cannot be altered under any circumstances. If that is the case, then, a pertinent question arises. What is the purpose of the 10% reserved quantum for genuine cases ? Has this amount been transparently allocated to the rightful and genuinely affected land owner?
And at last unexpectedly a new land pifurcation order was published. Com- pensation was already sanctioned and disbursed almost one year before bifurcation order is published. Now, the question stands: will additional funds be allocated to newly bifurcated owners? Or recovery be made from those who have already received compensation pro- portionate to their affected land ? Any such recovery is likely to create deep grievances and conflict between original and newly bifurcated land owner.
The affected families have been waiting over three years for resolution of these grievances. Despite repeated follow-ups, they have experienced prolonged delay and perceived negligence from the authorities. At one point, the land affected owners considered seeking legal remedy but the decision was put on hold after careful deliberation in the village Assembly, based on the assurances given by the then DC of Ukhrul and the CSOs of Ukhrul that the issue would be resolved amicably through arbitration. Three years have passed since then-yet no tangible progress has been made.
Adding to this hardship, several houses situated along the slopes of the highway are now facing the danger of collapse due to severe soil erosion and absence of retaining and breast walls. The occupants of these houses are left with no option but to abandon their houses and relocate elsewhere, bearing the burden of personal loss and disruption of their habitation. This situation is nothing short of men-made disaster. Why are the victims ignored for so long ? Yes, we live in a society of victimization. The poor and the ignorant land affected owners are left to be humiliated and compelled to bear the brunt of loosing fair, just and adequate land compensation.
Last but not the least, as per established arbitration procedures, disputes are to be settled only after hearing the grievances of the affected parties. However, in the case of Ramva Village, the multitude and genuineness of the issue demand not just a hearing but also an immediate and thorough sites inspection and verification. Without such trans- parent verification, the aggrieved landowners will be left with no choices but to pursue legal action in their quest for fair and just compensation and long awaited justice that they really deserve. The people of Ramva village firmly believe and pray that the creator of earth and humanity will not forsake them and that justice, though delayed, must ultimately prevail.
The writer is the Chairman, Ramva Village Development Committee
Roads are universally recognized as instruments of economic progress and social transformation. As Mr Culay Maloc stated, “Roads make crucial contributions to development, providing access to employment, healthcare, and education. It also help Nations fight poverty.” In the same spirit, the people of Ukhrul District believed that the construction of NH-202 would usher in long-awaited development and growth for the region. Therefore, with a sincere desire to contribute to this collective progress, the land affected owners of Ramva village, formally known as Lambui village, willingly agreed to part with their lands and dismantle their homes provided that they were awarded fair, adequate and just compensation as mandated under the National Highways Act. However, their hopes were deeply shaken seeing the compensation order issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul date 31/10/2020, which fixed the land rate as Rs. 40/- per sq. ft. for open and cultivated land, Rs. 120/-per sq. ft for homestead/residential and Rs. 200/- per sq. ft. for commercial land. These rates are drastically lower when compared to corresponding compensation structures in other States of India. Such an undervaluation cannot be considered fair compensation by any reasonable standard at a time when one kg of local rice costs Rs 60/-in the prevailing market rate. Ramva Village is not just another settlement-- it is the commercial hub as well as the central link point for many neighbouring villages, situated at the convergence of 4 State highways. Naturally its land value is significantly higher than any other villages in Ukhrul District. Yet, this reality was overlooked in the compensation assessment.
During this already challenging period, land affec- ted owners are further distressed to discover multiple irregularities in land classification carried out by the former officials of the district. Lands that should have been categorized as commercial are marked as homestead and homestead lands are labelled as cultivation/open areas. More- over, even plots located along the same alignment and same stretch of the highway were advertently and inconsistently categorized at the disposal of the past officials. This arbitrary exercise has not only created discrepancies but has also sown resentment and distrust among affected land owners and it also engendered a feeling of hatred towards those former unscrupulous officials.
The orders of the Deputy Commissioner vide No. 10/157/2020 Rev(Ukl) Pt/0378 dated, February 2020 and No. 10/157/2020 Rev(Ukl) Pt/0360 dated 22nd December, 2021 regarding verifi- cation of land classification bears only half-truth. Land verification was partially carried out without covering the whole affected lands of the village. Keeping in view the right to fair compensation and transparency in land acquisition, repeated verbal and written appeals had been made to the district officials for rectifi- cation of error and discrepancy found in land classification. Amidst all these turn of events, former district revenue officials and NHIDCL Officials repeatedly emphasized that the 3A Order once finalized cannot be altered under any circumstances. If that is the case, then, a pertinent question arises. What is the purpose of the 10% reserved quantum for genuine cases ? Has this amount been transparently allocated to the rightful and genuinely affected land owner?
And at last unexpectedly a new land pifurcation order was published. Com- pensation was already sanctioned and disbursed almost one year before bifurcation order is published. Now, the question stands: will additional funds be allocated to newly bifurcated owners? Or recovery be made from those who have already received compensation pro- portionate to their affected land ? Any such recovery is likely to create deep grievances and conflict between original and newly bifurcated land owner.
The affected families have been waiting over three years for resolution of these grievances. Despite repeated follow-ups, they have experienced prolonged delay and perceived negligence from the authorities. At one point, the land affected owners considered seeking legal remedy but the decision was put on hold after careful deliberation in the village Assembly, based on the assurances given by the then DC of Ukhrul and the CSOs of Ukhrul that the issue would be resolved amicably through arbitration. Three years have passed since then-yet no tangible progress has been made.
Adding to this hardship, several houses situated along the slopes of the highway are now facing the danger of collapse due to severe soil erosion and absence of retaining and breast walls. The occupants of these houses are left with no option but to abandon their houses and relocate elsewhere, bearing the burden of personal loss and disruption of their habitation. This situation is nothing short of men-made disaster. Why are the victims ignored for so long ? Yes, we live in a society of victimization. The poor and the ignorant land affected owners are left to be humiliated and compelled to bear the brunt of loosing fair, just and adequate land compensation.
Last but not the least, as per established arbitration procedures, disputes are to be settled only after hearing the grievances of the affected parties. However, in the case of Ramva Village, the multitude and genuineness of the issue demand not just a hearing but also an immediate and thorough sites inspection and verification. Without such trans- parent verification, the aggrieved landowners will be left with no choices but to pursue legal action in their quest for fair and just compensation and long awaited justice that they really deserve. The people of Ramva village firmly believe and pray that the creator of earth and humanity will not forsake them and that justice, though delayed, must ultimately prevail.
The writer is the Chairman, Ramva Village Development Committee