RALOA flays NTPA statement

Railway Affected Landowners Association (RALOA) has strongly condemned Nagaland Tree Planters Association (NTPA) statement, which urged the government to clear land at Dimapur Railway Station.
In a press release, RALOA president Khekaho Assumi and general secretary Y. Hetokhu Awomi described NTPA statement as “blunt, provocative and misleading” and said it clearly displayed their “total ignorance of the crux of the issue of Dimapur railways.”
The association asked the NTPA to “make proper homework and meticulous studies” before going to the press and creating social chaos and confusion.
RALOA stated that from the inception of Railways in Dimapur by the Britishers to the creation of Nagaland state in 1963 and till date, not a single act of requisition or acquisition has been carried out between the Railways and the Nagas (Govt, Village authority or individual land owners).
It maintained that Nagaland state was created in 1963 following political negotiation to protect the rights and livelihood of the Nagas.
RALOA said that the then negotiations felt it necessary to introduce Article 371 (A) in the constitution of India wherein it was “vividly enshrined” that the land and its resources belonged to the people (Nagas).
RALOA affirmed to leave no stone unturned to see that the rights of the Nagas were protected at any cost.
Further, RALOA asserted that only the new Railway line extending to Zubza via Shokhuvi has been compensated by the Railways. Besides that, it said not even an inch of land has been compensated (between Sangtamtilla to Niu Colony connecting Khatkhati).
On the assertion of NTPA that Dimapur railway land has been compensated, the RALOA invited NTPA to furnish all the details- date, time, year, rate and total amount of land compensation made and submit the same to office of RALOA within a period of two weeks.
Failing which, the association cautioned that NTPA would be solely held responsible for any untoward eventuality.