Land grab syndrome

The recent demolition of unauthorized structures within the land belonging to the Health & Family Welfare that houses the District Hospital Dimapur(DHD) indicates that the authorities are finally taking some steps though it is too little and too late. It may be noted that as per records, the land of the hospital spreads over an area of 55,198 square metres or around 13.64 acres. How much of land actually remains with the department is a moot point most of the occupants/encroachers being serving or retired staff of DHD. The state government in 2023 announced plans to upgrade the hospital’s capabilities and services to the status as referral hospital. This would mean that as referral hospital, it will be able to handle more complex medical cases. It also means that adequate land area is needed to provide infrastructure for treatment. Land means creation of infrastructures and which mean better health care for the public. Encroachment on hospital land date back many decades and highlighted in 2005 when then minister of H&FW Dr (late) T.M.Lotha during inspection vowed to restore encroached lands. The situation had worsened to such an extent even then, when a suspected Bangladeshi illegal migrant, filed cases against the department for stay against eviction. As per high court order, a team was constituted by the department to verify 15 of the 18 occupants, who , unsurprisingly, were patta holders. The pattas of the remaining three could not be verified. Even during 2018 a status report was submitted to then chief minister regarding encroachment of hospital lands by private individuals. It may be recalled that then health & family welfare minister S Pangnyu Phom had warned of action against staff of the department who had allegedly connived to encroach land belonging to the district hospital. Nothing has changed except more lands being privatized. Encroachments of government lands in the state has gone beyond just expressions of “serious concern” that urgently needs political will, as it threatens governance. The situation in Dimapur has crossed the ‘gravest problem’ with almost all government lands now privatized through a nexus between government staff and land grabbers working in tandem. This syndrome is not restricted to Dimapur alone but is also prevalent in other districts where local inhabitants justify land grab under the claim of traditional ownership or non-payment of land compensation, if at all. These happen because the government itself, more often than not, fails to protect its own lands either due to nexus between staff and land grabbers or improper maintenance of official land deed documents. Government also loses land also due to the lack of interest shown by staff in protecting land either within or outside the court. This rampant privatization of government lands has not only stopped progress but also destroyed confidence in the system and fuelled the khushi-khushi syndrome. This syndrome continues to bring all the economic visions to a grinding halt. This has also seen the eventual practice of legalizing illegalities largely due to the passive resistance of the authorities. Government lands house important offices, institutes or projects which play crucial role as catalysts for progress and development. This has been highlighted over decades by this newspaper. The few evictions are a step in the right direction but belated, akin to bolting the stable after the horses have fled.