P Khel council Viswema clarifies road project impasse

Pavo Khel Council, Viswema Village, has issued a clarification regarding the temporary stoppage of work on the road project titled “Restoration and Up-gradation of Road from NH-2 Viswema to Pfutsero via Zuketsa (Grade-A)”, particularly on land belonging to P. Khel.
In a statement, council chairman Mezavi Puyo, secretary Pulel Kiso, and GBs Mane Toso and Bazu Angami said the people of P. Khel have always supported development initiatives serving the larger public interest. The community has consistently welcomed projects undertaken by the Government of Nagaland and other agencies when they benefit society at large.
It stated that when the road project was taken up, landowners of P. Khel voluntarily gave up their prime ancestral land without seeking compensation or special favours. The council noted that this sacrifice was made willingly, even though fresh cutting of land caused permanent and painful losses to families who had depended on it for generations.
Recognising these sacrifices, a general meeting of P. Khel was held on March 7, 2021. The meeting unanimously resolved that if the government, on humanitarian grounds, chose to provide any form of incentive or consideration to affected landowners, then P. Khel should be treated fairly and on par with others. It was further resolved that if such fairness was denied, the council would have no option but to withhold permission for work on P. Khel land.
The council stated that its resolution was formally submitted to the Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B), on March 21, 2021, and duly acknowledged. Despite this, the Chief Engineer went ahead and allotted the work to M/s V. Rhetso & Co. vide Work Order No. CE (R&B)/TB-III/Viswema to Pfutsero/2020-21 (Pt-I) 812-25 dated March 12, 2025, allegedly on the basis of land ownership, without addressing the concerns raised by P. Khel.
Feeling aggrieved, the Pavo Khel Council once again approached the authorities through letter No. PKP/12025 dated May 25, 2025, seeking clarification and justification of its genuine concerns. However, the council lamented that no written reply or meaningful explanation was provided by the Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B).
Left with no alternative, the council invoked its earlier Resolution No. PCC/Rd/2021 dated March 12, 2021, and formally communicated the decision to the Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B), vide Ref. No. PKP/3/2025/CE (R&B)-2 dated November 11, 2025. The council requested cancellation of the work order relating to P. Khel land and stoppage of work on the said land as a peaceful and lawful way forward.
However, instead of resolving the matter, the Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B), further complicated the situation by proposing cancellation of the work order on an “as-is-where-is” basis and re-allotment of the remaining work to a “Petitioner Land Owners Group.” This was conveyed through Letter No. CE (R&B)/TB-III/Viswema to Pfutsero/2020-21 (Pt-D) 466-68 dated November 19, 2025, and later approved by the government.
The council clarified that this change in terminology does not address the real issue. Instead, it has the effect of recognising the claims of a select group while overlooking the customary and inherent rights of P. Khel over its ancestral land.
Reiterating its stand, the council said it has no objection to the project or the contractor and sincerely regrets that a development work meant for public benefit has been disrupted. However, it maintained that it cannot remain silent when the rights, dignity and sacrifices of its people are ignored.
The council asserted that the present impasse has arisen solely due to the indifferent and one-sided actions of the Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B). Therefore, it said, responsibility for the blockage of work lies with the concerned authority and not with the Pavo Khel Council.
It further stated that the council remains open to a fair, lawful and amicable resolution, and expressed hope that the matter would be addressed with sensitivity, justice and respect for the rights of all concerned.