Complainants reject USLP findings on NH-202 compensation

DIMAPUR, OCT 19 (NPN): Complainants Likhumse Sangtam and Tsathrise Rudy have rejected the findings of the United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji (USLP) on the alleged 10% deduction from compensation for the National Highway-202 project, describing the organisation’s statement as “immaterial and unsubstantiated”.
USLP on Sunday stated that its fact-finding committee found no evidence that DC Kiphire Temsuwati Longkumer had asked or forced affected landowners to pay 10% of their compensation for the NH-202 project. Reacting to United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji statement published on October 19, the complainants said their allegations against the DC Kiphire were backed by evidence in their possession, adding that they would be submitted before a competent authority or an inquiry committee constituted by the state government.
They said their representation, submitted to the commissioner Nagaland, on October 5, sought public accountability over the alleged misuse of public office and incompetence, besides urging the state government to constitute an impartial inquiry committee.
The complainants clarified that their representation had sought the state government’s intervention and had not endorsed any third-party involvement in the matter.
They argued that the allegations fell under the Nagaland Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1968, and maintained that civil society organisations or NGOs were not the appropriate authorities to investigate the matter.
They also questioned the relevance of submitting third-party fact-finding reports to the state government, either in support of or against the parties concerned.
According to the statement, Rudy was asked by USLP on October 6 to furnish evidence against the DC on October 8 at 2 pm. Rudy said he declined the request through an official letter, citing procedural lapses and possible legal implications, as the matter fell outside the jurisdiction of a civil society organisation.
The complainants have, therefore, urged the commissioner Nagaland to constitute an inquiry committee without further delay, asserting that their allegations were based on concrete evidence and that they were prepared to present it before the competent authority.
They also challenged organisations questioning the allegations to organise an open public debate on a common platform to clarify the matter.