Rio vows not to allow encroachment to impede development in Nagaland

State chief minister Neiphiu Rio Monday categorically sated that the State government would not allow people to encroach upon government land and thereby act as an impediment in the State’s growth and development.
Rio’s statement comes against the backdrop of a series of reports by Nagaland Post highlighting how land encroachment particularly at Dimapur Railway Station, airport area including NHAK colony have created problems for development of infrastructure for the benefit of the people of the state.
Talking to media persons after the presidential election here, Rio appealed to all right-thinking people to speak out in unison against such encroachments adding, “We cannot allow benefit of an individual at the cost of all the people”.
On massive encroachments taking place in government lands, he admitted that the situation was worse in Dimapur where the airport land had been encroached and a case was pending before the court. Rio cited the airport land case where the government had purchased a land for extending the present runway, but was later allotted to some individuals.
He said the allotment of a security area to individuals was posing grave threat to lives in the airport’s vicinity, adding this constraint has also caused difficulties for landing of bigger aircraft.
On NIDA issue, Rio acknowledged that people had the right to voice for their demand and assured that the government would examine and take a decision. He however said that the cabinet decision on NIDA still stood.