Expressing dismay over delay in release of the compensation, the aggrieved landowners of Kohima-Jessami two-lane road construction (packages II, III, IV & V) have served an ultimatum on the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to make the final payment within a week.
In a press release, the convenor of the aggrieved landowners Kuveluyi Chuzho and co-convenor Lhikupe Kapfo, cautioned that failure in releasing compensation within the stipulated period would force them to close down the office of the executive director (P) RO- Kohima, indefinitely till the payment was made.
The aggrieved landowners admitted they were left with no choice but to take the “decisive action” as the “lacklustre attitude” shown by NHIDCL has become “intolerable.”
The landowners said that since later part of 2021, they had been running from pillar to post, hoping for a solution to the issue arising from the construction and expansion of the national highways.
However, they said that NHIDCL’s lack of clarity and inability to put clear systems and procedures in place had left the landowners suffering for far too long. Despite the timely and sincere participation and intervention from the responsible state and district administration, ministers and the CPO, the aggrieved landowners said their grievances have been consistently ignored.
“It is with great disappointment and frustration that the aggrieved landowners announce their decision to take decisive action to seek justice and the release of the compensation that is rightfully theirs,” they said.
The aggrieved landowners said they cannot continue to suffer in silence while NHIDCL failed to fulfil its responsibilities and duties towards them.
Therefore, the aggrieved landowners have called upon the NHIDCL to rectify the situation, release the compensation without further delay, and ensure a transparent and foolproof system to address their grievances promptly.