Nagaland: Dimapur CSOs, hohos back State land law for NH projects

A consultative meeting convened by the deputy commissioner of Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, on Monday brought together various Dimapur-based civil society organisations (CSOs) and tribal hohos to deliberate on the proposed adoption of the National Highway Act, 1956, for land acquisition and construction of National Highways in Nagaland.
It may be noted that the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, through letters issued on March 7 and March 10, 2025, had directed the State government to carry out land acquisition processes under the National Highway Act, 1956, instead of the State Act.
The ministry maintained that the Central Act is uniformly applicable to all National Highways across the country, including Nagaland, and that compensation must be determined as per the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013.
The state government has also held several rounds of deliberations at various levels and views of the departments of Law and Justice, Land Revenue and district administration have been sought.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Naga Council Dimapur president, G.K. Rengma, expressed gratitude to the DC for facilitating a platform for comprehensive discussion.
He informed that after detailed deliberation, all organisations present unanimously resolved to uphold and adopt the Nagaland Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1965, for all land acquisition–related processes within the district.
Echoing the collective stand, Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur president, Ningsangwaba Pongen, stated that although the National Highway Act, 1956, is a central legislation, Nagaland already has its own land acquisition law—the Nagaland Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1965—which protects the rights and interests of landowners in the state.
He emphasised that all stakeholders present were united in their position that Nagaland’s indigenous land laws must be upheld and safeguarded during any infrastructure development undertaken within the state.