DIBRUGARH, June 19 � The two-lane NH52(B) road, officially known as the Trans Arunachal Highway, from Kanubari in Sivasagar district to Borborooah in the district here, was hit with the usual land acquisition difficulties in some segments. The people along the proposed highway stretch have refused to vacate their land alleging discrimination in valuation of their land and property.
While construction work on the highway in Sivasagar district segment is progressing rapidly, the portion in the Dibrugarh district here is grappling with the land acquisition problems at Tingkhong, Moran and Dibrugarh West revenue circles.
The affected villagers, under the banner of NH52(B) Ghaipoth Khyotigrosto Suraksha Sammittee Joutho Mancha, have alleged that one bigha land in Sivasagar district has been valued at Rs 2,00,000 to 8,00,000 whereas valuation for one bigha of land in Dibrugarh district was Rs 20,000 to 2,00,000 only. Plants, tea bushes and other resources within the demarcated land have also bee undervalued, Bitupan Bokolial, leader of the mancha, told this correspondent.
The Mancha is a umbrella body formed by the affected families. It has members from CPI(ML), Krishak Mukti Sangram Samittee, Satra Mukti Sangram Sammittee and Land Protection Sammittees of Sapekati Grant Gaon, Keseruguri, Dhowapathar, Tipomia, Joonktoli, Banglabari, Kumarsuk, Rangabonani, Sukani, Sologuri, Jokai, Naukhat, Lengeri, Nasani and Ouguri. The representatives of these sammittees have also discussed the issue with the Upper Assam Commissioner and other senior officials of the highway project in Tingkhong revenue circle on April 28 this year but failed to come up with a solution.
The Manch members, who staged a two-hour demonstration at Chowkidinghee here today in protest against the alleged injustice, demanded Rs 8 lakh to the families for per bigha of myadi and eksona land acquisitioned. People living in myadi and eksona land without having land rights must also get compensation of Rs 8 lakh, the Mancha demanded. The affected families have also pressed for proper valuation of paddy fields, tea bushes, other resources of utility, besides reconstruction of affected public library, naamghars and educational institutions, etc.
Although a few affected families received compensation, the organizations said that justice was not done to them because the compensation was not proportionate to what they sacrificed. �We will not vacate the land and our ongoing obstruction of the road construction will continue till we get justice. We are also planning to fight it out legally,� Bokolial said.
