State BJP Vice president and Tura MDC, Bernard Marak has said that it is not proper for the State government to claim land without going through the acquisition process.
Marak was reacting to a recent cabinet decision that encroachers who have built homes on government property in Williamnagar will have their situations regularised.
“The decision taken by the cabinet regarding the land is ok as far it is in the favour of the people living there, but the part where they have mentioned that the land will be under the government custody will not be proper,” he said.
Marak said as far as the Sixth Schedule areas are concerned the government lands without proper acquisition. Whether land has been properly acquired or not has to be properly examined, he added.
He said that while the government is inclined to resume the lease there has to be an agreement with the Nokmas. “As far as I know they (government) were suppose to pay an annual fee to the Nokma for the use of the land, which the government has not paid in the last 30 years now,” Marak said.
Recently the government has decided to retain ownership of the land in Balsrigittim and Warmagre but will sign long-term lease agreements with each occupant.
“If they force upon the people then we have to move court as it is the only option for us,” the BJP MDC said.
