By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 9: In a judgment pertaining to compensation for structures destroyed for the expansion of National Highway-51 in Garo Hills, the High Court of Meghalaya on Thursday allowed Nokmas from different A’kings to file a fresh representation before the concerned deputy commissioners.
The Nokmas of respective A’kings through which the NH-51 passes, in their petition, have stated that the construction of the national highway in the entire land from Paikan to Tura was done in three phases. But they are concerned with the section from Bajengdoba to Snargre, which they assert that expansion of the highway had been done in their land without compensation being assessed or paid for the cultivation and structures that were destroyed and displaced.
Although representations were filed on earlier occasions in November 2016 and August 2019, they were not in detail and also did not indicate the exact portions of the land which they claim had been taken over for expansion of the road without due process of law.
The petitioners have contended that the materials and documents that were necessary for proper adjudication and assessment were never placed before the concerned authority to enable them to come to any positive findings on the claim of the Nokmas.
According to the court judgment, the petitioners sought permission to approach the concerned parties, particularly the deputy commissioners of North Garo Hills and West Garo Hills, for a fresh examination into the matter.
However, the state has refuted the Nokmas’ claims while submitting that the petitioners have no title over the said land that they claim which had been taken over, and further, as per Clause 4 of the pattas issued by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, it is specifically indicated that any area mentioned in a patta shall not cover an area of 35 ft from the government or village road.
The Nokmas, through their counsel, sought one month’s time to file and prepare said the representation, which was allowed by the court.
“Matter accordingly stands closed and disposed of. However, it is expected that the respondents on receipt of the said representation shall dispose of the same as expeditiously as possible,” Justice S Thangkhiew said in the judgment.
