From Our Correspondent
RONGJENG, Sep 18: The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) has come under fire for allegedly forcing land acquisition under the NH-217 project in East Garo Hills, with affected residents accusing the agency of destroying property without consent and offering inadequate compensation.
Pubalim Momin, a landowner from Gabil Bisa, Rongmil, lodged an FIR on September 16 at Rongmil Police Outpost, alleging that NHIDCL contractors illegally entered her property on the night of August 24 and destroyed valuable trees and assets without her approval. She further claimed that the compensation offered was “miniscule compared to the actual value” of her land.
“They came at night and damaged my property without my consent. I refused to accept the unjust compensation, but they are trying to threaten us into giving up our land,” Momin stated in her FIR.
The FIR has amplified concerns shared by several residents along NH-217, many of whom have voiced dissatisfaction with the compensation process.
Villagers, who managed to capture photographic evidence of the alleged destruction, described the incident as “criminal intimidation”, aimed at forcing them into submission.
The case comes in the wake of the Revenue department’s August 26, 2025, notification, which called for spot verification hearings from September 3 for landowners between Rogu Alda and Darugre Songma. However, residents allege that only a few names were included in the re-verification process carried out by the deputy commissioner’s personnel, leaving out a majority of affected households.
The compensation issue has remained contentious since February 2025, when residents were first informed of the rates. Many objected and refused to sign consent letters, while some claim they were pressured into signing hurriedly under fear of legal repercussions. A number of landowners are now planning to return the compensation and pursue legal remedies.
Earlier, villagers submitted a joint petition to the deputy commissioner, opposing the low compensation, citing losses of ancestral land, fruit-bearing trees and community resources.
Another petition was submitted on July 14, and consultations with advocates are ongoing. Plans are also under way to escalate the matter to the High Court if necessary.
As of now, the DC’s office, which serves as the competent authority for land acquisition, has not issued a formal response to the FIR or the allegations raised by residents.
