Kohima: The Gauhati High Court on August 31 ordered Nagaland authorities to settle a decades-long land dispute with the Assam Rifles. Landowners from Tuensang Village claim the military has occupied 289 acres of their private land since 1957 without formal acquisition. The petitioners allege they never received compensation or rent for the site.
Justice Robin Phukan directed the Deputy Commissioner of Tuensang to conduct a fresh survey using modern technology to fix the exact land footprint. Stakeholders remain divided on the scale of the occupation. Petitioners cite 289 acres, while the Union government reports 242.280 acres and State officials calculate 239.5 acres. The judge demanded clarity.
The Union government insists the North-East Frontier Agency paid 90,000 rupees for the land in 1962. State respondents claim this was merely a temporary fee. The court ordered the Deputy Commissioner to verify if that money ever reached the landowners. If it went unpaid, the government must add it to the final settlement.
Justice Phukan instructed the state to "initiate the process for regularization of the occupied land by the Assam Rifles, by following proper acquisition procedure." Officials must pay a premium based on current market prices and settle all rent arrears dating back to 1957. The entire process must conclude within three months.
Separately, the same court is hearing a similar case in the Mon district. Two petitioners there claim the Assam Rifles has occupied 26.42 acres in Naginimora since 1960 without payment or a lease. That case returns to court in four weeks.
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