Aggrieved landowners along National Highway-29 in Phek district have announced a total blockade of the affected stretch starting 6:00 AM on July 17, following the expiry of the July 15 deadline for payment of damage compensation.
The blockade will cover Packages 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Kohima–Jessami 2-lane road construction project.
Kuveluyi Chuzho, Convenor of the Aggrieved Landowners, said the decision to impose the blockade was taken after repeated delays in disbursing compensation for land damage. According to him, the blockade will remain in force ”until the Deputy Commissioner of Phek personally confirms that the compensatory amount has been received from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).”
The landowners had earlier issued a public ultimatum, demanding that NHIDCL release the compensation before July 15. With no official assurance or payment received as of today, they say they have been left with no option but to resort to protest.