The Nagaland Tree Planters’ Association (NTPA) has issued a clarification following a rejoinder from the Railway Affected Landowners’ Association (RALOA), in response to NTPA’s earlier press statement dated June 15, 2025.
In its latest release, the NTPA acknowledged the concerns raised by RALOA and expressed that it “appreciates the concerns raised and offer[s] this clarification in the interest of constructive dialogue.”
Crucially, the NTPA expressed regret for the use of the term “compensated land” in its previous communication, saying, “We sincerely regret for the unintended use of the term ‘compensated land.’ Our aim was to highlight issues related to encroached land meant for railway development and not to question the legitimacy of genuine landowners.”
However, the NTPA maintained that “it is also an undeniable and observable fact that large areas that were historically demarcated for and used by the Railways have now been illegally encroached upon by private individuals and entities.” According to the association, these lands included “critical railway infrastructure including railway sidings, godowns, and service roads”
…which have been “systematically built over,” thus disrupting essential space for current and future railway operations.
The statement highlighted particular concern over “the disappearance of the old goods loading point, historically referred to as New-6, which once extended nearly a kilometre and played a strategic role in the region’s transportation network.” NTPA noted that the encroachment of such areas “represents a significant loss of public infrastructure and underscores the urgency of addressing the broader issue of unauthorized occupation of railway land.”
Reiterating its intention, the NTPA stated, “We wish to categorically state that the NTPA’s previous statement was not intended to target or implicate any individual, group, or community, but rather aimed at advocating for the protection and development of railway infrastructure in Dimapur.”
The association concluded by reaffirming its position: “Our focus remains squarely on the preservation of public land, the promotion of lawful development, and the need for transparent, equitable solutions that balance infrastructure growth with respect for genuine landowners.” It further urged the authorities “to prioritize fair, transparent, and inclusive planning in all future development initiatives,” adding that it remains “committed to promoting sustainable progress that strengthens public infrastructure while ensuring that the rights and needs of the broader community are respected.”