The ongoing protest by landowners against the appointment of a non-landowner to a Grade IV position at the Youth Resources and Sports (YRS) office in Mokokchung entered its 12th day on Monday, with no response from the government. The protesting landowners have announced plans to intensify their agitation starting November 21, 2024.
The landowners warned that if their demands are not addressed as per the 1993 agreement, they will extend the shutdown to cover the “entire sports complex and its area.” This includes facilities such as the Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Badminton Stadium, TT Stadium, gym, basketball court, multipurpose hall, and other structures within the premises and “its area,” including the P Shilu Ao Park and Education Office.
They have urged associations operating in these facilities to cooperate by vacating their offices and removing their equipment. They also declared that no events would be allowed in these areas once their extended agitation begins.
The landowners further stated that any consequences arising from the shutdown would be the responsibility of the state government, not theirs.
The protest revolves around what the landowners claim is a breach of a 1993 agreement between them and the state government. According to the landowners, the land is not a compensated land and the land was donated in lieu of appointment to all Grade-IV posts. The agreement stipulates that all Grade IV posts in departments situated on donated land must be reserved for the landowners.
Clause 4 of the agreement specifies: “All Grade-IV posts in all the concerned departments located within my land shall be offered to the landowner. (If required, interviews will be conducted only among the landowners).”
Clause 5 adds: “First preference shall be given to the landowners in other categories of posts wherever deemed fit.”
The landowners allege that the appointment of a non-landowner violates these provisions. They stated that despite submitting multiple complaint letters and representations, the department failed to address their concerns, leaving them no choice but to initiate a lockdown on November 5.
Talking to MT, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Mokokchung said that the district administration had held a meeting with both the protesting landowners and the Youth Resources and Sports officials.
“We were unable to resolve the issue as the landowners remain firm on their demand,” the DC said, adding that the administration has forwarded the landowners’ grievances to the concerned department for further action.
Meanwhile, YRS officials declined to comment on the matter, stating they would wait for discussions from higher authorities before responding.