Tuli land dispute: NPPCL agrees to issue NOC for Integrated Aqua Park

A consultative meeting held on April 1 at the Additional Deputy Commissioner’s (ADC) office in Tuli has signaled a potential resolution to the ongoing land dispute between 3A Capital Services Ltd, which has acquired Nagaland Pulp & Paper Company Ltd (NPPCL), and the Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Government of Nagaland, over the construction of an Integrated Aqua Park (IAP) at Tzudikong town.

According to the minutes of the meeting forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, the meeting, chaired by ADC Tuli Relise Sangtam was attended by representatives from NPPCL, the Department of Fisheries, the Wameken Village Council, and the Adhoc Town Committee Tzudikong to address conflicting claims over land ownership and use.

Key developments from the meeting
Lack of official correspondence:  According to the minutes of the consultative meeting, PR Mishra, Director of NPPCL, stated that the company had not received any official communication regarding the construction of the IAP. However, he clarified that NPPCL has no objection to the project as long as it does not obstruct the layout of the proposed ethanol plant, which is understood to be part of the company’s revival plans for the defunct paper mill.

Department of Fisheries’ stand: A representative from the Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources stated that the IAP project was initiated based on a No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by Wameken Village Council. This NOC was then forwarded to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), which granted approval, leading to the signing of a Lease Deed/Memorandum of Agreement between the department and Wameken Village Council.

Wameken Village Council’s position:  Secretary of Mejensanger Putu Menden, Wameken Village Council, stated that the land was originally leased to NPPCL at a nominal rate. However, since the paper mill remained non-functional for nearly three decades and no developmental activities were carried out, the Putu Menden urged the Government and all civil society organizations to collectively support the prospect of reviving the Paper Mill. He also stated that the NOC for the IAP was granted with the aim of encouraging growth and development for the community.

Breakthrough agreement:  In a positive development, NPPCL Director PR Mishra assured that 3A Capital Services Ltd. would issue the required NOC for 37 acres of land for the IAP. However, as per the meeting minutes record, this is contingent upon the submission of a Sketch Map of the IAP project by the Department of Fisheries.

ALSO READ | Nagaland Govt and 3A Capital face off over Tuli Paper Mill land rights

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