Two villages in Longleng district – Kaching and Nian – have openly opposed the development of the 186 MW Dikhu Hydro Electric Project (HEP), one of the largest infrastructure development proposals in Nagaland. The Government of Nagaland is concerned because the Techno Economic Clearance (TEC) from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ministry of Power, Government of India, without which no project can be developed, will expire in March 2025. This adds urgency to the need for resolving the land acquisition hurdles.
Bashing, a villager from Kaching, told Mokokchung Times that the reason for their opposition is the limited land area of their village, which barely suffices for cultivation. “ Our villge area is very small. If the hydro project passes through our village, about 50% of our village area will be submerged under water,” said Bashing, adding that while they recognize the importance of the project, the villagers’ survival is at stake.
He also explained that their land is already “too small”, and with the population increasing year after year, it will inevitably become congested. Kangching village in Longleng District has a population of about 1,300, while Nian village has about 1,800 residents. According to Bashing, Nian village faces similar, if not worse, issues.
“In our village (Bashing), the citizens came together and passed a resolution stating that we will not allow the hydroelectric project in our village, and every citizen is strongly standing by it,” said Bashing.
When asked whether he believes the village would reconsider their decision if the government offers a resettlement plan, he said, “This is what I have been saying. A decision like this cannot be made by one individual alone, so it would be wise for the department to have dialogue with the villagers and listen to each other’s problems by holding a consultative meeting.”
On asking whether the government had visited the villages, he said that there were a few times when some officials from the department came to the village to conduct a survey but were denied entry by the villagers. However, to date, no consultative meeting has taken place between the villagers and the department reportedly.
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The outcome of the “Stakeholders Meet” organized by the Department on July 29, 2024, at 2:30 PM in the conference hall of Hotel Saramati, Dimapur will be crucial. With the TEC deadline looming, it remains to be seen whether the government and the villagers can find a mutually agreeable solution that balances development needs with the preservation of local livelihoods.
In regard to the developmental issues in Nagaland the land of customary land-law.. direct central developmental issues/actions upon the customary law in in need of immediate action to codify this Article 371(A) by the State Assembly (The Guardians of the Article 371 A) in such a manner shall applicable to all parties “Developmental agencies & Ownership “..instead of criticising & polluting upon the Article by ignorance uneducated politicians. So far it has been observed that, on exigencies of the newly formed State Govt.(Nagaland) and its developmental programs, State Government has partially codified the special provisions act of the State (371 A) into two main sub-provisions whether to :-
A) Request the lands from the landowners on the basis of time pound agreements in between..etc.(REQUISITION)**
B) Acquires the lands from the owners permanently and exercised State ownership rights to land for development. As Nagaland State Government does not have the authority of ownership irrespective of other states.
Consequently all State developments are carried out by opting sub-provision (A) “REQUISITION on land” may be to lighten the burden of huge expenditure on acquiring lands. Hence, the question of allotting land by our State Government upon customary rights is out of questions..
Therefore, my opinion on this matter is that since Nagaland State Assembly is the “Negotiator/Guardian” ..
1.Should play the role in between the investors and the owners avoiding any legal liability and guiding them away from such liability..
2.Selling of traditional property/land to any non indigenous community/persons is strictly prohibited as per 1978 Assembly act ..
Hence, LEASE/LEASTING systems are the only options available for development progress provided proper implementation of MOU between the parties are guided through the process of State Government.
There’s an option for the same project ( Dikhu Hydro electric project ) though few megawatts may be reduced. Towards this end, some upstream upper land owners ( villages ) have already given NOC last March to the State Government to construct this mega project in their lands. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the stakeholders will come up with a fruitful conclusion without further delay.