CIJWS landowners start economic blockade in Mizoram

Aizawl, Oct 25 (UNI) Scores of villagers, who voluntarily parted with their lands against money for expansion of Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairengte, today began an indefinite economic blockade on NH 54, the lifeline of Mizoram, in protest against this government's ''objection'' notice to the CIJWS's land acquisition.

An objection notice to the land acquisition allegedly submitted by the Forest Department's nodal officer and CCF RC Thanga has derailed the proceeding of compensations/awards, which had already been approved by the Army authorities, the former landowners said.

They added that the Land&Revenue Department, under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, had invited objection to the proposed acquisition of land for the extension of the CIJW School, setting a deadline of November 28, 2005, counter-signed by L&R secretary C Hmingthanzuala, CIJWS commandant and Kolasib District Collector.

However, long after the deadline, the forest official submitted the notice (objection) on June 21 last to the Kolasib District Collector, the landowners alleged, adding that this had affected the compensation/awards list scheduled to be notified on October 28 next.

They said the notice was illegal and harassment for the former landowners, who were yet to be compensated. The notice would also send a wrong signal as the CIJWS is a world famous institution where top class guerrila training is given to uniformed forces.

Official sources from Vairengte said while the passenger vehicles were allowed to ply, all goods carrying vehicles were being blocked from entering Mizoram.

However, no untoward incident had been reported so far.

UNI