The Deputy Commissioner of Wokha District, Ajit Kumar Ranjan, IAS, has informed that a meeting was conducted on 12th March 2024 with the Lotha Hoho, Lotha Eloe Hoho, Joint Action Committee, Village Council Chairman of Wokha and Longsa to discuss the compensation issues related to negational Highway 2. He informed that SDO(C), JE, PWD(NH) had also attended the meeting.

Chairing the meeting, the DC had appreciated the support rendered by the CSOs in the mop up exercise conducted on 12th and 13th of February 2024 and apprised that at six locations the eviction team had given 7 days notice to the dwellers to decide on demolition or recovery. As a follow up to the notice, survey was conducted and each case was heard by calling the concerned dwellers in the presence of representative of JAC, VCCs of Wokha and Longsa.

During the meeting the Chairman of Lotha Hoho recommended that in the interest of future development of Wokha Town roads, it will not be wise to allow any recovery but to retain the compensated land by removal of the structures on compensated area. However, to protect the buildings, removal be done manually by the owners themselves.

The Wokha VCC also supported the removal of structures on compensated area and maintained that encroachment on old road space/ drains, etc should be demolished without compensation. He further urged for early disbursement of all compensation and for right of way (ROW) marking to be done from APMC to Hammock Resort.

The JAC President also supported to remove the structures on compensated area rather than recovery. Besides, he urged that payment of machinery engaged be done early.

The President, Lotha Eloe Hoho highlighted the need for good quality works and maintenance of drains/culverts in town area to ensure preparedness for upcoming monsoon.

In conclusion, the DC asked the NH department to speed up the work on NH 2 by engaging more manpower and machinery. He also said that ROW, culvert/ drains and other work are to be focused on account of approaching monsoon season.