ITANAGAR, 30 Jul: The bonafide landowners of Dollungmukh area in Kamle district have urged the Indian Air Force (IAF) to pay fair compensation for land used by it over five decades and execute a fresh 50-year lease agreement with the landowners for continued use of the land.
On behalf of the landowners, public leader Ajay Murtem submitted a representation to the AOC-in-C of the IAF’s Eastern Air Command, headquartered in Shillong, Meghalaya, stating that many affected landowners have not received fair and adequate compensation.
“The landowners have always extended full cooperation to the IAF in the interest of national security and defence. They have never objected to the use of their land, recognising the strategic importance of the Air Force establishment. However, many affected landowners have not received fair and adequate compensation. In several cases, proper lease arrangements have either expired or were never formally executed with the rightful landowners.”
Murtem, who is also the chairman of the Citizens Right Protection Forum Dollungmukh, urged the IAF’s Eastern Air Command AOC-in-C to conduct a detailed verification and survey of all land presently under the occupation and use of the IAF in the Dollungmukh area, and to assess and pay fair compensation to all bonafide landowners in accordance with the prevailing Government of India norms and applicable laws.
He further urged that a fresh 50-year lease agreement be executed with the landowners for continued use of the land by the IAF.
He also urged the IAF to pay annual lease rent and other legal benefits to the rightful landowners on time, and to nominate a competent officer to discuss the issues with the affected landowners for an amicable settlement.
“We believe that providing fair compensation and regularising the land through a lawful lease agreement will strengthen the relationship between the IAF and the local community while ensuring justice to the affected families,” the memorandum read.
Stating that copies of the representation have been submitted to the Defence Ministry, the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister, the Raga MLA, and other officials concerned, Murtem urged the IAF to initiate necessary action and consider the long-pending matter sympathetically and at the earliest.
