The issues of land acquisition and the aspect of compensation thereto have rarely been controversy-free in the socio-economic-political context of the country. To an average Indian, a piece of land, irrespective of its dimension is something very special not only because of the economic value it entails, but also for the high sentimental quotient associated. Parting with land, under any circumstances undoubtedly brings forth a series of deliberations about the consequential realities and there is an invariable involvement of a set of multiple thinking. There is also an avalanche of instances which can be cited, telling stories of dissatisfaction regarding compensations picked from all across the country. With general scenario being this, something unthinkable and extraordinary has happened right here in Arunachal where villagers have come forward announcing their relinquishment of compensation of the land they have parted with, all for the sake of development. Instance(s) of this stature can hardly be found anywhere in the country and can thus be called rarest of the rare and hence exemplary.
By now, the news has thankfully received its due importance not only in state’s media but also on a pan-Indian scale as well. Inhabitants of 10 villages falling under the proposed 150 km Yinkgiong to Bishing 2-lane highway which is also geographically quite close to China have declared not to claim a single penny as land compensation. All they have wished is timely completion of this thoroughfare so that perceptible development can really take place and they may say a permanent goodbye to the endless alienation they had been subjected to over decades due to lack of a very basic human necessity. This example, besides speaking volumes of the magnanimity of these little-known villagers has also pointed out the high degree of underdevelopment that continues to ‘sustain’ in the state. The woes of these people are perhaps also symbolic of the by and large picture here and they have somehow felt that if by this gesture the message of ‘longing for development’ reaches the corridors of power and something really happens for the better.
While speaking about land compensation in state’s milieu, the Trans Arunachal Highway story continues to remain in limelight primarily because of unearthing of a plethora of scams over the years which could possibly put to shame the length of the highway itself! People managing exorbitantly excess compensations have all sorts of socio-political backgrounds and in this vitiated atmosphere it’s natural that people’s legitimate clamour for development gets a serious dash.
It’s a message that should actually serve as ‘food for thought’ for all levels of policy makers, having political backgrounds or otherwise,   who must realise that Arunachalees earnestly wish for ‘timely’ development and due respect must be given to their sentiments at any cost.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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