Railway head Affected people meet Area MLA to express concerns

GANGTOK, 14 Feb: Today, the delegates of newly constituted Railway Affected Khani Khola Majhitar Joint Action Committee RAKMJAC met with Area MLA cum Industrial Minister Niru Sewa at her residence to highlight their concern over the proposed railway pilot project of the state railway. The delegation comprised of recently nominated committee members including President, Kedar Pradhan, General Secretary, Ragap Chettri, Treasurer, Mohan Subba, Advisor, Anand Pradhan along with Panchayat, Purna Bdr Chettri and senior citizen KB Pradhan of Khani Khola.

The body deliberated about the concerns that land owners and residents are harbouring and worrying over related to the proposed railway project which will result in the acquisition of their lands. The acquisition of their lands, it is feared, would pose various problems for the locals, it is feared. The people are particularly unhappy over the recent survey conducted over their lands for the proposed rail head by state and central officials at Khanikhola and Upper Majitar, which was done without prior intimation to the land owners. The Area MLA has assured to look into the matter raised by the locals and address their grievances.

It was earlier reported by NOW that the East District administration is seized of the matter and is attempting to ascertain the cause of the resentment and grievance of the locals in relation to the survey conducted by officials on the land and the stated purpose of acquiring their land for the construction of the first rail head in the state of Sikkim. It may also be mentioned here that the state government has not yet issued any notification for land acquisition and by procedure there is to be a public hearing before such a notification is issued.