GANGTOK, December 4, 2012

The High Court of Sikkim has sought detailed responses from the Sikkim government,  Ministry of Defence and other four respondents on a Public Interest Litigation regarding non-payment of compensation of land in Lachung in North Sikkim occupied by the Army.

Taking up a complaint submitted by Lachung villagers as a PIL on November 29, the division bench of Chief Justice Permod Kohli and Justice SP Wangdi directed the respondents to file their detailed responses within 8 weeks.

The other respondents are Defence Estates Officer Siliguri, 17th Mountain Division, North District Collectorate and Land Revenue department. The petition has been tied up with a previous petition which is under consideration relating to non-payment of land compensation by the Army.

Locals from Lachung had approached the Chief Justice during his visit there Cuson November 24 with a memorandum seeking the High Court’s intervention. They had contended that the Army has been occupying their land since 1976 without any  compensation. They have sought full and one time compensation from the Army and if this is not possible, their occupied land should be vacated.

~ Sikkim Express

 

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