The land along the main road that connects Lengpui Airport, Mizoram University, a godown of the Food Corporation of India and the Academy of Integrated Christian Studies has been under an ownership dispute since 2005. Initially, the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) staked claim over a large part of this land as it separated its property, comprising staff quarters, offices and power grid, from the main road. Gradually, with growing urbanisation, people started eying the empty plot of land and later on, settled there without securing the necessary agreements. Problem started when the Local Council planned to clear the land to establish markets and a taxi stand. The families who had settled there fought back and divided the land among their members so that they would have a bigger strength to stop the authorities from taking possession of the land. According to Local Council President Vanlalngura and Local Council member F. Zailianthanga, the families did not have a Land Settlement Certificate (LSC), issued by the Land Revenue and Settlement Department of Mizoram. Hence, the Local Council, with help from the Tuivamit branch of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), a non-profit representing the Mizo people, was planning to use the land for road extension. However, when the plan was discussed publicly, the families residing there opposed what they said was confiscation of their land by the local authorities and produced LSCs to claim ownership of the land. Speaking to Land Conflict Watch, Vanlalngura said that getting an LSC is a long and complex process. He alleged that the families who got the LSCs would have had strong connections in the government to make it easier for them to secure the LSC. The local authorities and the YMA leaders have demanded the families to surrender their land for community and road development projects. The Local Council also threatened them of social ostracisation if they did not give up their LSC.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Type of Land
Both
Type of Common Land
Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
Has the Conflict Ended?
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community? What was the decision of the concerned government department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Legal Status:
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors
Official name of the criminal law. Did the case reach trial?
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Nature of Protest
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Tuivamit Local Council, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of Corporate Authorities Approached
Other Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Tuivamit Young Mizo Association
Documented By
LalrinawmiReviewed By
LalrinawmiUpdated By
LalrinawmiEdited By
LalrinawmiLand Conflict Watch
