YUPIA, Apr 29: The Papum Pare district administration has stepped up its efforts to tackle illegal encroachment and unauthorized constructions on government land, with a key review meeting held at the DC’s conference hall here on Tuesday.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering, was attended by administrative officers from across the district along with officials of the Land Management Department.
Emphasizing strict enforcement, the DC directed officers to ensure that all government land and properties are secured and brought under proper custody. He instructed officials to issue fresh notices to encroachers, asking them to vacate within the stipulated timeframe, failing which legal action would be initiated.
He further stressed adherence to due process, directing officers to comply with mandatory notice periods while issuing eviction notices to avoid legal complications. Calling for proactive measures, he urged officials to act swiftly to prevent fresh encroachments and address issues at an early stage.
Acknowledging challenges arising from the lack of proper land demarcation in several areas, the DC stated that an “as-is-where-is” approach may be adopted in such cases. He also emphasized the need for digitization and systematic compilation of land records to improve clarity and administrative efficiency.
During the meeting, officers pointed out that the absence of proper demarcation and base records in many circles has hindered legal action against encroachers despite repeated complaints.
SDO Doimukh Kipa Raja informed that issuance of land possession certificates (LPCs) has been kept on hold in areas such as Nyorch and Sibey due to lack of clarity on boundary between the Yupia Administrative Unit and Doimukh subdivision. He also noted that the lack of proper demarcation of Rajiv Gandhi University has delayed reassessment and re-verification of the campus, and suggested that the process be undertaken at the earliest in the presence of original landowners to prevent further encroachment.
ADC Balijan Takar Rava, ADC Kimin Ocean Gao, and I/c ADC Sagalee Aying Perme also highlighted encroachment-related concerns in their respective jurisdictions. DLRSO Tenzin Tashi informed the meeting about 28 cases of illegal encroachment in Yupia township and sought necessary administrative intervention.
Estate Officer Tame Yajum, while presenting the status of the Yupia headquarters demarcation, stated that administrative expenses incurred during the recent survey and demarcation are yet to be cleared. Despite repeated communications, funds have not been released, resulting in a halt in further verification work. She urged the DC to take up the matter with higher authorities for early resolution. (DIPRO)