DIMAPUR, AUGUST 21: Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Supongmeren Jamir has said that the release of the remaining land occupied by the Assam Rifles is crucial for the proposed expansion and development of Dimapur Airport.
Nagaland News Network caught up with Jamir during his series of meetings with various departments at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Purana Bazar, Dimapur. He spoke on issues concerning Nagaland that have been raised in Parliament.
Jamir said that both MPs from Nagaland — himself in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MP S. Phangnon Konyak — have received ample time on the floor of Parliament to raise issues concerning the state.
On the Dimapur Airport expansion, Jamir said that while a portion of the required land has already been released, more than 260 acres currently occupied by the Assam Rifles are yet to be handed over to the Airport Authority of India.
He said the Assam Rifles already has land at Shokovi, and expressed hope that the remaining land can be vacated and released without further delay. According to Jamir, the state government has already planned development schemes for the airport, but the expansion cannot proceed without the required land.
He added that the matter is currently under process with the Ministry of Home Affairs and that further follow-up will be made.
On the controversy surrounding the Mangkolemba multi-sport complex, which was reportedly sanctioned for Mangkolemba but constructed at Longtho, Jamir said he had only come across the issue on social media and had not received any representation from the public regarding the matter.
He said he would refrain from commenting without knowing the facts, adding that the concerned constituency representatives and administration would be in a better position to clarify the issue.
However, Jamir said he would be willing to pursue the matter if a formal grievance is brought before his office.
