Guwahati, July 21 -- Villagers impacted by three major highway-widening projects in Manipur's Kangpokpi district have accused members of the Kuki National Front (KNF) of coercing them into signing blank papers to siphon off a portion of their compensation funds. Multiple beneficiaries told NDTV that they received less than half of what they were entitled to under land acquisition laws.

The victims filed a formal complaint with Deputy Commissioner Mahesh Chaudhari, who, as the designated Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) under the National Highways Act, 1956, received a total of Rs 320.52 crore from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) to disburse as compensation. The funds were relea...