Ujjal Bhuyan, J. -- By way of this petition under article 226 of the Constitution of India, petitioners, 29 in numbers, have challenged the legality and validity of order dated 08-08-1988 issued by the Director, Land Revenue and Settlement, Mizoram declaring Land Settlement Certificates of the petitioners as invalid, approval of the Government of Mizoram dated 10-06-2005 to the cancellation of Land Settlement Certificates and the order dated 16-11-2005 issued by the Director, Land Revenue and Settlement, Mizoram cancelling the Land Settlement Certificates of the petitioners.

2. Facts of the case as projected in the writ petition may be briefly noted.

3. Petitioners, except petitioner Nos. 9 and 10, claim to be owners of different plots of land settled in their favour by the respondents under the Mizo District (Land and Revenue) Act, 1956. Land Settlement Certificates (LSCs) were issued to the petitioners on various dates in the years 1986 and 1987. Petitioner Nos. 9 and 10 claim to be owners of plots of land settled in their favour by the respondents under the Mizo District (Agricultural Land) Act, 1963. LSCs were also issued to them in the year 1987. All the lands claimed by the petitioners as belonging to them are located at Zemabawk in the district of Aizawl.

4. Government of Mizoram in the Revenue Department issued notification dated 14-05-1985 under section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 stating that lands located at Zemabawk falling within the old Zokhawsang village and its surrounding areas were earmarked for the 1st Assam Rifles. Affected persons were asked to submit their claims for compensation in writing to the Deputy Commissioner, Aizawl. It was also notified that further construction of houses etc. and plantation of new crops in the scheduled area was restricted w.e.f. the date of the notification until further notice. Description of the land proposed to be acquired was given in the schedule.

5. One month thereafter, Deputy Secretary to the Government of Mizoram, Revenue Department passed an order on 14-06-1985 declaring that allotment of land to private individuals following Government notification dated 14-05-1985 was restricted / frozen along the main national highway and the road bending to old Zokhawsang village earmarked for shifting of 1st Assam Rifles. All concerned authorities were instructed not to entertain applications for allotment of land within the above area.

6. Thereafter, declaration under section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 was made by the Deputy Secretary on 01-10- 1985 declaring that Government of Mizoram had decided to acquire the land at Zokhawsang village in the district of Aizawl for shifting of 1st Assam Rifles. It was stated that due compensation as assessed by the Collector would be paid to the land owners.

7. Secretary to the Government of Mizoram, Revenue Department (respondent No.2) issued another notification dated 13- 08-1987 under section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short “LA Act”) stating that land in the proximity of the area between the site allotted to the Church for locating Theological College and NH 54 (Aizawl-Lunglei road) at Zokhawsang in the district of Aizawl was likely to be needed for a public purpose i.e., to be included in the area allotted to the Assam Rifles. Objections under section 5A of the LA Act were called for within 30 days. Thereafter, notification under section 6 of the LA Act was issued by the respondent No.2 on 20-11-1987. The Collector of Aizawl district was directed to take order for acquisition of the said land having total area of about 31 hectares approximately.

8. Director of Land Revenue and Settlement, Mizoram (respondent No.3) issued letters to the petitioners on 19-04-1988 to submit their LSCs to him before 10-05-1988.

9. The Collector / Deputy Commissioner, Aizawl district (respondent No.4) issued order on 25-04-1988 under section 17 of the LA Act taking over possession of the said land w.e.f. 26-04-1988. It was stated

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