Tamils in the north have refused to sign documents to allow the legal takeover of their land for the expansion of the Palali Airport without first knowing the amount of compensation they would get.
A total of 660 acres of private land was acquired by a gazette issued in 1986.
The owners vacated the land during the war and stayed with their relatives or friends, but continued to agitate demanding a return of the land.
Following the end of the war, the Valikamam North divisional secretariat started a programme to grant compensation for the land acquired by the state.
A total of 538 owners handed over ownership documents to the DS, with 445 agreeing to accept compensation, while 48 others remain undecided.
Another 45 insisted they want their land back, while 105 persons are listed although not having documents prove ownership.
DS Maradalingam Pradeepan chaired a meeting in the first week of this month with the people, where he attempted to obtain their signatures to an affidavit already prepared.
They said they disagreed with a clause which says that they agree to obtain compensation, because the amount of compensation they would get is not mentioned anywhere.
The DS confirmed no figures were given and asked them to make their written observations in the document.
The owners insisted that particular clause be omitted if they are to sign the affidavit and said they need to be party to deciding the amount of compensation.
The DS was asked to calculate the present-day value of the land and include it in the document.
Correspondents reported that the people walked out of the meeting in protest.
Quoting a woman among them, correspondents said the land acquired is not used in the expansion of the airport, but that members of the military are seen doing farming there.