IRVING, N.Y. — The Seneca Nation of Indians filed a lawsuit against Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the state attorney general, the New York State Thruway Authority and New York State Department of Transportation on Thursday, in a decades-long dispute over a portion of the Thruway.

The Senecas claim the NYS Thruway Authority illegally occupies three miles of Cattaraugus territory. That portion runs between Buffalo and the northern Pennsylvania border.

The Seneca Nation now wants an injunction that would require the state to get a proper authority and pay for the land.

In the meantime, the state would either have to stop collecting tolls in that area or hold collected fees in an account for the Nation.

New York State obtained an easement to build the stretch of Thruway back in 1954 and paid the Senecas $75,000 for it.

But Seneca Nation President Todd Gates says the state didn't get proper approval from the federal government and underpaid them for the land.

“It’s infringing on our sovereign rights to enjoy our land and you know people are taking advantage of us. It seems like we’re under attack relentlessly. So we always have to stay up on all their affronts to us,” said Gates.

The Thruway Authority released the following statement on the issue:

“We can’t comment on pending litigation but it’s well established that the Seneca Nation granted an easement for the Thruway in 1954. We have defended that position in the past and will continue to do so going forward.”