The persons in occupation of the tract or tracts of land, and those having any right, title or interest therein, whether named in the petition or not, shall be defendants thereto, and may appear and show cause against the same, and may appear and be heard before the commissioners provided for in this chapter, and in proceedings subsequent thereto, in the same manner as if they had appeared and answered the petition.
[25:146:1865; B § 3450; BH § 859; C § 996; RL § 3536; NCL § 6260]