Land encroachment along Assam border Meghalaya NGO charges
Tura: Amid talks between the chief ministers of Meghalaya and Assam to resolve the border dispute, the A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) unit of South West Garo Hills has alleged land grabbing by residents of the neighboring state.
The Meghalaya-based NGO met West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani at DC Tura’s office on Wednesday and submitted a complaint detailing their allegations.
The dispute started on May 21 when the Assam authorities allegedly approached a local resident, Indong Ch Sangma, and claimed ownership of the land, said Wester G. Sangma, general secretary of Aham (South-West Zone).
Sangma said the Assam authorities had claimed that the land belonged to a resident of Dhapguri village under Mankachar PS in Assam’s South Salmara, identifying the man as late Akash Ali. The land in question is located in the vicinity of Chattibui market near Monabari outpost in South West Garo Hills.
According to AHAM, Assam authorities produced documents related to a land dispute between the deceased person and another resident of Assam, identified as Shan Kumar Hajong. The documents refer to an order issued by the Assam High Court in favor of the deceased.
AHAM said there is no mention of Sangma’s name in the documents. The NGO said that Sangma not only has the land title but also the latest receipts of the revenue paid to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
“If there was a land dispute case in court, it should have been filed against Sangma, who has the necessary land title. When we asked him on what basis the case was filed, he was unable to answer. Stayed and left,” Wester said.
Apart from the alleged land grab, Sunday’s incident also led to the destruction of a total of 71 shops belonging to locals by the Assamese authorities.
Meanwhile, Jagdish Chelani during his meeting with AHAM reportedly assured to take necessary action on the matter including deployment of security personnel in the area.
A similar complaint was also submitted by AHAM to GHADC CEM, Albinush Marak, who assured to look into the matter.
