From Our Correspondent
TURA: The Anti-Corruption League from New Bhaitbari in West Garo Hills district has raised an alarm over the last scale influx of illegal immigrants from neighbouring Assam who over the months have settled down in the minority dominated areas of Rajabala, Singimari, Mahendraganj and Phulbari.
The members of the league has apprised the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council authorities and the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police about their concerns and the need to check their entry which is allegedly leading to friction with the indigenous minority citizens.
Secretary of the league, Mostopha Kabir, revealed that in Nawalgre, Bolonggre and Panbari A’king lands under Singimari area and also at Chibinang, Nemaikata and adjoining villages of Phulbari under Mouza No. VI a large number of illegal settlers from Assam have been residing for the last few months.
“As per our report there are more than 1500 households who have settled down in Nawalgre and Bolonggre Aking areas while another 3000 families have taken shelter in the plain belt areas from Singimari to Chibinang,” said the League Secretary.
He pointed out that there are no appropriate checks on the entry and departure of these people many of whom silently disappear into the minority areas where it becomes difficult to check their identity.
“That day is not far away from us in which the Assam people will claim that their occupied land is part of their Assam state,” cautioned the Anti-Corruption League.
Only recently, a group of men from Assam removed a sign for construction of the league office inside Garo Hills.
The miscreants claimed the plot which is located at Hallidayganj Tinali as falling inside Assam even though documents and demarcation prove otherwise.
The members of the league refused to be cowed down and took on the illegal claimants head on going to the extend of lodging an FIR with Meghalaya police outpost at Hallidayganj. Investigations have since begun to nab the culprits.
“Unless we stand up for what belongs to us and strongly oppose them the issue of influx will not disappear,” said the league members.