From Our Correspondent
TURA: Concerned over the illegal selling of a portion of land in the close proximity of a protected ancient Archaeological site situated at Wadagokgre under Dadenggre Civil Sub Division by the Nokma and some locals the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi has written to the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya.
Bakshi in his communiqué informed that the Nokma and some locals had sold of a portion of the Aking land in immediate proximity to an ancient fortification wall for digging of soil by using heavy machinery and offered for sale to local contractors in total contravention of the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act 1971 and rules laid down by the District Council. Bakshi also expressed concern over the illegal encroachment of the extensive stretch of fifteen kilometers of the protected Wadagokgre Archaeological site by nearby settlers, especially Eadokgre, Gandhipara and Bhalujora in the East, Nayagaon in the North and Belbari and Tinumuni in the South.
The settlers have voluntary or in collision with others caused willful damage to ancient structures like the stupa and the fortification walls that runs all along the area by digging soil with heavy machinery from the proximity Bakshi informed.
It may be noted that the Wadokgre Archaeological site located in West Garo Hills was declared protected under the Assam Ancient Monuments and Records Act 1959 adopted by the State of Meghalaya and as such the activities at the site are a gross and willful violations of the provisions laid down by the Act.