TURA: The Nokma (headman) of Danakgre A’kingland, Enilla Ch Marak has urged the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner to conduct a re-survey of two portions of alleged government land before going any further with eviction drive that has been initiated by the district administration.
The Nokma claimed that during the eviction drive carried out at Dakopgre locality in Tura by the district administration on November 14 the legal residences of seven people – Biplop R Marak, Salme R Marak, Sadona R Marak, Julie N Sangma, Brejitha N Sangma, Herilla M Sangma and Teresa N Sangma – were forcibly dismantled although they were legal occupiers with four of them even having in their possession valid land pattas from the GHADC.
The Nokma further informed that as per the Nokma records the seven affected persons had been residing in the land in question since the time of his predecessor and late father, Najing Sangma.
In another related case the Nokma also came into the defence of three local residents of Rongka Chiring near Araimile, Tura – Niva Marak, Beronica Marak and Kolpona Marak – who were issued eviction notices ordering them to vacate their premises.
He said that the land in question falls within the Danakgre A’kingland and was not part of the De-Reserve Forest Land as claimed by the GHADC.
“The GHADC has issued Patta No 458 in favour of the Superintendent of Tura Civil Hospital. The Council has no right to issue the said Patta as there are no written or oral records to show that the land in question was handed over to it for alleged Forest Reserve Land. The Patta is illegal and should be cancelled forthwith,” he demanded.