Appointment of former ANVC-B chairman as Tura Town Nokma
TURA: The opposition to former ANVC-B chairman Bernard N Marak’s claim to be the Town Nokma of Tura took a new turn on Wednesday with several NGOs from Garo Hills coming forward to refute the claim saying that it was illegal from all angles.
Garo Hills NGOs including the Council of Nokmas, Senior Citizens’ Forum, Tura Traders’ Union, Garo Graduates’ Union, A’chik Literature Society, Chambugong Mahari Association along with the general public met recently at the conference hall of the Council of Nokmas and condemned Marak’s alleged illegal claim.
According to them no A’king Nokma even in the presence of one or two of the Chras can appoint any man as Nokma or even to act as Nokma on her behalf. They said that the selection of the Nokma or to act as Nokma on her behalf (in case of her physical or mental disabilities) should have the approval of all the Chras and the Mahari members.
“The so called appointment of Bernard N Marak as Nokma of Tura Town by Danakgre A’king Nokma, Enilla Ch Marak, does not have the backing or approval of all the Chras and the Mahari. Therefore, the appointment is not valid and legal as per Garo Customary Laws and usages,” the NGOs stated.
The NGOs pointed out that the GHADC had already passed the Garo Customs and Usages Validating Act, 1958, according to which the selection of Nokma by the Chras and the Mahari was made mandatory.
“So far as the so called appointment of Marak as Nokma of Tura Town is concerned, these constitutional provisions have not been followed which makes his appointment as Nokma null and void,” they said.
They said that the GHADC and the District Administration were the only legal and constitutional bodies and as such no third party or any ‘self styled Nokma’ could challenge the authority of these statutory bodies.
With regard to the resolutions passed by the Danakgre A’king asking all residents of erstwhile Danakgre A’king to register in their office the NGOs felt that the resolution was ridiculous and ought to be scrapped immediately.
“All government departments, institutions, societies and private individuals who hold pattas from the GHADC have received the pattas after getting the consent of the concerned Nokmas. That being the case, who is he to question the bonafide citizens of Tura,” they stated.
The NGOs claimed that Marak had taken advantage of the innocence of Danakgre A’king Nokma, Enilla Ch Marak, and condemned his alleged attempt to usurp the rights and authority of the constitutional bodies like the GHADC.
The meeting also strongly urged upon the Chambugong Mahari Association to assert their traditional rights and restore Enilla Ch Marak to her rightful place.
Further, reminding of the Peace Accord signed with the centre and the state government where abjuring from the use of violence in any manner was part of the agreement, the NGOs pointed out that Marak would be violating the agreement if he creates disturbances by checking documents etc., and as such is liable to be punished by law.
The NGOs have also strongly condemned the silence of the GHADC despite serious challenges allegedly made by Marak to their constitutional authority. They said that the GHADC should have led the way in condemning the illegal activities instead of maintaining stoic silence.
