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TURA: In a bid to end the raging controversy over Nokmaship claims to the Tura Danakgre A’king land made by former militant leader Rimpu Bernard Marak, the All Garo Hills Chambugong Mahari Association has passed a key resolution at its conference, last week, declaring both his appointments, as ‘Town Nokma’ earlier and later as ‘Jakrikra’ (secretary), to be illegal and thereby null and void.
The largest Mahari clan among the Garos, the Chambugong Mahari held its All Garo Hills Association conference on April 10th and 11th wherein the claims to the Tura Danakgre Nokmaship by the former militant leader was subsequently discussed and summarily dismissed.
The association held that such claims go against the spirit of the customary and traditional method of Nokmaship when the present Nokma still exists.
“The Nokma of the existing A’king land is of Chambugong Mahari. Bernard Rimpu N Marak has no right at all to act as Nokma of Tura town or Jakrikra of Danakgre A’king since he is of non-tribal origin, father being Bengali and mother of Napak origin, without any link with Chambugong Mahari clan,” stated the Association in a release issued after its meeting.
The Chambugong Mahari association also voiced concern over the silence of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) authorities despite repeated attempts by the militant leader to wrest the powers of the Council to issue and check land pattas, trading licence, collection of taxes which belittle the constitutional authority of the GHADC under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
The Mahari association maintained that it is due to the weakness of the members at the helm of affairs at GHADC which has invited such unwarranted turmoil in Tura town.
“The conference passed a resolution that if Rimpu takes advantage of the stoic silence of GHADC and collects taxes, check documents etc., and create law and order problem, the GHADC will be responsible and answerable to the citizens of Tura town,” informed the association.
It added that the appointment of Rimpu Marak by Danakgre Nokma Enila Ch Marak was being declared as null and void, to uphold the sanctity of Garo customary laws and subsequently prevent the extortion and harassment to the inhabitants of Danakgre A’king land by the self-proclaimed incumbent.
The association voiced its reservations over the issue of the illegal appointment of Bernard Marak stating, “He is a member of the just disbanded ANVC-B with number of criminal cases pending in the court. How can Chambugong Mahari allow him to be Nokma of A’king land when he is having number of criminal cases in the court?”
The association further warned that in the light of the present appointment being declared illegal individual or organizations dealing with Rimpu Marak would be doing so at their own peril and exhorted the district administration and the district council not to give due recognition to the claims of the insurgent leader.
