Encroachers from Assam occupying church land in WGH

TURA: The A’chik Youth Council has urged the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) to take action against illegal occupants of land belonging to the Batabari Baptist Church at Singgimari under Nawalgre A’king in West Garo Hills.
In a letter to GHADC CEM Denang T. Sangma, the youth council said necessary steps should be taken to immediately evict the illegal settlers from Assam.
According to the youth’s body, altogether 12 households are illegally settling on the church land.
A wine store is also being operated without legal documents, the group claimed.
Earlier in 2007, the GHADC had issued an eviction order against the illegal settlers but in the absence of a follow-up action, the illegal settlers have permanently made the land their home.
“Lack of action on the matter can result in communal conflict between the two communities. We urged you to take steps to protect the land that belongs to the Church and the Garo people as a whole,” the A’chik Youth Council stated.