GHADC asked to stop illegal land allotment

SHILLONG: Enilla Ch Marak and Bernard N. Marak, representing the Aking Nokma, Danakgre Aking, Tura, have asked the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) to stop illegal allotment of Danakgre Aking land to Government departments.
“We are well aware through an RTI provided by GHADC that the deputy commissioner and police departments have no legal land documents in Tura. GHADC must know that the Government cannot occupy or own a land without following the Land Acquisition Act transparently,” said a joint letter addressed to the GHADC administrator.
According to Bernard, the GHADC is neither the owner nor the authority to issue any land document to anyone. It will only maintain land records.
Moreover, the land in which the GHADC is functioning now is an Aking land which was temporarily allotted to the Council for carrying out its duties to protect and safeguard the interest of the locals.
“In time, GHADC started acting as the owner of the land and started issuing pattas without the consent of the Aking Nokma (which are illegal in an Aking land),” the statement said.
The practice continued till date that has caused inconveniences and hardship to the residents of Danakgre Aking.
The Nokma asked the GHADC administrator to stop issuing land documents and illegal pattas immediately and threatened to file a case against the Council in the court of law under the SC and the ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
“If GHADC continues issuing any land documents or violates land rules, we will take back the land on which the Government is running its offices as these lands are not officially acquired neither are they gifted nor sold or leased by the Aking Nokma,” the statement said
All residents within Tura under Danakgre Aking have also been asked to stop seeking residential certificates from the local headmen other than the Aking Nokma.