A’king Nokma clarifies role of Bernard

SHILLONG: A’king Nokma of Danakgre Enilla Ch Marak has once again come out in support of Bernard N Marak who is caught in a controversy over illegally running a nokma office in Tura.
The A’king Nokma said in a statement issued here that Bernard was helping her in reclaiming a part of her A’king that the GHADC “forcefully” took away.
Enilla said she came to know about the captured Tura area in Danakgre through an RTI reply.
“A’king Nokma of Danakgre A’king has not been allowed to exercise the power of the Nokma in Tura for many decades by the strong, powerful and influential people on claims that Nokma has no authority over Town area and the truth came to light only after the RTI was replied by GHADC,” Enilla said.
“GHADC took advantage of my parents’ ignorance and I am being helped by Bernard N Marak on grounds that agreement to strengthen traditional bodies was signed by him with the Centre and the State Government,” the Nokma said.
GHADC issued illegal pattas and gave away the best area of Tura to non-tribals for political benefits leading to the increase in their population and subsequent division of Tura into two constituencies, the statement said. “Tura town area has been declared Khas Mahal under Mauza X without the consent of the Nokma,” it added.