TURA: Construction of a major complex in Tura to house juveniles by the Social Welfare Department of the state has come to a halt following a dispute over the land by two A’king Nokmas.
Meghalaya High Court Judge Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew is scheduled to lay the foundation for the shelter home on Monday.
The dispute over the land at Doldegre locality has reportedly been between the A’king (land) nokmas of Bolwaregre and Doldegre. Both clans have staked claim over the land and in July 2018 a case was filed over the issue in the Meghalaya High Court.
The Bolwaregre group has objected to the decision of the Doldegre side to give the land over to the government claiming that it belongs to their clan.
A verbal spat over the issue recently took place between the two sides in the premises of the deputy commissioner’s office, it was reported.
The Social Welfare department teams which had gone to clear the jungle area to start the construction work at the site were reportedly asked to halt work by the Bolwaregre Nokma who pointed out that since a court case has been filed over the land the matter had become sub judice and no activity can take place until a verdict is given out by the courts.
The Bolwaregre clan has accused the Doldegre nokma of encroaching into their territory which would benefit his side during the compensation process.
This is not the first time the Bolwaregre A’king has charged the Doldegre nokma with land encroachment. Two years ago, a similar accusation of land grabbing was levelled against the Doldegre Aking Nokma for allegedly handing land belonging to the Bolwaregre Aking for the upcoming Medical College in Tura.
In the meantime, the Doldegre nokma, has this week, lodged a complaint with the Tura police over the obstruction to the ongoing work for the juvenile home.
West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police MGR Kumar informed that police is keeping a close watch over the issue and put in place necessary steps to ensure normalcy is maintained between the two warring sides.