TURA: The demand to evict the squatters populating the Wadagokgre Archaeological site and its surrounding areas under Phulbari in West Garo Hills has been raised anew, now with as many as 11 organisations from the area seeking Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh’s action.
Organisations from Phulbari including the GSU, FKJGP, AYWO, FAF, GSMC, et al on Tuesday submitted a joint complaint to Singh, demanding of the latter the immediate eviction and deportation of the immigrants who had illegally, nay permanently settled at the Archaeological site and its adjoining areas under Wadagokgre A’kingland.
Earlier, the same issue was raised by the Chairman of the GSMC, Central Committee, Nikman Ch Marak, who had alleged that the interlopers most probably belong to neighbouring Assam or Bangladesh, who trespassed on the Archaeological site in the aftermath of the recent floods.
“This sudden spurt of encroachment into the historical site has alarmed the indigenous locals including Nokmas concerned and the civil society leaders. It is undeniable that hundreds if not thousands of illegal migrants take shelter in those areas every year in the guise of flood victims during monsoon while enjoying the relief given by the Government of Meghalaya. But despite the recede in floodwaters, they never left the place, and rather settled in and around the village, which is a threat to the fragile demography of the local populace and environment as well,” the GSMC chairman had said.