GSMC appeals for eviction of squatters from WGH villages

TURA, May 16: The Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) has flagged the issue of influx at the villages of Hatogaon and Rongsai under Raksamgre (Civil) Sub-Division, West Garo Hills, and has asked the Deputy CEM of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) to evict the “illegal settlers”.
In its letter, the GSMC alleged that some people, allegedly from Assam, have encroached into the villages, triggering alarm among the bona fide residents of Meghalaya. “It is an undeniable fact that hundreds of illegal migrants from Assam have taken shelter in those areas every year and have illegally constructed buildings, opened new petrol pump and wine shops under disputed area without any legal documents, which is highly illegal in the eyes of law,” the GSMC said.
It also said that if no timely action is taken by the government, the issue of influx will be further aggravated, thereby affecting lives of the indigenous people of the Meghalaya.
“We sincerely urge you to detect and deport those illegal settlers, shopkeepers and back them to their places of origin at the earliest before they sneak into other places and mingle with the local residents along with the Assam borders,” the GSMC said.
It also asked the Deputy CEM to safeguard the villages from the “unabated encroachment and indiscriminate exploitation of fragile ecology in the form of excavation for brick works, illegal construction of building in every year”.
“Such illegal activities have become daily phenomena in that entire region that needs to be done away with,” the GSMC said.