TURA, July 23: The Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC), Phulbari, on Friday moved GHADC Deputy CEM, Nikman Ch Marak, and sought the latter’s intervention into the issue of influx in the plain belt areas of Garo Hills.
In a memorandum to Marak, the GSMC claimed that influx, allegedly by the neighbouring state of Assam, is on the rise and select places under Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division corroborate that. The Committee said that places like Rajpur, Nagaband (Phulbari), Rajabala to Batabari road areas, Wadagokgre Nokma A’kingland under Batabari, Ginning Mill (Phulbari) and Chibinang have been afflicted by the issue of influx.
According to the GSMC, the issue of influx has not only started to affect the indigenous tribals there but also the non-tribal locals who, the Committee said, dread that the problem will eventually displace them and their children.
The GSMC added that places like Nagaband under Phulbari, Barmanpara, Majhipara and Soleartek, which lie on the banks of the Jinjiram River, have been areas of dispute for a very long time with people from Assam reportedly setting up offices, shops and schools besides other establishments.
The Committee alleged that even revenue collection by the GHADC is debarred in these areas.
