Tura MDC flays govt’s land regularisation move for EGH

SHILLONG, June 29: State BJP vice president and Tura MDC, Bernard Marak, on Wednesday, cast aspersion on the state government even as he raised questions on claim made by the government on lands without allegedly going through proper acquisition process.
Marak’s reaction comes in light of the recent Cabinet decision to regularise the lands owned by the government that have been encroached by public in Williamnagar, East Garo Hills, the pattern of which will also be adopted in areas under Tura town
“The decision taken by the cabinet regarding the land is okay as far it is in the favour of people living there but the part where they have mentioned that the land will be under the government custody will not be proper,” he said.
He said that whether the land has been properly acquired or not has to be examined well. “…the government cannot claim the land of the tribal’s as their own land,” he said.
Marak also stated that if the government forces the decision upon the people, they would have to move court.
“When we talk about settlement it will only be partial settlement because the land will continue to be under the custody of the government and that is why I do not endorse it. Under the Sixth Schedule, the owners are tribals not the state government,” he added.