Amid border talks 2.0, land-grabbing allegations surface from SWGH

TURA, May 24: As the second round of interstate border talks between Meghalaya and Assam commenced in Guwahati on Wednesday, allegations of land-grabbing by Assam has surfaced from South West Garo Hills.
On Wednesday, the members of the Achik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) also knocked on the doors of West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Jagadish Chelani, seeking his intervention in the matter.
According to the general secretary of the AHAM, South Western Zone, Wester G Sangma, the incident of forcible land-grabbing took place on Sunday when Assam officials reportedly came and tried to claim a part of land within the vicinity of Chattibui market near Monabari outpost in South West Garo Hills.
According to the AHAM, the land belongs to one Indong Ch Sangma, a local resident.
However, the officials from the neigbouring state claimed that the plot of land belonged to (L) Akash Ali of Dhupguri village under Mankachar PS, South Salmara, Assam.
According to the AHAM, the officials from Assam had produced documents relating to a supposed land dispute case between Ali and one Shan Kumar Hajong, filed at the Gauhati High Court, leading to a decree order being issued by the court in favour of Ali.
“Interestingly, there was no mention of Indong Ch Sangma, the actual owner of the land in the documents,” the AHAM said.
Indong has, in her possession, a patta against the said land as well the latest receipt for revenue paid to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
“If there was a land dispute case in court, it should have been filed against Sangma, who possesses the necessary land patta. When we asked them on what basis the case was filed, they were unable to answer and left,” Wester said.
In addition to the alleged land-grabbing, Sunday’s incident also led to the destruction of a total of 71 shops belonging to locals by the officials from Assam.
Meanwhile, the DC has not only assured the AHAM delegation of taking necessary action in this regard but has also assured of deploying security personnel in the area.
A similar complaint has also been submitted by the AHAM to GHADC CEM, Albinush Marak, who has also assured of looking into the matter.