SHILLONG, Dec 3: The Dorbar Shnong of Mukroh on Tuesday lodged a formal complaint with the state government, alleging encroachment by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) into its boundaries.
The complaint was submitted to Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar.
Speaking to reporters, the secretary of the Dorbar Shnong of Mukroh, Preciousstar Sten, accused KAAC officials of felling trees to facilitate the construction of a road and a tea garden. He stated that tree felling had been observed at Salang, Mukroh, where land is being cleared for the proposed tea garden.
Sten expressed strong opposition to the alleged encroachment by the KAAC into areas under the jurisdiction of the Laskein Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Block in West Jaintia Hills.
He also referred to a notification issued by the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) on October 25, 1968, which clearly defined the boundaries of Mukroh as extending up to Elaka Labang Nongphyllut/Block-I or Moikoilum village.
“However, the Assam Government has continued to encroach into Mukroh’s boundaries for many years, even constructing a Forest Beat House in the area to strengthen their claims,” Sten alleged.
He claimed that the Assam Government has encroached approximately 8 km into Mukroh’s territory. According to him, villagers are now afraid to access their agricultural land or collect firewood from nearby forests due to harassment by Assam police.
In response to a query, Sten revealed that Deputy Chief Minister Tynsong assured the Dorbar Shnong that he would direct the Superintendent of Police (SP) of West Jaintia Hills to investigate the matter.
Additionally, he informed reporters that Deputy Chief Minister Dhar, who also chairs the Regional Committee for Jaintia Hills, has promised that a Chief Secretary-level meeting will soon be convened to discuss the complaint.
