CM decries fossil theft in SGH

SHILLONG, Jan 30: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday said the theft of the recently discovered fossil from a cave in Tolegre under Siju-Rongara in South Garo Hills was unexpected and unfortunate.
“It is a sad and unfortunate situation. We had challenges in the initial stage because that area and land is under the traditional heads and it was very difficult for us to completely take over the area. The government would have been blamed for forcefully trying to take over the land,” Sangma said, explaining that the government was only able to provide security up to a certain level.
“We never expected such a situation will occur but it has happened and FIRs have been lodged. An inquiry is being done and we hope that we will be able to retrieve the fossil. We will continue the process of geological survey as there may be more fossil available,” he added.
“We will see how to work together with the locals and hopefully convince the Geological Survey of India that they should continue the process of excavating these very important locations,” he added.