Nokmas impose ban on GSI exploration in area
SHILLONG/BAGHMARA, Feb 3: Almost a week after the shocking theft of a highly significant fossil from Tolegre village in South Garo Hills, police remains clueless about the crime and the perpetrators involved.
South Garo Hills Superintendent of Police (SP) Shailendra Bamaniya confirmed on Monday that statements from the villagers have been recorded.
The case was officially registered only on February 28, following the filing of two FIRs. “We are investigating the matter,” the SP said.
The fossil was stolen after unidentified individuals broke into the area and excavated the entire section. Sources suggest the theft may have occurred several days ago but was only discovered when a senior official visited the site for an inspection.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Nokmas of at least seven villages around the village of Tolegre have blamed the Geological Survey of India (GSI) for unauthorised exploration of the area which they alleged could have led to the theft of the fossil a few days ago in Tolegre village in the district.
In the aftermath of the fossil theft, seven Nokmas of Tolegre, Jadigindam, Paromgre, Emangre, Asakgre, Dabalgre and Nokatgre held an emergency meeting on Saturday and discussed the need to put restrictions in place to prevent any recurrence in the future.
The spokesperson of the group, Altar R Marak said, “We have ample reasons to believe that the team from GSI was doing unauthorised exploration in the area leading to the theft. It’s very unfortunate that they have trespassed into our land without any permission or prior information and decamped with a substantial sample of fossils without our approval or knowledge, which was also produced in front of the investigating police team.”
The Nokmas stated that they were contemplating filing a separate FIR in this regard.
Taking a major stand on the issue, the Nokmas have now imposed a complete ban on GSI explorations in the area.
“In fact we are also imposing a blanket ban on all explorations till the investigation is completed and anybody found trespassing and looting our caves is caught and handed over to the police. We want a penalty of Rs 10 lakh to be imposed on them,” added Marak.
The meeting also decided that any verification of any fossils found will be conducted by the respective Nokmas and no GSI involvement will be entertained.
“We have also unanimously agreed that exploring teams will have to avail no objection certificate from the respective Nokmas and in turn will be provided guides for the expedition. Every team will have to declare all their tools and materials before entering the caves and the same will have to be repeated at the time of exit. Henceforth, these regulations will come into immediate effect. We urge the public to kindly cooperate with us to safeguard these timeless and invaluable remnants of time and Earth’s history,” the Nokmas added.