We view the action of the Nonglang Sirdarship as illegal harassment on the Garo people of Garo Hills, which will not be taken lightly. We will not give an inch of the Garo land to Khasi Hills. The Chief Minister must come forth to address the issue before some untoward incidents raise its ugly head to lend it a communal tinge
RONGJENG, April 10: Following claims by locals from the Mangsang area in East Garo Hills that the Nonglang Sirdarship is forcefully occupying territory that clearly falls under the jurisdiction of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) has asserted that such encroachment will not be tolerated.
The GSU further termed the actions of the Sirdarship as harassment of the local Garo populace and warned that the issue could take on a communal colour if not addressed promptly.
It is pertinent to note that the disputed area falls within East Garo Hills district and lies close to the boundary between the Garo and Khasi Hills.
In a statement issued late on April 9, the GSU stated that Moronga Nengkram A’king — the area allegedly encroached upon — falls under GHADC jurisdiction.
The union said that the Nonglang Sirdarship’s attempt to annex a portion of the A’king land, specifically Mogru Nongkhongkhil, is unacceptable to both the people of the region and the GSU.
“The actions of the Nonglang Sirdarship are posing disturbance to the territorial integrity of Moronga Nengkram A’king, further solidifying the apprehensions of the people that it seeks to integrate Mogru Nongkhongkil into West Khasi Hills,” said GSU president Tengsak Momin.
It also alleged harassment and abuse by members of the Nonglang Sirdarship, stating that every cash crop plant is taxed and that unjustified orders are issued, including demands of up to Rs 5 lakh depending on house size. Illegal land taxes are also reportedly imposed on areas outside the Sirdarship’s jurisdiction.
“This is an atrocity because GHADC has valid trace maps of the Mogru Nongkhongkil as part and parcel of Moronga Negkram A’king,” added Tengsak.
He further stated that although there are claims that individual plots have been purchased by Khasis, such purchases do not legitimise transferring the land into West Khasi Hills.
Referring to legal backing, Momin cited an order dated 30 October 2018 by the Executive Member (EM), Land & Revenue, GHADC, BR Sangma, which directed the Nonglang Sirdarship to withdraw from all proceedings concerning the said A’king land, declaring it beyond their jurisdiction.
He added that the land had been previously demarcated with boundary markers and that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) had made no counterclaims at the time.
“The Office of the Sirdar of Nonglang Sirdarship, Ri Nongtrai, has itself verified that the physical demarcation of the district boundary in 1878 by Notification #774 Apr 3, 1878, that Morongga Negkram A’king was integrated as part of Garo Hills for administrative convenience and the Sirdar of Nonglang has never interfered with the administrative affairs of the Garo Hills authorities as far as Morongga is concerned. So the present situation is an attempted disturbance by claims based on stories from a long time ago,” asserted Tengsak.
The GSU further claimed that illegal concrete structures had been erected in the area to assert it as part of West Khasi Hills. Though locals removed these structures, a signboard claiming Nongkhongkhil as part of the Nonglang Sirdarship was installed the very next day.
Momin noted that the issue has been taken up by the GSU and other civil society organisation in the region.
A meeting was held with the CEM and Deputy CEM of GHADC, along with the local MDC of Songsak, to seek swift resolution.
“We view the action of the Nonglang Sirdarship as illegal harassment on the Garo people of Garo Hills, which will not be taken lightly. Further, we will not give an inch of the Garo land to Khasi Hills. The Chief Minister of Meghalaya must come forth to address the issue before some untoward incidents raise its ugly head to lend it a communal tinge,” he said.