‘We are deeply aggrieved by the forceful occupation of approximately 15 kilometres of land—starting from Langdonglai Ronga Deck up to Impai Bridge and Ildek Subway—which traditionally and historically belongs to the Garo community. The Nonglang Sirdarship under West Khasi Hills has deliberately violated the spirit of coexistence and mutual respect by extending their control into our land without consultation or consent. We view this act as a direct challenge to the identity, dignity, and territorial integrity of the Garo people’
MANGSANG, April 15: A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs), along with local elders and leaders from the region, has strongly condemned the alleged encroachment of Garo Hills land by individuals from West Khasi Hills (WKH), claiming the intrusion violates traditional boundaries under the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
“We are deeply aggrieved by the forceful occupation of approximately 15 kilometres of land—starting from Langdonglai Ronga Deck up to Impai Bridge and Ildek Subway—which traditionally and historically belongs to the Garo community. The Nonglang Sirdarship under West Khasi Hills has deliberately violated the spirit of coexistence and mutual respect by extending their control into our land without consultation or consent. We view this act as a direct challenge to the identity, dignity, and territorial integrity of the Garo people,” said a statement by the group.
The CSOs and locals equated the act to land-snatching, something they claim has never occurred in any part of Khasi Hills.
“The Garo people have never claimed even an inch of land from the Khasi Hills and likewise we will not yield a single inch or strand of our ancestral land. This encroachment is not only unacceptable but also provocative, and we cannot remain silent,” stated the combined statement by all.
They have now demanded the immediate removal of the current head of the Morongga clan by the GHADC, alleging failure to safeguard the community’s land rights.
An urgent joint boundary inquiry by both the GHADC and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has been proposed to transparently assess and resolve the issue.
The CSOs have also called for the intervention of the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and the Government of India to ensure the protection of the indigenous rights of the Garo people.
Urging the government to take up the matter seriously before the situation escalates beyond control, the complainants said they would not compromise on the land situation for the sake of the people of the region.