GHADC launches eviction drive against illegal settlers on its land
SHILLONG, July 29: In a move mirroring Assam’s aggressive stance against illegal settlers, the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) has initiated a no-compromise eviction drive against illegal settlers by demolishing six structures in areas falling under its jurisdiction adjacent to Assam’s Goalpara district.
Bulldozers rolled in to flatten the homes of six illegal settlers who had long overstayed their eviction notice and failed to prove their citizenship or place of origin.
GHADC’s Deputy Chief Executive Member, Nikman Ch Marak, confirmed the operation, stating, “We are monitoring the situation. Yesterday we conducted an eviction drive. We personally went to the council land bordering Assam and evicted illegal immigrants.”
Marak revealed that six families were evicted after they repeatedly ignoring official notices and were unable to establish their nationality.
“We had served them notice for two years but they continued to reside there without proving their identity or which state they belong to; so we went ahead and evicted them,” he said.
The council is now on high alert, bracing for possible spill over as Assam continues its expansive eviction campaigns targeting illegal immigrants, many of whom have been labelled as undocumented migrants from Bangladesh.
Marak acknowledged these concerns but maintained that the GHADC had taken robust steps to fortify its border zones.
“We are continuously monitoring the situation and have alerted all our machineries on the ground,” he said, noting that a wide network of local administrative units had been mobilised.
“We have also sensitised the area. The autonomous district council has the subordinate officers like Nokmas and headmen. We have already instructed them and they are reporting directly to us. They have been empowered to check and directly report to the authority. After getting the info, we act on it,” he added.
With the volatile border issue intensifying and questions of identity under sharp focus, the GHADC has drawn a clear line stating that illegal settlers who fail to establish their legitimacy will face eviction. “The council will act as and when such situation arises,” Marak assured.