By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 12: State BJP vice president and Tura MDC Bernard N Marak has claimed that Garo Hills continues to operate under land provisions linked to Assam, alleging that these laws undermine the autonomy guaranteed by the Sixth Schedule.
Marak noted that despite more than 50 years of statehood, the GHADC still follows the Assam Land Regulation Act. He described the act as a general administrative framework rather than a tribal-specific system, creating a dual governance structure in Sixth Schedule areas.
According to Marak, this overlap conflicts with constitutional provisions and compromises the rights of tribal communities. He argued that the use of the “patta” system under the Assam framework dilutes tribal autonomy and threatens the cultural identity tied to land ownership.
He further alleged that efforts to remove the Assam-based system have been blocked within the GHADC, claiming that motions moved by MDCs were rejected by the Executive Committee.
Marak insisted that safeguarding the interests of the hill population requires the total abolition of the Assam-based system in areas governed under the Sixth Schedule. He called on the GHADC to function as a truly autonomous body and review administrative practices that rely on legacy frameworks.
He added that the continued issuance of periodic pattas—originally intended for temporary land use in plains areas—compromises protections granted under the Sixth Schedule and threatens the traditional land rights held by Nokmas.
