Tura, Jan 29: In a major announcement that could be a game changer for the future, the district administration of West Garo Hills has passed an order prohibiting the digging of soil or damage, alteration, removal, misuse or injury to the protected structures all along the 15 (fifteen) km stretch of Wadagokgre Archaeological site.
The order that was passed on Jan 27 will come as a welcome relief for genuine residents of the area who have been plagued through decades of illegal settlers taking over the land from the site. The situation has become critical to the point of the indigenous population being overrun by illegal settlers who have literally taken over lands that was clearly protected, both as a protected site as well as under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution.
“In continuation of this office order No PA/WGRE- ARCH/2010/153 dated 18.04.2013 it has been learnt that the 15 km stretch of historical Wadagokgre (Bhaitbari) Archaeological site/ancient fortified area situated in Bhaitbari West Garo Hills District, Meghalaya has been declared protected site under Assam Ancient Monuments and Records Act, 1959 (as adopted by the State of Meghalaya),” observed deputy commissioner, Vibhor Agarwal.
“The aforementioned Act prohibits destruction, removal, injury, alteration, imperilment or misuse of the protected monuments inclusive of the area of 4 (four) meters distance around the protected structures required for its preservation and proper maintenance,” the order added.
The order further observed that the Wadagokgre (Bhaitbari) Archaeological site/ancient fortified area and its extensive 15 (fifteen) km stretch with Rajpur in the South, Wadagokgre in the East, Gandhipara in the East, Balujhora in the East, Nayagaon in the North, Belbari in the North and Tinmuni in the South has been encroached upon by settlers illegally over the years.
“The settlers or other concerned persons have caused willful damage to the ancient structures like the stupa and fortification wall that runs all along the area by digging soil from the proximity of the fortification wall by use of heavy machinery. This has caused weakening, alteration and irreversible damage to the fortification wall and is a gross and willful violation of the provisions of Assam Ancient Monuments and Records Act, 1959 (as adopted by the state of Meghalaya) which has been notified by Notification No. MAC.72/92/151, dated 27.08.96,” the order noted.
The 15 km stretch of the Wadagokgre Aking has been in the news over the years over continuing violations that include destruction of the ASI preserved site. It was also recently in the news after miscreants attacked a group of ACHIK members leading to the death of one. The reason for the altercation was the illegal operation of stone quarries. Various CSOs had earlier pointed to illegal sand gravel being dug out from within the Aking – literally leveling the small hills into plains.
“The digging of soil by the contractors or settlers and resistance from concerned local residents is brewing into a probable confrontation with law and order repercussions. Under powers conferred upon me under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) do hereby prohibit the digging of soil or damage, alteration, removal, misuse or injury to the protected structures all along the 15 (fifteen) km stretch of Wadagokgre Archaeological site/ancient protected area inclusive of 4 (four) meters area from the fortification wall and ancient protected structures, the boundaries/scheduled.
The prohibitory order mentioned the fifteen km stretch of Wadagokgre (Bhaitbari) Archaeological site/ancient fortified area with Rajpur in the South, Wadagokgre in the East, Gandhipara in the East, Balujhora in the East, Nayagaon in the North, Belbari in the North and Tinmuni in the South” And prohibit any person local or otherwise from causing any activity to be performed within 4 (four) meters of the vicinity of the protected monuments which shall or irreversibly damage the fortification wall and other structures of the Wadagokgre (Bhaitbari) Archaeological site.
Further the order also invalidated all settlements in the area which are in gross violation of Meghalaya Land Transfer Act 1971 and District Council rules and are therefore bad in the eyes of law.
“In view of the emergent situation this order is passed ex-parte and shall come into force with immediate effect and shall continue to remain in force until further orders,” the DC’s order stated.
