Tura, May 7: The daughter of the Nokma of Danakgre under Tura, Amanche Marak has objected to the convening of meetings with presidents and secretaries of various localities which the Government claims as “Government land (GAD)” without acquisition or compensation.
Through a complaint to the Deputy Commissioner, Amanche stated that Writ Petition (C) No. 671 of 2025 was pending before the High Court of Meghalaya, wherein the DC and the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) are respondents.
“Despite the matter being sub judice, your office is reportedly pressurizing residents to pay large sums for Assam Schedule pattas to be issued by the Government. In a Sixth Schedule area, land belongs to the clan under the custody of the Nokma. The Constitution explicitly protects our identity and rights through the Sixth Schedule, shielding us from encroachment by general entities including the State Government. Knowing these provisions, why is your office compelling residents of our Akhing to accept pattas that are unconstitutional,” stated the complaint?
Amanche further questioned the authority of the state government in issuing pattas under the Assam Schedule in Scheduled Areas.
“Can the Government lawfully collect revenue from lands under the custody of the Nokmas? Under which provision of law are residents being forced to pay such huge sums for Nokma lands? We have already submitted a representation dated 09/04/2026 against Development Committees formed and registered under the General State making them into a General Bodies, and functioning without the consent / NOCs of Nokma in the A khing land,” she added in her complaint.
These Committees, she said, were confined by their bye-laws to developmental works, have no jurisdiction over land or local / traditional administration.
“You were requested not to involve them in matters of land and traditional governance but you keep pressurizing the poor residents through the leaders of the Development Committees. We once again urge you to refrain from violating the rights of the Nokmas in a Scheduled Lands and desist from forcing the poor residents to pay huge amounts and accept pattas while the matter is pending before the Court,” stated Amanche.
The complaint was submitted the day before yesterday, May 5.
