TURA, July 8: Asserting their constitutional status as “custodians of the land,” Nokmas in West Garo Hills have served an ultimatum to the District Administration to cancel all labour and trade licences issued to non-tribals without traditional consent, threatening to impose private fines of Rs 10,000 on violators.
The traditional heads submitted a formal representation to the Deputy Commissioner, alleging grave violations of their rights under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The dispute arose after the Nokmas discovered that labourers from Assam and other regions were being issued permits by the state Labour Department and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) Taxation Department without obtaining mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOC) from the respective A’king Nokmas.
The Nokmas contended they were neither informed nor consulted regarding these licences, which they claim allow non-tribals to “infiltrate” their traditional lands.
“The Nokma is the recognised custodian of Akhing lands, and all activities within Scheduled Areas must be subject to their authority. Issuing licences to outsiders without Nokma approval undermines our constitutional role and weakens traditional administration,” the representation stated.
Citing various court rulings that limit state interference in tribal governance, the Nokmas argued that any administrative attempt to bypass traditional heads is unconstitutional and liable to be struck down.
The group demanded an immediate freeze on such licenses and called for a binding directive ensuring that 60% of all labourers engaged in local projects be residents. To enforce this, the Nokmas announced they would impose a Rs 10,000 fine on contractors or “illegal” traders and labourers operating within their jurisdiction without an NOC.
In a move to modernise traditional oversight, the Nokmas have launched a website, www.nokmasani.com, where labourers must now register to apply for an NOC.
The representation warned that failure by the administration to uphold the authority of the Nokmas would compel them to seek legal remedies before the High Court of Meghalaya.
