Challang M. Marak who is the Nokma (headman) of Boldamgre has lodged an FIR with Singgimari Police Station, West Garo Hills against four persons who allegedly sold off land from the Aking illegally.
Marak in his complaint alleged that Batjing Marak and three women Nanda Sangma, Meena Sangma and Metel Sangma who secretly and illegally sold off the Aking land to two non-tribals from Assam identified as Perajul and Kobedul.
The complaint also stated that the sale of tribal land was against the resolution made by the Mahari and other villagers and also in direct violation of the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act of 1972.
“The Maharis and the villagers have unanimously resolved in our previous meetings that no one shall sell land from the Aking to non-tribal, however certain individuals have discreetly sold certain sections of our Aking land to non-tribal persons with common intent to create confusion, chaos and discord among the Mahari, the villagers and other non-tribal persons living in the surroundings of our Aking land,” Marak said.
He also alleged that these people have conspired against the Sko Mahari, the people of Boldamgre and tried to bring communal tension between the Garos of Boldamgre village and the non-tribal people residing in and around Boldamgre Aking.
Marak has requested the police to book both the sellers and buyers of land from the Boldamgre Aking under relevant sections of law such as IPC 34, 153A, 120B, 379, 415, 441, 420, 382A etc and other relevant sections of the law.
“Also, these persons should be booked under relevant sections of the law for the breach of the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act of 1972,” he added.
In a separate complaint to the Chief Executive Member of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), Marak also sought legal action against the sellers and buyers of the land under the Boldamgre Aking which belongs to the Sko Mahari of which he was appointed Nokma by the Mahari (clan) and approved by the GHADC.
