The A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) has asked the state government to constitute a magisterial inquiry to investigate issues pertaining to the border areas of Garo Hills.
In a letter today, coming as Meghalaya is involved in negotiations with Assam on their dispute border, the pressure group said that residents of Assam have settled in droves in the “neglected” border areas and are staking a claim to tribal lands.
As an example, AHAM said that over 200 houses have been built by illegal settlers on Ujenggre A’king land and, despite pleas to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, no evictions have taken place and the settlers are now claiming that the land belongs to Assam.
Influx is also a problem from neighbouring Bangladesh. “The effortless flow of migrants into the area creates a possible gateway to enter the rest of Meghalaya after getting possession of proper documents,” it said, adding that dual voters are “not just a mere myth but a fact”.
