State BJP vice president and Tura MDC has asked the State government to stop all activities in the tribal lands of the Garos stating that it is unconstitutional while also cautioning not to hesitate to put their lives on line if push comes to shove.
“Our fathers died for these lands so we would not hesitate. So, stop all activities against our lands and let our people be in peace,” said Marak in a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills.
Informing that he has the copy of the proceedings of the meetings chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on 20th May 2022 at Circuit House regarding the B-Mahal land, he said, “The proceeding of the meeting revealed the ingredients to how a half baked cake would be fully baked by the MTDC and MIDC”.
“The conspiracy plotted against the people of Garo Hills over 5000 ha of land at B Mahal which would be sold to MTDC and MIDC is all real and your urgent order (Ref no: 59/2022/B-Mahal-LB/06) issued on 26th September 2024 directing four state officials to conduct joint survey of the land at B-Mahal area along with the revenue staffs of GHADC connects the dots of the secret plot to sell the Garo people’s land,” he added.
Stating that the clarification of Deputy Commissioner in social media mentioning about land digitisation is misleading as State is not the implementing agency in this project but PMU (Project monitoring Unit), he said, “You should stop lying to the people as it only taints your chair and vows. I would still appreciate if you can apprise me under which section and provision of the law, you issued an order to conduct a joint survey of the Scheduled Lands of the Scheduled Tribes? And kindly apprise me, who authorised you to conduct the survey of the B Mahal when the GHADC EM incharge of Land was unaware of it?”
Reminding that B-Mahal was merged with Garo Hills during the British time as there was frequent conflict in those areas due to intrusion of the non tribals, he said, “After that, these lands were brought under the provision of the Sixth Schedule in the interests of the Hill Tribals which was handed over to GHADC to protect it from the intrusion of the non Tribals including the State Government”.
“Inspite of that, State eyed these lands and the conspiracy was plotted with few GHADC MDCs. I was also informed that you even measured the lands in my area namely Walbakgre, Nikwatgre, Niksenggitim, Diringga, Leper colony, ITI and other areas without seeking permission from the Nokma and GHADC which is a gross violation of the Sixth Schedule and deliberate attempt to violate the rights of the Hill Tribals,” he added.
Stating that the history is not lost and the Agreement by the ANVC groups with the Centre and the State Government solely intended to bring history back to life and to protect the Rights of the Garos, he said, “Your order violated the provisions of the Sixth Schedule and for that, I want to call upon you and your officials to an open debate”.
“ I will not tolerate the violation of the “Law of the Land” by an outsider. You should first check if your residential quarter and your office premise have a valid land document. Your office did not pay the due fees to the nokmas for decades,” he added.
He further said, “Lastly, I am not only the MDC of Tura but also the one who drafted and negotiated the historical Agreed Text for Settlement (ATS) by the ANVC groups in 2014. Therefore, the agreement which was signed to protect the tradition, culture, rights, practices and identity of the Garo people is at the verge of being trampled which I cannot allow as without land, Garos will have no IDENTITY. The survey of B-Mahal lands and Tura areas by you is not constitutional”.
