Tura, April 29,2025:The Garo Enlightenment Society (GES), submitted a memorandum to the GHADC CEM Albinush R.Marak, regarding the illegal land occupied by the KHADC of Morongga A·king, East Garo Hills, District.
Recently KHADC illegally set up stone pillars inside the Garo Hills Region and threatened to villagers by sending police force. Such activity is not only disturbing the Garo Community, but also causing harm to the rightful owners of the land, said Clincton Marak President of GES.
The GES inspected the place and received information that the KHADC officials are engaging in activities such land grabbing and illegal tax collecting without obtaining the necessary permissions from the GHADC. This is not only a violation of the Autonomous District Council law, but also a blatant disregard for the rights of the land owners added Marak.
GES mentioned that the British Raj Simon Commission suggested special administration for tribal areas to protect security of land, freedom in the pursuit of the traditional methods of livelihood and the reasonable exercise of their ancestral customs.
In this regard Bengal Provence sent a survey team to make boundaries between two tribes of Garo and Khasi community of the region in 1927. The Survey team was led by JM David and Mr. Malai Laskar guided them in their survey. In 1933 alao British Govt. made an Interim Survey team to verify those areas and set up boundaries which till today, few stone pillars are existing near Dobil Songgital village.
Since immemorial time Morongga A·king belongs to Garos and is controlled by the Nongbak Arengh clan, said GES.
In this regard GES urged immediate action to address on this issue and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. It is important to protect the rights of the Garos legitimate land owners and prevent further land incroaching in near future.
“We urged to investigate this matter thoroughly and take the necessary steps to address this illegal land occupation as well as illegal tax collection. Failure to encourage more illegal activities and harm the Garo community as a whole in near future, Marak said.
