Meghalaya BJP VP demands halt to activities on tribal land in Garo Hills

Guwahati: Meghalaya BJP Vice President and Tura MDC Bernard Marak has urged the State government to cease all activities on tribal lands in Garo Hills, citing unconstitutional actions.

In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills, Marak emphasized that the lands are sacred, as their fathers died protecting them.

Marak referenced a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on May 20, 2022, regarding B-Mahal land, alleging a conspiracy to sell 5,000 hectares to MTDC and MIDC.

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He questioned the Deputy Commissioner's authority to conduct a joint survey, highlighting that the GHADC EM in charge of Land was unaware of it.

Marak criticized the Deputy Commissioner's clarification on land digitization as misleading, stating that the State is not the implementing agency, but rather the Project Monitoring Unit (PMU).

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He demanded to know under which law the order was issued and who authorized the survey.

Marak reminded that B-Mahal was merged with Garo Hills during British rule to protect it from non-tribal intrusion, and it was brought under the Sixth Schedule to safeguard Hill Tribals' interests.

The land was entrusted to GHADC to prevent encroachment by non-tribals, including the State Government.

The BJP leader cautioned that the people will not hesitate to fight for their land, emphasizing the need to let them live in peace.