Shillong,Feb 1: BJP’s Tura MDC Bernard N Marak is unhappy over the delay in the implementation of the Agreed Text.
He wanted the state government to convene a state-level review meeting.
In a memorandum submitted to Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong, Marak narrated the issues in the Garo Hills, including illegal quarries, migrant influx, and unconstitutional land practices.
“The delay in addressing Garo-related issues indicates that the state government is not serious about issues of Garo Hills and its residents,” Marak said.
He pointed out that a meeting was assured every two months, nodal officers would be appointed, rehabilitation packages examined, and district committees formed, but these have not been implemented.
Illegal quarries
Marak raised concerns that illegal quarries in Garo Hills have attracted migrants from across the border, leading to violence and threats to local residents.
“Illegal quarries in Garo Hills have attracted illegal migrants from across the border, leading to the tragic death of a Garo youth at Rajabala PS a few weeks ago,” Marak said. He alleged that the incident involved armed groups and was hushed up.
Marak criticized the government’s inaction.
“Despite FIRs filed against illegal quarries, no state or district-level meetings have been convened. The state government’s negligence has created safe passage for illegal migrants to operate quarries and trades without licenses.”
He warned of ISIS-K threats, saying a proper inquiry could expose the nexus and trace the source of elements threatening the Garos. “The ruling Government and GHADC Executive Committee members are aiding this situation, leading to loss of life, threats to Garos, and flourishing illegal trades and migrants,” Marak added.
Application of Assam Land Act
Criticizing the application of the Assam Land Regulation Act in Garo Hills, calling it unconstitutional and a threat to tribal rights, Marak said, “I also wish to highlight the unconstitutional application of the Assam Land Regulation Act (Assam Schedule) and the issuance of lease pattas by GHADC to non-tribals in the plain areas, now extended to the Hill areas.”
He sais this provision has led to misunderstandings among residents, who think they own the Scheduled land.
Marak said that during the partition of East Pakistan (Bangladesh), migrants were settled in Garo Hills’ plain belt, but land settlement was impermissible under the Sixth Schedule.
“Yet, without resolution, notification, or legal sanction, the Assam Land Regulation Act was adopted nearly 70 years ago, violating constitutional norms,” Marak said, adding that this has perpetuated the false impression that land in Garo Hills belongs to migrants, undermining tribal rights.
Marak warned that ignoring these irregularities could lead to Assam claiming the Scheduled lands, and urged the government to take corrective action to protect tribal autonomy and rights.
“I am enclosing RTI replies that substantiate this unconstitutional arrangement. Therefore, I urge you to: convene the State-Level Review Meeting without delay, appoint the Nodal Officers as assured, ensure strict compliance with constitutional provisions under the Sixth Schedule to safeguard tribal community and Scheduled land rights, and approve the District Level Committee members forwarded last year,” he said.
The situation demands immediate corrective action to restore justice, protect tribal autonomy and prevent further threat to the Garos, he said.
The justice to the victims of Rimpu Bagan ( RB) case by MHRC proved that the youths arrested during unwarranted raid in RB were unlawfully and illegally framed and implicated, he said.
Bernard said the courage shown by the victims to prove their innocence bore fruit against all odds which they faced in the society and in their daily life.
“In spite of being in a coalition, the NPP- led government targeted BJP leaders and during the raid in RB they tried to implicate many BJP leaders in fake cases. Today, the cases they tried to put on these victims reflect on their elected members which are being hushed off. Even the Megong Festival is a brew festival which is served free for the rich people but poor had to pay for everything. Truth is revealed after they accused the innocent youths who were served justice recently.
