Self-style chief sells Garo lands to outsiders

TURA, MAR 29: A self-styled village chief in West Garo Hills has been engaging in illegal land deals, despite efforts by administration to stop the practice, which has threatened the indigenous community at Boldamgre village.

As per the traditional practice of the Garo tribe, the land known as “A’king” belongs to a particular clan, and the sole authority on the use of land rests with the Nokma (village chief).

At Boldamgre village, about 80 km from here, Olsen Ch. Marak, who claims himself to be a village chief, managed to illegally sell land to residents of neighbouring Assam village, who have migrated to the village.

As per the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act, a non-tribal is not allowed to buy land.

The residents of the village are up in arms against the self-ordained village chief. They have sought for immediate intervention from the administration and district council.

Traditionally a village chief in a Garo village is a woman, whose husband exercises the rights on her behalf. The appointment of Nokma is passed on through generations; however, district council has to vet the appointment.

Last year, after expose of the illegal land deals by Olsen, the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) had quashed his nokmaship but he did not stop his illegal activities.

He has even managed to evade an arrest and is still on the run. So far Olsen has sold land to about 110 households.

“Olsen had made a written promise to the entire village of not selling land to people from outside, but he continued to do so. He has brought people from Assam and helped them settle in our A’king. He is not the Nokma of this village but continues to sell land”, said a group of angry villagers.

When asked, how he manages to do that, the villagers had no reply. The villagers say that Olsen frequents the village but police have not been able to arrest him.

Of the total 180 household in the village, 58 household belongs to the Garos, the rest belongs to “illegal settlers”, claims the Garo villagers.

The villagers demand that the land, which belongs to their clan, is returned.

“This is highly condemnable and we are pained at what the villagers have to go through. As guardians of the land, the GHADC should have been proactive in taking action instead of delaying things. The first thing is to protect the land that belongs to us. We are going to seek action and will not stop until the matter is solved and the guilty person put behind bars,” said activist Treepon Sangma, who is actively behind the indigenous people to give them their due rights.

“This is a welcome move and should be done quickly without fail. The villagers have suffered enough at the hands of a greedy man who needs to be taken to task for his misdeeds. We are willing to move to Court if there is no justice served to the villagers,” said activist Treepon.

The deputy commissioner of West Garo Hills Pravin Bakshi said, “I fail to understand, how the accused has managed to evade arrest. The situation could create anger amongst community and between neighbouring inter-state border villages”.

“We want our lands back and the GHADC has to take action. We will speak to the DC to seek information on what progress has been made in the case and what action has been taken against Olsen”, the villagers told scribes, who are planning to take up the matter with council once again and deputy commissioner.

When asked, the executive member in charge of Land and Revenue in GHADC, Winison Ch Marak stated that the matter would be looked into earnestly in such a way to ensure the illegal land sale could be cancelled or revoked.

“The matter is grave and needs to be taken seriously. The problem of the village is the absence of an appointed Nokma and we will look into ensuring a Nokma is appointed soon. This should be able to resolve matters as the new Nokma can easily revoke the illegal sale of land ensuring the A’king is protected,” said the member of the council.

According to the villagers, ten years ago the “original” village chief had passed away and since then Olsen has been exercising the rights. “We will meet the villagers when they come and look at ways to reclaim the land that was illegally sold off,” said deputy CEM of GHADC, Augustine R. Marak.-From Our Correspondent