Correspondent
Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has termed the recent fossil theft incident as "sad and unfortunate," emphasizing the challenges faced by the government in securing the site due to land ownership complexities.
Speaking on the matter, Sangma explained that the land in question falls under the jurisdiction of the A·king and Nokmas, making it difficult for the state to directly intervene. "It was a sensitive issue as the land belongs to the traditional authorities. Any direct takeover by the government could have led to allegations of forceful acquisition," he said.
Despite these constraints, the government had taken steps to secure the area by restricting access and urging local residents to cooperate until a proper setup for the Geological Survey team could be established. However, the time-consuming nature of setting up such infrastructure proved to be a challenge.
Sangma admitted that the government had not anticipated such an incident but assured that an FIR has been registered, and an investigation is underway. "We hope that law enforcement agencies will be able to track down those responsible," he added.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of continuing the geological survey, stating that there could be more significant fossil findings in the area. He urged the local community to support government efforts in facilitating further research and security.
"In the past, public resistance had limited our intervention, but with this unfortunate incident, I hope there will be more cooperation. We need to work together to protect and explore these sites, as they hold valuable scientific and historical significance," Sangma stated.
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