Garo tiol Council opposes KHADC's offer of free land registration

From a Correspondent

BOKO, Novenber 8:  Khasi Hills Autonomous Council (KHADC) offered free registration of land belonging to people residing along the inter-State border with Assam on October 28.

“The executive committee has decided to give free registration of land to the people residing along the inter-State disputed border with Assam,” Executive Member in charge land, mines and minerals, Donevan Wanglang said while replying to a motion moved by the opposition HSPDP MDC from Morningstar Mawsore in Shillong. He also informed that the State Government through a notification issued in 1993, had asked the need for conducting land survey and preparing records accordingly. He also said that the district council would soon inform the traditiol chiefs and heads within its jurisdiction to encourage their residents to register their land with the KHADC.

Anindra Marak, secretary of GNC and Benedict Alok Areng, a noted Garo leader from Assam reacted to the news and said, “They should not do like this. As border dispute between the two States is not yet solved, then how they can do this? The Assam Government should take steps immediately.”

“When Garo people go to the Circle Office or the Commissioner Office, the staff expect bribe from them. We cannot do anything without paying money to the staff. Most of the Garo people living in the border area belong to BPL category. How they will give bribe or registration fees? So most of the people have failed to register their land in Assam. The Government of Assam was never interested to do anything for people in the border villages and the Meghalaya Government has taken the chance. We appeal to the people of Assam and organizations to force the State Government to take necessary actions and stop the KHADC offer. The Assam Government should instead make the same offer to people in the border villages which are not in disputed area,” they added.