Centre needs to take up move to evict Garos in Bangladesh: CM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 10, 2021

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the issue related to the Garo settlers in Bangladesh need to be taken up diplomatiically by the government of India. 

He was replying to a zero hour notice tabled by the Mawlai legislator Process T Sawkmie expressing concern over the reports that Garos are set to be evicted from their ancestral land in Bangladesh. 

“This matter needs to be taken up diplomatically with Bangladesh, through the Government of India,” Sangma said. 

This was in view of the demand made by the Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) to revoke the eviction notice served to Garo indigenous people of Modhupur district of Bangladesh in the appeal submitted to the CM through the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills district. 

On February 9, around 40 Members of the GSMC staged a peaceful dharna and displayed banners and placards in front of the Office Gate of theDeputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills District, Tura. 

He said as per reports, the Bangladesh Government through its Forest Department claims all the forest area of Modhupur to be Government land and has an intention to create an Eco Park.

He said at the same time, the Garo Indigenous people of Modhupur residing in the same forest land maintain that the place is their ancestral land which has been passed on through generations.

“The tribals residing in the forest have been protesting for well over two weeks ever since the authorities of Bangladesh Government began exerting pressure on them to vacate their lands,” he said.

The CM said the protests held in Garo Hills were peaceful and did not pose any serious challenge to the law and order situation.

“Since the said developments are taking place in a neighbouring country, which is beyond our jurisdiction, we can only keep a close watch on the situation and ensure there are no disturbances in the Garo Hills region, due to the said issue,” he stated.