Mukroh village seek Govt’s intervention into encroachment  by KAAC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 3, 2024

The Dorbar Shnong Mukroh Pyllun on Tuesday sought the intervention of the state government into alleged encroachment by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) into the jurisdiction of the Mukroh village under Laskein block in West Jaintia Hills district.

A delegation of the village heads also met and submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong and Deputy Chief Minister in-charge urban affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar on the matter.

Chairman Shnong Chilangki Phawa alleged that the KAAC has continued to encroach into the jurisdiction of  Mukroh village.

“As per notification dated October 25, 1968 notified by the office of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), the areas of Mukroh Village extends upto Elaka Labang Nongphyllut/Block-1 or Moikoilum Village presently in the East Direction. But the State of Assam encroached on the areas of Mukroh several years ago and established its Forest Beat House within the area of Mukroh Village,” he said.

He said that the residents of Mukroh village depend on fire-woods for cooking foods etc, which are collected from the forest areas of the village since time immemorial. But, presently they are hesitant and afraid to go and collect firewood from the forest areas of the villages due to the recent intrusion of KAAC. The KAAC forbids the local residents to collect fire wood as the KAAC claimed that the forest area of Mukroh belonged to them, he added.

Phawa further alleged that during the month of October, the KAAC cuts down the trees for constructing roads in Salang, Mukroh with the purpose of establishing tea plantation and the Dorbar Shnong Mukroh viewed this action of KAAC as an act of intrusion and trespasses to the area of Mukroh. The matter was also informed by the district administration of West Jaintia Hills District regarding the illegal construction of roads.

“Although the district authorities from West Jaintia Hills visited the site and halted the work, the contractor, showing disregard for the law, continued with the construction immediately after the magistrate left Mukroh village,” he said while requesting the state government to provide adequate security to prevent further illegal activity and to stop the ongoing construction of road and tea plantation project in Salang, Mukroh by KAAC.