BALPAKRAM A.KING NOKMAS SOCIAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION Vs. STATE OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner's association, namely, Balpakram A.king Nokmas Social Welfare Association constitutes members who are Nokmas of A.king land situated in the South Garo Hills District of the State. The petitioner being its attorney is empowered to act in the interest of the said members of the Association.

(2.) Mr. P. Yobin, learned counsel for the petitioner commences his argument by narrating the history of the case of the parties to say that the respondent authorities in order to set up the Balpakram National Park, had acquired vast tracts of land totalling about 352 sq. kms. The land acquired are A.king land belonging to the Nokmas, the whole process being done so in several phases.

(3.) It is the submission of the learned counsel that the Nokmas are rustic villagers, who are illiterate and when the said parcel of land was acquired, no proper land acquisition proceeding was initiated, except for the issuance of purported notifications under Sec. 4 and Sec. 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The fact however is that the illiterate Nokmas were made to sign in blank papers without being informed of their rights, including the right to receive the award of compensation under protest.