RI-BHOI: A woman from Khatsawmer Nongthymmai in Ri-Bhoi district, Phikir Khongwir, has alleged that she has been facing difficulties for several years in accessing and cultivating a piece of land measuring more than four acres at Jalithem in Ri-Bhoi.
Speaking to the media at the Shillong Press Club on July 21, 2026, Phikir said she had purchased the land from Rev. H. Even Marbaniang in 2007. The property is located around 30 kilometres from her place of residence.
According to Phikir, she has faced repeated difficulties in using the land since purchasing it. She alleged that whenever she travelled to the area to cultivate the land along with other people, groups of Garo individuals would arrive and obstruct their activities.
She further alleged that on some occasions, people accompanying her were assaulted and injured during such incidents.
Phikir claimed that hundreds of Garo people had also appeared at the site, asserting that the land belonged to them. She said the situation had made it difficult for her to cultivate the land even today.
She also stated that despite obtaining an order from the District Council Court, the alleged obstruction has continued.
Phikir further questioned the authority of a person from the Garo community who, according to her, claims to be a Rangbah Shnong (village headman), and raised concerns over his alleged involvement in obstructing her from using the land.
The allegations made by Phikir could not be independently verified at the time of reporting. The matter involves competing claims over land ownership and allegations of obstruction and violence.