SHILLONG, SEPT 7: The Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) alleged that some of the 140 applicants who have applied for land in the New Shillong Township are big business tycoons and yet some others belongs to non-indigenous community.
Basing on an RTI report filed by the CSWOits president Agnes Kharshiing said if the state government approves the proposals to acquire land in the NST by the non-indigenous applicants it will violate the very spirit of the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act, which seeks to protect tribal rights over land.
Kharshiing told reporters that the RTI reply by the PIO of the urban affairs department clearly stated, “Out of the total of 145 applicants, there are over 30 individuals, who are well known big business tycoons also having big businesses in Police Bazaar and other areas. She said other applicants includes different departments of the state government besides banks and financial institutions, corporation bodies and defence authorities.
She informed that the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly is also one amongst the applicants aspiring to acquire land in the NST.
Stating that the areas under the NST are under schedule areas, Kharshiing said, “Therefore, we demand the state government to refrain from any attempt to violate the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act by entertaining the applications of such people who are not from tribal community.”
Kharshiing also alleged that the two amendments of the Land Transfer Act was passed on the same day with the same letter number wherein sections 4 (e) and 4 (f) was fraudulently inserted and according to her this is a big fraud done by unscrupulous people in governance. She said, “These newly inserted sections acts as a gateway for people from other tribes to acquire land in the name of developments.”
Kharshiing also appeals to all legislators to bring up the issue before the upcoming assembly session.- By Our Reporter
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