Leader of Opposition in Meghalaya Mukul M. Sangma on Tuesday urged the state government to initiate a probe into the alleged benami transactions and illegal occupation of land along the state’s border with Assam. Speaking in the Assembly, Sangma referred specifically to areas in Ri-Bhoi district along the Guwahati border, including Byrnihat and stretches up to Jorabat, where he alleged that land was being illegally occupied and used under benami arrangements in the names of tribals. “Such practices are a matter of grave concern as they defeat the very objective of protective land laws meant to protect indigenous ownership. The issue carries long-term demographic, legal and administrative implications,” he said, while urging the government to examine whether provisions under the Meghalaya Land Transfer Regulation Act were being misused or circumvented.
He however said the issue was not new and recalled that during his tenure as the Chief Minister, certain areas had been kept outside the purview of specific exemption provisions for a period, underscoring the sensitivity of land governance in border regions. He further said that land alienation in strategic areas could not be treated lightly and called for stronger enforcement, transparency and accountability mechanisms to prevent further erosion of tribal land rights. “The government must act decisively if irregularities are found,” Sangma said.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, in his reply, said the government was working on creating land banks for development but insisted that all procedures are being followed lawfully. “However, there is a need to strengthen coordination between the Benami Act, the Land Transfer Act and other regulations to curb illegal holdings. If there is any illegal or benami transaction, the government will act strictly as per the provisions of the law,” he assured.
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