Lands, Warns Against Rising Alienation in Meghalaya

The Opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) has called for a comprehensive statewide audit of community and customary lands in Meghalaya, warning that accelerating land alienation threatens traditional governance, constitutional safeguards, and indigenous identity.
Moving a special motion during the budget session, VPP MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit urged structural reforms to prevent misuse and concentration of communal lands. He proposed digitization and scientific mapping of Raid, Hima, Elaka, and A·king lands; creation of a transparent land registry in coordination with Autonomous District Councils (ADCs); and mandatory prior informed consent of communities before acquisition or land-use changes. He also demanded an annual report to the Assembly on tribal land protection.
Basaiawmoit alleged weak documentation, illegal transactions, and manipulation within customary systems have led to fragmentation of community lands, undermining the Khasi land framework of Ri Kynti (private), Ri Raid (community), and Ri Kur (clan). He warned that continued alienation could weaken Sixth Schedule autonomy.
In Garo Hills, he highlighted conflicts arising from overlaps between traditional A·king land systems and statutory frameworks such as the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886, and pattas under the 1960 A·king Land Revenue Act. According to him, these overlaps have fuelled disputes and land concentration.
Leader of Opposition Mukul M. Sangma supported the motion, stressing that land ownership includes subsurface mineral rights as upheld in the Supreme Court coal mining judgment. He cautioned against sacrificing long-term community interests for short-term development gains and called for strict enforcement of safeguards under the 2013 Land Acquisition Act.
Replying to the motion, Revenue Minister Lahkmen Rymbui described land governance in Meghalaya as complex, involving traditional bodies, ADCs, and the state government. He said land transfers follow legal procedures, and harmonization of land laws is underway to curb illegal and benami holdings.
The debate underscores growing concerns over balancing development with protection of indigenous land rights in the state.