By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Social Organisation of Meghalaya Against Land Alienation (SOMALA) has demanded amendment to the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act, 1971 saying “any delay may pose a great threat to the survival of the indigenous tribes of Meghalaya”.
The SOMALA on Thursday apprised Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on the need to speed up the amendment process and demanded that it should be done in the next Assembly session.
The SOMALA has sought for a stricter Benami Act to prevent non-tribals from usurping tribal lands by “machinations of vested interests. “The State government should enforce the Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act, 1980 to safeguard the interest of the indigenous people”, said the SOMALA convener W Anthony on Thursday.
He informed that the Chief Minister assured that steps would be taken to stop benami transactions.
Anthony informed that the Chief Minister, however, was not in favour of deleting section 4 (1) E and 4 (1) F of the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act, 1971.
Dr Sangma suggested the SOMALA to conduct seminars and workshops to enlighten people on the issue, Anthony added.
It may be mentioned that the SOMALA has been demanding the amendment of the Meghalaya Transfer to Land Regulation Act 1971. The organisation has been demanding the state government to issue a notification restricting the sale of land amongst tribals pending insertion of the new section on benami in the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act, 1971.
As per the existing Land transfer Act, even though non-tribal population are barred from acquiring land in the Sixth Schedule areas under the control of the three autonomous district councils, any tribe from the northeast figured in the ST list can buy and sell land in Meghalaya.
The SOMALA comprises the KSU, FKJGP, CSWO, HNYF, JSU, GSU, Meghalaya Indigenous People’s Forum, Achik Citizens’ Welfare Organisation and the All India Garo Union.