By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: A company owned by a non-tribal firm has acquired a huge chunk of land in Ri-Bhoi district despite the State Government’s executive order keeping in abeyance all process of land acquisition to any company or industries which are owned by a non-tribal entity.

It is learnt that M/s Seven City Developers Private Limited owned by one Anish Ranjan has acquired a around 5,300 acres in Umsohpai village, Jirang in Ri-Bhoi district.

Sources revealed that the company has even received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the land owners for registering of the land.

It is learnt the KHADC has approached Deputy Commissioner Jopthiaw Lyngdoh not to register the land until the council completes with its inquiry over this matter.

When contacted, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Prof RC Laloo said, “It is illegal for the company to acquire land without the approval of the State Government.”

“The company cannot acquire land only by entering into an agreement with the land owners. It has to get the approval of the State Government for acquiring such land,” Prof Laloo told The Shillong Times on Wednesday.

He said that the Government would not allow this company to acquire such a huge chunk of land through illegal means.

Replying to a query, the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister said that the Executive Order (EO) issued by the Government is still applicable pending the amendment of the Land Transfer Regulation Act.”The companies will have to seek Government approval for acquisition of land even after the amendment,” he added.

Earlier, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma had said that the Government was taking serious note on this issue. To prevent such exploitation of the land of the indigenous people, Dr Mukul said that the Government would amend the Land Transfer Regulation Act,1971.