By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Social Organisations of Meghalaya Against Land Alienation (SOMALA) has criticized the state government for coming up with a new Meghalaya Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy 2012 which is allegedly against the interest of the local indigenous population of the State.
In a representation submitted to Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma recently, the SOMALA said, “Meghalaya, with the exception of Shillong, is a tribal area but the government has announced the Industrial Policy which is inimical to the interest of the tribals and as such violates the mandate of the Constitution.”
According to SOMALA, the new Industrial Policy which is said to put a check on land alienation is in fact ‘a subtle way of land alienation on a massive scale.’
“The establishment of special economic zones (SEZs) in every district will require large tract of land. Each zone will much bigger than the industrial estates in Byrnihat and Umiam. Besides spreading over large areas, these economic zones will generate huge pollution , affecting both the vegetation and the villagers,” the SOMALA said.