By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The four NGOs (TUR, CSWO, KSU, FKJGP, KWADA) have strongly condemned the order of the Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal with regard to the land acquisition proceedings for New Shillong for demeaning and maligning the image and name of the traditional institutions represented by the Lyngdoh and Bakhraws of Hima Khyrim who have also been accorded constitutional status and recognition.
In a statement issued here on Friday, the four NGOs said that the order which was passed on March 28 and only communicated to the Lyngdoh on June states, “The claims of the objectors that they represent the Hima Khyrim Syiemship is questionable as no authorization letter, document was produced by the said individuals. Hence their claims that they represent the Syiemship is not acceptable due to lack of documentary evidence”.
According to the NGOs, this statement clearly indicates not only insensitivity and arrogant disregard on the part of the bureaucrat for long established legal norms and practices prevailing in the tribal state of Meghalaya but also shows that he has not exercised due diligence and not applied his mind during the hearing of objections.
In fact he (Deputy Commissioner) summarily dismissed documents produced by the Bakhraws dating back to 1839, 1988, 1990 etc which show that community land cannot be alienated, the NGOs.
“Further, the fact that the DC communicated the order 4 months after it was passed and only after the document was already availed through RTI points to the non transparent and undemocratic manner in which the process of land acquisition for the NST is taking place,” they added.