Govt accused of seizing Sirdarship land at Sohra
SHILLONG: Hima Nongstoin Land Owners’ Coal Traders’ & Producer’s Association has filed a civil appeal in the Supreme Court making the KHADC as pro forma respondent against the State government which has been accused of annexing land belonging to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) at Saitsohpen, Sohra.
Announcing that the KHADC will file an affidavit in this regard in the apex court as the land belongs to the people, KHADC CEM P.N. Syiem, while speaking to reporters on Friday at his chamber, said, “The government did not feel the need to approach the Sirdar of Saitsohpen or the district council and claimed it to be government land since it probably has the impression that all erstwhile British territories belong to the government.
He questioned whether the people staying at Saitsohpen are residing on government land or their private land as the former’s intention was to target territories previously owned by the British government which included 25 Sirdarship lands.
“The act of the government will have repercussions as the rightful owners of Khasi Hima land is the Raid while the Syiem is the custodian,” the KHADC chief added.
In this connection, a meeting will be convened on July 7 at Khasi National Dorbar Hall at 11 AM where Sirdar from all 25 Hima and MDCs will discuss the Saitsohpen issue and whether erstwhile British territories can be assumed as government land.
“Some of the activities of the government for which it intends to acquire land at Saitsohpen include land for constructing the NIT and government offices,” Syiem added.
Speaking on the NGT ban on coal mining Syiem observed that the ban has had a major impact the right of ownership of land.
“Ban on coal mining affects an individual’s right to ownership of private land which includes minerals. At the same time it will disturb the cultural traditions of the people practiced since times immemorial,” he said.
“We will support lifting of the ban as culturally most lands are not revenue lands but private ones,” he said.
He observed that coal mining and proper environmental policy should be pursued simultaneously, “There is a need to preserve the environment and in this connection we have decided to constitute a committee which will comprise of geologists, health experts, legal consultants and social experts,” he said, while adding that a meeting will be held on July 5 to discuss the issues faced by miners.