SHILLONG: Allegations of misuse of land rights in Killing-Pilangkata area of Ri-Bhoi district bodering Assam surfaced when a headman of Abri village was threatened by tribals belonging to other states seeking to buy land there.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the residents of the village in Abri, Killing of Ri-Bhoi village, said the office of the Deputy Syiem of Raid Marwet which is under Hima Mylliem, along with some headmen, is working in connivance with tribals from other states enabling them to get land ownership in the village which is a Raid Land.
With Abri falling under Raid Marwet, it may be mentioned that Raid lands or Ri Raid are community-owned and no individual has ownership right over such lands.
Headman of Abri Village in Killing of Ri-Bhoi village Dilip Sangma said the village authorities will no longer give away land of the village to tribals from other states.
“I have received a sanad (appointment letter) from the Syiem to ensure that customary rights over the traditional lands are strictly observed and no one can force me to put a seal on the papers that they have brought with them,” Sangma said in Hindi.
He informed that tribals from other states who have an eye on the lands in the village have threatened him since he refused to issue NOC for the bighas of land.
He said a Naga lady S Kaikha, who was also present at the press conference, sold the land to the buyers who were also Naga folks. She acquired the land from Khasi owners and refused to disclose their names.
Claiming to be a social worker who resided in the village “for quite some time”, Kaikha maintained that the buyers should be acquainted with the customary laws and practices of the Khasi-Garo people.
In this connection, she took the interested buyers to the headman to get No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Interestingly, Kaikha took the money from the Naga folks even though the buyers did not provide necessary documents.
Sangma was adamant and refused to issue NOC since the buyers do not possess the required documents from the state of Meghalaya.
However, she said, “A group of people led by Xavier Mao happened to lead the group against me.” It may be mentioned Mao is a NEHU professor.
Asked, Kaikha informed that she bought the land which is under Raid Marwet from Khasi landowners.
The buyers demanded her to give back the money or to surrender the original documents of the land. However, Kaikha transferred the land back to the village while retaining the money she received from selling the land.
When asked whether she is aware of the land system prevailing in the state of Meghalaya, she maintained that she is not aware that land is not to be sold to tribals from other states.
In Kiling-Philangtta-Umnawwi area, there are around 39 households of other tribals from outside the state who are residing.
