SHILLONG, April 7: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council questioned how the state government will transfer “tribal” land to Assam without the consent of landowners, traditional heads and Council since it has traditionally sought the consent of the traditional institutions before acquiring tribal land. “The government needs the consent of landowners, traditional institutions and the council before acquiring any tribal land,” KHADC chief Titosstarwell Chyne stated on Thursday.
Referring to Section 41 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Lang Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, he wanted to know how land measuring around 8.46 sq km will just be given away to Assam.
On villagers protesting the MoU and demanding a revisit by the two states, Chyne said the villagers had the option of going to the court.
Stating that KHADC was firm on its stand from day one that the land belongs to the people and Hima, he said that in the initial stage of the border resolution process, the state government had claimed that they had visited the disputed areas and met leaders who had expressed their views but later the villages came to the KHADC and said they want the MoU to be reconsidered and that they want to be in Meghalaya since they had necessary documents to prove their claims.
He reiterated the KHADC’s stand that the council was not included in the later stages of the resolution process.