Editor,
Long gone but never to be forgotten for her dedication and spirited stand against Uranium Mining in Domiasiat village of West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya is Kong Spility Lyngdoh a well known activist and a revered Indigenous matriarch and environmental activist from Domïasiat. Long before she could see the danger from environmental degradation and health hazards caused by exploratory drilling in her village—where fish started dying in ponds, and cows and goats often fell sick or died without any clue and residents fell ill leaving no trail behind the cause of their sickness—she stood firm. That’s when Kong Spility Lyngdoh suspected that these deaths and illnesses were somewhat linked to the uranium mining in her village. From then on until her passing in 2020 she stood her ground against uranium mining. As an active environmental activist, nothing could persuade her to allow uranium mining in Domiasiat – not money or the carrot of development. Her life and dedication is a lesson to be learned and passed on to future generations for the conservation and protection of the environment we live in.
Yours etc.,
Nissar Fazil
Teacher at Oscar M. Memorial Higher Secondary School, Shillong
Why the Resistance to Cadastral Survey?
Editor,
The third page news ‘Land Bill amendment by KHADC sparks row” (ST 24th June 3026) made interesting reading. Stripping traditional bodies of consultative roles in land matters will end up in the inability of the KHADC to implement the so-called land ceiling through an amendment of the Act. A land ceiling policy is practically unfeasible without a proper cadastral survey and record of rights, because these are the foundational tools for identifying ownership, measuring holdings, and determining surplus land. Without them, implementation risks arbitrariness, disputes, and failure to achieve redistribution goals.
Why do cadastral surveys and records matter? A cadastral survey provides precise maps and measurements of land parcels, essential for calculating ceiling limits while records of rights establish legal ownership, tenancy and usage rights, preventing fraudulent claims and disputes. There are challenges without proper records as fragmented and outdated records make it unclear who holds excess land. This is followed by a litigation overload as courts face disputes over land ceilings when records are missing or contradictory. Administrative inefficiency will result because authorities cannot enforce ceilings uniformly across the Khasi Hills scheduled areas. Large landholders will exploit loopholes when records are incomplete or inaccurate.
In the current Indian context it is observed that many states attempted ceiling laws (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha) but implementation faltered due to poor land records. Modern initiatives like Digital India Land Records Modernization and SVAMITVA Scheme aim to digitize and update cadastral surveys using drones, GNSS and AI. However, without these reforms, the ceiling remains largely symbolic rather than effective.
Implementing a law without the approval of the competent authority is sheer stupidity on the part of the Executive Committee of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council. Furthermore, removing the consultative process envisaged in Section 16 of the Act is a big blunder committed by the present EC of KHADC. Given this state of affairs in the Council, the late B. B. Lyngdoh, the first Finance Minister of Meghalaya and an advocate for the Cadastral Survey of land in Khasi Hills, rightly stated that since Meghalaya has attained Statehood it is time to do away with the District Councils. However, the late Captain Williamson Sangma, the first Chief Minister of Meghalaya suggested retaining the District Council as a training institute for those aspiring to become members of the Legislative Assembly. And thus we are held captive by an institution that is long past its efficacy.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh
Via email
Cricket left Waiting in the Pavilion
Editor,
Based on the reports published in your newspaper over the past several months, one could be forgiven for thinking that the Meghalaya Cricket Association is running everything except cricket.
The headlines have featured election disputes, allegations of sexual harassment, claims of financial irregularities, frozen bank accounts, and a seemingly endless contest between rival camps. To an outsider, MCA coverage increasingly resembles a political drama series where every episode ends with a new controversy and a promise of more to come.
Meanwhile, the actual game appears to have been relegated to a supporting role. District associations have raised concerns about unpaid staff salaries, delayed grants, and other genuine issues affecting cricket at the grassroots level. Yet these matters rarely receive the same attention as the latest administrative standoff.
Disagreements are inevitable in any organisation. Healthy debate is often a sign of a functioning democracy. However, when the battle between the President’s camp and the Secretary’s camp becomes more competitive than anything taking place on a cricket field, it is fair to ask whether priorities have gone astray. Unfortunately, the players and aspiring cricketers seem to be the ones losing this particular match.
A few months ago, your newspaper reported allegations of financial irregularities potentially involving crores of rupees. What is perhaps most striking is not merely the allegation itself, but the silence that has followed. One would have expected the district associations to demand answers with the same energy and urgency with which they have condemned the present impasse within the MCA. Instead, there has been little public pressure for clarification. Equally concerning has been the absence of a clear and convincing response capable of putting these allegations to rest.
The cricketing community of Meghalaya deserves better. It deserves administrators who remember that they were elected to serve the game, not to turn it into a permanent boardroom contest. If mistakes have been made, those responsible should be held accountable. If the allegations are unfounded, then the facts should be presented openly and without delay.
At present, cricket seems to be stuck in the pavilion while administrators argue over who gets to wear the captain’s armband. The score board is flashing disputes, accusations, and uncertainty, while runs for the game itself remain in short supply.
It is time for all stakeholders in Meghalaya cricket—the ex-players, the current players, coaches, support staff, district associations, and administrators alike—to step up to the crease, ask the difficult questions, and demand clear answers from MCA. The interests of the game must come before personal loyalties and factional rivalries. Silence may be the easiest defence, but it will not win this match. Transparency, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to cricket are needed now more than ever, before the spectators drift away and the players lose faith in those entrusted to lead the game.
Yours etc.,
Leonard Wankhar,
Via email
