Shillong: The proposed transfer of 232.899 hectares of tribal land in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district to Kopili Cement (I) Private Limited has raised concerns over the protection of indigenous land rights, with the Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) alleging that inadequate public notice could deny other tribal buyers an opportunity to purchase the property.
The council has urged the Meghalaya government to put the proposed transfer of land at Umkyrpong in Elaka Sumer on hold pending a review of the process, particularly its compliance with the state’s land-transfer law, which requires authorities to consider whether other tribal individuals are willing to purchase the land at market value.
The land belongs to one Wom Chyrmang of Jalaphet village. Two Form-D notices issued by the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner’s office identify Kopili Cement (I) Private Limited as the proposed buyer. Dated August 28 and September 1, 2026, the notices cover plots measuring 1,524,990 square metres and 804,000 square metres, respectively, with a combined proposed consideration of Rs 11.88 crore.
In a representation submitted to Commissioner and Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department Sanjay Goyal, the JNC sought urgent intervention to keep the proposed transfer and any pending approval process on hold until concerns over public notice, land valuation and the opportunity for other tribal purchasers are examined.
A delegation led by JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh submitted the representation through the department’s office, as Goyal was reportedly unavailable.
The council’s objection centres on Section 4(1)(b) of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971, read with Rule 6(1) of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Rules, 1974. The provisions require the competent authority to consider whether another tribal person is willing to purchase the land at market value. Rule 6(1) provides for a public notice in Form-D inviting prospective tribal purchasers and allows a 30-day period from the date of publication for them to come forward.
The JNC has questioned whether this opportunity has been adequately communicated to the tribal community. It said wider publicity of the notices were necessary to enable eligible buyers to participate, adding that some tribal individuals may be willing and financially capable of purchasing the land.
The JNC had earlier submitted a representation to the Deputy Commissioner on October 8, seeking deferment of the process, an extension of the Form-D notice period and wider publication of the notices. The representation was acknowledged by the DC’s office, according to JNC.
The council has also questioned the proposed consideration of Rs 11.88 crore for the two parcels, citing the area’s potential limestone resources and long-term economic value. It has sought transparency on the valuation and the basis for determining the proposed price.
In its latest representation, the JNC urged the Revenue Department to keep the proposed transfer and any pending sanction process in abeyance until the concerns are examined. It also sought an extension of the Form-D notice period and wider publication of the notices through local newspapers and other accessible platforms.
“If our own tribal people are willing and capable of purchasing these lands at the applicable market value, why should they be deprived of that opportunity simply because they were never adequately informed?” Lyngdoh said.
He said the land represents not only property but also economic resources and the interests of future generations, and questioned what would remain for the community if valuable land and its resources were transferred without giving indigenous buyers a fair opportunity.