The Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) is against the creation of land banks through the Invest Meghalaya Agency (IMA).
The HNYF today carried out a sit-in demonstration at Civil Hospital junction to protest against the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Act, 2024, which facilitated the creation of IMA.
HNYF president Sadon Blah said that it is not enough for the government to revoke section 34 of the Act.
Yesterday, the cabinet decided to remove para 34 of the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Act, 2024 so that the Meghalaya Land Transfer Regulation Act, 1971 is not diluted.
“Amendment to the Act is not enough as long as the creation of a land bank exists, it will contradict the state Land Transfer Act. Even though we welcome the decision of the government to revoke section 34, the very idea of the creation of land banks is very dangerous to the land holding system in our state,” Blah said.
He also said that previously investors had to informed and seek permission, go through the social impact assessment, and get the forest and pollution clearance, etc., but all these procedures will be impacted by the idea of land banks.
He maintained that the idea of the land bank should be scrapped as it is in direct conflict with the Land Transfer Act.
Blah stated that Sections 8 and 9 of the Act outline the structure of the general council, headed by the Chief Minister (CM). The council includes cabinet ministers and top-ranking secretaries from various departments.
He expressed concern that corporations seeking land can bypass standard procedures and directly approach the CM, with no department heads willing to refuse the CM’s direction.
“In addition to the general council, there is a high power committee, also chaired by the CM, which includes cabinet ministers as members. There seems to be a concerning alliance among politicians who control various departments, aimed at auctioning off land belonging to the Hynñiewtrep people and facilitating industrialists while suppressing our rights,” he alleged.
He also criticized the MDA government for conspiring with consultants to auction off the possessions of the jaitbynriew.
Blah further pointed out that while the MDA claims that only industries can generate substantial employment, they have shut down the Meghalaya Cements Limited (MCCL), effectively taking away the livelihoods of the local people.
He described this as indicative of the government’s double standards, alleging that they are working to benefit the powerful elite in the secretariat and their agents in the capture of all available lands.
Earlier addressing the protest, he lambasted the representatives in the state assembly who failed to oppose this move of the state government.
Blah said that the HNYF will be meeting next week to discuss its further course of action.
