The Chief Executive Member of the KHADC, Pyniaid Sing Syiem, has expressed concern about the ability of outsiders other than the indigenous tribes of Meghalaya to buy land at Raid Marwet.
Speaking to reporters, Syiem said that, while on a recent visit to the area, he was told that land had been bought by non-locals several years ago.
He said that there are some areas at Them Raid Marwet on the border with Assam where huge development and construction is taking place and the area no longer seems to be under Meghalaya even though it is de jure Meghalaya territory.
“We have also received complaints on the ability of outsiders to buy land at Them Raid Marwet and we have discussed these matters with the state government because the Land Transfer Act bars the buying of land by non-tribals but those recognised as scheduled tribes in Meghalaya have not been barred,” he said.
He also said that in the Pilangkata area there are Nagas, Mizos and other tribes from other states who have bought land there and even non-tribals are able to buy land in the region, it is suspected.
“The executive committee has tasked the Elaka and Land Department of the KHADC to remove this hurdle and given them full responsibility to deal with this problem sternly,” Syiem added.
He also said that they have summoned the Syiem of Hima Mylliem because Raid Marwet falls under him and the Land and Elaka Department has constituted a committee that will address this problem.
