Tura, December 12 : In a landmark moment for Tura town, 754 households from eight localities—who had lived for decades on encroached government land—were today given periodic lease documents, granting them long-awaited legal security and dignity. The documents were handed over by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, in the presence of Cabinet Minister Marcuise N. Marak.
Residents, many moved to tears, celebrated what they described as the “end of uncertainty” after years of living without access to basic amenities and essential documentation.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the issue had troubled generations of residents. “Whenever P.A. Sangma visited these localities, people told him of their problems—no roads, no electricity, no water, and difficulty obtaining caste or birth certificates,” he said.
Becoming visibly emotional, he recalled his father’s compassion for the people living on government land. “He would always say, ‘Who are these people? They are our own people, and we must help them”. The Chief Minister said he felt a strong responsibility to carry forward this vision. “It was a difficult decision, but because of his principles, we resolved this issue.”
A total of 452 bighas (approximately 149.5 acres) were allotted under the settlement initiated during 2023–2024, and formally approved by the Cabinet on November 26, 2025.
The Chief Minister clarified that the move was not politically timed. “I could have done this before the election, but our intention was genuinely to serve the people.”
He urged residents to accept the lease documents and comply with the instalment-based payments, noting “As long as I am in this chair, no one will be evicted. But I worry about what happens after me. This is an opportunity people should take.”
He added that the lease is renewable, the amount is fixed at a nominal rate, and that church land and graveyards will be exempted.
The settlement area was mapped through a joint survey involving the Revenue Branch, Deputy Commissioner’s Office (Tura), District Urban Planner, District Urban Affairs Unit, and DPMU-West Garo Hills, MBMA.
The eight localities included in the settlement are: Dakopgre Ronggi Songgital, ITI Upper Matchakolgre, Meghalaya Survey School locality, Sepoy Colony (DC Office locality), Deringgagre, Chinap Aslang, Nikwatgre, under Phase 1, 211.5 bighas of land are being leased for 30 years, with a maximum allotment of 0.69 bigha (10,000 sq ft) per household.
Each household will pay: Annual land tax: ₹2,000 per bigha, One-time settlement amount: payable in up to three instalments. Reference for the tax and settlement structure was drawn from the 2022 land settlements in Williamnagar (Balsri Gittim and Warima localities).
For many, the land documents mark the first time they can access basic services such as electricity, water, approach roads, and government documentation including caste and birth certificates.
The Chief Minister said the day symbolised a turning point for Tura’s most vulnerable communities. “Being in public life is about serving the people. Today we have resolved one of the most critical issues of Tura.”
