Shillong, August 4: A joint delegation of traditional institutions on Tuesday urged the Governor of Meghalaya to withhold assent to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Land Administration) Amendment Bill, 2026, alleging that the proposed legislation could weaken the constitutional and customary authority of indigenous governance institutions.
The delegation comprised representatives of the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong, representing traditional locality councils within the Shillong city conglomerate, and the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur, the apex traditional clan organisation.
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, the delegation highlighted the role of the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raij and Dorbar Hima as custodians of Khasi customary laws, community governance and traditional land administration.
The organisations maintained that these institutions, recognised under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, form the foundation of grassroots democracy and self-governance among the Khasi people. They argued that any legislative or administrative measure diminishing their authority would weaken the constitutional safeguards granted to Meghalaya’s indigenous communities.
The delegation also appealed to the State Government and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council to withdraw the notification dated June 11, 2026, concerning the proposed Land Bank Initiative.
According to the memorandum, the initiative has raised widespread concerns over the protection of community land, customary ownership and the future of traditional land-governance systems.
The delegation particularly objected to the deletion of Clause 16, which had reportedly made consultation with the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raij and Dorbar Hima mandatory before framing or implementing regulations concerning land administration and customary governance.
It claimed that removing the provision would significantly reduce the statutory role of traditional institutions in decisions affecting indigenous land. While opposing the amendment Bill, the organisations clarified that they support the digitisation of land-management systems to improve transparency, efficiency and record-keeping.
However, they stressed that technological modernisation should strengthen and complement traditional governance institutions rather than override their constitutional and customary authority.
Responding to the memorandum, the Governor assured the delegation that the concerns raised would be carefully examined. He said the matter would be considered in consultation with the State’s legal authorities before any decision is taken.
The delegation reiterated that protecting the authority of the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raij and Dorbar Hima was essential for preserving Meghalaya’s customary institutions, traditional governance systems and community ownership of land.
