Shillong, November 12: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC), Central Executive Committee, has urged the Meghalaya Government to halt the proposed transfer of approximately 232.899 hectares (2,328,990 square metres) of tribal land at Umkyrpong, Elaka Sumer, in East Jaintia Hills district, to a private cement company, citing concerns over land valuation, transparency and the rights of indigenous landowners.
On Thursday, a JNC delegation led by its president, Sambormi Lyngdoh, submitted an urgent representation to Commissioner and Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Sanjay Goyal, IAS, seeking his intervention in the matter. As the officer was reportedly unavailable, the representation was submitted through his office.
According to the JNC, the proposed transfer involves tribal land belonging to Wom Chyrmang of Jalaphet village, with Kopili Cement (I) Private Limited identified as the proposed purchaser in two Form-D notices issued by the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills district. The two parcels of land involve a combined proposed consideration of approximately ₹11.88 crore.
The Council said it had already raised the issue with the Deputy Commissioner through a formal representation dated October 8, 2026, which was acknowledged by the DC’s office. It had requested that the process be deferred, the Form-D opportunity extended and the notices given wider publicity in accordance with Rule 6(1) of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Rules, 1974.
The JNC expressed serious concern over the proposed transfer of such a vast extent of indigenous land to a corporate cement company, particularly in view of the potential limestone resources and long-term economic value of the area.
It also questioned the basis on which the proposed consideration was determined and demanded transparency in the valuation of the land.
The Council further claimed that other tribal individuals might be willing and financially capable of purchasing the land but could be deprived of the opportunity due to inadequate public awareness of the notices.
Through its latest representation, the JNC has urged the Revenue Department to keep the proposed land transfer and any pending sanction process in abeyance until the concerns raised are properly examined. It has also sought directions to the Deputy Commissioner to extend the Form-D opportunity for a reasonable additional period and ensure wider publication of the notices through local newspapers and other accessible public 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 questioned.
He said the land represented not merely property but the resources, economic future and interests of generations to come, adding that the indigenous people must be given a fair opportunity to retain ownership of their valuable ancestral lands.
