HNLC reject CM’s statement on creation of land banks under IMA, demands immediate suspension of its mandate to acquire land

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 12, 2025

The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has outrightly rejected the recent statement of the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma regarding the creation of land banks under the Investment Meghalaya Agency and demanded the immediate suspension its mandate to acquire land.

In a statement, HNLC general secretary-cum-publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw alleged that the CM’s statement, which attempts to downplay the dangers of the IMA’s land acquisition agenda, is misleading and poses a serious threat to the autonomy and territorial rights of the Hynniewtrep people.

“The Chief Minister’s assurance that the Land Transfer Act will remain intact is a calculated attempt to pacify concerns while creating loopholes for land exploitation. The IMA’s mandate to purchase and manage land directly bypasses the intent of the Land Transfer Act, which exists to protect indigenous lands from encroachment. Empowering a state agency to act as a land bank undermines the traditional systems of land management, which have preserved our identity and culture for centuries,” he said.

“The assertion that the IMA will not bypass the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) or traditional heads is equally deceptive. By centralizing land-related decision-making within the IMA, the government sidelines the very institutions enshrined in the Sixth Schedule to protect tribal self-governance. This move weakens the role of the ADCs and traditional institutions, reducing them to mere spectators in the exploitation of ancestral lands. The concept of land banks, introduced under the guise of investment promotion, commodifies land that has been communally owned and managed for generations,” he added.

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Nongtraw reminded that in Hynniewtrep society, land is not just a resource but the very foundation of our identity and way of life and said, “The creation of land banks threatens to erode this sacred relationship by opening the door to displacement, environmental degradation, and the exploitation of natural resources.”

“Drawing a parallel with entities like the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is an attempt to normalize the IMA’s dangerous mandate. However, unlike these corporations, the IMA’s unprecedented power to consolidate and lease large swathes of land poses a direct challenge to the communal ownership system that has safeguarded our lands for centuries,” he stated.

Asserting that economic growth cannot come at the expense of indigenous self-rule and traditional land stewardship, the HNLC leader said, “The Hynniewtrep people have witnessed the hollow promises of development before, where outsiders and elites reaped the benefits while locals bore the costs. The proposed land banks are no different—they will enrich a few at the cost of the many, leaving our people landless and vulnerable.”

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“The Chief Minister’s claim of safeguarding indigenous interests rings hollow when the IMA’s plans lack transparency and meaningful consultation with traditional institutions. Decisions about land must be made with the consent of the people, not imposed by an agency acting on behalf of external investors. Without full disclosure of the IMA’s intentions, the Hynniewtrep people have every reason to distrust this initiative,” he added.

Further, Nongtraw alleged that the creation of land banks under the IMA is not just a policy—it is a direct attack on the territorial rights and cultural foundation of the Hynniewtrep people. “Our land is not a commodity to be bought and sold. It is the bedrock of our heritage, the essence of our culture, and the lifeblood of our future.”

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Stating that the HNLC will resist any attempt to erode this sacred bond, he said the outfit calls upon all indigenous communities, traditional leaders, and well-wishers to stand united in defense of our ancestral lands.

“Our ancestors fought valiantly to preserve our land and identity. Today, it is our turn to honor their legacy by opposing policies that threaten our existence. Let the government and its agencies know that the Hynniewtrep people will not surrender their rightful control over their land to the highest bidder,” Nongtraw said while demanding “We assert the immediate suspension of the IMA’s mandate to acquire land, full transparency regarding its operations, and unwavering respect for the authority of traditional institutions in all land-related matters.”