Shillong, June 20: Taking strong reaction to the statement made by Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on her claimed that there is a difference in the opinions of the residents belonging to over 20 villages regarding the proposed move of the state government to acquire land for the New Shillong Township (NST) Project, influential pressure groups on Thursday reiterated their demand for a moratorium or a complete stop to the acquisition of land by the government.
The NGO’s comprises of the CSWO, TUR, FKJGP, KSU, KWADA along with village elders and persons from about 20 villages. Stating that there is no difference in opinion, RTI activist, Angela Rangad said that even the Lyngdoh (Chief) of the Raid Nongkrem has openly opposed this forceful taking away of people’s land which is against customary laws and practices and an affront to the rights guaranteed under the constitution.
“Even the Batri and Bakhraws of the Himas in earlier communications have clearly stated that community land cannot be alienated and is non-transferable,” Rangad said.
While saying that the acquistion of land by the government should be given a complete stop, rangad said, “We want a complete stop to the acquisition and sale of community land whether to government or private persons. We want to protect our land which is our identity, our livelihood and our common resource and which will guarantee our sustainable development.”
Hitting hard on the Minister for stating that there is difference in the opinion among the people Rangad said, “If this clear demand of the people is still ambiguous for the Minister, she should reread and carefully study the letter which we have sent to her on the June 4,”
As of now, as per the two government notifications on acquisition, the move is to acquire more than seven core square feet of land.
She further stated that such forceful grabbing of community land will bring immense hardship to the people and also future generations.
As per government statement, Rs 33.73 crore has already been spent in earlier acquisitions and we do not want more of our public funds to be used in such meaningless spending that displaces people and destroys their lives and livelihoods.
Instead the money should be used to ensure health, education and upliftment of the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors that will ensure holisitc and sustainable development for the people of these areas.(SP News)
