Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma took aim at the Voice of the People Party on August 25. He accused the party of hypocrisy regarding community land rights during a heated Assembly session. The clash centers on the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Regulation and Administration of Land Amendment Bill, 2026.
Sangma argued that the VPP demands community input while simultaneously backing changes that strip it away. He highlighted a proposed amendment to Section 16 of the principal Act. This change removes the requirement for the council to consult with local traditional institutions like the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid, and Dorbar Hima. The Chief Minister labeled this move quite unfortunate.
Traditional systems have acted as the state's checks and balances for generations. Sangma insists that Rangbah Shnong, Raid, and Hima leaders must keep their seat at the table. He challenged the VPP to align their legislative agenda with their public rhetoric regarding transparency and local governance.
The Chief Minister demanded the party and the KHADC protect the role of these customary bodies. He issued a blunt warning to his political rivals. "Please practise what you preach, please involve the traditional institutions, please ensure that community is not left behind," Sangma said.
Updated at 26th August 2026 at 2:00am
The legislative showdown was triggered by a short-duration discussion introduced by Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit. He pressed the house on the need to safeguard community interests when making land-related decisions.
Responding to the motion, Sangma pushed back against the VPP by noting that the state government has consistently followed established legal procedures for land acquisition and purchase. He claimed the state has never bypassed the required processes, effectively contrasting the government's track record with the legislative changes being pushed by the VPP-led Executive Committee in the district council.
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