Shillong: Clan elders and village heads confronted the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council this week. They urged Governor C.H. Vijayashankar on Tuesday to reject a controversial land amendment bill. Leaders from the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep and the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep submitted a joint memorandum. They want the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Regulation and Administration of Land) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, scrapped immediately.
The traditional bodies also demanded the withdrawal of a June 11 KHADC notification. That directive unilaterally fixed land ceilings on Raid land. Spokesperson R.L. Blah told reporters that turning to the Governor was the final option. He hopes the constitutional head will defend indigenous land rights and matrilineal heritage. The dispute hinges on the deletion of Section 16 from the 2021 Act. That section requires authorities to consult with the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid, and Dorbar Hima.
Removing this section turns ancient institutions into observers. Traditional heads fear they will lose control over community land management. Blah stated, “What we strongly oppose is the deliberate sidelining of traditional institutions that have historically been the custodians of customary law and indigenous land tenure.” The groups claim the June 11 notification ignores mandatory consultation rules. They warn that ignoring grassroots leaders will trigger administrative chaos.
The organizations previously sent memoranda to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong. The Governor suggested the groups keep talking to the state government. He plans to consult the District Council Affairs Department before acting. The KHADC claims the changes streamline land administration. Traditional leaders view the move as an attack on the foundations of Khasi authority.
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