Photo Courtesy: nenow
Shillong: Khasi traditional leaders are taking a stand against the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council. Two groups, the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep and the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep, met Governor C.H. Vijayashankar on Tuesday. They demanded he withhold assent for the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Regulation and Administration of Land) (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The groups want the Governor to toss a June 11 KHADC notification that sets land ceilings on Raid land. They say the move bypasses local oversight. It creates administrative chaos. The core issue is the planned removal of Section 16 from the 2021 Act. That rule forces the council to consult the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid, and Dorbar Hima before setting land limits.
Removing this section turns ancient institutions into bystanders. It weakens the Sixth Schedule. SKRK spokesperson R.L. Blah told reporters after the meeting that the groups were forced to act because the bill is already moving forward for approval. He said, “What we strongly oppose is the deliberate sidelining of traditional institutions that have historically been the custodians of customary law and indigenous land tenure.”
Blah clarified the groups aren't against digitizing records or setting land limits. They simply want the traditional consultation process kept intact. The organizations have already handed similar memoranda to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong. Governor Vijayashankar told the groups to keep talking with the state government. He indicated the District Council Affairs Department will weigh in before a final call is made. The KHADC claims the amendment streamlines administration. Traditional heads call it an assault on Khasi customary authority.
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