SNSBH and SRKBH demand KHADC recall Land Act Amendment

Shillong, July 7: The Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong ka Bri u Hynniewtrep (SNSBH) and the Synjuk ki Rangbah Kur ka Bri u Hynniewtrep (SRKBH) on Tuesday held a meeting in Shillong and unanimously resolved to strongly oppose the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Regulation and Administration of Land) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Regulation and Administration of Land) Act, 2021.

The two organisations also resolved to demand the withdrawal of the notification issued in connection with the amendment. In addition, they urged the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to immediately recall the Bill that has already been forwarded to the Governor of Meghalaya for assent.

Speaking to reporters, SNSBH General Secretary R.L. Blah said the organisation would submit a formal memorandum to all village authorities and traditional Himas, seeking their cooperation and support in opposing the proposed amendment.

He said the delegation would also meet the Governor of Meghalaya, the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of District Council Affairs. A separate memorandum containing the resolutions adopted during Tuesday’s meeting will also be submitted to the Chief Executive Member of KHADC.

Blah said the organisations’ primary objection is the Executive Committee’s decision to remove Clause 16 and delete the phrase, “after consultation with the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima.”

He clarified that the organisations are not opposed to decisions taken by the District Council and support efforts to safeguard indigenous land.

However, he stressed that excluding the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima from the decision-making process is unacceptable, as it would effectively undermine the authority and recognition of these traditional institutions by allowing the District Council to make decisions without consulting them.