SHILLONG: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) has urged the Meghalaya government to put on hold the proposed transfer of nearly 233 hectares of tribal land at Umkyrpong, Elaka Sumer, in East Jaintia Hills to Kopili Cement (I) Private Limited.
The council, led by its president Sambormi Lyngdoh, submitted a representation through the office of Revenue and Disaster Management Commissioner and Secretary Sanjay Goyal on Thursday. According to the JNC, two Form-D notices issued by the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner identify Wom Chyrmang of Jalaphet village as the landowner and Kopili Cement as the proposed buyer.
The notices list a combined proposed price of about ₹11.88 crore for the two parcels, which cover 232.899 hectares.The council questioned how the price was determined, citing the area’s potential limestone resources and the land’s long-term economic value. It said tribal buyers may be willing and able to purchase the land but need wider notice and more time to come forward.
The JNC, which first raised the issue with the Deputy Commissioner on October 8, asked the Revenue Department to put any pending approval on hold while it examines the concerns. It also called for an extension of the Form-D notice period and wider publication of the notices in local newspapers and on other public platform.
