HNLC calls for rejection of MDA govt’s decision to increase lease period of govt land to 60 years

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 11, 2024

The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on Wednesday opposed the NPP-led MDA government’s decision to increase the lease period of government land from 30 to 60 years and called for immediate rejection of such anti-people policies.

In a statement, HNLC general secretary cum publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said, “The HNLC calls for an immediate rejection of these anti-people policies. We must prioritize community-led development and ensure that land remains in the hands of our people. Local entrepreneurs, sustainable initiatives, and inclusive governance are the path forward, not corporate exploitation.”

He said that the Meghalaya government’s ill-conceived move to extend the lease period of government land from 30 to 60 years is nothing short of a betrayal of our people’s right to land and resources.

“Cloaked as a strategy to attract investors, this policy is, in reality, a blatant attempt to sell off our ancestral lands to outsiders and corporations. It threatens to push the Hynniewtrep people into a grim future of marginalization and exploitation,” he said while adding “Land is not just property; it is the lifeblood of the Hynniewtrep people—the foundation of our heritage, our identity, and our independence. By extending the lease period, the government is effectively granting control of prime Hynniewtrep land to outsiders for two generations.”

Alleging that the policy of the government is not about development, Nongtraw said, “It (policy) is about sacrificing the rights of indigenous communities for the benefit of corporate greed. Projects like the Rs 300 crore Orchid Polo venture will not uplift the Hynniewtrep people but instead lead to the erosion of our cultural heritage, environmental degradation, and economic dependency. The voices of local entrepreneurs, environmental advocates, and community leaders have been silenced in favor of outsider interests.”

Stating that this betrayal is compounded by Meghalaya’s deeply flawed governance structure, Nongtraw said that for the last 17 years, the finance portfolio—the backbone of economic growth—has been monopolized by chief ministers, first Dr. Mukul Sangma for a decade and now Conrad Sangma for seven years.

“Both leaders hail from the Garo community, sidelining the Khasi and Jaintia communities and fostering mistrust. This lack of inclusivity has weakened Meghalaya’s unity and stunted its growth.

Unlike progressive states such as Assam, where specialized finance ministers handle fiscal responsibilities, Meghalaya suffers from a centralized and autocratic approach that has led to severe socio-economic challenges. If larger states like Assam can appoint finance ministers to ensure efficient management, why can’t Meghalaya? The Sangma monopoly must end. It’s time to distribute power equitably, give the Hynniewtrep people a voice in their governance, and ensure that leadership reflects the aspirations of all communities,” he asserted.

He further alleged that under this centralized and exclusionary governance, Meghalaya’s economy has failed to grow.

“Despite being rich in resources, the state remains mired in poverty and unemployment, with its youth left without hope or opportunities. Mismanagement and corruption have drained resources meant for education and infrastructure, leaving communities vulnerable and dependent. These failures are not accidental—they are the direct result of a system designed to marginalize the Hynniewtrep people,” Nongtraw said.

“The Hynniewtrep people deserve governance that reflects the aspirations of the Hynniewtrep, not the narrow interests of outsiders and their collaborators. If the government is so determined to lease land, let Conrad Sangma, the CM and finance minister, start by leasing it in Garo Hills. After 60 years, let us see if Garo Hills will still belong to the Garo people or be reduced to a barren Garo plain. This government has no vision for the Hynniewtrep people—its focus is to distract us with international artists, turning us into mere singers and dancers while outsiders reap the real benefits as producers and investors,” he added.

Slamming the cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh for this decision, the HNLC leader said, “When Paul Lyngdoh, the former president, stepped into politics, the people of Hynniewtrep placed their hopes in him, believing he would lead with unwavering strength and a bold vision for the future. Yet, the so-called ‘Khlur ka Ri’—once hailed as the Star of Ri Khasi—has lost his way. Now, he stands unmasked as nothing more than a spineless intellect or a timid mind. What kind of leadership is this?” 

He said the government should be establishing farms to ensure that our people can feed themselves, not relying on the kitchens of India to sustain us. Instead, they are betraying our people by leasing our precious land to outsiders. These so-called investors exploit our resources to build factories, resorts, hotels, and other businesses, reducing our people to mere Watchman, drivers, sweepers, waiters, maids, cooks, and laborers etc.

“Paul Lyngdoh, by leasing our land for a staggering 60 years to foreign investors, is effectively condemning two generations of our future to servitude. Imagine the grim reality: when he had a newborn child, that child will grow up, have their own family, and in 60 years, become grandparents—but by then, their heritage, their land, their future will be sold off to outsiders.

Is this the future we envision for our people? Is this how we defend our land and preserve our heritage?”Nongtraw asked. 

“The HNLC will not allow our land and identity to be sold out by these political stooges. This is not governance—it is maladministration. The Hynniewtrep people deserve better, and we will fight to ensure that our sovereignty and future remain in our hands, not in the hands of corporate profiteers,” he concluded.