Rongjeng, February 12, 2025: The ongoing land acquisition for the highway widening project in East Garo Hills was led to growing confusion and anxiety among landowners, as concerns over fair compensation and transparency continue to mount. Initially, many villagers refused to sign the consent forms, citing dissatisfaction with the compensation offered.
However, some have now visited the revenue office in Williamnagar to sign the documents amid rumors that the government may proceed with the acquisition without providing compensation if they do not comply.
Landowner, who runs the only grocery store that serves as her family’s sole livelihood, was privately shown an offer of approximately Rs. 8 lakh at the revenue office. However, she was not given any written confirmation or offer letter, nor was she allowed to take a photograph of the document. “They only showed me the amount and said this is what I will get, but there is no official record given to me,” she revealed.
On Monday, February 10, a group of villagers attempted to meet the Deputy Commissioner (DC) to raise their grievances, but he was in the office only briefly and left before they could present their concerns. Frustrated by the lack of engagement from authorities, the villagers are now considering approaching the High Court for intervention and a fair compensation process. “This is our land, our only means of livelihood. If the authorities do not listen to us, we will have no choice, but to seek legal help,” said SN. Sangma, one of the affected landowners who owns a commercial building.
Social Activist Cherian Momin from Tura, stated, “The compensation process is suspicious, and there may be corruption involved. The landowners are not given any written document with the compensation amount and the administration has yet to publish a public notice regarding the compensation details”.
Under the Meghalaya Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (Rules 2015), the prior consent of at least 80% of affected families is required before acquisition can proceed.
However, villagers alleged that the process lacks transparency, with landowners being shown compensation figures only at the revenue office without any official documentation.
With tensions rising, affected landowners are demanding a fair and transparent process that ensures adequate compensation and respects their legal rights, said Momin.
