Shillong: In a major relief to long-settled families in Tura, the Meghalaya government on Thursday handed over periodic lease documents to 754 households across eight localities, formally regularising land they have occupied for decades.
The land documents were distributed by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma in the presence of Cabinet Minister Marcuise N. Marak.
Many residents, who had been living on encroached government land without legal security, described the moment as the end of years of uncertainty and hardship.
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister recalled that concerns over land insecurity in these localities dated back to the time of former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma.
He said residents had repeatedly raised issues related to the lack of basic amenities such as roads, electricity and water supply, along with difficulties in obtaining essential documents like caste and birth certificates.
Sangma said the same concerns resurfaced when he contested elections from Tura, prompting the government to take up the issue despite the legal and administrative challenges involved.
He said sustained efforts eventually led to a resolution that balances humanitarian concerns with legal processes.
A total of 452 bighas of land were allotted under periodic lease during the ceremony.
The chief minister became emotional while recalling the vision of P.A. Sangma, stating that his father had always emphasised that people living on government land were part of the community and deserved dignity and support.
Clarifying the intent behind the move, Sangma said the decision was not driven by political considerations and could have been taken closer to elections if that were the case.
Instead, he said the objective was to provide lasting relief and legal security to families who had lived in fear of eviction for years.
He urged beneficiaries to accept the lease documents and adhere to the payment terms, noting that the leases are renewable and the rates have been kept nominal.
He also assured residents that there would be no eviction during his tenure, while cautioning that securing legal rights now would safeguard them in the future.
The chief minister further announced that land used for churches and graveyards would be exempted from the settlement process and directed the Deputy Commissioner to ensure due procedures are followed for allotment to the respective localities.
The settlement of government land under the Tura Town Area in West Garo Hills district was initiated during 2023–24 and approved by the state cabinet in its meeting held on November 26, 2025.
Under the approved plan, land measuring 149.5 acres, or 452 bighas, has been settled in favour of 754 households across eight localities.
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The exercise was based on a joint survey conducted by the Revenue Branch of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Tura, the District Urban Planner, the District Urban Affairs Unit and the District Project Management Unit of the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency in West Garo Hills.
The localities covered under the settlement include Dakopgre Ronggi Songgital, ITI Upper Matchakolgre, Meghalaya Survey School locality, Sepoy Colony near the DC office, Deringgagre locality, Chinap Aslang locality and Nikwatgre locality.
As part of the first phase, leases have been granted by the Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), West Garo Hills, on behalf of the state government for a period of 30 years.
The maximum area allotted per household has been capped at 0.69 bighas, or 10,000 square feet.
Under the policy, households will pay an annual land tax of Rs 2,000 per bigha, in line with similar settlements carried out in Williamnagar in 2022.
Beneficiaries will also pay a one-time settlement amount, which can be paid in up to three instalments.
