SHILLONG: Reaffirming tribal land rights and state sovereignty, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Friday said Meghalaya has won the legal battle over land and mineral ownership, while issuing a stern warning against illegal rat-hole mining.
Addressing the media, Tynsong dismissed claims of public confusion over mining policies and traced the government’s efforts back to 2018, soon after the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government assumed office under Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
He said the state had approached the Supreme Court of India to challenge the blanket ban on mining, which had severely affected livelihoods.
“The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that in Meghalaya, the land belongs to private individuals,” Tynsong stated.
Before the court’s intervention, Meghalaya was governed by national laws that treated major minerals such as coal and limestone as Union property, leaving individuals and clans without ownership rights.
Tynsong said the landmark ruling has now legally established that ownership—from surface land to underground minerals—rests with individuals, clans, Syiems, and Dolois.
“This judgment has ended decades of uncertainty,” he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister revealed that the Government of India has paved the way for regulated and scientific mining in the state.
Several mining licences have been approved by the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Coal, he said, adding that three to four major mining projects are nearing completion, with machinery being installed for safe operations.
According to Tynsong, these developments mark the transition from uncertainty to a legally structured mining framework.
Despite progress toward legal mining, Tynsong expressed concern over recent incidents linked to illegal activities. He reiterated that the government’s position since 2014 has been clear: rat-hole mining will not be tolerated.
Following recent mishaps, he said the East Jaintia Hills district administration has been directed to intensify enforcement drives, shut down all illegal mine sites immediately and maintain strict monitoring through Deputy Commissioners
“We have secured the people’s rights over their land, but we will not allow backdoor mining that risks lives and violates the law,” he asserted.
Tynsong concluded that while the government has ensured legal recognition of indigenous and private land ownership, it remains committed to enforcing strict regulations to protect workers, the environment, and public safety.
He said only transparent, regulated, and environmentally responsible mining would be permitted in the state going forward.
