Only 11 tribes belonging to the State of Meghalaya will be eligible to buy land in the State once the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971 is amended, Chief Minister DD Lapang said. Describing the proposed amendment as "high sensitive' and "debatable', Lapang informed the Meghalaya assembly that it is the intention of the government to prune the number of tribes eligible to buy land in the State from the present 54 to only 11. Under the proposed amendment only the Khasi, Jaintia and Garos and also the indigenous Hmar, Baite, Karbi, Lalung (Tiwa), Rabha, Hajong, Bodo and Koch, who are actually residents and have present interest in the State of Meghalaya, will be permitted to acquire land in the State.