KSU asks govt to evict ‘illegal settlers’ from Maxwelton Estate
Shillong, Sep 1: The Khasi Students’ Union has asked the state government to evict the illegal settlers from the Maxwelton Estate.
The area is around 9 acre land falling under the jurisdiction of the Dorbar Shnong of Kenches Trace Oxford Rilbong (KOR) here, the KSU said.
In a letter to the East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner Isawanda Laloo, President of the KSU Laban Circle Reuben Najiar has sought her intervention for eviction of illegal settlers who have violated various laws .
The KSU leader alleged that many are illegally settling in the area without the consent or approval of the Dorbar Shnong or any appropriate authority.
“These illegal settlers are migrating into the area unchecked and over the years they have built sheds and huts and have no proper sanitation and all the wastes are being disposed into streams and open pit which has caused various health issues to the genuine neighbouring residents,” Najiar said.
According to him, these illegal settlers even breed cattle and other livestock in Maxwelton Estate even though it falls under the Municipal Area and is under the jurisdiction of the Shillong Municipal Board which violates the provisions and rules of Meghalaya Municipal Act.
Najiar alleged that the place is gradually being converted into an area of criminal transaction and misconduct.
“Over the years, there has been many unlawful cases which have been reported. This area has become a bliss for prostitution, smuggling and peddling of narcotics and drug substances, robbery and dacoity which have made the area very unsafe for women and children,” he said in the letter.
Army encroachment in Lawsohtun Block–VI
The KSU Laban Circle has also expressed concern over the alleged encroachment of the Indian Army in Lawsohtun Block–VI.
Najiar said very often the armed forces disturb and interrupt the movement of the locals in the area placing barricade and unnecessary detention of the locals beyond the jurisdiction of the Army.
Seeking DC’s intervention into the matter, the KSU leader said the canvas and writing on the roads leading to Lawsohtun as ‘defence land’ should be erased since the road has been constructed and maintained by the PWD and the land actually belongs to the Dorbar and the state government.