KSU sets deadline to urban dept to demolish temple

Shillong, AUG 10: The Khasi Students’ Union, Shillong Mihngi Circle has issued an ultimatum of one and a half week to the Urban Affairs department to demolish an unauthorised temple at the CBI campus in Mawdiangdiang.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the director PK Bor, the general secretary of the KSU Samuel Kharbani said a KSU delegation met the Director of Urban Affairs on Monday after receiving confirmation that permission was granted only for an office-cum-residential complex.

“As per the reply, there was no approval for a temple. We have requested the director to demolish the illegal structure and ensure that there is no further deviation from the sanctioned plan,” Kharbani said.

According to KSU, the director sought time to examine the issues point-wise.

“The director has asked for time to go through our submission, especially the points related to Urban Affairs. Since the land was allotted by that department, we are pressing Urban Affairs to act,” Kharbani said.

The union said it has not approached the CBI directly as officials were not  responsive during a previous visit.

The director sought time, and hence the KSU has set a deadline.

“We are giving one and a half week  ultimatum. If no action is taken within this period, we will stage a protest either at the director’s office or at the CBI office,” Kharbani said.

The KSU also questioned the CBI’s credibility over the construction.

“Our question to the CBI is what principle it is trying to show in the state when it is itself carrying out illegal construction inside its campus,” Kharbani added.

When asked, the KSU said the union will wait for the department’s response before deciding on the next course of action.