The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Thursday constructed a house at the Maxwelton Estate located at Laban here as a mark of protest against the government’s failure to evict illegal settlers from the revenue land.
The decision was taken soon after the expiry of the 15 days ultimatum served to the government on February 13.
One of the banners displayed at the construction site read – “KSU won’t allow Maxwelton Estate to be Them Metor 2.0”.
The KSU has decided to construct more houses on the 9 acres plot of land and to donate the same to local Khasis, who are landless – till the government is ready to evict illegal settlers from the Maxwelton Estate.
Soon on being informed, the deputy commissioner, East Khasi Hills RM Kurbah immediately invited the leaders of the KSU for talks on the issue.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, president of the KSU Laban Circle Reuben Najiar said, “The deputy commissioner has never replied to (the letters of the union) on the issue. Despite the issue being raised since 2019 and despite the fifteen days deadline, no action was taken to evict the illegal settlers from that land.”
“Therefore, as a mark of protest, we have today constructed a house on the said land to donate the same to our Khasi people. This is the first step that we have taken to ensure that illegal settlers of the area are evicted with immediate effect,” he said.
He said during the meeting, the deputy commissioner has stated pending litigations as the reason for delay in taking action since directions are awaited from the revenue department as well as other departments concerned.
“She (DC) assured that since the area falls under the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and is governed by municipal rules, cattle breeders are not allowed. The DC has instructed the SMB to again send them a strong notice and if they do not comply the SMB will be forced to take action,” Najiar added.
Asked, the KSU president said that the deputy commissioner does not have any data as to who are the people residing on that plot of land and this is a concern to the security of the residents of KoR as well as Shillong city.
Referring to the CM’s statement that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will not affect the state of Meghalaya as it is under the purview of the Sixth Schedule, Najiar however said, “But how can we believe such a statement when we see influx is happening right within the heart of the city and the government does not have any idea as to who are the residents residing there. So there is no influx mechanism that is in place to check illegal influx.”
“Therefore as a mark of protest we have constructed a house and we will continue to construct these houses until and unless our demands are met that all illegal settlers have to be evicted,” he announced further.
According to him, just because of pending litigation, the government cannot say that illegal encroachment and settlement can happen in government land.
When asked, Najiar said, “The government has to show some commitment and where their loyalty belongs whether it belongs with the genuine residents of the state or with other people who illegally enter the state as illegal immigrants who want to settle in the area.”
He further informed that the union has also requested the DC to ensure proper survey is being carried out in the Maxwellton Estate. “The DC however told us that it is the revenue department which has to conduct the survey and submit a report to her. Therefore, the union in the coming days will be sending letters to ensure surveys are being conducted to know who have stayed there for a very long time and who are those who have migrated over a short period of time.”
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