HYC demands authorities to conduct spot inquiry at Lum Survey within one week

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 2, 2024

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Thursday served a one-week ultimatum to the state authorities to conduct a spot inquiry and verification and evict the illegal settlers from the plot of land at Lum Survey.

Addressing media persons, HYC president Roykupar Synrem said that the decision was taken after the district administration had expressed its inability to take action against illegal settlers on the ground that the land in question is under dispute and that the matter is subjudice since the case is pending before the court.

“However, on enquiry made by us, it is learnt that there are 3 cases pending before the District Judge, Shillong in relation to the eviction Notices served upon 3 individuals, who are occupying certain area of land (about 200 to 500 sq. ft. each), under Section 5 of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 by the Estate Officer, Guwahati. We have also met one of the persons on whom the Notice was served and who had filed a case against the Eviction Notice and he had categorically clarified to us that the portion in which cases are pending are only a small portion of land and does not involve the larger portion of illegal settlement where huts are illegally constructed by those settlers. Hence, the question of matter being sub-judice does not arise and summary eviction process of the illegal settlement can be undertaken by the authority concerned with regard to the areas not under litigation,” he said.

Synrem said in view of this, the HYC has decided to write to the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, Defence Estate Officer, Guwahati and other authorities concerned for clarity and speedy action against the illegal settlement.

“(We also demand) conduct of spot inquiry/verification of the land in question along with us and the litigants of the cases referred to above, within a week’s time from today, so that prompt and necessary action be taken to evict these illegal settlers from the land in question,” he said.

“And failing which, we will have no option but to conduct the spot verification by ourselves along with the litigants in the presence of the press- media persons for the interest and information of the general public at large,” Synrem added.

On April 25, the HYC had detected 80-100 households of illegal settlers staying in the said plot of land without any permission during an inspection to the area. It was also found that the place is also a den of illegal activities including trafficking of drugs and a safe haven for illegal immigrants from other countries, Synrem said.

On Wednesday, the deputy commissioner SC Sadhu had informed that a joint committee of the district administration, defence estate office, police and municipal board will be conducting a field inspection of the area within this week. He has assured to take action against illegal activities, if found to be true.