KSU demands eviction of illegal settlers, demolition of illegal structures at Mahadev Khola

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 3, 2023

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Thursday threatened to construct houses for landless indigenous people on forest department’s land if the state government fails to take action against illegal settlers and illegal structures at Mahadev Khola here, in violation of a 1929 agreement, which only permit the construction of a mandir.

The statement was made after a joint inspection conducted by the Forest Ranger SM Lyngdoh and activists of the KSU Laban Circle at Mahadev Khola amid tight security.

Prior to the inspection, a memorandum was also submitted by the Circle to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force (HoFF) RS Gill, demanding the immediate eviction of illegal settlers and demolition of illegal structures at the Mahadev Khola.

“If the government cannot evict these illegal settlers, the KSU will also start construction of houses for the poor and landless indigenous people on forest department land,” President of the KSU Laban Circle Reuben Najiar told reporters.

According to him, if the forest department is giving land to illegal settlers from outside the state then it should also be ready to give land to poor and landless indigenous people of the state so that they can build houses for themselves.

Najiar said that the forest department had agreed to conduct today’s joint inspection after the Union had met the DFO on June 5, requesting immediate action on this regard.

“We again submitted a memorandum to the PCCF (HoFF) for his necessary intervention into the matter since the illegal structures that include residential buildings and shops have been constructed without any permission from the department,” he said.

Quoting the RTI findings of the Union, Najiar said the land at Mahadev Khola has been allotted in 1929 with clear cut conditions that it will be only for the purpose of constructing a mandir and not otherwise.

However, today’s joint inspection in presence of the department’s Forest Ranger further revealed that there are many illegal permanent structures being constructed in the place.

He said during an inspection conducted only by the Union, it was found that there were over 30-40 illegal households. These illegal houses have been set up by using tarpaulin sheets and are paying Rs 100 per day.

“The forest officials had informed that they are conducting a survey as they don’t have any statistics on how many illegal settlers there are but as per our findings, there are over 30-40 illegal households with a population of over 200 people,” he alleged.

The forest officials said that they are conducting a survey as they don’t have a statistical report on how many illegal settlers are there but as per findings of the Union, we found there are over 30-40 illegal settlers having a population of 150-200.

Today because they know that there is an inspection, you see that there are not many people but this is not the everyday situation here.

The KSU leader further expressed concern to find out wastes from such illegal households being released directly to the River Umjasai, which is one of the important sources of drinking water for the people of Lawsohtun.

“Now, this river is being polluted due to absence of proper waste disposal,” he said while adding “Therefore, we demand the forest department to take immediate action against all illegal settlers and demolish all illegal structures that have been constructed without obtaining necessary permission.”

He also added that the forest department cannot keep silent since it was very quick in taking action against local indigenous people, who are encroaching to its land.

Najiar further demanded the forest department not to entertain an application for diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes like construction of houses and guest houses at Mahadev Khola.

“Therefore, the purpose of our meeting with the PCCF (HoFF) was to foil such an attempt by making it clear that the department cannot give such permission and cannot give excuse that because of such application, they cannot evict them. The application has come after the illegal structures have come up. Therefore, we demand that these illegal structures should be demolished immediately,” he said.

Asked, the KSU Laban Circle president said, “PCCF assured that after the inspection and report received from the forest rangers, they will proceed ahead as per law. Regarding eviction, the district administration will convene a meeting with the police department and after that they will take a decision.”

He however said the KSU will continue to follow up and put pressure on the need to take action at the earliest possible.