Shillong, May 02: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) ha written to the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills District, The Superintendent of Police East Khasi Hills District , to the Defence Eastate Officer Guwahati Circle and Chief Executive Officer Shillong Cantonment Board Shillong.
In the letter sent to the different authorities the organisation deamding for the eviction of the illegal settlers staying at Lum Survey the organisation inform you that on 25.04.2024.
They has conducted a spot Inquiry on the existence of illegal settlement of people within the jurisdiction of the Cantonment Board located opposite the Fire and Emergency Station, Iewduh (Bara Bazar), Shillong after receiving numerous complaints from the general public.
During inspection we found that about 80-100 households were staying in the said plot of land without any permission from the Cantonment Board or any other authority. The condition of the place is deplorable and unfit for human habitation and is an eyesore for the city of Shillong and the State as a whole.
They were also informed that this place is a hub of illegal activities like supply and trafficking of illicit drugs in the city and also a safe haven for illegal immigrants from other countries.
After meeting with the CEO, Shillong Cantonment Board, they were informed that the said plot of land is under the management of the Defence Estate Officer, Guwahati and have also been informed that certain cases and litigations is pending with regard to the said land.
However, on enquiry made by the organisation 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. They have also met one of the person on whom the Notice was served and who had filed a case against the Eviction Notice and he had categorically clarified to them that the portion in which cases are pending are only a small portion of land.
The litigation does not involved 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 concern with regard to the areas not under litigation.
The HYC demand that for clarity and in order to know the ground reality and for speedy action on our complaint of the illegal settlement, they urged upon concern authority to conduct spot inquiry and verification of the land in question along with the organisation 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.
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. The letter wa sign by the President Mr. Roykupar Synrem and General Secretary Rhembor G Saibon of the HYC CEC, Shillong.
