Defence clarifies on eviction order

SHILLONG: The military on Tuesday clarified that eviction order against those who occupied illegal structures was issued by the Court of Estate officer following due procedure and under Section 5 of PPE Act 1971 as per law.
In a statement on Tuesday, the military said 10 of the 11 contractors against whom eviction order was issued chose to approach the District Court against eviction order and the matter is presently under litigation.
According to the statement, not all MES builders as alleged by MES Builders Association of India (MBAI) were identified by Military Police.
They constructed temporary, semi permanent type structures which are illegally inhabited by labourers and their families in Army land alongside Butcher Road.
The Court of Estate Officer , issued notices to all unauthorized builders under Section 4 Public Premise Act 1971 following due process of law, the statement said, adding that the builders were given enough time in writing as entitled under PPE Act 1971 to produce relevant documents in the Court of Estate Officer towards occupation of public premises.
According to the statement, the builders failed to produce any documents substantiating their claims towards occupation of public premises in the Court of Estate officer.
According to the Defence, the statement issued by MES Builders Association of India is arbitrary, and misleading.
“The public premises of only specified area are allowed for temporary construction for a particular period by the office of Estate Officer on case to case basis towards contract details furnished by the MES”, according to the official statement.
While some of the contractors who have finished the contracts are stilling occupying the public premises,others are occupying public premises without any contracts with them. And some are occupying public premise at more than one place In addition, according to the statement, the contractors are illegally using public premises for sheltering labourers and their family posing security threat to the Defence establishment.