KSU complains against illegal settlers in Hindu temple

SHILLONG, July 5: The KSU Laban Circle on Thursday submitted a petition before Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of East Khasi Hills over alleged illegal settlers at the well-known Hindu temple “Mahadev Khola” located in Upper Shillong.
Through RTI findings, the KSU has found out that the Forest department had allocated land for construction of a Mandir at Mahadev Khola in 1923 adding that it was clearly mentioned that the land should not be used for any other purpose.
The KSU members carried out spot inspection and detected that it had turned into a habitation in violation of the lease conditions.
“We found around 30 to 40 families from outside who are staying at Mahadev Khola. We also found many illegal shops owned by a non-tribal without having any valid document,” it said.
The union expressed concern that none of Dorbar Shnongs was prepared to take care of this area since the land belonged to the Forest department. “There is no one to regulate the people who are moving freely at this land. People are dumping garbage since there is no regulation,” the KSU alleged.
According to the KSU, this place was “a den for drug peddlers” and incidents of robbery have been reported.
They disclosed that the DFO has sought time to personally inspect the area before evicting the people who are illegal settlers there.