SHILLONG, April 26: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Friday petitioned the Shillong Cantonment Board (SCB) demanding the eviction of the illegal settlers from a plot of land opposite the Bara Bazaar Fire and Emergency Service Station at Lum Survey.
A delegation of the HYC, led by its president Roy Kupar Synrem, met SCB chief executive officer (CEO) Ayush Maurya and submitted a memorandum in this regard.
Later, Synrem told reporters that the CEO told them the plot in question falls under the SCB but it is looked after by the defence estates officer (DEO) whose main office is located in Guwahati.
The HYC president also said that they were apprised by Maurya about an ongoing litigation surrounding the land but he does not know the exact status of the case.
Stating that Maurya has assured them of officially replying to the memorandum, Synrem said once they get the reply, they will approach the DEO in Guwahati.
Meanwhile, the HYC informed Maurya through the memorandum that it had on Thursday carried out an inspection at the site after receiving numerous complaints from the general public.
“During inspection, we found that (people from) about 80-100 households were staying in the said plot of land by constructing huts with plastics and other scrap materials and on further enquiry, it is learned that these people were illegally staying there without any permission from the Cantonment Board or any other authority,” Synrem said.
According to him, the condition of the place is not only deplorable but also unfit for human habitation and an eyesore for Shillong and the state. “We 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,” the HYC president said.
He said it is shocking that the authority concerned kept a blind eye to the existence of the illegal settlement right in the middle of the city.
“Therefore, we demand that prompt action be taken to evict these illegal settlers and demolish the settlement by the Board. And for which act, we would be highly grateful to you,” Synrem added.
