By Our Reporter
Shillong, Oct 17: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Laban Circle has strongly opposed the order issued by East Khasi Hills District Magistrate RM Kurbah on October 15 permitting shops at Mahadev Khola to reopen.
In a letter addressed to Kurbah, KSU Laban Circle president Reuben Najiar demanded that the order be revoked immediately.
He cautioned that failure to do so would compel the Union to disregard the decisions made during the August 20 meeting convened by Kurbah.
Najiar reminded that during the August 20 meeting, the Union had raised several concerns regarding the long-pending issues at Mahadev Khola Dham.
These included the presence of illegal settlers, unauthorised constructions, disputes over land ownership and hereditary rights, unapproved commercial establishments, and the discharge of waste into nearby streams in violation of National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines.
He stated that it was then resolved that status quo be maintained until the Government of Meghalaya provided a definitive solution — a matter which remains unresolved to date.
The KSU leader alleged that despite repeated representations in previous years, authorities failed to act, resulting in further illegal constructions and increased influx in the area. The Union, he said, had previously intervened to stop such activities and close down illegal shops.
Najiar further asserted that the October 15 order contradicts the August 20 decision and violates the United Khasi-Jaintia Trading by Non-Tribal Act, 1952.
“The District Magistrate has no jurisdiction to permit any non-tribal to open a business establishment, as it undermines the powers vested in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC),” he said.
He also referred to a deed from 1923–24, which specifies that the land in question was meant solely for religious purposes.
