Lahkmen Rymbui’s assurance comes amid KSU ultimatum
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 27: Revenue Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Thursday assured that the state government will thoroughly examine the Maxwelton Estate land dispute and the alleged illegal settlements at Mahadev Khola following a strong ultimatum from the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU).
Speaking to reporters, Rymbui said a recent court verdict favoured the government in the Maxwelton Estate case, entitling the state to take over the land against payment of compensation to a claimant. However, the nine-acre estate hosts multiple settlers, complicating eviction and compensation matters, Rymbui explained.
“The judgment is in our favour against one claimant, but several other people are living there. We have to see the full picture – compensation, settlement rights and lawful eviction,” he said.
The minister announced he will soon hold a meeting with the Revenue Department and the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner to assess why the government has not yet taken possession of the Estate despite the favourable ruling.
The Mahadev Khola issue will also be discussed in the same meeting to determine the legality of structures and occupants there, he assured.
The statements came hours after the KSU warned of “action” if authorities continued to delay steps against what it called rampant illegal settlements in both areas.
KSU general secretary Donald V. Thabah said the union has repeatedly raided the sites and submitted evidence to the government over the years.
He claimed that at Mahadev Khola, originally allocated only for a temple, residential and commercial clusters have come up, occupied largely by non-tribals, with buildings, shops and rented accommodation mushrooming illegally.
In Maxwelton Estate, Thabah alleged widespread encroachment across the nine acres, including construction allegedly facilitated by a non-indigenous NGO, cattle-rearing, trade and poor sanitation – all in violation of established laws.
“The court has already declared it government land, yet illegal structures and activities continue unchecked,” Thabah said, terming the situation at Maxwelton “much worse” than Mahadev Khola due to its larger area and lack of monitoring.
He warned that the rapid growth of such settlements by people of unknown backgrounds poses a serious law-and-order risk and threatens Meghalaya’s demographic balance. “If the government fails to act immediately, the KSU will be forced to intervene. We cannot remain silent spectators,” he asserted.
While emphasising that the union does not wish to escalate tensions, he demanded urgent eviction drives and strict enforcement in both locations, making it clear that the government can no longer ignore repeated pleas and clear court orders.
