SHILLONG, July 8: Calling out the alleged prolonged inaction, the Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) has strongly criticised the Meghalaya government and the office of the Defence Estate Officer for what it described as their continued failure to act against the alleged illegal occupation of land in the Lum Survey area, claiming that the locality has become a hub of illegal settlements, drug-related activities and other criminal elements.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the HYC alleged that the authorities have repeatedly cited pending court proceedings as the reason for not initiating eviction drives. However, the organisation maintained that the explanation is “misleading and unacceptable,” asserting that the litigation concerns only three individuals claiming rights over a specific portion of the land.
According to the HYC, the pending legal dispute cannot be used as a justification for failing to clear the remaining areas of Lum Survey, where, it claimed, large-scale illegal encroachments have taken place without any lawful authority.The organisation alleged that the government’s failure to remove the illegal settlements has directly contributed to Lum Survey becoming a centre for drug peddling, trafficking and other anti-social activities. It further claimed that the encroachments on government and defence land have created safe havens for criminal elements, posing a threat to nearby residential localities and to the youth of Shillong.
“The continued silence and negligence of the state government and the office of the Defence Estate Officer have effectively handed over public land to illegal occupants and allowed criminal networks to flourish,” it alleged.
The HYC further stated that if Lum Survey has emerged as a centre of lawlessness and drug-related activities, responsibility rests squarely with the authorities for their alleged failure to enforce the law and safeguard public property.
Calling for urgent intervention, the Council demanded the immediate eviction of all illegal settlers occupying portions of Lum Survey that are not covered by the pending court case. It stressed that the authorities should proceed with action in areas where there are no legal impediments instead of allowing further encroachments.
The organisation also warned that if the state government and the Defence Estate authorities continue to remain “mute spectators,” they would have to bear responsibility for the growing insecurity, lawlessness and social harm allegedly resulting from their inaction.
Maintaining that the people of Shillong cannot remain silent while government and defence land is allegedly converted into illegal colonies and shelters for criminal networks, the HYC said the time for excuses is over.
The Council further cautioned that if immediate action is not taken to clear the encroachments, it would be compelled to launch its own democratic course of action to hold the concerned authorities publicly accountable for what it termed acts of omission and commission.
There was no immediate response from the state government or the office of the Defence Estate Officer to the allegations made by the HYC.
