The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has threatened to conduct an eviction drive at Lum Survey if the Defence Estate fails to evict alleged illegal settlers after August 19. The Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills District held a meeting with the HYC, attended by the Cantonment Board and representatives from the office of Superintendent of Police East Khasi Hills.
HYC President Roy Kupar Synrem informed that the residents of Lum Survey have sought a stay order from the court, with a hearing scheduled for August 19.
“In the meeting today, we have raised that point that what made the defence estate officer not to evict these people, the 80-100 households, where they have known that these are legal settlers, even the defence estate have not issued any less lease agreement to them, they have not made them the tenant of the defence estate officers. Then what has not prompted them to take the action as per the public premises eviction act, what they (Defence Estate) have informed us today, is that there is a stay order made by the district and session court Shillong, where they have stayed the eviction of the whole plot of land,” Symrem said.
During the meeting, the HYC questioned the Defence Estate about the lack of action against the 80-100 alleged illegal settlers. The Defence Estate expressed confidence that the court order on August 19 would be in their favor, allowing them to proceed with the eviction.
Stating that the area of that land is 0.248 acres, the HYC president said, “The number of the people who went to court are only three people who own certain businesses there. So, the question we have asked them is, why have you not taken steps against the rest of the people, when you know that the illegal settlers, what they have informed us is that the court orders stays for the whole area. So, on that basis, they cannot take any steps to evict them, but then, they have also informed us that most probably, they are very confident that on the 19th of August, the court order will be in their favour, and after that steps will be taken to evict them and as soon as they get the court order.”
“Against that we have also informed them that we cannot wait anymore. We’ll wait till the 19th of August and if the defence estate officer cannot take steps to evict or to clear the whole plot of land or if not the three person who went to court but against the rest of the 80 household, then HYC will be forced to take another action, same will be will repeat the 23rd of May or some other steps will be taken by the HYC in order to make sure that this place will not be a hub of illegal activities in this in the state of Meghalaya,” he added.
Synrem also mentioned that on May 23, the HYC had demolished alleged illegal settlements at Lum Survey, leading to police cases against HYC leaders and their subsequent barring from the area. The HYC has noted that some alleged illegal settlers continue to reside there.