The East Khasi Hills district administration along with the Hynniewtrep Youths Council (HYC) today conducted a joint inspection of the Lum Survey area after the latter had complained of illegal settlers staying in a slum opposite the Iewduh Fire and Emergency Station.
Also present were officials from the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), Shillong Cantonment Board, Meghalaya Urban Development Authority.
The inspection revealed that there are approximately 80 houses in the slum built on the land of the Defence Estate Office and Cantonment Board. It was also found that most of the houses were under lock and key.
Speaking to reporters after the joint inspection, HYC president Roykupar Synrem informed that most of those who are staying in the slum are from Assam and Uttar Pradesh.
He also said that only a small portion of land at Lum Survey is under litigation and not the entire stretch. A court hearing on this is scheduled for May 27.
There are only three cases pending before the District Judge in Shillong in relation to the eviction notices served on three individuals occupying a certain area of land (about 200 to 500 sq ft each). According to Synrem, these include a tea shop, a teer (archery) counter and a shop dealing in scrap.
“Let the court decide on the cases pending before it but the other areas that are not under litigation come to around 80-100 families and they should be removed,” the HYC president said, adding that the state government should not dilly-dally on the matter but should immediately dismantle the dwellings.
