Shillong, Nov 14: The Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) has sought a clarification from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Shillong office regarding construction of a religious structure, purportedly a temple, within its premises in Mawdiangdiang.
The HYC said it is a matter of concern if such a proposal has been made considering the CBI being a neutral investigative and law enforcement body of the government. Such activity raises serious questions about constitutional propriety, statutory compliance, and the secular character of the government’s institutions, it said.
HYC President Roy Kupar Synrem in a petition to the CBI questioned if the agency had receive administrative sanction and approvals from the competent regulatory bodies under the Meghalaya Building Bye-Laws, 2021. He said institutional lands are restricted to non-religious administrative or educational functions and cannot be permitted without a formal sanction and public notification.
Synrem also quoted the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, stating that any occupation or use of such premises without express permission from the competent authority constitutes unauthorised use, attracting eviction and removal.
He referred to orders of the Supreme Court and said in several court judgments across the country the construction of religious structures on public or institutional land is contrary to constitutional and statutory obligations.
The HYC demanded the CBI to conduct an internal verification and to suspend all works related to any proposed or ongoing religious construction and if construction has commenced without permission action should be initiated under the Premises Act.
The pressure group gave two weeks time for the CBI to clarify on the matter.
Synrem said the petition was not to oppose any faith or community, but in defence of the secular essence of public administration.
