Shillong, Jul 8: The Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has raised alarm regarding unchecked illegal occupations in Lum Survey, located in the heart of the city, stating that the area is a growing threat to public safety and the youth.
HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem described Lum Survey as a rapidly deteriorating locality that is turning into “a lawless pocket and a breeding ground for drug peddling, trafficking, and other criminal activities.”
He said that vast areas of government and defence land in Lum Survey are being occupied illegally by settlers without any authority, which are now being used as safe havens for anti-social elements and criminals, which poses significant risks to public order.
Synrem rejected claims that evictions can’t occur due to ongoing litigations, pointing out that such arguments are misleading. They asserted that only a few individuals are contesting rights to a small portion of land, and this does not justify inaction regarding the illegal occupation of the remaining areas.
“Only three individuals claiming rights over a portion of the land and this cannot be used as a blanket excuse to justify total inaction over the remaining areas of Lum Survey,” he said.
The HYC is demanding the immediate eviction of all illegal settlers occupying Lum Survey land not involved in the current court matters.
The group also held the state government and the defence estate officer accountable for the deteriorating situation, claiming that their inaction has facilitated the growth of criminal networks.
The HYC warned that if the authorities remain inactive, they must bear the responsibility for rising lawlessness and insecurity in the community.
“The time for excuses is over. If officials continue to remain mute spectators, they must bear responsibility for the growing lawlessness, insecurity, and social damage caused by their failure to enforce the law,” Synrem warned.
