Shillong, Oct 30: The state government has directed the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to immediately remove seals and locks put on the Lower Terminal Point of the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project at Madan Laban, warning of legal action if it fails to comply.
In a strongly-worded letter to the Secretary to the Executive Committee of the KHADC, Joint Secretary Tourism CS Khongwir said enforcement officers led by Inspector Kordor Synrem barged into the site between 10:30 am and 12 pm on October 27, evicted staff, put locks and cloth seals on the site office, seized articles and took custody undertakings from managers of contractor KEC-TCL (JV).
The action was taken under Section 7A of the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District Trading by Non-Tribals Regulation, 1954 for alleged violation of Section 3 — trading without a licence.
The government has rejected the charge.
The project, it said, is a public infrastructure project of the state government being executed through the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority under the Meghalaya Ropeway Act, 2022. Final Stage-II forest clearance for 2.3257 ha in Riat Laban Reserve Forest was granted by the Centre on October 24, 2024.
The contractor had applied for trading licence on May 18, 2026 after securing NOC from Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun and the application is pending with the Council.
Citing Section 30(2) of the Ropeway Act, the government said preparatory work including tendering and onboarding of contractors does not amount to trade and trading licence is required only before commencement of construction. The land belongs to the state government.
The government has asked the Council to withdraw seizure, release all articles, cancel custody undertakings and give written assurance that no further action will be taken under the Regulation against the state, the Authority or the agency.
“If this is not done immediately, the government will be constrained to take steps as open in law to remove obstruction and secure the site,” Khongwir warned.
The letter is without prejudice to the government’s rights including the FIR lodged at Laban Police Station on October 27.
