Shillong, Jul 31: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Laban circle today launched its own drive against ‘illegal’ settlers and razed houses near the Mahadev Khola temple.
Members of the union were able to demolish only a few structures due to the arrival of the police who asked them to wait for the arrival of the magistrates.
The union stated that earlier only a temple stood on the site but as days passed, houses and building have emerged.
In 2023, the KSU lodged a complaint with the East Khasi Hills Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) against families allegedly residing illegally in Mahadev Khola. According to the union, the area was given specifically for construction of a temple in 1923, but as time passed people from outside the state have settled in the area.
The KSU had claimed that about 30-40 families are illegally residing in the area with no documents.
While the dorbar shnongs of Lawsohtun and Lummawbah have not claim authority over the area since it falls under the forest department, residents staying there stated that they have received their EPIC cards through Lawsohtun Dorbar.
