The illegal practice of Benami is rampant in Majai, the Khasi Students Union (KSU) has alleged.
The KSU met Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Sing Syiem about this issue and filed a complaint against Elaka Mawlong for allotting land at the market in Ichamati to non-Khasis.
The KSU has also complained against the office of the Syiem of Hima Sohra for granting permission to around 10 religious institutions run by non-Khasis to construct buildings in the Majai area.
“Why has the Hima allowed such illegal construction and ignored such illegalities?” the KSU said.
They also said that the CEM assured them that he will summon the Syiem of Sohra to give an explanation into these matters as well as why a no-objection certificate (NOC) was given to one S Boro for a residence in Majai, which, according to the KSU, violates the Land Transfer Act.
The KSU also said that there are many non-Khasis who have acquired land in the region to which the Syiem has no answers.
On the land issue at the market under elaka Mawlong, the KSU said that the CEM has assured to conduct an inspection after two weeks.
The KSU said that the CEM has also assured to send a letter to the traditional heads to destroy the illegally constructed religious institutions in the region.
The KSU further alleged that there are not less than 10,000 non-Khasis in the whole of the Shella-Majai area, which the district council is not at all concerned about.