Shillong, Aug 20: A meeting was convened by the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Rosetta Mary Kurbah, today to discuss the ongoing land dispute at Mahadev Khola.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Khasi Students Union’s Laban Circle, EKH Superintendent of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Labour, Secretary of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and local residents.
KSU leader Reuben Najiar briefed the media after the meeting and expressed surprise over the Forest Department’s claim that the land in question does not fall under its jurisdiction. Previously both the dorbar shnongs of Lawsohtun and Lummawbah have not claimed authority over the area, ostensibly because the land was meant to belong to the Forest Department.
A few weeks ago, members of the KSU Laban Circle destroyed a few houses within the temple complex before police and magistrates stopped them. 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 pressure group, 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.
Najiar informed that, according to local pandits, only around 64 residents live in the area, all of whom are descendants of the pandit settlers.
The meeting resolved that no new construction would be allowed at the site until the matter is fully resolved.
Najiar also alleged that the organisation had received information about some government officials from other communities who contributed money and facilitated house construction in the area. However, he clarified that the organisation has yet to obtain documents to substantiate these claims.
Najiar revealed that a previous RTI query had confirmed official restrictions prohibiting any construction at Mahadev Khola.
However, during recent discussions, the organisation found that the word “No” in the record had been struck off, raising doubts whether this was a photocopying error or a deliberate alteration by the Forest Department.
