Shillong, Oct 17: The Laban circle of the Khasi Students Union (KSU) has written to the East Khasi Hills District Magistrate to complain about the permission she gave recently for shops to open in the disputed Mahadev Khola site here.
The KSU has opposed what it describes as illegal settlements in the area and has agitated, sometimes violently, over it. An agreement was struck in August to maintain the status quo while a comprehensive solution is reached.
However, the pressure group pointed to the permission given on Wednesday for shops to open at the site. The KSU said that, according to its interpretation, the DM actually has no power to allow shops to open or not as that right belongs to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
“Moreover, as per the deed in the year 1923-24, the said land was to be utilised only for religious purpose and not for residential or business purpose, thus, allowing shops to be open in such a disputed area where the matter in various issues is yet to be decided is poorly thought and lacks any legal explanations,” the KSU letter said.
It called on the DM to revoke the permission immediately.
