The Khasi Students Union (KSU) in East Jaintia Hills district unit has urged the district administration to reconsider an approval for construction of religious structures on government land.
According to the KSU, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) was granted for construction of a temple on a 500 sq ft plot near the bust of the freedom fighter, Kiang Nangbah located near the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Khliehriat and an additional 250 sq ft for the construction of a toilet there.
Not happy with this, the KSU met with Deputy Commissioner Shivansh Awasthi and sought cancellation of the NOC.
“We firmly believe that it is not appropriate for any individual, group, society, or religious body to be granted permission to utilise government land for religious or personal purposes,” the KSU said.
The union said that this will set a precedent that could potentially lead to further requests by various groups in the future to use government land, which may have adverse effects on societal welfare.