Shillong, Oct 18: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has demanded the immediate revocation of the order allowing reopening of shops at Mahadev Khola Dham.
In a letter to the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills RM Kurbah on Friday, president KSU Laban Circle Reuben Najiar said, “(We) humbly request you that the said order is to be revoked immediately else the Union will also not honour and abide by the discussion and the decision taken on the 20th of August, 2025.”
Najiar claims that the order issued by the district magistrate on October 15 contradicts a previous decision on August 20, 2025 where it was agreed to maintain status quo until a definite solution is brought forward by the state government.
The union has been raising concerns about various issues in Mahadev Khola Dham, including illegal settlers, constructions and shops, discharge of waste into streams, and violation of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines.
Despite previous letters to the authorities, the issues remained unaddressed, prompting the Union to take action to halt constructions and shut down illegal shops.
Najiar said the Union in the previous years also had written to the appropriate authorities in regards to the said issues but it has all fallen on deaf ears which
further allowed these illegal settlers to construct more of such illegal structures leading to more illegal migration and influx which prompted the Union to halt such constructions and also to shut down these illegal shops.
“The said order passed by the District Magistrate is in contradiction with the decision taken on the 20th of August, 2025 and is in violation of the United
Khasi Jaintia Trading by Non-Tribal Act, 1952. In fact, and in law, the District Magistrate has no jurisdiction in this regard to permit any non-tribal to open
any business establishment and to undermined the powers conferred under theKhasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC),”he said.
“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,” Najiar added.
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