Shillong, August 21: The deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills will soon submit a report on the issue related to the Mahadev Khola before the state government for taking a decision on the matter.

This was informed during a meeting convened on Wednesday with a delegation of the Khasi Students Union (KSU) Laban Circle, dorbar shnong, police and pandits from the Mahadev Khola temple.

“The DC has informed that she would submit a report to the state government (which will soon) take a decision on the  matter,” KSU leader Reuben Najiar told reporters after the meeting.

Najiar stated that the union has expressed that it is not against the temple but demands the eviction of people residing there.

According to the 1923 land document obtained through RTI, the land was donated by the British government solely for the construction of the temple, and not for ownership or residential purposes.

Najiar also informed that the KSU has raised concerns over the forest department’s stance on the issue, questioning how the department could claim that land no longer belongs to the department as it was already given to the temple in 1923 when it had been collecting taxes and issuing permissions for years.

The union also disputed the pandits’ claim that there are only 64 families residing in the temple, reiterating that the land document does not permit residential purposes.

“The British government did not give the land in the form of a lease or a gift but it has only grant permission for the purpose of construction of the mandir,” the KSU leader said.

He also referred to the eviction drive conducted by the union against illegal encroachers during 2022-23 and said, “We found that there are people from Assam and other parts of the country, who are without any valid documents, have come and stayed in the mandir.”

Najiar said that KSU is determined to ensure that the land is used for its intended purpose – the temple – and not for residential or commercial purposes.

“We have also made it clear that no new structures should be constructed on the land until the government takes a decision,” he added.

Also Read: MIDC rejects claims of costly ₹21 crore land deal in Ri Bhoi

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