Shillong, August 01: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Shillong Mihngi Circle, has sought immediate clarification and action from the Meghalaya Government over the alleged construction of a temple within the premises of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office at Mawdiangdiang, Shillong.
In separate memoranda addressed to the Director of Revenue and Disaster Management and the Director of Urban Affairs, Meghalaya, the KSU expressed concern over what it described as the unauthorised construction of a religious structure on government land.
The Union has sought clarification on whether the land allotted to the CBI at Mawdiangdiang is government revenue land under the jurisdiction of the Land and Revenue Department and, if so, whether the government had granted permission or approval for the construction of a religious structure within the premises.
The KSU also sought to know whether the land was allotted exclusively for the establishment and functioning of the CBI office and whether any permission, building sanction, development permission, No Objection Certificate (NOC) or other statutory approval had been granted for the construction of a temple or any other religious structure.
The Union said that if no such approval had been granted, the authorities should clarify under what legal or administrative provision the construction was being undertaken and what action had been initiated against any alleged unauthorised construction.
The KSU also referred to the Supreme Court’s directions in Union of India v. State of Gujarat & Others (2010) concerning unauthorised religious structures on public land and raised questions over the use of government premises for purposes beyond those for which the land was allotted.
The Union further sought to know whether the Revenue Department had conducted any inquiry or granted formal approval before the construction commenced.
In its memorandum to the Directorate of Urban Affairs, the KSU demanded a clear response on whether the land occupied by the CBI at Mawdiangdiang had been allotted by the Directorate and whether the original allotment authorised the construction of any religious structure.
The KSU emphasised that its objection was not directed against any religion or religious community, but was solely related to the rule of law, the constitutional principle of secularism and the lawful use of government land.
The Union has demanded immediate clarification on the legal status of the land and the legality of the construction, suspension of construction activities if no lawful approval exists, appropriate action in case of violation of land allotment conditions or government rules, and a written response from the concerned departments.
The KSU, Shillong Mihngi Circle, has sought a comprehensive reply from the Directorate of Urban Affairs within seven days of receipt of its memorandum. It warned that failure to address the matter would compel the Union to pursue lawful and democratic means, including appropriate legal proceedings and public action, to hold the concerned authorities accountable.
