SHILLONG: Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) leader Roy Kupar Synrem on Tuesday appeared before the police at Sadar Station, Shillong, in connection with the illegal eviction drive on Cantonment Land at Lum Survey on May 23.
Speaking to the press after the appearance, Synrem said that the Council has “done their duty” and what follows next is “part of the journey”.
The HYC has been justifying their actions by claiming that the “illegal” settlers in the area are engaged in anti-social activities, including drug trafficking.
Synrem told the press that they will do everything on their part to wipe out the menace of drugs from the state.
“The HYC will continue to work for the cause of the indigenous community. Cases registered against us are just part of the journey but we have full faith and confidence that the people of Hynniewtrep are by our side and that we have reasons to fear,” he told the press.
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Highlighting that there is huge money involved in drugs trafficking and people associated with it “will do what it takes to get us out of the way”, Synrem said, “This attempt (registration of the case) will not deter us from addressing the issues concerning the indigenous people.”
He also informed that the Council’s vice president Donboklang Kharlyngdoh and assistant general secretary Isaac Basaiawmoit, too will also appear before the police in the coming days.
Earlier on Monday, the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, SC Sadhu had convened a meeting over the issues of settlements at Lum Survey.
The meeting, scheduled for today, is expected bring together key stakeholders, including the Defence Estate Officer from Guwahati, to find a resolution to the escalating tensions and address the legal aspect of the unauthorised eviction.
Notably, the illegal eviction drive carried out by HYC drew the attention of Meghalaya Human Rights Commission, which took a suo moto cognizance of the case and asked for a detailed report from Sadhu by May 30.
Earlier, the police had registered a case against key HYC leaders for their involvement in the unauthorised eviction in the area.
