Urban affairs minister Founder Strong Cajee told reporters that the government was “confident” of securing a favourable judgment from the principal bench of Gauhati High Court on Friday.
“We have the valid documents to substantiate our claims over the encroached land in Polo and Wah Umkhrah areas and that is why we are confident of getting a favourable judgement from the court on Friday,” Cajee said. Refusing to divulge details — as the matter is sub judice — Cajee said the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority was in possession of two sale deeds signed between the British government and the Thangkhiew and Kharkongor clans in 1903 and 1905.
“These documents along with others will help us win the case,” Cajee claimed.
The minister said the government was banking on three arguments to corroborate its move to demolish all illegal structures in the areas. Illegal constructions without prior permission of the development authority, encroachment on government land and encroachment on riverbank would form the crux of the government’s arguments in favour of going ahead with the demolition drive, Cajee said. He said in the event of securing an unfavourable judgment from the court, the government would approach the environment bench of the Supreme Court.
“If we appeal to the Supreme Court on the ground that the violators have encroached the riverbank, we are definite about emerging victorious,” Cajee said.
He, however, added that he would like the matter to be settled in high court.Cajee made its clear that the government’s attempt to demolish all illegal structures should not be construed as an attempt to harm the “communal sentiments”.
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