On Tuesday, 14th April, members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) shut down an illegal mosque running in a building in the Lower Lumparing area of Shillong, saying the structure was put up without proper permission.
The building, known locally as Lumparing Masjid, had been at the centre of complaints for some time. KSU’s Laban Circle president, Shiningstar Chyne, said the construction did not have approval from the local dorbar shnong or other authorities. He also pointed out that the land itself is still under dispute, with no clear ownership.
According to him, the structure was first meant to be a small shelter for a watchman who looks after a nearby Muslim burial ground. Over time, it was turned into a mosque, and its use was changed without taking consent from the local community or following due process.
When KSU members reached the site, they asked the imam staying there to leave immediately. They said he was living there without permission and carrying out religious activities.
The student group said that the dorbar shnong had already inspected the site earlier after residents raised concerns. At that time, it was decided that the structure should be removed, but no action followed. This delay, they said, led them to step in and act.
KSU has now said it will take the matter to higher authorities and push for the full removal of the structure. The union stressed that any construction in Meghalaya’s tribal areas must follow local rules and traditional systems of governance.
There has been no official response yet from the district administration. People in the locality had different views on the issue. While some supported KSU’s move, saying rules should be followed, others felt the matter should be handled calmly through discussion and legal means.
