Shillong, April 14: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has shut down a mosque, terming it an illegal construction, at Lower Lumparing in the city.
The Lumparing Masjid, allegedly converted from the house of a chowkidar of a Muslim graveyard, had no permission with no clear land ownership, according to KSU Laban Circle.
“Muslims had constructed the Masjid illegally on this land without obtaining permission from the locality or from the concerned authorities,” KSU Laban Circle Shiningstar Chyne said in a statement on Tuesday.
The KSU said the site was earlier allotted for a chowkidar’s house to look after the Muslim burial ground, but it was converted into a mosque.
While closing down the place or worship on Tuesday, the KSU also asked the imam residing there to leave, alleging he was staying illegally and preaching Islam at the site.
The KSU said the dorbar shnong of Lower Lumparing had earlier inspected the site following a complaint and resolved to dismantle the structure.
However, no action was taken by those managing the mosque, the KSU said.
“The Union will soon lodge a complaint with the authorities to completely remove the structure,” it added.
