SHILLONG, JUNE 12: The Meghalaya government has expressed strong determination to relocate the residents of Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong here on the ground that the place is not fit for human habitation.
While taking cognizance on the recent threat issued by a banned Khasi militant outfit in Bangladesh, the state government has also assured protection to the residents of the colony.
“I am telling you, we will not talk further but the state government and the High Level Committee are determined for relocation (of the residents). There is no way out because we have seen that place is not fit for human habitation,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters here on Wednesday.
Appealing all concerns for their cooperation, Tynsong, who is also heading the HLC said, “By relocation it does not mean we want to through these people out as they are brothers and sisters and we want to take proper care of them as the place is totally unhealthy and inhumane.”
Refusing to comment on the recent threat issued by the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), the deputy chief minister however maintained that the forces deployed and the No-entry imposed at Them Iew Mawlong will continue for protection of the residents.
“For their security we will continue to do that and we will not allow this threat (by the HNLC) to happen. From the government side we will ensure every citizens of the state live peacefully and without any kind of fear psychosis,” he assured.
Tynsong further informed that with the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB)’s office soon going to be shifted from the present location, around 30-35 units will be available for accommodating genuine employees of the Board and others.
The Board has issued notices to over 300 households requesting them to furnish documents to prove that they are legal settlers of the area within one month.
Asked in case they fail to comply with the order, he however said that the government will wait till the time given is over. “This is our last notice and I cannot tell you anything right now but we will wait as enough time has been given to them and you will see how we go about it,” Tynsong added.
On the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC)’s claim to have documentation proof that the land was given to them by the Syiem of Hima Mylliem before 1863, he said, “Let them show me the papers. Why we have issued the notices means you have to give us your documents if you have legal documents I will salute them but if you don’t have please don’t waste time.”
“But as per the agreement in 1954, it is clear that the land belongs to the SMB and the Syiem of Hima Mylliem and whether these people has the agreement or not but the question of land dispute does not arise,” he stated.
According to him, it is the duty of those aggrieved party to appeal before the civil court if they feel that the land belongs to them.
Meanwhile, the deputy chief minister also appealed to the NGOs and individuals from the Sikh community not to interfere into the affairs of the state by adding fire to the issue.
“I would request all of them not to add fire. If you have any doubts, the door of the government is open 24×7. We are ready to talk and discuss with them whatever because as it is the bounded duty of the government to immediately go for relocation as the place is not at all healthy,” he stated.
By Our Reporter
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