SHILLONG, APR 4: The state government on Monday decided to invite the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) next week, for discussion on the relocation of the Sweeper’s Colony from Them Iew Mawlong.
Addressing media persons, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said, “Most likely next week we will invite them (HPC) for talks on the issue.”
Tynsong said that he is also thankful to the committee of the Harijan at Iew Mawlong as through the petition in the Meghalaya High Court, they have shown their keen interest to sit down and discuss with the government.
“They have also in their application pleaded through the Meghalaya High Court that the government should provide a place for relocation but right now I will not be able to tell you in detail,” he added.
His statement came after HPC had expressed that it is waiting for the state government to invite them for discussion on an alternative site for relocation of the Sweeper’s Colony from Them Iew Mawlong.
Asked about the mind of the government on the alternative site, Tynsong said, “From day one itself when we have that High Level Committee, the terms and reference of that committee itself is relocation. The moment you mention relocation means the government has to also provide a place for shifting of that population we have as of today. As I said to you I will not be able to tell you all the details, let us meet first and once the meeting is over we will understand where and how we go about it.”
In its order passed on March 9 while hearing a petition of the HPC, the division bench of the Meghalaya High Court comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W Diengdoh had said in its order, “Since the private appellant submits that it is seeking to negotiate an alternative site for relocation and the matter is under consideration of the State, both the private appellant’s appeal and the State’s appeal should be adjourned to allow an attempt at settlement.”
By Our Reporter
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