Meghalaya Harijan Colony Relocation: Final Decision in 15 Days

Sardar Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, representative of HPC, said that they have almost agreed to what the state government is offering

The Meghalaya government today said that the meeting with the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) to decide on the long pending issue of relocating the Harijan Colony, also known as Them Iew Mawlong, has been a very positive one and the HPC will communicated to the government its decision in the next 15 days.

Briefing the media after the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Urban Affairs, Snaiwbhalang Dhar said that the state government has given 15-days time to the HPC to take a final call on the government’s proposal as the HPC wanted to discuss a few things internally. The Minister made it clear that there would be no further meetings on the issue.

“We had a very positive meeting today. From the government side we have given them (HPC) 15-days time as they wanted to discuss a few things internally. Within 15 days they will give a final decision. The HPC wants to take everyone on board before taking the final decision,” Dhar said.

Chairing the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister who is also in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong expressed the State Government’s intention to resolve the matter at the earliest.

Speaking to Northeast Live, Sardar Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, General Secretary of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and a representative of the HPC, said, “The main focus of the meeting was the relocation, which has been largely agreed upon. However, certain aspects still need to be finalized, and the HPC plans to discuss these matters within their community before reaching a final decision.”

The Meghalaya High Court, during a hearing in July 2023 highlighted that the relocation of the 342 families from the Harijan Colony has been a contentious issue for several years. The court emphasized the need for a resolution, noting the prolonged nature of the dispute.

Initially, the HPC had rejected the government’s relocation plan, but in June 2023, they reportedly agreed in principle, marking a significant shift in the ongoing negotiations.

The Harijan Colony has been a focal point of discussions and legal proceedings for several years due to challenges related to living conditions, infrastructure, and sanitation. The Meghalaya High Court’s interventions have underscored the urgency of resolving the issue, with the state government now moving closer to achieving a final settlement.

Also Read: Harijan Colony relocation: Govt calls HPC for meeting on May 7

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