Meghalaya: HPC agrees to relocation, Conditions apply

The Meghalaya Government on Monday held another round of talks with the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) on the relocation issue. Deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong informed that the HPC has

Harijan Colony in Meghalaya | File image

The Meghalaya Government on Monday held another round of talks with the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) on the relocation issue.

Deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong informed that the HPC has agreed to relocate but with certain conditions.

Tynsong further added that the government is looking into the fresh proposals submitted by the HPC today and will prepare a blueprint on the different aspects.

The Urban Affairs department after completing everything will officially communicate to the HPC, the minister informed. Subsequent to this, both sides will sit together and take a final decision.

Meanwhile, HPC secretary Gurjit Singh informed that the government has taken cognizance of the fresh proposals and said it would convey the decision in the next round of talks.

He demanded the government should provide an area of 10 acres; all 342 residents have to be provided with a house built by the government which is not less than 200 square meters.

Earlier in October 2021, a High Level Committee (HLC) headed by minister Tynsong had recommended the state government to shift the employees of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and other departments from the Sweeper’s Colony at Them Iew Mawlong.

The Urban Affairs department has been asked to find locations for relocation of “illegal settlers” as per a report of the HLC, which was placed before the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.

The HLC was constituted by the state government to find a feasible solution for the relocation of the Sweeper’s Colony from Them Iew Mawlong following the 2018 violent protest at Motphran.

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