Relocating after 25-30 years…understand their sentiments: DCM Prestone Tynsong ahead of Jun 7 Harijan Colony relocation meeting

In the run up to the all crucial June 7 meeting, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong who is also the Chairman of the High Level Committee (HLC) looking into

It is not just the infrastructural, logistical issues or how big a plot of land each of the 342 families of the Harijan Colony will get, but sentiments and emotions too were discussed in the crucial meeting held today in Shillong ahead of the June 7 meeting that is being seen by many as the final meeting that would decide the relocation of the families living in the Harijan Colony in Shillong to a different location.

“Few concerns are there. I understand their sentiments, because they had been there for so many years, as human beings we know, well even me and you. If someone is staying in one place for 25-30 years, and then immediately shifting my house to other places, I think you do have that kind of sentiments. So, all these sentiments have been discussed in totality and as I said, I have requested them and they are requesting us to give one more time, they will go back and sit down, discuss with their families, and then on June 7, as I said we will meet again and final decision will be taken”, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters after a meeting with representatives of the Harijan Panchayat Committee.

DCM Tynsong heads the High Level Committee looking into the proposed relocation of the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong to a new location.

One of the HPC representatives who attended the meeting said that the meeting was positive and considerable progress has been into the entire issue. “Nothing is finalized, but there is progress, I mean the final will be decided in the next meeting on the first week of June. The government’s response is positive and as I said we had a fruitful discussion, it was on the positive note. We are also moving ahead. There are certain issues which we have discussed today. We will go back, we will discuss with our people and then we will see what best can be done, we also want an amicable solution.”

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong also said the Director of Urban Affairs and Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) are verifying the facts in the RTI claim that was submitted by the Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) to the state government where in it was claimed that 148 families out of the total 342 families to be relocated, are not government employees.
Stating that the June 7th meeting will be the final and the decisive one, Tynsong said the state government will go ahead with what is right.

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