M’laya: Now 200-year Old Gurdwara Threatens to Stall Harijan Colony Relocation

Just when we thought that the long pending Harijan Colony relocation issue was coming to a close with the 342 families agreeing to shift to a different location, the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) has voiced strong opposition to the planned demolition of religious institutions, particularly the 200-year old Gurdwara, in connection with the Meghalaya government’s relocation of the families from Them Iew Mawlong in Shillong.

According to HPC Secretary Gurjit Singh, who also serves as president of the Gurdwara, these religious structures hold immense significance for the Sikh community, and their removal would not be tolerated. Singh warned that demolishing the Gurdwara could spark international protests from Sikhs.

The HPC said that they have legal documents, including the patta, for the Gurdwara, temples, and schools in the area. This legal standing reinforces the committee’s refusal to allow the demolition of these structures.

While the HPC is open to the idea of relocating the community and could have moved into the accommodations provided by the state government, they insist that the Gurdwara and temples must remain in their current location. The state government, however, has yet to accept this proposal.

The government is planning to relocate 342 families from the area, but the HPC is awaiting an official response. Singh noted that further meetings on the issue will no longer involve the Deputy Chief Ministers but will instead proceed directly with the Chief Secretary.

Last month, Meghalaya Chief Secretary DP Wahlang revealed that the government had reached out to defence authorities, requesting the allocation of land near the locality to assist in the relocation of the families. However, the HPC has made it clear that while they are open to shifting the community, they will not accept the relocation of their religious institutions, which they believe is hindering the area’s development.

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