SHILLONG, SEPT 15: Senior BJP leader and Pynthorumkhrah MLA AL Hek on Tuesday said the proposed relocation of 342 families from Harijan Colony at Them Iew Mawlong should apply only to serving government employees, and the Gurudwara there should not be shifted.
Hek said he has been flagging the issue since the tenure of former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.
“From much earlier, before the government led by Conrad K Sangma, during Mukul Sangma’s government, I had raised this. During Conrad’s time also, I continued to say the same,” Hek said.
He recalled that as Health Minister, he had offered to accommodate health department staff residing in Them Metor in department quarters.
“Those who are working in the government – whether in Municipal, Health and different departments… When I was Health Minister, I had said hand over to me all those staff working in the Health Department, we will give quarters to all those in Them Metor. We were ready then and we are ready even now,” he said.
On the place of worship in the colony, Hek said, “If they say they want to shift, we don’t want to shift that Gurudwara. A place of worship is a place of worship. We must respect each and every faith. Whether Hindu has his own belief, we have to respect, whether Christian or Muslim, we have to respect all religions. There is no issue with that.”
Hek said the party is willing to assist the state government in securing land from the Defence Ministry for the purpose, but opposed extending the benefit to non-employees.
“We will also help the government to get land from the Defence Ministry. Land should be given to accommodate them, but they should be only government employees. It cannot be for those who are not government employees to demand houses – we will not accept that. If land is given, it should be purely for those still in government service,” he added.
