Shillong, Oct 25 : After numerous delays and multiple rounds of discussions, the Meghalaya government is now targeting the end of this year to finalise the relocation of 342 families from the Harijan Colony.
“Everything is prepared, and we’re likely to make a decision by the end of November. They [Harijan Panchayat Committee] have requested a few considerations, and we’re waiting on those,” stated Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar regarding the current status.
A new proposal has emerged suggesting the use of defence land for relocation. Dhar elaborated, “We are exploring this possibility. If defence land is made available, we won’t need to allocate government land anymore.” He added that if defence land isn’t feasible, the government’s own land remains ready, according to prepared blueprints, with some final discussions still pending. “If not November, by the end of this year we will be able to decide on our approach as a government,” he said.
The Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC), however, has voiced concerns, recently criticizing the state government for not showing enough commitment to resolving the long-standing relocation issue. HPC secretary Gurjit Singh noted that a resolution was near when, unexpectedly, the government introduced the matter of demolishing a gurdwara and a temple in the area, a move the committee asserts is unacceptable.
Originally, the government intended to relocate 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong to the Shillong Municipal Board premises on Bivar Road. To facilitate this, it had agreed to provide 2.14 acres, in addition to 1.4 acres located near the Municipal Board building. However, the HPC has demanded 200 square meters of land per family within the European Ward, outside the Sixth Schedule’s jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the state government took a notable step in March 2021 by securing 12,444.13 square meters of land at Harijan Colony. This acquisition was achieved through a one-time payment of Rs 2 crore to Hima Mylliem, which owned the land, under a tripartite lease deed involving the state government, the Syiem of Hima Mylliem, and the Shillong Municipal Board.
Chief Secretary DP Wahlang recently indicated that the government is considering an alternative proposal to allocate land adjacent to Harijan Colony for relocating the families. Wahlang added that a formal letter has been sent to the Defence Secretary, and a high-level meeting between Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and the Union Defence Minister is expected to take place soon.
Calls for relocation have been amplified since violent clashes erupted in the area in 2018. In response, the state government established a High-Level Committee, which, upon review, recommended the relocation of the settlers.
