SHILLONG, JUNE 3: The Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) has sought two months’ time to appoint a new president for continuing the discussion with the state government for the relocation of 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong.
This came four days ahead of the crucial meeting fixed to be held between the state government and the HPC for taking a final call on the matter.
In a letter submitted to deputy chief minister in-charge home (police) Prestone Tynsong on May 31, HPC secretary Gurjit Singh said, “I am writing to request a postponement of our upcoming meeting to be held on June 7, regarding our historical habitat at the Harijan Colony, Bara Bazar, Shillong.”
“This is to sadly intimate that our headman/president Billu Singh has passed away recently. Fighting the grief at his demise, we are currently in association with his family for his last rites as per the Sikh customs and rites in his residence at Shillong and his native place in Punjab,” he said.
Singh said later on, they will complete the process of selection/election of a new headman/president of Harijan Panchayat Committee and register the new committee in the office of the Registrar of Societies.
“This transition is crucial to our community’s governance and decision-making processes as per the provisions of the constitution of HPC cum headmanship. It will take us atleast two months time to complete the process of finding an appropriate person to replace the veteran who has served our organization and people of our community for many years,” he said.
“To complete this process and ensure our new leader is fully prepared to engage appropriate discussions with the government, we need time. We appreciate your understanding during this challenging time,” Singh stated in the letter.
 has sought two months’ time to appoint a new president for continuing the discussion with the state government for the relocation of 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong.){kind=link}