Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma is scheduled to meet Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the potential allocation of defence land adjacent to Harijan Colony for the relocation of its residents.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar stated that the state government is exploring all options for a positive solution, including the possibility of acquiring defence land.
“The Chief Minister is in Delhi and has planned to meet the Defence Minister,” Dhar said.
Notably, a formal letter had been dispatched to the Defence Secretary, requesting the allotment of defence land adjacent to Harijan Colony for the relocation of its residents.
The long-standing issue of relocating 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong has been there for several years.
On being asked about the state government’s plans to deviate from its earlier blueprint for relocation, Dhar stated, “The blueprint is always there, but if a better option arises, we should consider it. If we get the defence land, it will come at no cost. If not, we will proceed as per the original blueprint.”
The Meghalaya government had initially proposed relocating the families to the premises of the Shillong Municipal Board at Bivar Road, allocating 2.14 acres of land and an additional 1.4 acres.
However, the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) demanded 200 square meters of land within the European Ward for each family.
In 2021, the government acquired 12,444.13 square meters of land at Harijan Colony for a one-time payment of Rs 2 crore. This acquisition was formalized through a tripartite lease deed signed in March 2021 between the state government, the Syiem of Hima Mylliem, and the Shillong Municipal Board.
Chief Secretary DP Wahlang recently revealed that the government is considering a new proposal to allocate defence land for the relocation of the 342 families.
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The demand for relocation gained momentum after violent clashes erupted in the area in 2018.
Following these incidents, the Meghalaya government formed a High-Level Committee, which recommended relocating the 342 families after examining the matter thoroughly.
