Shillong: After years of delay, the Meghalaya government is gearing up to finally relocate 342 families from Harijan Colony by the end of the year.
Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar confirmed that a status report is ready and a decision on the relocation will be taken by November or December.
He stated that government land is ready for relocation according to the blueprint amidst ongoing discussions about potentially using defense land near Harijan Colony for the relocation.
On being asked if the state government would proceed according to the blueprint, he affirmed that the government has consistently advocated for a relocation process as per the blueprint.
The Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) accused the state government of neglecting the long-standing issue of relocating the Harijan Colony settlers.
HPC secretary Gurjit Singh stated that the relocation issue was on the verge of resolution when the state government unexpectedly introduced the matter of demolishing the local Gurdwara and temple, a move he deemed unacceptable.
The Meghalaya government had initially planned to relocate 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong to the Shillong Municipal Board premises on Bivar Road. The state government agreed to provide 2.14 acres of land in addition to the 1.4 acres located opposite the Municipal Board’s building.
However, HPC demanded the allocation of 200 square meters of land to each family anywhere within the European Ward, which does not fall under the ambit of the Sixth Schedule.
As an interim measure, the state government acquired 12,444.13 square meters of land in Harijan Colony by paying a one-time fee of Rs 2 crore to the Hima Mylliem which owns the land. This acquisition was formalized through a tripartite lease deed signed in March 2021, involving the state government, the Syiem of Hima Mylliem, and the Shillong Municipal Board.
However, Chief Secretary DP Wahlang recently said that the state government is considering a new proposal to allocate defense land adjacent to Harijan Colony for the relocation of the 342 families.
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The relocation demand gained momentum following violent clashes in the area in 2018. Subsequently, the state government constituted a High-level Committee and it recommended relocation of the 342 families following an examination of the matter.
