Northeast Desk, 11th August: In a significant development, the Meghalaya government has given the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) a 15-day deadline to decide on the relocation of 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong. The decision was made following a long-pending meeting held on August 10 between Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, HPC leaders, and representatives of Sikh organizations.
Deputy Chief Minister Dhar, addressing reporters, explained that the deadline was granted at the request of the HPC members, who needed additional time to deliberate on specific issues related to the relocation blueprint. The blueprint outlines the relocation of the families to the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) quarters on Bishop Cotton Road, which had previously been accepted by the Harijan committee.
Dhar also made it clear that no external organizations would be permitted to influence the relocation matter, stating that the issue is strictly “between the government and the HPC.”
The HPC members expressed satisfaction with the meeting and assured that their decision would be communicated within the given timeframe. This meeting marked a critical step in addressing the long-standing relocation issue, which had been delayed as the HPC sought two months to appoint a new president to facilitate discussions on the matter.
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