Northeast Desk, 8th May: Efforts to relocate residents of the Harijan Colony in the state have encountered a setback due to discrepancies in the number of eligible families for resettlement. Following a discussion on May 7 involving Deputy CMs Prestone Tynsong, Sniawbhalang Dhar, the Advocate General, officials, and colony representatives, no consensus was reached. Consequently, the state government plans to convene another meeting in June to reconcile conflicting claims.
The crux of the issue lies in the significant disparity between the government’s figures and those provided by the colony leaders. While RTI responses indicate 194 eligible families, the Harijan Panchayat Committee asserts that 347 families require relocation.
Deputy CM Tynsong attributed the confusion to a devastating 1996 fire at Them Iew Mawlong, which destroyed many residences and vital documents verifying residency status. He noted that a directive from the urban affairs director in 2008-09 tasked the MUDA with resurveying families in Them Metor, with the final count pending completion of the ongoing verification process.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to complying with the Manual Scavengers Act during the relocation process, Tynsong acknowledged the sensitivity of the endeavor.