The Meghalaya Government has decided to relocate 342 residents along the Harijan Colony (Sweepers’ Colony) at Them Iew Mawlong into the Shillong Municipal Board’s existing official quarters (SMB).
The decision was taken on August 31 during a meeting held by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong with officials from the state Urban Affairs Department, the Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) and SMB officials in the presence of the Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar.
Minister Tynsong stated that the 342 families will be relocated to the existing SMB Quarters on Bishop Cotton Road, and dwelling units would be provided in the new area.
As per reports, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that according to the technical assessment of the Urban Affairs department, it is possible to relocate all 342 families in this site.
12 blocks would be constructed, each with 30 to 40 flats. Each family would receive a flat, said Tynsong.
Tynsong further stated that the Urban Affairs department has been asked to prepare the Detailed Project Report for the building’s construction at the proposed relocation site.
The state government sought to relocate Dalit Sikhs from the 2-acre Harijan Colony, which is adjacent to Iewduh, the commercial centre of Shillong, but the settlers were opposed.
Several court cases have been filed over the years.
Gurjit Singh, the Secretary of the Harijan Panchayat Committee, stated that locals are opposed to moving into a high-rise building and that all they want is the land and the expense of building their own homes.
