By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC), Harijan Colony, Iewduh convened two general meetings of the bona-fide residents on September 24 and October 9 with regard to the proposed construction of residential quarters for the inhabitants of the colony, where the government proposal was discussed threadbare following which some resolutions were unanimously adopted and was represented before the Minister, Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP), Meghalaya.
The present land comprising the colony originally belonged to the Hima Mylliem and it was gifted by the then Syiem of Hima Mylliem in 1853 for accommodation of the Mazbhi (SC) Sikh Community working as Safaiwala/Sweepers as per the record and declaration of the office of the Syiem and his Durbar vide memo dated October 22, 2008. As per an agreement dated January 4, 1954 between the Syiem and Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), some portion at Mawlonghat Bazar was transferred to SMB in exchange for some land at Paltan Bazar wherein it was stipulated “Sweepers lane will continue to be used for accommodation of sweepers’ quarters and not for any other purpose.” Hence, the people of the colony claimed that this land be utilized for the purpose of construction of residential quarters and all families residing in this colony should be settled here and no other area.
The HPC observed that there are several unauthorized commercial establishments in the land donated by the Syiem to the said Sikh community. The HPA headman has sought in his representation to the minister to evacuate all the unauthorized shops and establishments right from the Eastern Edge, Bara Bazar Road, Mawlonghat for facilitating construction of the residential buildings. There are several rank trespassers besides the Syndicate Bus Stand and Thangkhiew Petrol Pump at Mawlonghat running commercial establishments which should be evacuated, the headman sought in his letter.
The road that runs through this colony is the cause of not only traffic jams but also several accidents and other inconveniences to the colony. The headman sought that if this road be closed and alternate traffic is organized along the proposed boundary wall most of these issues will be resolved and will assist the purpose of construction under PAP.
The allotment of quarters/flats to the inhabitants should be as per the most recent survey of the colony. Families who were shifted to municipal quarters elsewhere be given inheritance occupancy rights in order to safeguard them post retirement. The government should prepare a blue print and structural design of the construction as per suggestions of HPC. The allotment of quarters/flats must be on ownership basis or with inheritable right of occupancy. The demolition of existing hutments should be made with due agreement between the HPC and the government witnessed by a deputed official of the National Commission for Schedule Caste with the agreement be registered with the Sub-registry, Shillong.