Govt to study rehab reports before decision on Sweeper Lane

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Saturday told a delegation of headmen from the sensitive localities and senior citizens that he had sought reports from the Urban Affairs and the Revenue Departments on the present status of rehabilitation of the residents of Punjabi Lane before taking any decision.
The 12 Dorbar Shnong under North Shillong constituency on Saturday sought immediate vacation of the Harijan colony and rehabilitation in a new location as identified by the government.
However, North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum told reporters after the meeting that the process of vacating the colony “should be done by way of negotiation”.
“We do not want to see any kind of communal backlash over this issue,” Nongrum said.
He added that there was a need to shift the colony to decongest the area and also “it is not right to have a residential area near the market area”. “The government can construct a multi-purpose complex to accommodate the hawkers, especially the local people,” the MLA said.
When asked why the government could not shift the residents of Punjabi Lane to a new location till date, Nongrum blamed lack of political will.
 “We are meeting Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to impress on the need to vacate the Harijan colony,” he said.
The People’s Democratic Front (PDF) has also decided to write to the government on shifting the Harijan colony and collect data on the number of municipality employees living at Punjabi Lane.
“We will write to the state government on the need to shift the colony by Tuesday,” PDF chairman PN Syiem told reporters on Saturday.
Syiem said the government should take responsibility only of those residents of Them Iew Mawlong who are employees of the municipality and for that it should collect data to ascertain the exact number.
“Others who are residing illegally in the area should be punished as per the law,” he added.
PDF will also write to the KHADC and the Syiem of Mylliem for an eviction order.
“I do not see any problem in shifting the residents of Punjabi Lane if the government and the KHADC agree to work together like they have done on the issue of MUDA,” Syiem said and added that in the past, it could not be possible as there was no coordination among the stakeholders.
‘Arrest culprits’
Nongrum said those from Punjabi Lane who assaulted the teenagers should be arrested.
“The police should book them under various provisions which are non-bailable. This kind of incident should not be repeated… it was the failure of the police in not arresting the culprits, which led to the escalation of the incident,” he added.
Meanwhile, the 12 Dorbar Shnong urged police not to enter residential areas as it would create fear psychosis among locals there.
They have also asked police to restrain from using tear gas as this was creating problems for people residing in localities adjoining Motphran.