SHILLONG: Manjit Singh Rai, a member of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), met Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday and was happy with the restored law and order in the city, while he expressed apprehension about shifting the residents of Punjabi Lane.
Speaking to media persons, Rai called for communal harmony and lauded the state government and Meghalaya police for handling the situation well.
The NCM member maintained that an argument that led to the clashes “was even compromised but some anti-social elements made the situation worst”.
Rai said the Central Armed Paramilitary Forces who are stationed in the city should remain here till the situation gets normal.
Earlier in the morning, he met the chief secretary, the DGP and other government officials. Rai visited Punjabi Lane (Them Iew Mawlong) and assessed the situation but refused to divulge his findings saying he would submit a report to the commission on Thursday.
To a query on relocation of the settlers, Rai said these people have been living for more than hundred years and it is not feasible to relocate from one place to another.
A member of the United Sikh group told media persons that the organisation has requested the Meghalaya home minister for a discussion with senior tribal chiefs and sought permission from the state government to re-construct the entire colony.
