Akali Dal delegation calls for rehabilitation not relocation

SHILLONG: In line with the Harijan Panchayat Committee, Punjabi Harijan Colony, a Shiromani Akali Dal delegation from Delhi visited the Sweepers’ Line on Tuesday and asserted that relocation is not possible and instead the government should go for rehabilitation.
The delegation was accompanied by another Sikh delegation from Assam.
“The government can develop the area and proper accommodations can be provided to the residents. Instead of relocation, the residents should be relocated”, said Paramjit Singh Sarna, president, Shiromani Akali Dal, Delhi.
According to the Sikh leader, the delegation carried out a spot visit and also met the Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.
“We made it clear to the deputy chief minister, who is heading the High Level Committee (HLC) that the terms of reference of HLC is not acceptable and the best solution is rehabilitation and not relocation”, Sarna said.
According to the Sikh delegation, the main problem is relocation. “We disagree with this and the government should rehabilitate the people in the place where they reside and the government can develop the area”.
Sarna wanted to know where the government will relocate the Gurdwara and the Guru Nanak School.
He pointed out that there are many central schemes for the poor being initiated by the Central government and the state government can avail the same for improvement of the Harijan colony and multi-storey building can be constructed.
“We know the Christians in the state will understand the needs of the poor”, Sarna said.
The Sikh leader said that he will also meet the chief minister to discuss the need to rehabilitate the residents.
“I had several interactions with senior Sangma (Purno Sangma) in the past; we had met him three to four times, and we hope that his son Conrad will understand the ground reality”, Sarna said.
Earlier on Sunday, the Harijan Panchayat Committee, Punjabi Harijan Colony in a letter addressed to the chief minister, said that they cannot accept the terms of reference of the HLC and hence rejected the relocation of the residents.