SHILLONG: The exhaustive land survey of Sweepers’ Lane (Them Iew Mawlong), as directed by the high level committee of the state government, began on Wednesday amid peaceful demonstration by residents of the colony.
Women gathered at the petrol pump nearby holding placards in protest as soon as officials of the directorate of land records and survey, Shillong Municipal Board and Hima Mylliem reached the locality.
Some of the placards held by the residents read – “We protest the government’s move against the Punjabi Harijan Colony” and “We oppose the High Level Committees’ move to relocate the Punjabi Harijan Colony”.
However, the survey was carried out without any disturbance or interference. It will be conducted on Thursday as well.
Police personnel, magistrates and other government officials were also present during the survey.
Speaking to reporters, a protester said they would not move out of the locality as the terms of reference of the high level committee on relocation was not acceptable to them.
“We were born here and prefer to die here”, one of the women said.
The afternoon rain did not deter the women from holding protest.
The director of land records and survey, I. Mawlong, while speaking to reporters said that the survey would be completed within two or three days following which a report would be submitted to the high level committee.
She said the department would conduct the survey in the colony whereas the Hima Mylliem and Shillong Municipal Board would identify their respective lands.
Earlier, the committee had directed the directorate of land records and survey to complete the survey in the colony within ten days.
Once the committee gets the report, it will hold a discussion on the matter.
The survey was required for clarity on land ownership since one portion belongs to the Municipal Board and another to the Hima Mylliem.
