From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI: The Minorities Commission on Wednesday refused to stay the ongoing process of identifying genuine settlers of Harijan Colony as demanded by the Sikh community.
The aggrieved Sikh Community had pressed for stay order on any further proceedings in relation to relocation. The submission was opposed by the state government which, through its senior advocates, submitted that the Government was acting in good faith and in the interest of all citizens.
The state’s submission was accepted and no order of injunction was passed. The matter has been deferred for hearing and the date will be notified subsequently.
The state government, the KHADC and the Syiem of the Hima Mylliem were to appear before the National Minorities Commission on Wednesday.
The government was represented by its counsel and the Syiem of Mylliem, accompanied by his Council of Ministers, also appeared before the commission.
The state government informed the commission of the proceedings in the High Level Committee, which included details of the inventorisation process that is being carried out in the colony.
The states counsels said the condition of the colony needed redressal and the proposal of resettlement was based on the ground realities of the colony alone and not for targeting any community.
It was also submitted that action against unauthorised occupants would necessarily have to be taken in consonance with applicable laws and that the same was being done irrespective of the community.
The commission was further informed about the Sixth Schedule status of the State of Meghalaya wherein special considerations are existing in terms of the Constitution, which cannot be ignored by the government.