SHILLONG, July 18: In a statement that is likely to rile the Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Monday said the TB Hospital area at Mawbah is the most appropriate location for the relocation of the Harijan Colony residents.
The Dorbar Shnong of Mawbah had on Sunday resolved that any move by the state government to relocate the residents to the proposed site would be opposed tooth and nail.
Reacting to the opposition, Tynsong said the Dorbar Shnong of the locality and the local MLA, Mohendro Rapsang are scheduled to meet him later this week. He said he can speak more on it after the meeting.
“Right now, that place seems to be the most appropriate area but I will contact the Urban Affairs department as it is yet to submit the details to me,” the Minister said.
He said that once the department “completes” the blueprint, he will invite the Harijan Panchayat Committee for a discussion on the matter.
Earlier this week, the state government had submitted before the High Court of Meghalaya that it has prepared a blueprint for the allotment of three acres of land near the Reid Provincial Chest (TB) Hospital for the construction of a multi-storey building to house the Harijan Colony residents.
The submission was made during a hearing on the matter.
Rapsang, the West Shillong MLA, and the Dorbar Shnong, Mawbah have already expressed their opposition to the government’s move to relocate 342 families from the Harijan Colony to Mawbah on the grounds that the density of population in the area is already high.
‘No going back on border deal’
Tynsong said there is no question of going back on the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Meghalaya and Assam to resolve their boundary disputes in six “less complicated” areas.
Opposition leader, Mukul Sangma had accused the state government of “dividing” Meghalaya although the previous government claimed all the areas for Meghalaya. But Tynsong said the decision of the two states was based on the recommendations made by the Sangma-headed previous government.
“We stuck to whatever areas of differences were indicated in the previous recommendations,” Tynsong claimed.
On whether the state government will review the decision, he said the MoU has been already signed. He said the Survey of India will conduct a survey in the presence of officials from both states in the areas covered under the first phase. He said the state government will urge the central establishment to conduct the survey at the earliest.
Earlier, Mukul had asked Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma to admit he made a mistake. He demanded the withdrawal of the MoU.