Relocation of Harijans: Groups ask govt to honour HC deadline

SHILLONG, March 19: Pressure groups have asked the state government to adhere to the deadline set by the High Court of Meghalaya for relocating the government employees and evicting the illegal settlers from the Harijan Colony at Them Iew Mawlong.
The High Court has directed the state government to end the impasse by the end of April.
KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar on Sunday told The Shillong Times that it is bounden duty of the state government to complete the exercise of relocating the settlers from Them Iew Mawlong before April-end.
He accused the state government of allowing the issue to linger despite the constitution of a high-level committee. “We expect the government to find a solution to this issue immediately without any further delay,” the KSU president said.
HYC president Robertjune Kharjahrin said the pending case in the High Court was one of the factors which delayed this issue.
“The government is now is trying to reach a settlement through discussion. What we want is the relocation of the government employees and eviction of the illegal settlers,” Kharjahrin said, making it clear that they are not concerned about the steps taken by the government as long as a permanent solution is reached.
Kharjahrin said that the state government should redevelop the whole area as it can help in generating revenue and also provide employment to the youth.
He suggested that the government should think of constructing a parking lot, shopping mall and a cold storage which will help farmers store their agricultural produce.