SHILLONG, April 27: Cabinet Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Thursday questioned the timing of the demand of Laitumkhrah Dorbar Shnong Pyllun (LDSP) to relocate the residents of Goraline, Laitumkhrah, which falls in her constituency of East Shillong.
The Rangbah Shnong of Laitumkhrah Andrew A. Jyrwa had suggested that the state government can relocate the residents of Goraline along with the residents of Harijan Colony at Them Iew Mawlong.
Lyngdoh said she would not comment on this sensitive issue without having any strong grounds. She said she would have understood the issue if it had been raised at the time of election. “But why play politics now when the election is over? I am an MLA and it is my duty to look after the welfare and interests of each and every resident of my (East Shillong) constituency,” Lyngdoh said.
She said there is no controversy on the said plot of land in Laitumkhrah.
“The land which houses the colony at Goraline belongs to Shillong Municipal Board (SMB). I think the LDSP should have spoken to the SMB before talking about this issue to the media,” Lyngdoh said.
She expressed unhappiness that the LDSP did not talk to her.
“Maybe, they feel they don’t need to engage with the MLA. But I am open to sit with the members of the LDSP,” she said.
Lyngdoh also stated that she is not privy to the letters the Dorbar had submitted to the government on the demand for relocation. She said it will be sad if a law and order problem arises out of this issue.
Lyngdoh recalled that the previous body of the LDSP had acted in a mature manner by taking a neutral stand whenever there was a problem in this locality. “I would urge the general public not to react without understanding the whole matter. We need to ensure that there is peace and harmony in the locality,” the minister categorically stated.
She took a strong exception to the accusation that only the residents of Goraline dispose of waste materials directly into Thangsniang river.
“Everyone knows that every household, right from Laitumkhrah police beat, is discharging the waste materials into this river. I fear that everyone will be heavily penalised if there is an inspection by the SMB,” Lyngdoh said.
The Rangbah Shnong of Laitumkhrah had alleged that the residents of Goraline are getting protection from the government and as such, they have managed to construct illegal structures in violation of building bye-laws. “We lodged complaints but the same seemed to have fallen on deaf ears,” Jyrwa said, adding, “Our people are facing difficulties to get water and electricity connection without the occupancy certificate.”
He said the MUDA will immediately act if a resident fails to comply with any of its directives and will not also issue the occupancy certificate but it always overlooks illegal constructions that are going on in the colony.
He said the illegal settlers of the colony are not facing any difficulties in getting water and electricity. He said the Dorbar Shnong summons them if there is any complaint against illegal structure “but how far, can we continuously follow up?”
He lamented that the SMB would overlook even if it finds waste being released into the river. “They neither imposed any fine on them nor took any strict action. Why is the SMB biased towards the residents of the locality? Maybe, they are getting protection from some higher-ups,” Jyrwa said.
He said people do not feel safe due to the movement of the residents of this colony, especially during night hours when there is load shedding.
“We will meet the authorities concerned to relocate this colony. I don’t think there should be any problem since the land belongs to the SMB,” Jyrwa said.
