By Our Reporter
Shillong, Dec 12: The KSU on Tuesday asked the state government to not entertain the illegal settlers at Them Iew Mawlong and that the proposed relocation should be meant only for people from 184 families who are employees of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and other government departments.
KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar told The Shillong Times that they have only read through the media that the government is planning to consider additional 1.4 acres of plot of land to relocate 342 families.
“We are not sure about the intention of the state government. But if there is an intention to allocate the land to the residents of Them Iew Mawlong, then we would like to remind the government that many of our own people do not own land. We fail to understand why the government is giving special treatment to these people,” Marngar said.
He also said that the Union would protest tooth and nail if the NPP-led government makes any attempt to accommodate the illegal settlers. He said it is the government’s duty to provide quarters to its employees.
“But once they retire, they should vacate the quarters like any other employees. It is not the responsibility of the government to continue to take care of them even after retirement,” Marngar said.
VPP’s North Shillong legislator, Adelbert Nongrum also said that the party cannot allow the government to allot the land in question to the residents of Them Iew Mawlong as “it is the future of our people.”
“As the local MLA, I am also concerned about the people residing at Them Iew Mawlong as their living condition is very bad. I want the government to relocate the government employees to a much better place on humanitarian ground,” Nongrum said.
He, however, added that he is against the move to allot land to all of them, stating that it is not the government’s responsibility.
Lambasting Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong for questioning the VPP’s intention, Nongrum said the decision to raise the issue does not mean the party is communal.
“The Deputy Chief Minister is wrong to say VPP was formed due to political interest. The VPP was formed since there was a need to voice against the wrong policies of the present government,” Nongrum said.