By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 5: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is set to meet Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the potential allotment of defence land adjacent to Harijan Colony for the relocation of its residents.
“We need to wait for some time. There is a meeting with the Defence Minister on this subject, so let us wait. The Chief Minister is in Delhi and plans to meet the Defence Minister,” said Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Urban Affairs, Sniawbhalang Dhar, on Thursday while addressing the current status of the Harijan Colony relocation. He added, “At the same time, we are working towards a positive solution. Discussions are ongoing, so we will wait before making a final decision.”
Earlier, the state government had proposed a potential solution involving a request for land from defence authorities. A formal letter regarding this request has already been sent to the Defence Secretary.
When asked whether the state government plans to deviate from its earlier blueprint for relocation, Dhar stated, “The blueprint is always there, but if a better option arises, we should consider it. If we get the defence land, it will come at no cost. If not, we will proceed as per the original blueprint.”
On the subject of religious institutions in Harijan Colony, he remarked, “Since discussions are ongoing, let us wait and see.”
The state government’s initial plan was to relocate 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong to premises of the Shillong Municipal Board at Bivar Road. Under this plan, the government had agreed to allocate 2.14 acres of land, in addition to 1.4 acres located opposite the Municipal Board’s building. However, the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) demanded that each family be allocated 200 square meters of land within the European Ward, which does not fall under the Sixth Schedule.
In the interim, the government acquired 12,444.13 square meters of land at Harijan Colony for a one-time payment of Rs 2 crore to Hima Mylliem, the traditional owner of the land. This acquisition was formalised through a tripartite lease deed signed in March 2021 between the state government, the Syiem of Hima Mylliem, and the Shillong Municipal Board.
Chief Secretary DP Wahlang recently revealed that the government is considering a new proposal to allocate defence land adjacent to Harijan Colony for the relocation of the 342 families.
Wahlang confirmed that a formal letter has been sent to the Defence Secretary, and a high-level meeting between the Chief Minister and the Union Defence Minister is expected to take place soon.
The demand for relocation gained momentum after violent clashes erupted in the area in 2018. Following these incidents, the Meghalaya government formed a High-Level Committee, which recommended relocating the 342 families after examining the matter thoroughly.