Relocation of Harijan Colony
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: Vague content of the agreements entered by the Municipal Board, the Siem of Hima Mylliem and the stakeholders made the High Level Committee (HLC) to delay the submission of the report related to the relocation of the Harijan Colony in Shillong. This was made known by the Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on the floor of the House on Friday.
Answering to questions raised by Congress member Mohendro Rapsang on the final report of the HLC on relocation of Harijan Colony, Tynsong stated, "The agreements with the Municipal Board, the Syiem of Mylliem are very vague. We need to discuss all the importtant aspects, besides consulting with the stakeholders."
It may be mentioned that in 2018, the Harijan Colony issue created a serious law and order in Shillong with NGOs demanding the relocation of the inhabitants while the residents refused to budge.
Pressed with questions on the submission of HLC reports, the Deputy Chief Minister refused to give a timeline and said that it will be submitted at the earliest.
"We have had a series of meetings with The District Council, the Syiem of Mylliem and others and we are trying to finalize it," stated Tynsong who also allude to the plan of the government to relocate the inhabitants of the area as per the Smart City Scheme of the Government of India.
He also made it clear that the plan to re-develop the areas under the Smart City project doesn't mean that it is only for the Harijan colony but also it will also include other parts of the city.