Harijan Panchayat Committee Writes To Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: The Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) has written to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma demanding immediate security be provided to residents of Harijan Colony in Them Iewmawlong in the wake of the threat by the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).

“As you may be aware, the HNLC has issued a threat to kill the poor Sikhs of the area to stop us from initiating proceedings of contempt against the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), which has issued us notices even though there is a stay by the High Court, the National Commission for Minorities and the National Human Rights Commission,” Billu Singh, HPC, Harijan Colony said.

In the letter to the Chief Minister, the HPC stated that the SMB, has all the details it wants from the area.

The HPC reminded that a year ago, the SMB had done a survey in the area even as it added that more than 70 per cent of the residents of the area are employees of the municipal board.

“Any more details that they require can easily he had from details of the power connections, voters list and family ration cards,” Singh said.

The Headman of the HPC in his letter to Conrad, added, “The notices by the SMB are an attempt to overawe and browbeat us into accepting the illegal orders of the SMB and the High Level Committee as well as the Urban Affairs Department.”

The HPC, also said that the HNLC was misleading the people of the state through false propaganda.

In the letter to the Chief Minister, the HPC said that in Harijan Colony people of all religions resides for generations and are settled there more than 200 years.

“We are not outsiders. We are poor, hardworking people and the allegation of a rich, lavish lifestyle by HNLC is hogwash,” the HPC said.

The HPC also said that there has been no anti-social or criminal activity by residents of the area even as it stated that the residents are peace-loving people and the allegations of the HNLC are mere insinuations against them.

The HPC also said that the Harijans of the area were given land prior to 1863 by the Syiem of Hima Myllliem and this was affirmed by a declaration in the year 2008.

“We have documentation to prove that. We are not usurpers or illegal settlers. Generations after generations, we are settled here for the last 200 years,” the HPC said.

It may be mentioned that on Sunday the HNLC had threatened to take action against the people of Harijan Colony for giving deadline to the SMB and government to withdraw the notices for inventory served to them.

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