TURA, Sept 23: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has told the public of Tikrikilla region during his visit on Friday that people who have settled in the B-Mahal area of the region will not be evicted and the government is in the process of making a settlement allowing them to retain their dwelling places.

“These reports about the local population going to be forcibly removed from the land they have been staying for so many years is all a political propaganda by the opposition parties and leaders since elections are round the corner. Nobody is going to be removed,” clarified Conrad K Sangma during a public meeting to inaugurate the Pedaldoba GIA Secondary School building on Friday.

Inaugurated the new building of Pedaldoba G/A Secondary School funded under @ADB_HQ.

It is our Govt’s mandate to improve educational infrastructure across Meghalaya, to contribute to the all-round growth of our children & ensure a bright future for the State@dpradhanbjp pic.twitter.com/zOMaki1qHb

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) September 23, 2022

He gave an example of the settlement process that has taken place in Williamnagar areas of Balsrigittim and Warima where people who had encroached on government land and settled for many years were not evicted but instead had an agreement with the state for a long term lease that benefitted both the people and the government.

“Our Williamnagar MLA had raised the issue of the settlers who are in government lands for many years. So we decided to ensure both sides benefit through a settlement that is agreeable to everyone,” said the chief minister.

“To ascertain the area of the encroachment in the B-Mahal area and identify the empty plots and the places where encroachment has taken place from the side of Assam a survey was conducted. But the opposition parties spread false information that it was being done to evict all the people. This is the game of the opposition,” said Conrad Sangma.

He said that the state government in tandem with the GHADC will identify the areas where Assam encroachment has taken place and steps will be undertaken to protect the land.

“Those areas where the land is free or Assam is encroaching we intend to step in and protect by putting up projects that will benefit the local population through jobs and other avenues,” said Conrad K Sangma.

Tura Settlement also to take place:

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has also announced that areas of Tura where government land has been encroached by settlers for many years will also get a settlement done that will benefit both the state and the public.

“Just as we have undertaken a settlement in Williamnagar and begun the process in the B-Mahal areas, we are also going to begin a similar agreement with the encroachers of government land in Tura. We have already initiated discussion with the GHADC in regards to Tura also,” clarified the chief minister.

He said that the intention of the GHADC and the state government is to ensure all sides benefit through an agreement and there is no loss to the public, the district council and the state.