Shillong, Feb 25: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar on Tuesday informed that the government is not buying time but is committed to resolve the long pending issue of relocating the 342 Harijan families from Them Iew Mawlong.

Addressing media persons, Dhar said, “We are not buying time. Since it is an issue that has been lying pending for past many years so before we take a final call, we need time to resolve in the right manner because if the court steps in, it will be more difficult.
Therefore, we are taking up this issue to ensure we resolve it once and for all.”

“We are not buying time but it is just that we don’t want to take decision in a rush. (We have decided that) even if it is taking time but it should be resolved once and for all that is what we wanted. It is not that we are afraid of anybody it is just that we cannot throw them out just like that. We are not protecting anybody…,” he said while assuring that the government is taking up the issue as top priority.

The deputy chief minister however sad that the government is already in the final stage of resolving the issue.

On the proposal to acquire defence land for relocating the residents, Dhar said that the discussion is still on with the defence ministry.

“So let us wait because it is linked with the central government, I cannot tell you but we are in the process of discussion and finalisation. Whether we will acquire that or we will provide some other land, we will see,”he added.

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