Shillong, Sept 9: Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has emphasized that the government is committed to resolving the long-pending issue of relocating the residents of Harijan Colony, also known as Them Iew Mawlong, without further delay, even as government has agreed to provide HPC more time.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Dhar clarified the current status of discussions with the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC). “During the last meeting, they requested 15 more days, which we granted. Then, they asked for additional time until the last week of September. We’ve already discussed this officially, and at the Chief Secretary’s level, a meeting will likely be scheduled with them towards the end of this week,” Dhar stated, when asked about the relocation status of the 342 families residing in the colony.

When questioned if the HPC’s requests for extensions indicated delaying tactics, Dhar dismissed the notion. “This is not a delaying tactic,” he stressed. “They asked for time until the end of September to address further issues. We’ve given it to them. The next meeting will not be at my level or Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong’s level, but at the Chief Secretary’s level.”

This follows the Meghalaya High Court’s concerns in July 2023 over the continued delay in resolving the relocation issue, which has been the subject of legal disputes for years.

Initially, the HPC had rejected the government’s relocation proposal. However, a shift in their stance came when they requested time to reconsider. In a June 2023 High Court hearing, the HPC agreed in principle to the proposal, albeit with suggested modifications.

The government’s relocation plan involves providing 3.6 acres of land for the resettlement, including 2.14 acres within the existing municipal board premises and an additional 1.4 acres opposite the current colony.

The Harijan Colony has been at the center of discussions for years, but recent developments suggest progress towards a resolution may finally be in sight.

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