The ownership of the contentious plot of land in Them Ïew Mawlong, lived on largely by members of the Punjabi community is “vague”, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said in the Assembly today, and this is leading to the delay in the High-Level Committee’s report on the matter.
Following violence that rocked the state capital in 2018, the HLC was constituted by the government to look into the issue of relocating the residents living in Them Ïew Mawlong.
“The moment the HLC was constituted on June 4, 2018, it started its sittings and collected details,” Tynsong said during question hour when West Shillong MLA Mohendro Rapsang raised the matter.
“The agreement between the Shillong Municipal Board and the Syiem of Hima Mylliem is vague. On the basis of this we have to look into the issue of ownership,” Tynsong, who is the Chairman of the HLC, said.
The Punjabi residents argue that their ancestors were brought by the British to Shillong to work in sanitation and that Them Ïew Mawlong was set aside for them to live on.
Tynsong said that the HLC needs to have detailed discussions with the Syiem of Hima Mylliem and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council on the issue and this is taking time.
