Voice of the People Party (VPP) MLA for North Shillong Adelbert Nongrum has fired another salvo at Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong over the relocation of residents of Them Iewmawlong.
Reacting to Tynsong’s statement that the VPP legislator was playing politics and misleading the public on the issue, Nongrum said today, “The VPP will never mislead the public. The formation of the VPP is not only for politics but for policies.”
After much impasse, the government and Harijan Panchayat Committee agreed on an extra 1.4 acres to be transferred to the Shillong Municipal Board for quarters for the 342 families in the colony in Them Iewmawlong.
Nongrum, whose constituency covers Them Iewmawlong, spoke up for the residents and their need for better housing but questioned the details of the agreement.
“I am not against any community but I am concerned about their living conditions, which are pathetic. Only someone who has seen it will understand their situation,” the MLA said, adding that it is his duty to fight for them on humanitarian grounds.
In that regard, he appreciated the government for relocating the families but Nongrum questioned the allocation of additional land. “Shifting of the employees of the Shillong Municipal Board to quarters is well appreciated but the other departments (who have employees living in Them Iewmawlong) should be given responsibility to shift their employees to their respective accommodation,” he opined, adding that the government would then not have to part with an additional 1.4 acres.
Nongrum added that pressure groups opposed to the deal have said that they will file Right to Information (RTI) requests in the matter, so the issue will have to be dealt with either in the Assembly or outside it.
