The final settlement to the issue related to relocation of the settlers of Them Ïew Mawlong is likely to materialise soon if the assurance made before the Meghalaya High Court is any indication.
Advocate General Amit Kumar gave the assurance to the Meghalaya High Court on May 16 during hearing of the writ appeals filed by both the State government and the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC).
Kumar told the division bench of Chief Justice S Vaidyanathan and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh that “the parties are negotiating for settlement and it is likely to be materialised”.
At the request of both the parties, the High Court has posted the matter for hearing on June 27.
It may be mentioned that during the meeting held on May 7 here, the HPC which represents the residents of Them Ïew Mawlong and the State government have decided to hold a final meeting on June 7 to reach a final settlement on the relocation issue.
At the meeting, the State government was represented by the two deputy chief ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, Chief Secretary Donald P. Wahlang and Advocate General Amit Kumar.
The HPC was represented by its general secretary Gurjit Singh, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara management committee general secretary Jagdeep Singh and others.
The HPC stood by the eligibility of all 342 households for relocation to the land belonging to Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) at Bivar Road here.
However, a pressure group based on RTI details claimed that only 194 of the 342 families living in Them Ïew Mawlong have a member or members who are employed by the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB). The pressure group thus questioned why all 342 families should be relocated and be provided with housing on SMB land.
After the RTI findings were released, Tynsong directed that the data be verified. He also said that he has referred the case to the Director of Urban Affairs.
