The state government has sanctioned Rs 2 crore to pay a one-time premium to the Hima Mylliem in order to take possession of the plot of land at Sweepera Lane/Them Iew Mawlong here.
Informing this today, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that the government is taking steps according to the recommendations made by the high-level committee (HLC).
Asked when the government is likely to take over the land, Tynsong, who headed the HLC, informed that the Finance Department accorded sanction of about Rs 2 crore for payment as a one-time premium to the Syiem of Hima Mylliem.
“Very soon this amount will be transferred to the account of the Hima Mylliem and once that is done physical possession of that plot will take place,” he stated.
The Deputy CM also refused to comment on the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC)’s statement rejecting the HLC recommendations.
Meanwhile, the HPC has requested East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo not to take any action in any manner for relocation of the residents as the matter is sub-judice.
In a letter to Laloo today, HPC secretary Gurjit Singh also sought more security for the residents of the colony and all religious institutions situated there.
“We reiterate that following a writ petition in the Meghalaya High Court, Justice S R Sen in his order dated 15th February, 2019 has categorically stated that the Harijan Colony people are not to be disturbed in any manner and also facilitated the placement of security for the protection of the dwellers. Chief Justice R More of the High Court in his order dated 9th April, 2021 has directed that status quo be maintained with regard to the colony,” the HPC secretary added.
“For the last few days, some self-anointed leaders with no locus-standi are petitioning the office of the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills for relocation of the residents of the colony and some are alleging that no action was taken by the Meghalaya government after the submission of the report by the High Level Committee. As the matter is sub-judice in the Meghalaya High Court as well as the Supreme Court, any intervention by any office in this regard would amount to contempt of court,” Singh said.
The HPC secretary also said such statements made by some self-anointed leaders in their “zeal to get publicity and political mileage are being issued to create hatred in the minds of the poor Sikh people of the colony”.
The HPC also said that the call for relocation of the residents of the colony under the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971 made by local lawyer Erwin K. Syiem Sutnga “is misguided, irrelevant and sinister”.
“Had it been relevant, the State would have initiated proceedings soon after promulgation of the Act. To make reference to the Act after 50 years is malafide and a clear breach of the status quo order of the High Court. In fact, it is a contempt of court,” Singh said.
