The confrontation between the state government and Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC), which represents the residents of the Them Iewmawlong, appears to have eased, with both sides sounding positive after their first meeting on relocating the residents.
The government-appointed high level committee (HLC) had recommended that the government-employed residents be moved out of Them Iewmawlong but the HPC was opposed to this as it left the fate of those who are not employed by the government in doubt. The HLC was formed after the 2018 riots that saw police keep mobs bent on attacking the colony at bay. Even four years on there is still a heavy police presence in the area.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed today that there are 342 households in Them Iewmawlong and they are all current government employees, retirees and their family members. This goes against the claims, uttered even by legislators, that some of the residents are illegal migrants and engaged in other jobs.
The government is studying potential locations for the residents to live in after leaving Them Iewmawlong, the Deputy CM added. HPC secretary Gurjit Singh was more specific, saying that the government will find or build homes for them in the European Ward.
The HPC will now seek the consent of the residents. Singh described the meeting as positive. However, he said that it was only held because of the intervention of the Meghalaya High Court.
The next meeting between the two sides will be on April 25.
