Shillong, Oct 25: Use of defence land to relocate the controversial Them Iew Mawlong (Harijan Colony) has emerged as a new possibility even as the government has set a target of 2024-end to finalise relocation of 342 families of the colony.
“We are exploring this possibility. If defence land is made available, we won’t need to allocate government land anymore,” deputy chief minister in-charge urban affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar told reporters on Friday.
However, the government already has its plan in place that won’t need any defence land. “If defence land isn’t feasible, the government’s own land remains ready, according to prepared blueprints,” the minister said, adding, “However, some final discussions are still pending.”
“Everything is prepared, and we’re likely to make a decision by the end of November,” Dhar said. “If not November, by the end of this year we will be able to decide on our approach as a government,” he said.
The decades-old issue of relocation of Harijan Colony has suffered the delays even after multiple rounds of discussions with the stakeholders. “They (Harijan Panchayat Committee) have requested a few considerations, and we’re waiting on those,” he added.
Earlier, the HPC had questioned the state government commitment to resolving the vexed issue due to the latter’s alleged move to demolish a gurdwara and a temple in the area. Originally, the government intended to relocate 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong to Shillong Municipal Board premises on Bivar Road.
To facilitate this, it had agreed to provide 2.14 acres, in addition to 1.4 acres located near the Municipal Board building. However, the HPC has demanded 200sqm per family within European Ward, outside the Sixth Schedule’s jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the state government took a notable step in March 2021 by securing 12,444.13sqm land at Harijan Colony. This acquisition was achieved through a one-time payment of Rs 2 crore to Hima Mylliem, which owned the land, under a tripartite lease deed involving the state government, the Syiem of Hima Mylliem, and the Shillong Municipal Board.
Chief Secretary DP Wahlang recently indicated that the government is considering an
alternative proposal to allocate land adjacent to Harijan Colony for relocating the families. Wahlang added that a formal letter has been sent to the Defence Secretary, and a high-level meeting between Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and the Union Defence Minister is expected to take place soon.
Calls for relocation have been amplified since violent clashes erupted in the area in 2018. In response, the state government established a High-Level Committee, which, upon review, recommended the relocation of the settlers.
