We’re not afraid of anyone… just cannot throw them out like that: Dhar
Shillong, Feb 25: The state government has denied dilly-dallying on the issue of relocation of Harijan families from Them Iew Mawlong in Shillong and resolved to arrive at a permanent solution.
The government is committed to resolving the long pending issue of relocating the 342 Harijan families from Them Iew Mawlong, deputy chief minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar told reporters on Tuesday.
“We are not buying time. Since it is an issue that has been lying pending for past many years, before we take a final call, we need time to resolve it in the right manner,” he said.
Cautioning about legal wrangling due to complexity of the issue, “If the court steps in, it will be more difficult.”
Informing about the government’s policy of not making any hurry on the vexed issue, he said, “Even if it is taking time, it should be resolved once and for all.”
Expressing the government’s commitment to find out a permanent and amicable solution, the minister said, “It is not that we are afraid of anybody… it is just that we cannot throw them out just like that. We are not protecting anyone.”
Meanwhile, the deputy chief minister said the government is already in the final stage of resolving the issue.
On the proposal to acquire defence land for relocating the residents, Dhar said the discussion is pending with the defence ministry.
“Let us wait because it is linked with the central government… we are in the process of discussion and finalisation. Whether we will acquire that or we will provide some other land, we will see,” he added.
