HLC asks illegal settlers to evacuate from Them Iew Mawlong

 After the fifth sitting of the HLC held here on Wednesday, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters that the committee had directed the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) to issue public notices to all the residents residing in the area.

He said the settlers are given 16 days time which will end on December 10, to submit their documents and claims on whether they are genuine residents or not to the SMB.

Apart from families of 128 employees of the SMB, the inventory survey also found out that another 56 employees working in the different government departments are also presently residing at Them Iew Mawlong.

The chairman of the high level committee said with this a total of 184 employees and their families have been identified as legal settlers of the area.

Sending a clear message to the illegal settlers, Tynsong said, “Please be ready to vacate from the place immediately and do not wait for the government to evict you.”

He also appealed to all the settlers not to shy away but to come forward and submit their documents to the SMB since the government has no intention to discriminate anybody.

Further, the deputy chief minister said the committee has asked the SMB to shift its temporary office from the board’s staff quarters in order to accommodate the employees who are residing in Them Iew Mawlong.

Almost 30 out of 70 units have been used as temporary office of the board for the past few years since the permanent office building located at Jail Road area is yet to be completed.

“We have asked the urban affairs minister to look into the matter and ensure that board’s office is temporarily shifted to other location till such time its permanent office is ready,” Tynsong said.

Admitting that there may be a shortage of accommodation, he however said the committee will recommend the board to extend house rent allowances for such employees.

He said that the committee will also immediately write to the different departments to takecare of the other 56 employees.

Asked what if the employees refuses to shift from Them Iew Mawlong, the deputy chief minister said, “The will not arise because when the government is providing quarters which is not only logical but highly legal, how can they claim rights over the present place (which is only temporary).”

By Our Reporter