SHILLONG, JUNE 20: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong today asked the leaders of the Sikh organizations not to make the move to relocate the sweepers’ colony an issue and appealed to all to have faith in the state government.
“Please don’t make this as an issue as there is no issue at all. The intention of the state government is to relocate and not to displace the Sikh community residing at sweepers’ colony from Them Iew Mawlong,” Tynsong told reporters here on Wednesday.
This also came a day after seven-member delegation of Shromani Akali Dal Delhi visited the sweepers’ colony and also met Tynsong, who is also the chairman of the high level committee constituted by the state government following the recent violent protest.
The high level committee has been tasked to examine all records and documents, and recommend feasible solution on the pending demand to shift settlers from Them Iew Mawlong.
However, the delegation of the Shromani Akali Dal had expressed their opposition to the constitution of the high level committee and had suggested the government to focus on rehabilitating instead of relocation of the people residing in Harijan colony from the area.
Tynsong however said that during his meeting with the delegation, he had made it clear that they (Sikh leaders) should not have any apprehension on the motive and intention of the state government to address this issue.
“They should not have any negative apprehension that the state government will treat them differently,” he said adding “This is because the state government is not planning to deprive them and its intention is only to relocate them.”
According to him, the government also takes the Sikh population as its own since they have been residing here even before the State achieved its own statehood.
Admitting that the delegation has urged the government to rehabilitate the Sikh population in the same location, he however said he did not give them any assurance since it cannot for a residential area to be in the middle of a commercial area.
“It is not possible to have a residential area right infront of a commercial be it in Delhi or anywhere in India. I do not want to comment anything further since the government is still examining the matter before arriving into any conclusion,” he stated.
On the other hand, Tynsong, who is also chairman of the high level committee, said though the delegation have used the word “rehabilitate” but the fact is that relocation and rehabilitation is the same thing.
He also further agreed that the organizations from outside are coming out with statement which is very irresponsible inspite of the fact that they have met the chief minister.
“It is true that they have been making statements which are irresponsible. They should not do this,” he said adding “We also appeal that they should not be emotional as whatever we are doing is as per law in order we can arrive at a decision where people have to either respect or accept.”
Earlier, the pressure groups in the state have also asked the government not to allow people from outside to interfere with the internal matters of the state.
Asked, the deputy chief minister maintained that nobody can encroach with the authority of the government.
“The government is supposed to do justice to everybody and this is the constitutional obligation of the state government and also of the central government. Therefore, I urged everybody to have faith in the government,” he said.
Earlier today, women from the sweepers’ colony have staged a peaceful demonstration as a mark of protest against the land survey conducted as per direction of the high level committee in the area.
On this, the deputy chief minister said that in a democracy everybody is free to oppose or show resentment but it should be within the ambit of the law.
“I have seen they have demonstrated their opposition to the high level committee by carrying placards but they should not break the law,” he stated.
By Our Reporter
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