SHILLONG, JUNE 20: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is also heading the high level committee, today said that the government would come up with an order to evict “illegal settlers” from the sweepers’ colony at Them Iew Mawlong.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Tynsong said that the high level committee at the moment is waiting for the inventory report from the Shillong Municipal Board on the number of genuine settlers, who are residing in the area.
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.
Stating that there are two types of settlers – legal and illegal, he said that after the inventorization is being carried by the SMB, the government will come up with an order directing such illegal settlers to vacate the place.
“However, I would appreciate them (illegal settlers) to take action (leave) in advance,” the deputy chief minister said.
Asked, he said that the high level committee has also asked the SMB to submit a report of not only settlers, who are working under the board but also those who are working in other government departments as well.
On its direction, a joint survey was also conducted by the Directorate of Land Records and Survey, district adminsitarion, Shillong Municipal Board and the Syiem of Hima Mylliem on Wednesday amid protest from settlers of the sweepers’ colony.
“The survey is being carried out very smoothly. I hope by Friday they would be able to complete the survey on the ground,” he said.
Asserting that justice has to prevail to each and every citizen of the state, Tynsong said that the first step which is being carried is the survey of the land in question.
He further stated that the main reason for carrying out the fresh detailed survey of the land is because in the original agreement between Shillong Municipal Board and the Syiem of Mylliem in 1954 have shown only the area which is around 33,000 to 34,000 sq ft.
“But there was no proper mapping of the whole area when the committee had sought for it. It is for this reason that the detailed survey of the land is required to conduct in the presence of the Syiem of Mylliem along with officials of the DC and Municipal,” he said.
When asked about the location identified by the Government, he said that the government cannot disclose anything on this at the moment but it is going to address the issue.
“We will examine on the area to relocate the Sikh population and we will come up with the most feasible recommendations to the state government on the relocation at the earliest possible as this is one of the top most priorities before us,” the HLC chairman stated.
He further informed that the next sitting of the high level committee will only be convened after the survey is completed. According to him, the Directorate of Land Records and Survey would submit its report tentatively by next week.
Reacting to another query, the deputy chief minister said that the committee is also studying the issue from all angles including the four to five court cases.
“We are also studying the operative part of the eviction order of the Shillong Municipal Board. We want that our recommendations can withstand any appeal in the High Court or even in the Supreme Court,” he added.
Initially, the high level committee has only seven members but later it was increased to nine with its decision to co-opt two new members which include Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh and MIDC chairman Renikton Tongkhar recently.
It may be mentioned here that the high level committee was constituted following the recent violent protest which erupted at Motphran and Mawkhar area and lasted for five days over the issue related to shifting of settlers from Them Iew Mawlong.
The violent agitation started following an exchange of words between a bus driver and a lady residing at Them Iew Mawlong on May 31 over the parking of a bus.
The altercation that led to the assault of the driver and two other persons by some men in the area, caused a volatile situation since May 31 night with unruly mob demanding shifting of settlers from Them ïew Mawlong.
Mob pelted stones at security personnel during the agitation while security forces resorted to firing of tear gas shells to disperse the agitated mob. This has led to the ongoing curfew imposed by the district administration in the entire Shillong city.
By Our Reporter
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