SHILLONG:
The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) has criticised the attitude of the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) towards the state government on the issue of relocating the residents.
FKJGP president Dundee Khongsit said that the organisation condemns the nonchalant attitude of the HPC towards the request of the government.
“This shows that they want to confront (with the government),” the FKJGP president said.
While admitting that the residents have been living in Them Iewmawlong for many years, history shows that they were brought by the Britishers to the state as employees.
“Just because they are living here for over a century does not mean that they can stake claim over the land,” Khongsit said.
He pointed out that government employees living in government accommodation must vacate them after they retire and expressed surprise that in the current situation the residents of Harijan Colony are claiming land rights.
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Khongsit said that the actual government employees who have registered themselves with the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) are toeing the government directive, but the illegal settlers are adamant and not listening to the authorities since they know that they will lose out because the area is a commercial hub.
The FKJGP president urged the government to be strict on the matter and not allow the HPC to have its own way adding that the authorities have been considerate enough on humanitarian ground and identified an alternative space for relocating the residents.
HEARING DEFERRED
The Meghalaya High Court on Monday deferred the hearing on the issue related to the relocation to June 7.
The order was passed by the division bench based on the request made by the state government and the HPC during the hearing.
“At the request of the parties, let the matter stand over for six weeks. List on June 7, 2023,” the bench said in its order.