SGPC demands not to relocate Sikhs living in Harijan Colony of Shillong

SHILLONG, June 14 (HS): After the Shiromani Akali Dal’s intervention, the Meghalaya government has submitted its report to the Ministry of Home Affairs “assuring the safety” of Punjabi settlers in Shillong.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday held a meeting on the issues related to settlers of Punjabi Lane in the capital of Meghalaya, which was attended by the state Chief Secretary PS Thangkhiew and leaders of Akali Dal.

“The report submitted to the Home Ministry by the Meghalaya Government assured the safety and security of Sikhs and Punjabis especially those living in Punjabi Lane area of Shillong,” sources said.

Earlier yesterday, a four-member delegation of the apex Sikh body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhik Committee (SGPC) met Meghalaya Home Minister, James PK Sangma to urge upon the State Government not to relocate the Sikh living from the Harijan Colony at Them Iew Mawlong.

The four SGPC members who met Home Minister include Harpal Singh Jalla, Advocate Bhagwant Singh Sialka, SGPC’s additional secretary Paramjit Singh Saroa and Simarjit Singh.

The SGPC urged the Meghalaya Government to permit the residents of the Sweepers’ Colony at Them Iew Mawlong to construct proper shelters in the area.

Emerging from the meeting, one of the members of the SGPC delegation, Bhagwant Singh Sailka said, “We feel the people living out there should be allowed to construct new houses as per norms and modern technique as at present the place is like a slum area.”

When it was pointed out that the government had already constructed quarters for the residents who are employees of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), Bhagwant however said, “Quarters are not the solution to the problem but the solution is that they should be allowed to make their own houses.”

He also pointed out that the area is the most suitable one for the residents of Sweepers’ Colony while stating that they have been residing there for the last 150 years since 1853.

Bhagwant further stated that despite the fact that the Meghalaya High Court had passed an order in favour of the residents yet notices were issued by the SMB asking for details which are already with the government and concerned departments.

He also said that the SGPC is not concerned about the agreement signed between the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and the Syiem of Hima Mylliem in 1954 and that its concern lies in the constitutional rights of the residents of the colony.

On issue related to step taken by the government to identify the illegal settlers, Bhagwant claimed that all residents are legal settlers and said, “We do not know about any illegal person (residing in the area).”

Meanwhile, the SGPC has also demanded that the government provides adequate security measures to the Sikh families residing in Them Iew Mawlong in the light of the recent threat issued by a banned Khasi militant outfit.

On May 29, 2018, clashes erupted when a bus driver and his friend were allegedly attacked and injured at the Punjabi Lane area.

As rumours of the assaulted victims dying in hospital spread on social media, people attacked the Punjabi settlers, following which the entire area was put under curfew for over a month.