The High Court of Meghalaya acting on a petition filed by Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC), has asked the High Level Committee (HLC) not to disturb the residents of Harijan Colony (Punjabi Lane) in Bara Bazar area in the heart p of Shillong city till the next hearing of the case on February 15 next.
The High Level Committee (HLC) was constituted by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma post clashes between the Sikh residents of Harijan Colony (Sweepers’ Lane) with locals in May-June this year. The HLC was mandated to find a permanent solution to the vexed issue of Punjabi Lane in the wake of raging demand from local organizations for relocation of Sikh residents of the area.
The HLC is headed by Deputy Chief Minister, Preston Tynsong and has so far gathered documents and information regarding the background of the Sikh Harijans’ settlement within settlement in the heart of the congested hill city besides holding a several rounds of meeting in its quest for finding a permanent solution to the raging demand from local NGOs for relocation of residents of the colony.
It has been reported in local media in Shillong that during the hearing of the case in the High Court, the state respondents sought more time from the court to file their counter affidavit. The court fixed the next hearing for February 15.
The HPC in its petition had alleged that the HLC headed by Tynsong, acted in a biased and malafide manner. The HPC has demanded dissolution of HLC.
Meanwhile, the HPC has appealed to the Stare Governor to take steps to provide the 218 Sikh families living in the colony with land pattas in view of the raging demand for their relocation.