The National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has taken exception to Punjab Government’s grant of Rs 60 lakh to Sikh Community people living in Shillong’s Sweepers’ Colony (Punjabi Lane) in Bara Bazar area to compensate the ‘damage’ caused to the community during the clashes with locals in May this year.
Meghalaya’s Deputy Chief Minister, Preston Tynsong stated that it was an uncalled for action from Punjab Government as Meghalaya government was doing everything possible to resolve the issue of Harijan Colony and its people. Tynsong is also the chairmen of the High Level Committee (HLC) formed by the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to explore a permanent solution to the vexed problem relocation of the Sweepers’ Colony.
The state’s Urban Affairs Minister and a member of the High Level Committee on relocation of sweepers’ colony, Hamlet Dohling too has slammed the Punjab Government over the matter.
Dohling reportedly said that the decision of the Punjab Government was wrong as it would mislead the whole country by giving an impression that there was massive destruction in the recent incident at Them Metor.
“We are not happy and Punjab Government should not add fuel to the fire and we know how to take care of the issue,” Dohling was quoted in the media reports.
Earlier on Tuesday, Captain Amarinder Singh government in Punjab had approved providing Rs 60 lakh as compensation to the Shillong Sikh community against damage caused to their property during violence in Shillong.
Dohling also denied any destruction to the school and Gurudwara in the area during the ]recent law and order problems in the city
He also suggested the Punjab Government not to interfere into the matter as Meghalaya Government is serious in resolving the long-pending issue of relocation of Sweepers’ Colony.
It may be mentioned that Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had deputed a four-member delegation led by Cooperation & Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa to visit Shillong for taking stock of damage caused to the property of Sikh community during violence.