Harijan Colony Issue

The controversy over the Harijan Colony issue in Shillong has assumed an ugly form with the residents of the colony writing a letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma stating that their right to stay in the colony is non-negotiable. City Gurudwara Management Committee president Gurjit Singh has stated that relocating the residents of the colony is “neither feasible or acceptable, and it is completely against the Constitution of India”.

On the other hand, Union minister and Shiromani Akali Dal member Harsimrat Kaur Badal met Sangma and State Health Minister AL Hek on Sunday and discussed the issue. It is reassuring that Sangma has assured the safety of the residents of the colony.

One hopes that the situation would not deteriorate and the Sangma government would discharge its responsibilities so that there is no communal twist to the issue. Both the parties would do well to discuss the matter with cool heads and move forward towards maintaining law and order. Shillong, with its huge tourism potential, cannot afford any kind of violence at this moment. Tourists are flocking the State from the rest of the country and their safety is a major issue too.

Rupak Nath,

Shillong-3.