High-level Punjab Delegation To Meet Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma Today

Staff Correspondent.

Shillong: A high-level 5-member Punjab government delegation arrived in Shillong on Wednesday and they were lucid in their stand that the imbroglio plaguing the Harijan Colony in Shillong should be resolved in the court of law. The delegation is expected to meet the Meghalaya Chief Minister on Thursday morning.

Led by the Minister of Jail and Co-operation Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and accompanied by Ravenneet Singh Bittu (Cabinet Minister), Kuldeep Singh Vaid, Kulbir Singh Zira and Habir Singh Gill (MP), the delegation arrived in Shillong to reassess the situation that cropped up in May 2018.

The Harijan Colony issue rose due to government’s decision to relocate the legal settlers and evict the illegal ones. The situation reached a flash point when the proscribed HNLC threatened the Punjabi community residing in the area. Thereafter, the Harijan Panchayat Committee sent feelers to the Punjab government and other Sikh associations.

Notwithstanding the guarantee given by the State Government to the residents of Harijan Colony, the Punjab government delegation came with a mission to reassess the situation of the residents.

Speaking to newsmen on Wednesday, the head of the delegation Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa categorically stated that they are not in favour of relocating the Sikh residents from the area but at the same time they are looking for an amicable solution. “Our stand is clear. No one should be forcibly evicted or relocated. The case is pending in the court and we will have to wait for the verdict”, Randhawa stated.

Asked specifically on the good intention of the Meghalaya government to ascertain the legal and illegal settlers in the area, the Punjab minister dodged, by saying that the delegation aims at bringing an amicable solution to the problem.

“We have been asked by the Chief Minister (Capt Amarinder Singh) to rush to Shillong”, stated Randhawa, adding, “We want harmony.”

Also Read: ‘State To Take Hard Stance’ Says Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma