Meghalaya: Land survey of Sweeper’s Lane likely to be completed by Friday; residents stage protest

By Our Reporter, TNT News | Shillong, June 20, 2018:

The much-awaited detailed land survey of the sweeper's lane at Them Iew Mawlong which is being carried out by the Directorate Land Survey and Records is likely to be completed by Friday, informed Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong here today.

The officials of the Directorate of Land Survey and Records in the presence of the officials from the district administration, Shillong Municipal Board and the Myntris of Hima Mylliem started the survey of the sweeper lane as directed by the High Level Committee today.

While the survey was being carried out, a group of women who are the residents of the sweeper lane carried placards to oppose the High Level Committee constituted by the State Government and also on the proposal of the Government to relocate them from the area.

"I have been told that the survey is being carried out very smoothly. We are expecting that the survey on the ground of the sweeper lane would be completed by Friday," Tynsong, who is also the chairman of the High Level Committee constituted by the State Government to examine the matter, told media persons here today.

"The Directorate of Land Records and Survey would submit its report on the fresh land survey of the area by next week," Tynsong said.

ALSO READ | Meghalaya: Tourism picks up as normalcy creeps back into state

When asked about the opposition by the Sikh population from sweeper lane to this move of the Government, Deputy Chief Minister said that in a democracy, anyone is free to oppose or show their resentment.

"I have seen that the people of the area are carrying placards in opposition to this move of the Government. But they should not break the law," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister said that the intention of the State Government is to relocate and not to displace the Sikh community residing at sweeper's lane.

Reacting to reports stating that the Sikh population from outside are insisting that they should be rehabilitated in the same place, Tynsong said that it is true that they have urged upon the State Government to rehabilitate the Sikh population in the same place.

"I did not give any kind of assurance since we cannot have residential area right in the middle of the commercial area. I want to make it very clear that nobody can encroach the authority of the Government. The Government is supposed to do justice to everybody. This is the constitutional obligation of the State Government," he asserted.

He admitted that the organizations from outside are coming out with statements which are very irresponsible in spite of the fact that they have met the Chief Minister and other Ministers in the Government.

ALSO READ | Meghalaya: Newly-constituted high level committee begins work on rehabilitation

When asked about the location identified by the Government, he said that the Government cannot disclose anything on this since the Government is still in the process of addressing this issue.

Tynsong, however, informed that there were four to five court cases which are pending in the court.

"The litigation is related with the eviction order which was issued by the Shillong Municipal Board," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister said that the Government is not concerned about the illegal settlers.

"After completing the exercise, we would asked them to vacate the place immediately. I am of the view that the people who are illegally settling in the area should start vacating instead of facing the problem later," Tynsong said.

________________________