Meghalaya: Peace march held in Malki, adjoining areas

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SHILLONG, June 12, 2018: Residents from Malki and adjoining areas on Monday took part in the Prayer Congregation Amid Peace March to urge the high-level committee to speed up the relocation of the residents of Sweepers' Colony.

The committee was constituted recently by the government to find a permanent solution to the issue of relocation of the Sweepers' Colony from Them Iew Mawlong.

The peace march was organised by the Seng Samla Malki (SSM) and its main objective is to urge the committee to speed up the relocation of the residents and restore peace.

"We want to extend our support to our brothers and sisters residing on the other side of the city. They have suffered a lot, be it the smoke from tear gas shells, the curfew being imposed and other things," the headman of Malki, H.P.O. Dohling, told reporters after the march.

He also urged the government to fulfil the demands of the public concerning the Sweepers' Lane at Them Iew Mawlong.

"We have met chief minister Conrad Sangma and also submitted a memorandum on the matter. He informed us that it not an easy task as the issue has been going on for many years," said Dohling.

Expressing concern that the place had created problems not only for people residing near it but also to passers-by, the headman said, "I have spoken to the deputy commissioner and the chief minister on this. This place is a den of many anti-socials."

According to him, apart from the relocation, the memorandum submitted to the chief minister on Friday also spoke of the release of all those who were arrested provided the government found nothing against them.

"Previous governments have been given enough time on this, but we cannot see any developments. They have tried, but once the matter reaches the court and a stay order is given, it ends there. There is no follow up after this. We cannot say anything on the present government as it has only been a few months but the assurance is there from its side," he added.

Seng Samla Malki member W. Kharsyntiew said she saw hope in the present government as it had already taken a call to constitute the committee. "We also have faith that through the committee, the government will take immediate steps in relocating the people so that peace and serenity will return to the state," she said.

TNT with inputs from The Telegraph

Image Courtesy: UB Photos