SHILLONG, NOV 4: After a six-year hiatus following the 2018 unrest in Them Iew Mawlong, traffic has officially resumed on the Mawlonghat upto Bimola junction. The District Administration announced that vehicles can now traverse Them Metor Road, connecting Mawlonghat to Bimola, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, under strict security.
“The stretch from Motphran till Mawlonghat and Punjabi Lane can be converted into One Way and No Entry will be imposed from Mawlonghat towards Motphran,” The official notification said.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Sylvester Nongtnger assured residents of enhanced security to facilitate a smooth transition.
“After a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home, Prestone Tynsong, it was decided that from today (November 4), traffic would be reopened,” Nongtnger stated.
He confirmed that “There are a sufficient number of security personnel deployed in the area, with CRPF, traffic, and state police on duty to ensure safety.”
In parallel, the state government is preparing to make a final decision on relocating 342 families from the Harijan Colony in Them Iew Mawlong, with plans for a resolution by the end of the year. This relocation proposal has been under review since the formation of a High-Level Committee in June 2018, led by Deputy Chief Minister Tynsong, aimed at addressing the relocation of the Sweepers’ Colony.
The Motphran-Mawlong route closure was initially implemented in response to security concerns after the unrest in Them Iew Mawlong in 2018.