The Meghalaya Government is planning to approach Defence Authorities in Delhi, requesting a plot of land to relocate 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong. Chief Secretary DP Wahlang shared the update following a meeting with representatives from the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The meeting addressed concerns over the state’s proposal to dismantle the gurdwara located in Harijan Colony, which the committees strongly opposed.
“I had a meeting with the Harijan committee officials, including the head jathere of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), who came all the way from Amritsar, Punjab. They conveyed that it would be very difficult for them to accept the government’s proposal to dismantle the gurdwara located in Harijan Colony and requested the state government to explore alternative plans,” Wahlang said.
After an extended discussion, a possible solution emerged. “We had a lengthy discussion, and after a couple of hours, we decided to write to the defence authorities to see if it’s possible to allot some land next to Harijan Colony. This would allow the relocation without the government spending money on developing the colony, as the SGPC has assured they will manage the expenses. This saves the government a substantial amount compared to relocating them to the European Ward,” Wahlang explained.
Additionally, if the defence land is allocated, the gurdwara can remain in the area, which would satisfy the concerns of the Sikh community. “The government will take over the remaining land and develop it,” he added.
When asked about the next steps, Wahlang stated, “We will have our next meeting after consulting the defence authorities in Delhi. It’s a multi-pronged approach, and a letter has already been sent today to the Defence Secretary from my side. The Chief Minister will also hold a high-level meeting with the Union Defence Minister. The Sikh representatives from Punjab have committed to making efforts to meet the defence authorities to convince them to hand over a small parcel of land.”
Responding to questions about whether the relocation had been halted, Wahlang clarified, “The relocation has not stopped; there is no stoppage at all. The status quo is being maintained while we explore the possibility of acquiring new land next to Harijan Colony.”
Under this plan, the families would be relocated across the road rather than to the European Ward, and the government would save on development costs. “The SGPC and the delegation have assured us that they will bear the development costs. The land would be an equivalent parcel to what the government would have provided,” Wahlang noted.
The next course of action involves approaching the Defence Authorities from multiple angles—through official channels, political engagement, and efforts from the Sikh representatives. “Collectively, we will try to convince the Defence Authorities in Delhi that this small parcel of land is necessary to achieve a solution that satisfies all parties,” Wahlang concluded.