The Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) has requested an extension from the Meghalaya government to respond to the relocation plan for 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong. The original 15-day deadline, set by the government, was deemed insufficient by the committee for thorough consultations.
In a statement issued on August 26, HPC Secretary Gurjit Singh explained that the committee needs additional time to engage with key Sikh community leaders and organizations. “We plan to consult with the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee in Amritsar, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, and other senior leaders for their guidance,” Singh stated. However, he noted that these leaders are unavailable for consultations for the next two to three weeks due to prior commitments.
The HPC has proposed rescheduling the next meeting to the last week of September, expressing confidence that they will have a solution by then. The committee had previously accepted the government’s blueprint for relocation but now seeks more time to finalize their response.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar had emphasized that no external organizations from outside Meghalaya would influence the decision, framing the issue as a matter solely between the government and the HPC.
