Shillong, June 20: Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong has hinted at evicting illegal settlers at Them ïew Mawlong, as there are two types of settlers, ‘legal’ and ‘illegal.’

Tynsong, who is the chairman of the High Level Committee, said that an inventory report from the Shillong Municipal Board is yet to come on the number of genuine settlers residing in the area.

There are two types of settlers – legal and illegal at Them ïew Mawlong, and Tynsong said that he would appreciate if illegal settlers move out in advance from the area.

The Shillong Municipal Board has been asked to submit a report of not only settlers working under the board but also those who are working in other government departments as well.

A joint survey of the area was also conducted by officials of the Directorate of Land Records and Survey, district administration, Shillong Municipal Board and the Syiem of Hima Mylliem on Wednesday.

The reason for carrying out fresh survey of the land is because in the original agreement between the Shillong Municipal Board and the Syiem of Mylliem in 1954 have shown only the area which is around 33,000 to 34,000 sq ft.

Tynsong said that the High Level Committee would come up with the most feasible recommendations at the earliest possible.

“This is one of the top most priorities before us,” Tynsong said.

The next meeting of the high level committee will be held after the survey is completed.

According to him, the Directorate of Land Records and Survey would submit its report tentatively by next week.

The committee is also studying the issue from all angles including court cases as well as the operative part of the eviction order of the Shillong Municipal Board.

Meanwhile Tynsong urged leaders of the Sikh organizations not to make an issue the move to relocate the settlers and appealed to all to have faith in the state government.

“Please don’t make this as an issue. The intention of the state government is not to displace the settlers,” Tynsong said.

Tynsong’s appeal came a day after a delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal from Delhi visited the area and met him.

The delegation had expressed their opposition to the constitution of the high level committee and suggested the government to focus on rehabilitation instead of relocation of the settlers.

Tynsong also told the delegation not to have any apprehension on the motive and intention of the state government to address the issue.

“The government also takes the Sikh population as its own since they have been residing here even before statehood,” Tynsong said.

Them ïew Mawlong has been turned into a residential area though it is part of ïewduh, the biggest market in the city.

“It is not possible to have a residential area right infront of a commercial area be it in Delhi or anywhere in India. I do not want to comment anything further since the government is still examining the matter before arriving at any conclusion,” Tynsong said.

Tynsong also agreed that some organizations from outside came out with irresponsible statements inspite of the fact that they have met the chief minister.

“It is true that they have been making statements which are irresponsible. They should not do this. We also appeal that they should not be emotional as whatever we are doing is as per law. We can arrive at a decision where people have to either respect or accept.”

Earlier some settlers staged a demonstration as a mark of protest against the land survey conducted as per direction of the high level committee.

Tynsong however said that in democracy, everybody is free to oppose or show resentment but it should be within the ambit of law.