Shillong June 20: A five-member delegation sent by Punjab chief minister, Amarinder Singh on Thursday discussed with Meghalaya home minister, James K. Sangma issues related to providing security to settlers at Them ïew Mawlong and urged the state government to find long lasting solution.
The delegation which comprised of Cooperation and Jails Minister, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, MPs – Jasbir Singh Gill Dimpa, and Ravneer Singh Bittu, and MLAs – Kuldeep Singh Vaid, and Kulbir Singh Zira met Sangma at the State Secretariat.
The team visited the state to know the situation after the proscribed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) issued a warning to the Harijan Panchayat Committee for asking the Shillong Municipal Board to withdraw the public notices which were served to the residents of Them ïew Mawlong asking them to submit documents to the Board to prove that they are genuine settlers.
The settlers are mostly employees of the Shillong Municipal Board and some of them are working in different departments of the state government.
“We had a very good meeting and satisfied by its outcome. The Meghalaya government is sincere to restore normalcy and to come out with a long lasting solution. We have faith in the government and the people of Meghalaya who are very warm and gave us all the love and affection,†Jasbir Singh Gill Dimpa told reporters after the meeting.
Dimpa said that the issue should be settled once and for all and hoped that the high level committee of the state government would come up with a feasible solution.
The team also visited the Them ïew Mawlong area to know the problems face by the settlers there and fear in their minds because of threat from the HNLC.
“We tried to instill confidence and they also have full confidence in the Meghalaya government. It is not that the residents are afraid of living in Shillong, but there is a kind of threat. However the Home Minister has made it clear that not only one community, but other communities whether majority or minority, the government is bound to take care of them,†Dimpa said.
The Home Minister said that the delegation submitted to him a letter written by the Punjab chief minister expressing concern over some threat to the settlers.
He assured that the government would ensure safety of settlers, and requested the Punjab delegation to pass on the message that the government was giving protection to all citizens.
The Home Minister also warned those who try to vitiate the peaceful environment, especially when the government is putting in efforts to find permanent solution to the issue.
The Meghalaya government has formed a high level committee to examine documents and come up with recommendations for finding feasible solution to the issue.
