Shillong, Jun 4: The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government has decided to constitute a High Level Committee (HLC) to find a permanent solution to the demand for relocating of settlers from Them ïew Mawlong (Sweepers’ Colony).

The decision was unanimously taken during the series of meetings convened by the government with all political parties, MDA coalition partners, headmen and others at the Secretariat here on Monday.

Shillong city has witnessed breakdown of law and order due to ongoing violent protest in the past four days since May 31 night, with agitators and state security forces clashing following a minor scuffle at Them ïew Mawlong after three persons were assaulted.

The agitators have been demanding for immediate shifting of the Harijans from the Sweepers’ Lane.

Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma said, “As a government, we are committed to finding a permanent solution to the long pending issue of relocating the Sweepers’ Colony.”

For this, he announced that a high level committee has been agreed to be formed in the all party meeting as well as in the other meetings that were held with the coalition partners of the MDA, headmen and hawkers.

The seven-member Committee will be headed by the deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong and DP Wahlang as the member secretary. The other members include Home Minister James Sangma, Urban Minister Hamletson Dohling, Health Minister AL Hek, Sports Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh and KHADC CEM PN Syiem.

“This committee will work towards finding a permanent solution to the long pending issue of relocation of the Sweepers’ Colony,” he said.

He said that this has been an issue which is pending for a very long time and there are many complicated issue surrounding this.

Asked whether any timeline have been given for the committee to complete the exercise, the chief minister said that the committee has been asked to complete the job as soon as possible and submit its report at the earliest. Notification will come out.

On the other hand, the chief minister said work on the matter has already started as the government has asked the urban affairs department to immediately submit a report in details to the High Level Committee regarding the current position of the Sweepers’ Colony.

“We have asked the department to provide all the legal aspects, all the past history and all issues related to authorise and unauthorise occupants of the Sweepers’ Colony so that we can get an actual status of this particular problem that is there right now,” he said.

Appealing to agitators to call off their protest, Conrad said, “After the commitment that is being given by the state government to ensure that a solution is found in this issue, I would like to appeal to all who are agitating to kindly not agitate as we need to find a solution to this problem and the solution is not on the streets but on the table and we are ready for discussion and talks.”

On the other hand, the chief minister also expressed concern that a large section of the people of the society which include farmers, taxi drivers, daily labourers, hawkers, shopkeepers were badly affected financially and economically during the last four days.

“Therefore I would like to appeal on their behalf that keeping in mind the economic condition of these people and keeping in mind that they also need to earn we should all come together and find a solution in this issue and ensure there is peace in city and state.”

Clearing the confusion about the arrest made against the person involved in assaulting the local boys, Conrad said that he would like to inform again that individual identified as B Misa from Sweepers Colony have been arrested within 24 hours after the incident.

“In fact the person is in custody and according to law, a charge sheet is being prepared against him (Misa) and therefore we have already taken action in this regard,” he added.

Earlier, the chief minister had maintained that the prevailing situation in the city is not at all a communal clash. The government had also ordered for a magisterial inquiry to find out the persons behind the alleged “funding” of the agitation.

Asked whether there is any political colour to it, he said that it would not be appropriate for him to comment on this as at the moment it is important for all to work together. “All parties are highly concern and are equally focused for peace to return back to the city,” he said.