Shillong’s Punjab Lane: Meghalaya’s Deputy CM asked to Rehabilitate Sikhs than Relocating
Posted: 21 Jun 2018 08:47 AM PDTSHILLONG, Meghalaya—A delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) headed by S. Paramjit Singh Sarna met the Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya Mr. Prestone Tynsong regarding Meghalaya government’s plan to displace Sikhs from the Punjab Lane. Notably, Prestone Tynsong is also heading the High Level Committee (HLC) constituted by the state government to resolve the long pending issue of relocation of the colony from its present location as per the demands of local pressure groups.
Sharing the development with media, S. Paramjit Singh Sarna informed that they have made it clear to the Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong that they don’t agree with the terms of HLC. He added that they have told Tynson that the government should rehabilitate the Sikh people in the place where they have been residing from two centuries and the government can develop the area. “If the government wants to build a commercial complex there, then the government should allot flats to Sikhs living in Harijan colony of Punjabi lane” he added.
Sarna said that he also questioned Tynsong about where the government will relocate the Gurdwara Sahib and the Guru Nanak School.
Earlier on June 17, the Harijan Panchayat Committee, had said in a letter addressed to the Meghalaya’s CM that they cannot accept the terms of reference of the HLC and hence rejected the relocation of the residents.