Meghalaya's Relocation Debate: Shillong's Punjabi Lane Residents on 15-Day Notice

The Meghalaya government has given residents of Shillong's Punjabi Lane 15 days to decide on a relocation proposal. Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar discussed the plan with the Harijan Panchayat Committee, aiming to move 342 families to a new site. Despite meetings, unresolved issues remain, prompting further discussions.

The Meghalaya government has directed residents of Punjabi Lane in Shillong to respond within 15 days to a proposed relocation package, as instructed on Saturday.

Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar met with leaders of the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) in a closed-door session to negotiate the relocation of 342 families. Dhar emphasized that residents need to consult with higher organizations and finalize any remaining issues, including consensus with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The government has already presented a relocation proposal and blueprint to the HPC, aiming to move the families to the Shillong Municipal Board premises at Bishop Cotton Road, which the HPC has accepted.

Jagdeep Singh from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee found the meeting positive but acknowledged unresolved issues that need more deliberation. The National People's Party-led MDA ruling alliance has been working on resolving this since 2018, suggesting a new site for settlers amid their resistance. A public demand-driven proposal prompted by past violence and curfews proposed relocating mainly Sikh residents, initially brought to Shillong for sanitation work by the British. The government has offered an additional 1.4 acres on top of the existing 2.14 acres. Though Sikhs initially resisted, they agreed under conditions, including government coverage of house construction costs. Several local NGOs, however, oppose the plan, fearing indigenous neglect could spark unrest.