Shillong Sikhs: MHA summons Meghalaya CS

Shillong, June 12

Following a complaint from the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Ministry of Home Affairs has called the Meghalaya Government for a meeting tomorrow on the issue related to the settlers of Punjabi Lane here, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said today.

“State Chief Secretary PS Thangkhiew will attend the meeting with the MHA officials tomorrow. He is expected to present all details before the ministry,” Tynsong said.

The MHA summon came after SAD leader from Delhi, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, sought the intervention of Home Minister Amit Shah following a threat by a banned militant organisation, Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council, to the “illegal” settlers at Punjabi Lane.

Punjabi Lane is inhabited by people from Punjab brought to Shillong around 150 years ago by the British to work as cleaners and sweepers. The authorities have directed residents to furnish documents by July 3 to prove that they had settled in the area legally. — PTI