Punjab Deputy CM Sukhjinder Randhawa opposes eviction of Sikhs in Shillong

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh/New Delhi, October 10

Deputy CM Sukhjinder Randhawa today opposed the decision of the Meghalaya Government to evict Sikhs living in Shillong. Taking up cudgels on behalf of the community, Randhawa has decided to take up the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma to protest against the wrong decision.

Two years ago, a Punjab Government delegation led by Randhawa had visited Shillong, met members of the Sikh community living there and assured them that he would vociferously oppose any move against their displacement.

Based on the recent recommendations of a high-level committee headed by Meghalaya Deputy CM Preston Tynsong, the Cabinet has approved a proposal to relocate Sikhs living in the Thame Liu Malong area (Punjabi Lane).

Randhawa opposed the Meghalaya Government’s decision, saying it was totally unjust to evict the Sikhs under the pressure of land mafia. He said the civil rights of Sikhs who had been living in Shillong for over 200 years would not be allowed to be trampled upon at any cost. He demanded that the NDA government in Meghalaya should immediately reverse the decision.

Meanwhile, the Harijan Panchayat Committee, a representative body of Dalit Sikhs living in Harijan Colony of Shillong, thanked the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) and National Commission for Scheduled Castes for taking suo motu cognisance of the issue.

NCM chief Iqbal Singh Lalpura directed the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya to furnish a detailed report on the subject and maintain status quo in the matter as directed by the Meghalaya HC.

“The Meghalaya HC at Shillong has passed orders for status quo and the matter is under consideration of the Supreme Court. Still the Sangma-led government ignored this and announced they will take possession of the 2.5 acres of land (of Harijan Colony) within a week,” said a press release issued today by committee secretary Gurjit Singh.

Meanwhile, Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, too, condemned the eviction and sought the Centre’s intervention.