Submit report on Shillong Sikhs: Panel to Meghalaya Government

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 11

Taking note of the Meghalaya Government’s decision to evict Scheduled Caste Sikhs from Shillong’s Harijan Colony (Punjabi Lane) and transferring ownership of their land to the state, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), on orders of Chairman Vijay Sampla, today sent a notice to state asking the authorities to submit an immediate action-taken report.

As per information received by the NCSC from reports published in newspapers, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, on the recommendations of a high-level committee on relocation of community members, ordered changing of ownership of land (on which the Harijan Colony was situated) to the Urban Affairs Department.

Officials warned

• The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has asked the Meghalaya Govt to submit a report based on facts and information on action taken on allegations
• If the report is not received within the stipulated period, the panel may issue summons for personal appearance before commission in New Delhi

The committee was constituted in June 2018 to look into the demand by the local Khasi outfits for shifting the Sikhs, who have been living in the area for generations. There was communal violence in the area in 2018, which had paralysed life in Shillong for weeks.

The state government also said the municipal employees (Dalit Sikhs who work as sweepers) living in Harijan Colony would be relocated to the new location where residences would be provided to them.

However, resisting relocation, Harijan Panchayat Committee members claimed attempts were made to evict Sikh residents of Harijan Colony by roping in the local tribal chieftain in 1954 too.

Asking officials to intervene and ensure justice the family, the commission has sent notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya; DGP; Shillong IGP; Shillong DC and SP (East Khasi Hills).

The commission asked the authorities to investigate the matter and submit a report based on the facts and information on the action taken on the allegation/matter.

Sampla cautioned officers that if the report was not received within the stipulated period, the commission might exercise the powers of the civil court conferred on it under Article 338 of the Constitution of India and issue summons for personal appearance before the commission in Delhi.