Shillong, June 21: A delegation of Meghalaya BJP leaders, led by State BJP President Rikman Momin, met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to Shillong and urged him to help find an amicable solution to the long-pending relocation of the Dalit Sikh community from Them Iew Mawlong to the proposed Cantonment area.
The delegation included three BJP district presidents from East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi. During the meeting, Momin apprised the Defence Minister of the sensitivity and significance of the issue and requested the Ministry of Defence to facilitate an early resolution in the larger interest of Meghalaya and the NDA government.
East Khasi Hills BJP District President Priambada Blah said the state government has been making efforts to resolve the long-pending issue and noted that a timely solution would help build confidence among the tribal communities. She added that the Khasi-Jaintia community would be grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi if the matter is resolved during his tenure.
The delegation also raised concerns regarding civic and land-related issues in the Shillong Cantonment area. BJP State Vice-President Bipen Pradhan urged the implementation of building bye-laws in the cantonment area and called for the early rollout of a new policy that has remained pending since 2017. He said the delay in implementing the policy and the continuation of the interim arrangement have adversely affected residents, with some reportedly facing a sharp increase in land rent due to the implementation of STR provisions.
Pradhan further warned that the prolonged delay of nearly nine years could result in avoidable legal disputes in the future.
Shillong City BJP President Bob Lyngdoh also sought early approval for defence land acquisition required for the expansion of the Shillong road stretch from Barik Point to Jhalupara.
The Union Defence Minister gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured them that all issues and grievances raised would be examined. He further assured that the matters would be taken up with the concerned authorities for an early resolution.
