New Delhi: The National Commission for Scheduled Caste issued a notice to Meghalaya Government after taking cognisance of the issue related to the relocation of Dalit Sikhs from Punjabi lane of Shillong. NCSC chairman and BJP MP Vijay Sampla on Monday confirmed that the commission is looking into the matter.
"People from Scheduled Caste category are being displaced from Shillong in Meghalaya where they have been living for so long. This is because the state government wants to acquire their lands. We have taken note of this and asked the government to reply on the issue. If they want to relocate them somewhere else, they must assure the location first. The state government has not replied so far.
As per information received so far, people from the SC community have built temples and Gurudwara over the years and around 28000 people are living there currently. We have asked the Meghalaya government to provide the necessary details and our commission will also meet people living there. We will also talk to the officials concerned and people will get justice," said Sampla.
A high level committee in Meghalaya recently recommended eviction of Sikhs from Punjabi lane in Shillong and relocate them somewhere else. However, the Harijan Panchayat Committee an organisation of Dalit Sikhs in Shillong opposed the move and warned of an agitation if the government tried to implement the decision forcefully.
Around 350 Sikh families have been living in the area for more than 200 years. The location is situated in the heart of capital city and as per reports, government intends to use the prime location for building accommodation for government employees.
"If the state government wants to acquire the land they must give a good alternative option to the residents. This is a rule and they can not just order the residents to vacate the area. The commission has taken the matter into cognisance and we will ensure justice for the Scheduled caste communities living in Shillong" said Vijay Sampla.
As per reports, the community residing in the area are planning strong resistance against the government move to acquire their lands and relocate them from the place they have been living for decades.
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