Shillong, June 22: A delegation of BJP leaders, led by the State President Rikman Momin along with three District Presidents from East Khasi Hills and Ri-bhoi called on the Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh during his visit in Shillong, to find an agreeable solution to the long-pending relocation issue of the Dalit Sikh community from Them Iew Mawlong to the proposed Cantonment Area.
Shri Rikman Momin who apprised the Union Defence Minister on the sensitivity and significance of the matter and urged the Ministry to arrive at an early and amicable solution in the larger interest of the state and NDA Government at the centre.
District President Smti Priambada Blah stated that the state has been trying to resolve the long pending issue as a timely solution will help the party gain confidence among the tribals.
The Khasi Jaintia community will be highly grateful to our honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, if the matter can be resolved at the earliest and during his tenure.
State Vice President Shri Bipen Pradhan requested for the implementation of building bye-laws in Shillong Cantonment area.
He also expressed the need to expedite the implementation of the new policy which is pending since 2017 as the interim policy has affected the residents who are now supposed to pay land rent thousand (1000) times due to implementation of STR.
Shri Bipen Pradhan stated that interim policy is pending for the last 9 years and such a delay may lead to unwarranted litigation in the future.
Additionally, the Shillong City President Bob Lyngdoh, sought an early approval for defence land acquisition required for the smooth completion of the expansion of Shillong road from Barik point till Jhalupara.
The Union Defence Minister gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured them that all the highlighted issues and grievances raised would be examined and that he would take up the matters with the concerned authorities for early solution for the same.
