HNLC threat: HPC seek CM’s intervention for protection of Harijans

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 10, 2019

SHILLONG: The Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) has sought the intervention of the chief minister for providing immediate security and protection to the residents of the Harijan Colony in view of the threat issued by the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC). 

It has also claimed to have documentation to prove that the residents of the colony are not illegal settlers and that the land was given to them by the Syiem of Hima Mylliem before 1863. 

In a memorandum to Conrad K Sangma here on Monday, headman of HPC-Harijan Colony, Billu Singh said, “We request you to provide immediate security and protection in view of the threat to kill the residents of the area by the banned militant organization HNLC.” 

This came a day after the HNLC in a statement issued to media houses had threatened to attack the Harijan community if they continue to challenge the state government and attempt to bring communal hatred and tension over the issue related to land at Them Iew Mawlong. 

“The HNLC had eliminated Lal Singh years back at the heart of the city because of his character and his crimes and said, “The HNLC will repeat history again, there will be many more lals in the Harijan community. We have the support of our people and we don’t mind taking military action. This is not only a warning, when it comes to protect the interests of our people, we shall press the trigger and their people will fall to our bullets,” HNLC general secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw had stated. 

However, Singh said that the threat issued by the HNLC to kill the poor Sikhs of the area is to stop them from initiating proceedings of contempt against the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), which has issued notices (to the residents) even though there is a stay by the High Court, National Commission for Minorities and the National Human Rights Commission. 

He also informed that the SMB has all the details that it wants from the area and that they done survey of the area a year ago adding “more than 70 percent of the residents of the area are the employees of SMB.” 

According to him, any more details that they require can easily be had from details of the power connections, voters list and family ration cards. 

“The notices (by SMB) are an attempt to overawe and browbeat us into accepting the illegal orders of the SMB and the High-level committee as well as the Urban Affairs department,” Singh said.

The headman further claimed that the state government is also aware that the land was given to the poor Harijans prior to 1863 by the Syiem of Hima Mylliem and this was affirmed by a declaration in the year 2008. 

“We have documentation to prove that. We are not usurpers or illegal residents. Generation after generation, we are settled here for the last 200 years,” he stated in the memorandum. 

Stating that the HPC is only protecting the legitimate fundamental rights of the people of the Punjabi lane area, Singh said, “The HPC urge the government of Meghalaya to do justice to the poor residents of the Punjabi lane and now allow HNLC or anyone to overawe us through threats to kill. We urge and request you to ensure that our right to life is protected at all cost.” 

The HPC further slammed the HNLC for misleading the people of the state through its false propaganda. “We are not outsiders. We are poor, hard-working people and the allegation of a rich, lavish lifestyle by HNLC is hogwash,” Singh said. 

Claiming that there is total peace in the area and that there has been no anti-social activity or criminal activity by the residents of the area, he said a quick review of the cases at the local police station will show that the residents of the area are peace-loving people and “the allegation of HNLC are mere insinuations against us”. 

Meanwhile in a statement issued, Singh also appealed to all right-thinking people, human rights activists and organizations to raise voice and create a climate of peace in the region. 

The Sikh residents has also appealed to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and the Punjab government to respond to their call for assistance and protection, he said. 

“We have family and social contacts with the people of Punjab and therefore if social and political leaders come forward to help us, there is nothing wrong in that and the HNLC should not worry about intervention of Punjabis at large. Sikhs  have a large heart and we will be happy to request Sikhs in Punjab to help people from this region to settle there in case someone chooses too,” Singh concluded