Following allegations raised by the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) regarding potential discrepancies in recent information provided in response to an RTI query, the Meghalaya government has taken decisive action. The query, directed to the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and Urban Affairs department, unveiled that out of 342 families in the Harijan Colony at Them Iew Mawlong, 148 were identified as illegal settlers.
Prompted by the revelation, the HYC approached Deputy Chief Minister Tynsong, urging intervention amid concerns about discrepancies between disclosed and court-affirmed figures. Responding to the plea, Deputy Chief Minister Tynsong ordered a re-verification process, instructing the SMB CEO and Director of Urban Affairs to conduct a thorough review and provide clarifications.
Citing past instances of RTI responses differing from official records, Tynsong emphasized the necessity of accuracy in such matters. The government has scheduled a meeting with the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) on May 7 to discuss relocating residents from Them Iew Mawlong, amidst ongoing scrutiny over settlement legality and population figures. This proactive step underscores the government’s commitment to addressing stakeholder concerns.