A four-member delegation from Punjab on Wednesdaymet members of the Sikh community in Meghalaya after reports emerged that they have been told to leave the State by the authorities there. The delegation assured full support of Punjab government to them.
The delegation is scheduled to meet Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Thursday, an official release stated here.
The delegation, led by Punjab Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, included MP Jasbir Singh Dimpa and MLAs Kulbir Singh Zira and Kuldeep Singh Vaid.
‘Infringement of rights’
“The Punjab government will take all possible steps to bring the current dispute to an amicable settlement,” said Mr. Randhawa, adding that the “infringement” of the civil rights of the Sikhs who lived in Shillong for over 200 years would not be allowed at any cost.
An official release quoting the Minister said that Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh was fully seized of the matter and was personally in touch with his counterpart in Meghalaya on this issue.
‘Serious view’
Mr. Randhawa appreciated Mr. Sangma for his efforts to diffuse the tension, maintaining that the Punjab CM had taken a serious view of the media reports regarding threats being issued to Sikhs in Shillong.
The members of the Sikh community in Meghalaya told the delegation that the administration there had dubbed the area where they lived as “slum” and wanted their eviction.
The delegation said they were for a peaceful solution to the problem and would discuss the matter with the Meghalaya Chief Minister.
The delegation also visited Gurdwara Nanak Darbar in Shillong, whose president Gurjeet Singh complained that they were being forcibly evicted by the Meghalaya government.
