Shillong’s Punjabi Lane: Meghalaya Government Ensures Safety of Sikhs

NEW DELHI, India—On June 13, the Meghalaya’s chief secretary PS Thangkhiew presented the state government’s report about Shillong’s Punjabi lane area dispute to the MHA officials in which he has assured the safety of Sikhs living in the Punjab lane area of Shillong. Notably, the Ministry of Home Affairs had summoned the Meghalaya government on the complaint of Shiromani Akali Dal when a banned militant organization Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) had threatened the Sikhs living in the Punjabi lane area.

Sharing the development with media, DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa informed that he has apprised the MHA’s joint secretary about the issue in detail and its possible solutions. “We have told the MHA that the safety of our community residing in Shillong is our primary concern today,” he added.

“We have been ensured by the MHA officials that they were taking up the issue very seriously and if needed, they will also summon the Meghalaya’s CM Conrad K. Sangma,” Sirsa said while expressing hope for a clean and clear solution to the problem.

Sirsa further informed that the MHA officials have ordered the Meghalaya government to keep the issue on standby mode till Court’s final orders or taking up the issue with them.

“A delegation of DSGMC held a meeting with Ministry of Home Affairs Officials regarding Shillong matter. They apprised us that the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya Govt has shared a report about the situation and the solution. The Chief Minister of Meghalaya Sangma Conrad Ji has been kind enough to monitor the situation constantly and personally. He has informed MHA that he will be holding a meeting with all stakeholders in next week to find a befitting solution. CM Sangma also assured us that Sikhs/Punjabis of Shillong have nothing to fear about,” Sirsa wrote from his Facebook wall.