Pressure groups resent non-tribal domination in business sector
NONGSTOIN: A Joint Action Committee comprising the KSU, FKJGP, HNYF, Lyngngam Indigenous Forum (LIF) and the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) of Mawshynrut conducted a check of the non- tribal population residing in Shallang, West Khasi Hills District, recently.
Following the checking, the JAC claimed that most of the businesses in Shallang were run by non- tribals, with only a handful of shops in Shallang being run by the indigenous people. The JAC also claimed that the non- tribal population in Shallang accounted for 80 per cent of the total population. The JAC further claimed that some of the non- tribals in Shallang were in possession of EPICs of West Khasi Hills District which had been obtained from Rongjeng in East Garo Hills and later transferred to West Khasi Hills. The JAC also claimed that the non- tribal people in possession of EPICs of West Khasi Hills District had obtained the cards under false names bearing Garo surnames.
The JAC has decided to meet the District Labour Inspector and the Executive Members of the KHADC to discuss measures to curb these discrepancies.
They said that if nothing conclusive was reached at these meetings, the JAC would set up an office at Shallang to keep a check on the non- tribal population of Shallang.
The JAC also decided to meet the District Administration officers of East Garo Hills District to find out how these EPICs were handed out to these non- tribal residents.
