SHILLONG: On the occasion of the 186th Khasi National Awakening Day, the KSU demanded the two autonomous district councils-the KHADC and the JHADC-to come up with stringent and effective laws to prevent “economic invasion by people from outside”.
Pamphlets released by the KSU on Saturday stressed that the KHADC and the JHADC should protect the economic rights of the indigenous people.
“We demand that the two councils come up with a strong legislation to protect the economic activities of the local people and also prevent ‘economic invasion’ by people from outside,” the KSU stated in its pamphlets which were released by NESO chairman Samuel Jyrwa.
The KSU also stated that the District Councils should come up with stringent and effective laws while leasing out shops in markets falling under their respective jurisdictions to promote and provide opportunities to indigenous people to run and manage businesses and trades on their own.
The two councils should also effectively implement the existing laws such as the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation Act, Benami Act and others, the KSU added.
The Union alleged that the Syiem of Mylliem (the custodian of the market) has failed to protect the interests of the indigenous businessmen operating inside Iewduh.
According to the Union, as per a survey, only 982 non-indigenous businessmen in Iewduh have obtained trading license from the KHADC and “thousands are operating illegally”.
“Further, the survey revealed 30 out of 100 non-indigenous businessmen own shops, 35 out of 100 were executing their businesses through leasing the shops and only 35 out of 100 are tribal who own shops and are leasing them to run their businesses,” the KSU stated.
Based on the survey, the Union also questioned the non-tribal traders’ right to ownership of the shops in Iewduh.
“How can the Syiem of Mylliem sell a shop inside the market permanently to a non-indigenous businessman despite the existence of the land transfer act which prohibits the same,” the KSU questioned.
The KSU also urged the shop owners in Iewduh and other parts of the city to give first preference to lease their shops to indigenous people.
“At the same time, the state government should also come up with laws to regulate the issue relating to leasing of shops in Shillong, new markets and across the state in order to ensure that indigenous people get optimum opportunity,” the KSU pamphlet said.
Meanwhile, the KSU felt that there was a need to revisit the existing laws to see if they are suited to the present conditions “keeping in mind the invasion by new traders in the state”.
“There is a need to strengthen the existing acts and laws making them strong and effective to ensure that they protect the economic interests of the indigenous people of the state,” the KSU asserted.
Our Jowai correspondent adds
Meanwhile, the Khasi National Awakening Day was also observed in Jowai.
Around 200 KSU activists participated in a procession organised from Mihmyntdu playground to District Library Auditorium premises, Jowai to mark the occasion.
Placards and banners depicted messages of unity among the Khasi-Pnar people, while some condemned the Mukul Sangma-led Government for not taking the border row in the disputed Block-I area seriously.
A short meeting was also held at the premises of the District Library.
The KSU, North Khasi Hills District also observed the Khasi National Awakening Day on Saturday.
