Hima Mylliem, KHADC & NIA to conduct spot checking soon
SHILLONG: The Hima Mylliem and the KHADC, assisted by an organisation called the Nong Iew Association (NIA), will conduct joint spot inspection at Iewduh (Bara Bazaar) in the coming weeks.
Informing this here on Thursday, NIA chief Korbar L. Nonglait said, “An immediate joint spot inspection will be conducted but the authorities have not confirmed the date.”
The NIA expressed concern over influx of immigrants who have established businesses at Bara Bazaar without proper documents and without the knowledge of the KHADC and the Hima Mylliem. They also voiced their opposition to the harassment of farmers by middlemen, mushrooming of porters who do not possess valid documents and prevalence of child labour in tea stalls and shops at Iewduh.
“Iewduh (Bara Bazaar) is our lifeline and a sacred place for us and we will proceed in our effort to ameliorate the conditions at Iewduh,” Nonglait asserted.
Admitting that Iewduh is turning dirtier with each passing day, Nonglait alleged that influx of countless immigrants is the reason behind the filth and garbage that are strewn indiscriminately. He also pointed out that the immigrants have turned Bara Bazaar into a residential area despite the same being prohibited by the Hima Mylliem.
Unwilling to hold accountability on the existing chaos, Myntri in charge of Finance, M.B. Kharlukhi, said, “Iewduh is a huge area and we cannot maintain patrolling personnel for the purpose of cleanliness. It is up to the people.”
With regards to influx of immigrants, Hima Mylliem has decided to take up the matter at its executive dorbar to be convened soon.
The NIA, meanwhile, alleged that immigrants have been residing at Bara Bazaar for the past 15 years.
Asked why the matter was not raised for the last 15 years, NIA general secretary Gabriel Malniang said they had submitted a memorandum to the Hima Mylliem in 2012 but no action was ever taken.
In connection with the allegations of the NIA, Hima Mylliem Myntri in charge of Market, S. Lyngdoh Nongbsap, feigned ignorance and refuted the allegations of the NIA which had claimed that Hima Mylliem overlooked the immigration problem and that the Myntris might have been benefitted from the immigrants.
“We were oblivious to the allegations until media reports came out, we have not received any complaint as yet at the executive dorbar,” Nongbsap claimed.
“If anyone person is found violating the rules of the Hima, they will be liable for punishment,” Nongbsap added.
With regards to the difficulties faced by people at Iewduh, KHADC EM in charge Labour, Banteidor Lyngdoh, observed that congestion coupled with traffic chaos and the dirt and filth have created problems for passers-by and traders alike.
KHADC EM in charge Market, Hadrian Lyngdoh, said a proposal for setting up of a women’s market was sent to the Hima Mylliem but no steps have been taken by the Hima in this regard.
Speaking on allegations of child labour, the EM in charge Labour said, “Complaints were sent by the Hima Mylliem to the department of child labour but the department has not given any reply so far.”
Stating that the Hima Mylliem did not take up the issue of porters despite two reminders being sent to the Hima, Lyngdoh stated that the Hima had expressed its inability to take up the issue as the Syiem was unwell.