NHRC directs EJH dist admin to address border villagers’ plight

SHILLONG: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the State Government to redress the grievances of residents of five East Jaintia Hills villages which have been forced to use Bangladesh currency for daily transactions besides being deprived of the most basic facilities.
In an order issued to the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, the NHRC director said that the authority concerned should take appropriate action within eight weeks and inform the complainant of the steps taken to address the issue.
The NHRC directive came after a law student Kynjaimon Amse petitioned the Commission about the plight of the 3,500 people living in Huroi, Hingari, Lailong (Hingaria), Lejri and Baskuna villages of the district. The complainant in the petition said that people of these villages used Bangladesh currency notes for daily transactions. Besides, there was no power supply and cellular, telephone connectivity in any of the villages. The villages also lacked a PHC or hospital and the nearest PHC was around 50km away in Umkiang.