NONGSTOIN/SHILLONG: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) said on Thursday that people in the district should not make a hue and cry over the transfer of Deputy Commissioner Arunkumar Kembhavi and instead give him a “big farewell”.
At the same time, the council said it was disappointing that Kembhavi illegally obtained EPICs for his parents and pointed out that had the DC respected “the tradition of our people”, he would have surrendered the voter cards. It expressed its wish to have a tribal deputy commissioner in West Khasi Hills.
HYC Nongstoin publicity secretary Ebryan Lyngdoh said, “We are deeply concerned over the transfer order (but) the issue is getting worse leading to heated debates among our people on social media groups.”
“Let the then DC go and let’s welcome the new DC… We wish that the government could give us IAS officers who are from our tribe so that we can all communicate well,” he added.
Talking about the EPIC imbroglio, HYC was apprehensive that outsiders might obtain EPIC from the district at ease. “This is why our organisation from time to time demands that our customary rights and laws should be preserved so that no one can come and dominate us.”
In this regard, HYC has demanded that the state government change election rules to ensure that individuals vote in their place of origin.
HYC also appreciated Kembhavi’s commitment to the district and good work during his 14-month tenure.
“West Khasi Hills has disputed border with Assam. As an IAS officer, he (Kembhavi) may one day become the DC of Kamrup or any other district in Assam and if we are not united then one day he may confess all the weaknesses to Assam,” said Lyngdoh.
The council said it would fight against infiltration in the state and hoped that the new DC would follow in the footsteps of Kembhavi and serve the district well.
