TURA: Several NGOs from Tikrikilla region in West Garo Hills have alleged that non-resident traders operating at Tikrikilla Market, who are actually residents of neighbouring Assam are easily acquiring ‘illegal’ Trading by Non-Tribals (TNT) licenses from the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
In their complaint to the Executive member in charge of Taxation, organisations from the region like the All A’chik Youth Federation (AAYF), A’chik Youth Welfare Organization (AYWO) and the All Garo People’s Federation (AGPF) claimed that a recent checking of TNT licenses at the market revealed that many traders were found to be in possession of trading licenses issued by the GHADC, although they were permanent residents of Assam.
“We are shocked by the development and wonder how the Council can go against the interests of the indigenous people of Meghalaya. It is also a surprise that they have received help from some people to prepare the TNT. We fear that if we conduct the same inspection of other markets, it will be the same story in almost all areas,” the organisations said.
In order to prevent further anomalies with regard to TNT licenses, the organisations requested the GHADC authority to immediately depute a staff to conduct spot inspections at Tikrikilla and Nidanpur haats (markets) and to cancel the illegal TNTs of non-resident traders.