Mawkyrwat: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) South West Khasi Hills, South Lyngngam and Ranikor circles along with the Enforcement Department of the Khasi Hills District Council (KHADC) closed down 17 shops owned by non-tribals in the Indo-Bangla border markets in South West Khasi Hills district for not having trading license.
On conducting surprise checking at Nongjri, Nongumsur and Nonghyllam markets at the international border, the organisations found that owners of 17 shops were operating without trading license issued by the KHADC.
General secretary of the HYC South West Khasi Hills Moonkingstar Paliar said that they were surprised to find that most of the non-tribals doing business in these areas did not have the licenses.
“Now they might be only shopkeepers but later they might become citizens of these areas and bring more and more outsiders,” Paliar said as he called upon the village leaders especially the headmen to be alert to prevent influx.