Nongpoh: After a surprise checking conducted by the Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) in Nongpoh on Saturday, more than 115 shops operated by non-tribals were forced to shut down for not possessing valid trading licenses from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
The surprise checking – code named ‘Sier Lapalang Operation’, was led by HYC Ri Bhoi vice president Jayson Lennox Nongrum who was accompanied by members of the Nongpoh circle and other units.
During the checking, HYC members discovered that most of the non-tribal shops operating in Nongpoh did not possess valid documents issued by the KHADC.
This came as a surprise to the HYC members which led them to question the functioning of the Enforcement Wing of the KHADC.
The checking was also stopped following the intervention of police personnel.
It may be mentioned that ‘Sier Lapalang Operation’ aims at eradicating illegal establishments set up by non-tribals and includes labourers who do not possess valid documents .
Speaking to media persons, Nongrum said that the checking was conducted as the HYC had received a number of complaints regarding the illegal setting up of shops by non-tribals in Nongpoh without obtaining the required documents from the KHADC.
Nongrum also criticised the action taken by police and said, “If our action is illegal, then the police should also shut down the illegal shops of non-tribals as they are operating freely without any licenses from the KHADC”.
“We respect the request of the police to stop the checking for the time being, but we will conduct similar checkings in the coming days, not just in Nongpoh but the whole of Ri Bhoi district,” Nongrum said.
“Non-tribals can only re-open their shops after obtaining proper documents from the KHADC,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nongrum lamented on the fact that nowadays non-tribals who wish to open new shops or renew their licenses need not go to the KHADC as a few members of the Enforcement Staff of the KHADC act as agents instead of performing their duties.
Nongrum also informed that the HYC will meet the Executive Member of the KHADC in charge of Trade to submit a report on the checking.
He urged the concerned authority of the KHADC to minimise the issuing of licenses to non-tribals.
Concern over NRC spillover
Following the release of the final list of the NRC by the Assam Government, Nongrum said that the HYC is deeply concerned as till date Meghalaya does not have any proper mechanism to monitor influx.
“It is high time that members of the KHADC should keep strict vigil as more than 19 lakh people who were not included in the final NRC list of Assam might turn Meghalaya into their safe haven,” he said.
