MAWKYRWAT: After apprehending three non-tribals from Ranikor who came to sell vegetables, the KSU, South West Khasi Hills circle on Friday questioned the Deputy Commissioner of the district, Isawanda Laloo whether ‘we need highly skilled labourers from outside the state to sell vegetables?’
The KSU has also apprehended four workers from Mawkyrwat.
Union president, Forwardman Nongrem informed that the three non-tribals who were on their way to Nongjri, under Ranikor Civil Sub-Division to sell vegetables were apprehended by the KSU on Thursday at Ranikor.
The non-tribals were identified as Gopal Nath, Bisnu Das and Akash Thapa, all from Assam.
“It is very surprising as to how these people from outside the state got permission to enter our district freely without proper documents to certify that they are healthy and not affected by COVID-19. How come the DC and the entire administration allow these people from outside to roam freely in our district? This will definitely put the local people in danger of getting affected by COVID-19,” Nongrem said. Nongrem also lambasted the district administration and the government on their statements that Meghalaya needs highly skilled labourers, but according to the KSU, the fact is to facilitate people from outside to roam freely in the district. “Do we need highly skilled labourers for selling vegetables? Are the local people not skilled enough to sell vegetables that the government has to invite people from Assam?, he said.
The DC, in her appeal to the people of South West Khasi, recently said that the district is strictly adhering to prescribed protocols for entry of workers from outside the state as per notification issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, which permits highly skilled workers and technical professionals whose services are required for ongoing works.
“Such workers will comply to all conditions set by the government such as pre-registration, mandatory testing, paid quarantine and other requirements under the close supervision of the district administration,” Laloo said.
The members of the union again on Friday morning apprehended four non-tribal labourers from Mawkyrwat who hailed from Chennai and Assam and engaged in the construction work of the power station at Mawpon, in Mawkyrwat.
The four labourers as well as the three non-tribals who came to sell vegetables were sent back by the KSU.
“The apprehension of the people from outside the state by the union shows that the district administration of South West Khasi Hills district has failed to tackle the issue to prevent our people from the spread of coronavirus”, the KSU said.
It also shows that the DC administered our district in a haphazard manner by restricting only the local people and allow the people from outside to move freely’, Nongrem said.
“We will continue to strictly check the movement of people from outside the state so that the spread of coronavirus can be prevented and we urge the Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills that if she cannot handle it anymore, she should think of leaving our district,” Nongrem said.
