JOWAI, Nov 7: The Synjuk Ki Waheh Chnong Jowai has decided to write to all Waheh Chnong (headmen) instructing them not to issue random no-objection certificates (NOCs) to any non-tribal who wants to establish their business activities in the entire of Jowai town area.
The Synjuk’s decision is a result of a meeting between the leaders of the Jaintia Tribal Traders’ Association (JTTA) and leaders of the Waheh Chnong on Saturday. “If NOC is randomly issued to non-tribals, the locals will be badly affected. We will instruct all Waheh Shnong that they should be on high alert before issuing NOCs to non-tribal traders,” Synjuk president, Allan Niangti, told media persons here.
President of the JTTA, Iatha Najiar, informed that time and again they have reminded the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) authorities to refrain from issuing trading licence to individuals taking up trade which locals can undertake by themselves.
But the JHADC says that once the Waheh Chnong has issued an NOC, they have no option but to issue the licence, Najiar said.
“The question here is who is looking after trading within the autonomous area? The JHADC should take stern action against such Waheh (headman) who issued any trade licence to any non-tribal if such trade is applicable to the locals,” he added.
There are two malls in Jowai — ‘VMart’ in Ladthadlaboh Jowai and ‘Family Mart’ in Loomioo-iung — and according to the two Waheh Chnong of the areas, the NOCs were issued subject to a condition that they would employ locals only.