From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, July 22: The officers from the Labour and Infiltration departments of Ri-Bhoi and the Umiam Police Station on Monday inspected the documents of migrant workers at the Umiam Industrial Area, which is believed to have become a hideout for criminals. This operation was conducted with the assistance of the leaders of Umiam village.
Speaking to the reporters after the inspection, the headman of Umiam, Stevenson Kharkrang said the village leaders accompanied the officers following a letter from the Labour Department.
He said the village leaders have a better understanding of the local situation as community leaders.
Kharkrang expressed concern about the excessive inflow of migrant workers, alleging that the industrial area has turned into a hideout for criminal elements. He claimed a leader of the village was assaulted by a migrant worker a few months ago.
When the village authorities sought the worker, the factory owner claimed he had fled and had no identification documents. This, he said, posed a significant threat to the community.
Kharkrang added that the village authorities regularly meet with the factory owners in the Umiam Industrial Area, urging them to report to them and ensure their workers have proper documents, including police verification from their place of origin. “Without proper documents, it is impossible to distinguish between good and bad elements,” he said.
He accused some factory owners of being solely profit-driven, ignoring the community’s guidelines during the renewal of no objection certificates (NOCs). He emphasised that Monday’s inspection revealed many migrant workers lacked proper documentation.
Kharkrang urged the Labour Department and the KHADC to strengthen the enforcement of existing laws to ensure comprehensive inspections. He also urged the KHADC not to issue new trading licenses to non-tribals in the area, unless they have the NOCs issued by the village authority.
He stated that undocumented migrant workers should leave the area immediately and assured that the village would continue its efforts to monitor and inspect workers. If any resistance is encountered, the village will take stringent measures.
The headman concluded by emphasising that these actions aim to maintain peace and order in the village. Migrant workers must enter the village through proper channels, not surreptitiously.
HYC shuts down ‘illegal’ rubber plant in Ri-Bhoi
The leaders of the Ri-Bhoi district unit of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Monday conducted a raid on a rubber manufacturing company named Resource Rubber Private Limited (RRPL) at Mawsmai, following complaints of illegal operation without proper documentation from the relevant authorities.
A heated argument during the raid nearly escalated into a physical altercation between the members of the organisation and the owner of the company, Joginder Pal Kapoor. The owner allegedly tried to use force against the members of the organisation and refused to show the required documents.
Accompanying the raid was Donald Rymbai, the landowner, who claimed that the company had been operating illegally on his land for nearly two years without paying the appropriate rent according to the agreement. He also said the trading license of the company expired in March but it continued operating illegally despite numerous complaints lodged with the KHADC and the former deputy commissioner of Ri-Bhoi.
Tony Shylla, general secretary of HYC’s Ri-Bhoi unit, stated that the raid was conducted after receiving information about the illegal operations of the company. He accused the non-local owner of showing no respect to the landowners and the residents of the Hynniewtrep area by using force and refusing to provide the requested documents.
The HYC shut down the company and warned of stringent action if it reopened without obtaining all the necessary documents.