FKJGP closes down over 30 shops of non-tribals over trading licence

MAWKYRWAT, April 14: More than 30 shops owned by non-tribals allegedly operating without valid trading licences from the KHADC were closed down by the Federation of Khasi-Jaintia & Garo People (FKJGP), South East Khasi Border Circle, on Monday. The crackdown took place at Sonatola, Nongkriah, and Balat markets under Mawsynram in East Khasi Hills.
In a statement issued on Monday, president of the FKJGP South East Khasi Border Circle, Kyrmen Shangdiar, said the action followed surprise inspections of trading licences in various local markets along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Mawsynram Block. During the checks, the federation found that many non-tribal shopkeepers lacked trading licences, while others were operating with expired licenses issued by the district council.
Shangdiar criticised the failure of authorities to curb illegal trading by non-tribals, saying it had severely impacted local livelihoods. “It is very unfortunate that people from outside the state can so easily penetrate our local rural markets, taking away small trade opportunities that should belong to our local people and reducing them to mere buyers,” he said.
The FKJGP urged the Sordars, Himas, and the KHADC not to issue new trading licences to non-tribals in the area, arguing that small-scale trading should be preserved as a source of livelihood for indigenous residents.  The federation also raised concerns over the unchecked movement of individuals from outside the state in rural areas, who go from village to village pretending to sell goods. “This is dangerous, as no one knows whether these people are genuine traders, criminals, or have other motives,” the statement added.