By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 26: Non-tribal traders in the Majai area under Shella closed their shops on Tuesday after learning that KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Shemborlang Rynjah, along with Executive Members Winston Tony Lyngdoh and Seiborlang Warbah, would be visiting the area.
The visit by the CEM, his two EMs, and council officials was not intended for checking trading licences. However, the decision of non-tribal traders to shut their shops has raised doubts about whether they were attempting to conceal certain activities.
During the visit, the CEM held a consultative meeting with leaders of the Hima Sohra, village headmen, and members of the Synjuk Ki Hynriew Seng—a conglomeration of traditional bodies in the Sohra Civil Sub-Division. Several key issues were reportedly discussed. Following the meeting, the team inspected the Majai area, where it was observed that all shops and businesses run by non-tribals had been closed.
Meanwhile, EM Winston Tony Lyngdoh, who is in charge of the Labour department, clarified that the council had issued receipts of Rs 700 to migrant workers for obtaining the Non-Tribal Employee Clearance Certificate, which is valid for six months. He explained that the initial validity of 15 days was only meant to give non-tribal workers time to compile and submit the required documents. If they fail to do so within the stipulated time, they will not be granted the certificate, he added.
The visit followed complaints from the Synjuk, which had raised concerns over unregulated trade, influx of non-tribals, villages being renamed in non-native languages, illegal land acquisitions by outsiders, and unauthorised markets.
Speaking to reporters, CEM Rynjah stressed that the purpose of the visit was not to conduct licence raids but to deliberate on pressing issues affecting Majai. He said the Council would consider appropriate actions, including conducting surveys of lands and houses claimed or constructed by non-tribals, and warned that any land leases granted to non-tribals would be revoked.
While terming the presence of illegal markets as unacceptable, Rynjah did not specify what steps would be taken to address markets set up by non-tribals. On the issue of migration, he stressed that villages must maintain their own registers and keep proper records to monitor and detect illegal entries.
BV Rymmai, secretary of Hima Sohra, expressed satisfaction that the new KHADC Executive Committee was willing to cooperate with the Hima in resolving disputes and issues. He also revealed that in the past, more than a hundred non-tribals had filed lawsuits against the Hima in court after being denied trading licences.