By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 12: The Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF), South East Sohra Circle, on Tuesday demanded a clarification from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) regarding the blacklisting of a security firm operating at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Meghalaya in Sohra without a valid trading licence.
The organisation asked the KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh whether the council informed the management of the Guwahati-based North Eastern Security Services (NESS) Pvt Ltd about the decision to blacklist it. Lyngdoh had announced this decision on the floor of the council.
Speaking to reporters, HNYF South East Sohra Circle spokesperson Bajop Khongwir expressed resentment over the organisation’s inability to meet the CEM, despite seeking an appointment for the third consecutive time. He said that the HNYF had opposed the security agency’s engagement at NIT Sohra, as it allegedly did not possess a trading licence from the KHADC and had also failed to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Dorbar Shnong Saitsohpen.
According to Khongwir, the CEM had stated during the KHADC session that the agency had been blacklisted after his organisation lodged complaints with both the KHADC and the NIT authorities.
The HNYF claimed that during a meeting, the NIT management informed them that it received a notification from the KHADC regarding the blacklisting, while NESS allegedly did not receive any such official communication. Khongwir also referred to reports published in The Shillong Times, claiming that the council did not serve any blacklisting order to the security agency.
“We want the CEM to make public the official letter addressed to the NESS regarding the blacklisting so that the public can know the truth and there is clarity on the continued functioning of the agency at the NIT Sohra campus,” he said.
The HNYF leader also raised concern over reports that the KHADC allegedly failed to appear during hearings related to a petition filed by NESS before the High Court of Meghalaya challenging the council’s action.
He maintained that the agency’s legal challenge has implications for the authority of traditional institutions and the enforcement powers of the KHADC.
Meanwhile, in a letter issued on March 19 to the NIT Meghalaya Registrar, the KHADC Licensing Officer directed the institute to terminate the contract awarded to the NESS, stating that the firm was operating within the jurisdiction of the KHADC without obtaining a valid trading licence as required under the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District (Trading by Non-Tribals) Regulation, 1954 and the Rules, 1959.
The letter stated that the contract awarded to the agency for providing security services at NIT Meghalaya violated the provisions of the regulation governing non-tribal businesses operating within the district council’s jurisdiction.
The KHADC further instructed the institute to ensure strict compliance with the regulation in respect of all firms, agencies, and contractors operating within the areas under the KHADC.
A copy of the letter was also marked to the NESS and the Sirdar of Elaka Saitsohpen for information.
