SHILLONG: Executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Latiplang Kharkongor will conduct raids on illegal businesses operating in the city without trading licences.
Kharkongor, who recently took charge of the trade department, has asked businessmen to renew their licences or to apply for fresh ones.
He also expressed concern over the lack of monitoring as he stated that the public have complained against illegal trading in the city.
Addressing media persons on Thursday, Kharkongor said, “As per statistics, there are many traders who are operating without licence. The coming of outsiders seems to be an everyday affair and they sell materials on the roadside and even in various localities/villages.”
“A meeting of inspector, superintendent level and staff from the enforcement department of the KHADC will soon be held to survey the number of illegal traders,” he added.
“Those who do not possess any documents, the shops will have to be shut. There will be no compromise in any manner,” he said, adding that the KHADC has been going soft for too long.
Asserting that the migration of outsiders is threatening the livelihood of locals, Kharkongor said the growing number of outsiders getting into trade is depriving locals of employment which does not augur well for the state.
As for the Elaka department, Kharkongor said he will ensure smooth functioning of the department, especially between the Himas.
On the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Kharkongor said Bangladeshis have always entered the country freely which will result in the indigenous community being wiped out.
“The Centre does not understand the needs of the indigenous communities. In the end, we have to demand our rights and revive the agreement we had with India and look into the Instrument of Accession. Look at what happen in Assam, they have bulldozed the CAB. In the state there is nothing to protect, we don’t have an ILP,” he added.
