Groups move JHADC CEM over ‘non-recognition’ of villages in Elaka Labang Nongphyllut
JOWAI, July 9: The Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) on Wednesday warned against attempts to create unrest and threaten the indigenous Khasi-Pnar people in Block-I amid ongoing issues related to the Meghalaya government’s alleged failure to recognise villages in Elaka Labang Nongphyllut.
In response to grievances raised by village leaders from Block-I, members of the HNYF and the Hynniewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF) called on Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) Chief Executive Member, Thombor Shiwat, seeking immediate intervention to address the difficulties faced by villagers due to the absence of official recognition.
The settlements, covering 36 villages within Block-I, have been struggling to obtain essential documents such as voter EPIC, Aadhaar cards, birth certificates and other vital documents. This lack of recognition has reportedly severely affected many Khasi-Pnar residents, with students dropping out of school due to the absence of required documentation.
It may be recalled that the JHADC had issued official recognition to these villages on August 16, 2023. However, the Meghalaya government has yet to acknowledge or list these villages under its jurisdiction, leaving the issue unresolved.
A delegation led by HNYF president Babu SK Blah, along with village headmen and HBDRF members, met the CEM, who assured them that the matter had been forwarded to the concerned department of the state government and promised further follow-up.
Blah expressed deep concern over the state government’s failure to recognise these villages, stating that it continues to negatively impact education, development and healthcare access for residents.
He also issued a stern warning to certain Karbi associations and groups for allegedly attempting to create unrest in the area, reminding them that many Karbi individuals are residing and studying peacefully in Meghalaya and any harm to Khasi-Pnar residents will not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, P Rymbai, a senior member of HNYF Jaintia Hills, stated that the organisation will continue to follow up on the matter and will soon meet with the respective block development officers (BDOs) in the forthcoming days.
