Shillong, Apr 16: The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) on Wednesday asked the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) not to issue any no-objection certificate (NOC) for implementation of the railway projects in absence of effective anti-influx mechanisms like the inner line permit (ILP).
In a memorandum submitted to the JHADC chief Thombor Shiwat, the JSU expressed strong opposition against any attempt to issue the NOC to the National Frontier Railways (NFR) for the construction or development of railway stations, or any railways related infrastructure within the Jaintia Hills region.
“We urge the JHADC not to give any kind of consent or approval for such projects until the government of Meghalaya obtains sanction from the government of India for the introduction of inner line permit (ILP) in the state,” it said adding “Issuing a NOC without ILP can result in uncontrolled migration and illegal influx, which would seriously endanger the demography, culture and identity of the Jaintia community and the indigenous tribal community of Meghalaya as a whole.”
Further, the JSU also demanded the JHADC to stop issuing new trading licenses and employment related permits to non-tribal people at once, especially for occupations and services that can be efficiently performed by skilled and competent tribal residents of the district.
“We strongly believe that employment opportunities and trades in the district should give preference to the local tribal population.”
The JSU also asserted the need for immediate and strict checking of all shop licenses, regular inspection and revocation of licenses proved to be fictitious. It said the JHADC should direct the requirement of displaying names of all non-tribal employees working in each shop or business. Non-compliance with this directive should lead to identification and eviction of such persons from the state if they fail to be listed or authenticated.
Also, the JSU has demanded the JHADC to strictly check and take action against individuals as per the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1998.
“Any failure of the JHADC to take prompt action involved in benami transactions by any individual will compel the JSU to take up the matter further to the court to seek remedy and legal justice against such malpractice,” it warned.
