North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum has stressed that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) should fully implement Section 3 of the Trading by Non-Tribals Regulation 1954 in letter and spirit.
“The district councils should fully implement Section 3 and encourage our own people who have the ability to run various businesses within the jurisdiction of the council because if there is no regulation then this will also be one of the causes that will change the demographics of our state one day,” Nongrum told Highland Post recently.
Stating that the main job of the district council is to protect the tribal rights and ownership, he said that the KHADC members should not spring into action only when elections are closing in.
“When you have a provision empowered by law then implement it in letter and spirit and not only during election time. Give the indigenous people who are eligible the opportunity, preferences and support,” he said.
When asked about the issue pertaining to the issuance of no-objection certificates (NOCs) by self-styled non-Khasi headmen, the legislator said that the district council has to deal with such activities as per the law and cannot compromise on such matters.
KHADC chief Pyniad Sing Syiem recently said that the district council does not recognise any self-styled non-Khasi headman from the Refugee Rehabilitation (RR) Colony in Rynjah. Syiem added that the KHADC will also not recognise any documents or NOC issued by the RR Colony Social Welfare Society for renewal of trading licences.
He also reminded that under the Hima Mylliem Act 2007, non-Khasis cannot be elected as Rangbah Shnong.
