The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) recently met with Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) Thombor Shiwat to discuss issues affecting the indigenous tribal population of the region.
Four matters were put up by the JSU before the CEM which include immediate halt to issuance of new licenses to non-tribals for jobs meant for the locals, no objection certificates not to be issued to the North East Frontier Railway or any organisations and factories that could affect tribal demographics, misuse of tribal names by non-tribal-run establishment and strict enforcement against benami transactions under the Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act, 1998.
The union stressed on unchecked issuance of trading licenses to non-tribals, many of whom operate without valid permits. This practice, according to the union, is directly impacting employment opportunities for the local tribal population from the smallest forms of work to larger businesses as non-tribals are dominating the job market.
The JSU warned that if the JHADC fails to address these issues with urgency and seriousness, it will take it upon itself to handle these matters independently in the interest of protecting tribal rights and identity.
