Govt rejects request of ABYSO for permission to visit Ichamati

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 21, 2020

The state government has rejected the request of the All Bengali Youth & Students Organization (ABYSO) for permission and security to visit Ichamati in East Khasi Hills district. 

“…we do not recommend visits to Ichamati by your organization or other NGOs,” Under Secretary, Home (Political) Department, P Jyrwa said in her letter to the ABYSO presdent Chandan Chatterjee on Tuesday. 

The ABYSO has sought permission to visit Ichamati on Wednesday. 

She said the state government has conducted an enquiry in this matter, the report of which has been submitted to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. 

The enquiry was ordered by Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills district comprising the members of the District Child Protection Committee wherein a joint inspection was conducted. 

“The report found that there are no cases of harassment faced by the residents of Ichamati and particularly women and children,” the Under Secretary said. 

The government official however said the report did find that there were instances of economic hardship faced by the residents of the area, caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The state government is fully aware of the situation and has already initiated necessary steps to alleviate the hardship faced by the residents of Ichamati,” Jyrwa said. 

She further informed that the issue of non-renewal of the trading licenses of the residents has been taken up with the KHADC by the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills District.