JSM demands bifurcation of Elaka Jowai & setting up of JHADC’s branch in EJHD

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 3, 2019

JOWAI:  For the convenience of the people of East Jaiñtia Hills District, the Jaintia Students Movement (JSM) Central Body today demanded the bifurcation of Elaka Jowai into two Elaka viz Elaka Jowai and Elaka Tuber and setting up of branch’s office of the Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) in Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District.

In memorandum submitted to Chief Executive Member of JHADC Thombor Shiwat, the JSM asserted that the Elaka Jowai covered 83 villages situated in both West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills District and the people living in villages under East Jaintia Hills have to go all the way to Jowai for any works with the Honorable Dolloi of Elaka Jowai thereby causing loss of times and money.

They also informed that prominent leaders from 27 villages under Raid Tuber of Elaka Jowai held a meeting on 7^th October, 2016 under the banner of Raid Tuber Elaka Demand Committee at Tuberkmai Shnong, East Jaintia Hills District where they advocated the need of bifurcating Elaka Jowai into two Elaka namely Jowai and Tuber. This could be done so as per Section 3 (2) clause (a) of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Establishment of Elaka and Village and Election, Appointment, Powers, Functions and Jurisdiction of Dolloi/Sirdar and Waheh Shnong) Act 2015, the memo added.

The people of East Jaiñtia Hills District have to go all the way to Jowai for any official works in JHADC thereby causing loss of money and times, the JSM demanded the setting up of branch office of the JHADC with all vital departments by judiciously and effectively utilizing the present manpower of the Council without creation of any new posts. They also stressed that the CEM and the Executive Members should also be available for meeting public in Khliehriat once in every week.

The memorandum read that the organization demanded the return of sanctity to Iaw Pynkat where only Khasi Pnar people will sell their goods in the said market as presently several non tribal sellers are selling their goods in Iaw Pynkat. They urged the JHADC to conduct immediate joint checking of trading licenses of the non tribal sellers along with members of JSM and to revoke any trading licenses issued.

The JSM demands the enforcing of trading licenses by non tribal and labour licenses with full earnest and to conduct checking of all shops & business set up run by non tribal and close down any shops/set up without trading licenses. They issued a deadline till 15^th of this month to the JHADC for carrying out checking of trading licenses and labour licenses

Talking to media persons after meeting Shiwat, JSM President Leningstar Rymbai informed that the meeting with the CEM is fruitful as he has assured to examine their demands.