SHILLONG, APR 4: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Monday released a ‘documentary film’ which portrays the present economic condition of the indigenous people in the Khasi – Jaintia Hills region of the state.
According to the union, the documentary film is to make a clarion appeal to the people that it is high time for the indigenous community to ensure that it has an upper hand on the economy of the region.
Entitled as ‘The trade and commerce in the Bri U Hynniewtrep’, the documentary film was released by the KSU president Daniel Khyriem in the presence of former KSU president Samuel B Jyrwa and KSU general secretary Auguster Jyrwa at the Khasi National Awakening Day observed in the city.
The documentary film was shot in the different major markets including Iewduh, Khyndailad in the state’s capital besides those in the headquarters of the six districts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.
As per the survey conducted during the making of the documentary film, it was found that leasing of shops to non-indigenous and practice of benami transaction have become major stumbling block for unemployed youths.
It has also found that owners preferred to lease the shops to non-indigenous traders while locals are being made to sit in the roadside because of the exorbitant charges.
“We demand the state government and the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) to refrain from rampant issuing of no objection certificates (NOCs) and trading licenses to non-indigenous traders,” KSU president Daniel Khyriem said.
He also appeal to shop owners to give first preference to indigenous traders while leasing their shops otherwise the union will be compelled to take other means to ensure their compliance.
Pointing out the problem of unemployment is increasing in the state, Khyriem however said the unemployed youths who want to stand on their own feet are being discouraged due to lack of opportunity.
“The Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had assured to come up with a regulation to ensure that local youths are given first preference,” he informed.
Stating it is high time that the economic interest of the people should be protected, Khyriem said, “We should ensure that we are politically, socially and economically strong so that outsiders do not get any influence.”
He also informed that the union had been fighting to ensure political rights of the indigenous community is protected by ensuring that outsiders do not get to enroll in the electoral rolls of the state.
Echoing similar views, KSU general secretary Auguster Jyrwa said that the day is to appeal to the indigenous people to wake up and start fighting to protect and preserve our own economic interest.
“Because if we don’t, we would definitely become a foreigner in our land,” he said while informing that most of the trades have been snatch away by outsiders which will pose a serious threat to the indigenous community.
Meanwhile, the KSU has also informed that the documentary film will be shown by the different cable operators starting from Thursday.- By Our Reporter
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