SHILLONG, FEB 4: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Thursday decided to conduct a joint-inspection of Iewduh market to see several allegations which include the rampant illegal settling inside the market by people with doubtful credentials.
The decision was taken after a delegation of traders under the banner of the Nong Iew Association (NIA) met the KHADC executive members’ in-charge of Market and Labour, Hadrian Lyngdoh and Banteidor Lyngdoh on Thursday to seek their immediate intervention into the welfare of Iewduh, which is considered as the biggest traditional market.
The meeting was also attended by myntris (ministers) of Hima Mylliem, the custodian of the Iewduh market.
The NIA has demanded the district council to take immediate steps towards putting an end against the illegal settlers inside the market which is totally against the order of Hima Mylliem.
According to them, the issue of illegal settlers inside the market has gone unnoticed for the past 15 years and this has created a lot of apprehension that these same people whose credentials are very much doubtful may be involved in different incident that had taken place in the past.
“Such settlers have contributed to the dirtying of the market in which a recent inspection conducted by us found the practice of open defecation taking place on the roofs of the different buildings inside the market,” NIA president Korbar L Nonglait said.
The NIA further alleged the failure of the district council and Hima Mylliem to keep check on non-indigenous people who are operating their business in the market without proper document and license from the concern authority.
Besides, the association has also asked the district council to take measures against the alleged child labour practices in the various food shops and restaurants in the market besides sale of liquors, crimes and others.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, EM in-charge Market Hadrian Lyngdoh said, “We have decided to conduct a joint – inspection to the Iewduh market likely by next week, after the matter is taken up with the executive committee led by the chief executive member (CEM).”
He informed that the joint inspection will be held between the district council, hima Mylliem and the members of the NIA. According to him, the proposed inspection is to look into the eight-point complaints lodged by the NIA with the district council.
“With regards to presence of illegal settlers, we will have to verify this during the inspection,” Lyngdoh said while admitting as per order of the Hima, nobody is allowed to use the market for residential purposes.
He said that it is only after the inspection, the district council will take action which will be according to the standing order of the Hima.
The EM in-charge Market however admitted that the market has become an eye-sore besides facing problem of congestion which needs to be addressed at the earliest.
“We will be directing the Hima to deploy more people to ensure the market is kept clean,” he said while expressing concern over the lack of availability of land to construct proper latrines inside the market.-By Our Reporter
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