Raphael Warjri

The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) has voiced strong opposition to the removal of nine local home guards from the Khliehriat power grid, citing concerns over local employment and the integrity of the state’s civil defense system.

The council, led by Central Executive Committee President Sambormi Lyngdoh, along with members of the JNC Employment Commission, met with the power grid’s Chief Manager, Sanatanu Das, to seek clarification on the decision. According to Das, the removal was implemented following a state government directive that called for replacing the local personnel with staff from a central agency.

In response, the JNC criticized the decision, questioning the rationale behind outsourcing positions that could be filled by trained local home guards. Lyngdoh reportedly stated that the move disregarded the role of the home guards, who had been serving for over a decade, and expressed concern over the state’s apparent shift away from utilizing its own trained personnel. He emphasized that while central agency staff are deployed across states, home guards are specifically trained to serve within Meghalaya.

The council demanded that the local home guards be reinstated, arguing that dismissing individuals who had dedicated 10 to 15 years of service was both unjust and disrespectful to their commitment. It was reported that the chief manager requested until May 5 to resolve the issue. The JNC indicated it would explore further options if the matter remained unresolved, including engaging with state ministers.

Lyngdoh is said to have added that the issue extends beyond a single department, affecting broader employment policies in both government and private sectors. He stressed the need for the state to prioritize local communities and ensure that civil defense structures remain functional and respected.