SHILLONG: The Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) South East Sohra Division has announced its decision to seek a formal clarification from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) regarding a trading license granted to the North East Security Service (NESS), an agency based in Assam.
The controversy erupted following reports that NESS, which recently took over security operations at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Meghalaya in Sohra, was allegedly demanding illegal payments from local security guards and attempting to replace local staff with outsiders.
Allegations of Extortion and Job Displacement
According to the HNYF, Spokesperson Banjop Khongwir, local youth employed as security personnel at the institute alleged that the agency demanded payments ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 as a condition to continue their employment. Furthermore, the agency was reportedly demoting local supervisors and terminating local staff to make room for personnel from outside the state.
Following a meeting between the HNYF and the CEO of NESS, Sarat Kalita, the agency has reportedly agreed to immediately cease the collection of illegal fees from workers.
He also assured to issue a fresh advertisement within 10 days specifically for recruiting local candidates, remove all non-local security personnel within 20 days and reinstate local supervisors who had been unfairly demoted.
Questions Over KHADC Policy
The HNYF expressed surprise that NESS managed to obtain a trading license from the KHADC on August 28, 2025. The union noted the District Council’s prior assurance that it would not issue new trading licenses to non-tribal firms for services local entrepreneurs could capably handle.
”Many of our own people run competent security agencies,” a spokesperson for the HNYF stated. “It is baffling how a firm from Assam was granted a license despite the Council’s commitment to prioritise local businesses.”
Ultimatum Issued
The HNYF Sohra Circle has accepted the 10-day timeline provided by NESS but warned of “stringent action” if the commitments are not honoured. The union maintained that if the agency fails to prioritise local employment and adhere to the law, they will demand its immediate removal from NIT Sohra and insist that the contract be awarded to a local security agency.
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