By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The KSU and the FKJGP on Wednesday demanded immediate action on the part of the district administration against the illegally formed Panchayati Raj institutions in the sixth schedule areas and served a two-week deadline to the institutions to surrender their documents.
Maintaining that formation of the same is against the traditional practices in the State, KSU Nongthymmai adviser F Kharmawphlang said that these institutions are going against the traditional bodies in areas including Lapalang, Madanriting and Rynjah by appointing their own headmen and issuing birth certificates.
“We strongly oppose such acts as it subdues the power of the local Dorbar Shnong, a traditional body recognized by the KHADC,” he said while demanding the district administration to immediately “de-recognize” such institutions.
Meanwhile, FKJGP Nongthymmai president W Tariang alleged that the self-proclaimed headman of the Relief Rehabilitation Colony Welfare Society in RR Colony had even illegally issued as many as 162 birth certificates.
“We demanded that these institutions illegally formed in the sixth schedule areas to surrender their documents to the respective Dorbar Shnongs within two weeks failing which will take our own course of action against them,” Tariang added.
It may recalled that during the last Assembly session, State Minister in charge of District Council Affairs, HDR Lyngdoh has informed the house that as per Article 243M (2) (a) of the Constitution that the operation of Panchayati Raj does not apply to the State of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram.
The two pressure groups have also informed that despite having appraised the district administration and the KHADC about this matter, yet no heed was paid to it.
Condemning the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi hills district for recognizing these institutions, the KSU said that this recognition given by the DC is not at all acceptable and is an act of disrespecting the local traditional bodies which are empowered by the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution.