JOWAI: Several Dorbar Shnong in East Jaintia Hills district have raises their voices in protest against the proposed delimitation bill of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) at a public hearing held at Khliehriat East Community Hall on Wednesday. Beside Dorbar Shnong and NGOs including the HNPF, HANM and others, members of political parties including the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the HSPDP also raised their voice against the draft delimitation bills of the JHADC.
The public hearing was organized by the Delimitation Committee constituted on the directive of the State Government to seek public opinion on the draft delimitation of the District Council Committee published recently on October 7.
Opposing the draft delimitation bill, Rangbah Shnong of Pamra-paithlu, Jalyiah, Rymbai, Khliehriat, Wapungshnong and many others villages in East Jaintia Hills, besides local UDP and HSPDP leaders, expressed their views and opinion against the proposed delimitation, terming the delimitation of the District Council constituencies as biased.
The East and West Jaintia Hills District President of the UDP, Michael Saioo, said that the Draft Delimitation bill was prepared in favour of the ruling Congress members who do not want to lose the upcoming JHADC elections.
“The proposed delimitation is not territorial and the ratio of voters varies in great differences,” Saioo said, adding, “The party will continue to protest against the policy of the Delimitation Committee who is working in favour of the Executive Committee.”
Only nine persons, who include the headmen and some members of the JHADC including Welcome Dkhar, MDC of Rymbai, were allowed to speak at the public hearing.
Others who attended the public hearing and wanted to share their views and opinion were not allowed to speak.
The Secretary, Chairman and Members of the Delimitation Committee informed that only those who have lodged a complaint earlier with the Committee were allowed to speak.
“It would be very fair if the Committee listed the name of those persons who want to speak in the public hearing before the meeting start as done in other public hearing organized by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) on various cement plants,” Wapungshong Rangbah Shnong, Eukles Dkhar demanded.
The Committee will also hold a similar public hearing at the District Library on Thursday for constituencies in West Jaintia Hills district.