Khasi chieftains approach NCST against HC ruling on headmen

SHILLONG: The traditional chiefs of Meghalaya have approached the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to seek its opinion on the ruling passed by the High Court of Meghalaya barring the Rangbah Shnong (headmen) from issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya (GCCM) John F Kharshiing informed that traditional chiefs of Meghalaya have approached the NCST for its opinion on the recent observation of the High Court.
The traditional chiefs have already submitted a representation to NCST Chairperson Rameshwar Oraon in this regard.
According to Kharshiing, the appointment of chiefs is based on traditional customs and not on academic qualification.
Last month, the High Court had passed an observation against the tradition of headmen issuing NOCs saying that a headman of a locality did not derive any right from law, and rule or from the Constitution of India to issue NOC for the purpose of birth/ death or for registration of any document as well as for building permission and obtaining loan.
The Court had also observed that whenever any person approaches the concerned office for birth/ death certificate, building permission, registration of sale deed or any other document, electric connection, loan etc., they are asked to bring NOC from the local headman which is highly illegal on the part of the District Administration and the Government.
Earlier this week, the High Court registered a case against KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Adelbert Nongrum for allegedly making derogatory and defamatory statement against a judge of the court, who had passed the judgement on Rangbah Shnong issuing NOCs.
Nongrum was also accused of throwing an open challenge to the Judiciary.