Govt given month’s deadline to enact laws defining headmen’s powers
NONGPOH: Coming out openly against the Meghalaya High Court order to ‘curtail the powers of the traditional heads’, hundreds under the banner of Dorbar ki Rangbah Shnong Ri Bhoi District took to the streets on Thursday and issued a month’s deadline to the State Government to enact a law defining the powers of the Rangbah Shnong.
The protestors, who took out a black flag rally, warned of ‘drastic action’ if the government fails to comply with their demand.
Headmen and members of Dorbar Shnong numbering over 500 took part in the rally which began from Umlyngkdait near DTO office complex and passed through NH 40 to culminate at NSCA ground, Pahamsyiem.
Members of the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong, Raid Nongtung covering villages under the disputed areas of Block II, Syiem Hima, Syiem Raid also participated in the rally along with members of pressure groups including the RBYF, HNYF, KSU and FKJGP.
Addressing the gathering, Dorbar ki Rangbah Shnong Ri Jaintia and lawyer Arwin Suting said that the Meghalaya High Court order curtailing the powers and functions of the Rangbah Shnong was a bitter Christmas gift to the to the indigenous people of the State.
The order threatened the existence of the indigenous people.
Dorbar ki Rangbah Shnong Jaintia and former Jowai MLA, Sing Mulieh lambasted the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for banning coal mining in the State.
“They (NGT) do not have the power to do so (ban coal mining) in areas under Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dorbar ki Rangbah Shnong Ri Jaintia chairman, H.S Dkhar flayed the state government for imposing Administrator Rule in KHADC.
Dkhar underlined on the need for a strong leadership in KHADC which would enact laws to protect the lands of the indigenous people.
