Mawkynrew traditional heads demand passage of Village Bill

SHILLONG: The traditional heads of Mawkynrew constituency (EKH) demanded the State Government to pass the Village Administration Bill, 2014 to end the current stalemate arising out of the High Court ruling.
In a public rally convened at Jongksha village on Saturday in collaboration with Meghalaya Indigenous People’s Rights and Livelihood (MIPRL), the traditional heads also resolved to demand the government to make public the Ordinance on empowerment of headmen which was passed by the Cabinet.
Addressing the gathering, MIRPL-Meghalaya spokesperson Erwin K Sutnga and HYC general secretary Robert Kharjahrin also urged the government not to intrude into the jurisdiction of the district council.
“The power to make laws on the traditional heads lies with the district council as empowered by the Sixth Schedule to the Indian Constitution,” Kharjahrin said.
The rally also resolved to extend support to the bandh called by the Synjuk ki Ranbah Shnong in Ri-Bhoi on May 19.
The MIRPL is contemplating to hold similar public rallies in other parts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills to create awareness on the vexed issue.