HC summons headman for extortion, eviction move

SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has summoned a headman for harassing a resident in a village in East Khasi Hills by way of extortion and threat of ex-communication.
The victim is Hilarious Wanniang, a resident of Nongkriah village, Hima Malaisohmat, East Khasi Hills.
During the hearing of the case on Friday, M. Prasad, counsel for the petitioner, said Wanniang, a teacher by profession, has been living peacefully in the village.
“Unfortunately, the headman of the locality, Blu Borman, issued a demand notice for Rs 50,000 to be paid to him failing which he will remove the petitioner from the village,” said the petition.
After getting the demand note, the petitioner filed an FIR with the officer in charge of Dangar police outpost, but no action was taken. This prompted him to
file a petition before the court for protection and justice. After hearing the submission made by the counsel for the petitioner and examining the related documents, Judge SR Sen said he is of the view that this is a matter of contempt of court as it had passed an elaborate judgment earlier on December 10, 2013, and directed all headmen to refrain from illegal activities and had also reminded them of their duties as well.“This is a pure case of extortion. I cannot understand why the police have not taken a stern action against this headman,” the judge said.
Police have been directed to register the case after making immediate preliminary inquiry and action in accordance with law.The court also asked the police to give full protection to the petitioner and at the same time ordered the headman to be present in court on July 31. Besides, the order said the East Khasi Hills SP and officer in charge of Dangar police outpost should also be present in court along with the report. State counsel H. Kharmih was present on behalf of the state respondents during the hearing.