Warsan Lyngdoh villages to be in WKH, locals rejoice

NONGSTOIN: Residents of Warsan Lyngdoh have welcomed the High Court order of November 17 that said all the 18 villages shifted under South West Khasi Hills by the administration will be transferred to West Khasi Hills.
The residents expressed their happiness during a public hearing organised recently by the deputy commissioner of West Khasi Hills.
The state government had upgraded the Mawkyrwat civil sub division to a district headquarters in August 2012 and all the 18 villages under Warsan Lyngdoh were clubbed with South West Khasi Hills. The government did not pay heed to the appeal of the villagers to stay in West Khasi Hills.
The Headman of all 18 villages under Warsan Lyngdoh had moved a writ petition to the High Court that had directed the government to respect the decision of the people of Warsan Lyngdoh.
During a public hearing in 2015, villagers voiced their concerns over shifting to another district and the people’s mandate was against the transfer.
But the government did not respect the decision after which the headmen again approached the division bench. During the process of hearing, the court found that the government did not take into consideration views expressed in the public hearing.
Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice SR Sen issued an order that the writ petition stood disposed of and directed the government to take a fresh decision within four weeks that may include reconvening of public hearing.
The petitioners sent the request letter to the state government on November 30 in which they expressed their hope that their will and the court’s decision would be respected.