HC takes up exclusion of women in election of headman

SHILLONG: A case was filed in the High Court of Meghalaya on Thursday against the exclusion of women in the election process of Rangbah Shnong (headman).
After the matter was taken up, the Division Bench issued notices to the respondents for response while counter affidavits will have to be filed within three weeks.
The matter will come up for hearing after four weeks.
The petitioner, Aneeta Synrem, a lawyer by profession, filed the case citing that she was prevented from taking part in the election of Rangbah Shnong, Dorbar Shnong, Pynthorumkhrah.
She was prevented due to the existing custom and the provision of Section 16 (3) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous Council (Appointment and Succession of Syiem, deputy Syiem and Rangbah Shnong of Mylliem Syiemship (Act) 2007 and rule of the Administration of Mylliem Syiemship, 2015, which allows only Khasi adult male to participate in the affairs of village administration, including the right to elect the Rangbah Shnong.
The petitioner questioned the custom of barring Khasi women from participating in the affairs of the village administration, which include the right to elect the traditional head.
She also questioned the election of headman of Pynthorumkhrah carried out in 2017.