SHILLONG: UDP senior leader Bindo Lanong has said the party would do away with the practice of electing acting Syiem if it comes to power after the council elections.
Talking to reporters after the release of the party’s manifesto here on Monday, Lanong said there is no justification for appointment of an acting Syiem unless the matter is pending in the court.
“I am surprised that the Executive Committees are continuing to appoint the Acting Syiem despite there being no such urgency for a temporary appointment,” Lanong said, adding that UDP would ensure that every Hima has a full-fledged Syiem.
The UDP’s senior working president said the party would do away with the policy of appointing acting Syiem in the various Himas even as he added that
He said Paragraph 3 of the Sixth Schedule clearly points out that the district council has the power to appoint Syiem, Doloi other traditional heads like the Rangbah Shnong as per the United Khasi and Jaintia Hills Appointment of Chief and Headmen Act, 1959.
Lanong also promised to keep a check on the rampant illegal felling of trees in forest areas falling under the council and expressed concern over timber smuggling which is taking place, especially in the council plantation at Aradonga and Lailad in Ri Bhoi.
He stressed the need to strengthen the village courts to ensure speed disposal of justice to settle petty cases of poor people.
“Such courts should be set up in villages so as not to trouble the public who stay far away from the courts of the DC/SDO,” the manifesto states,” he said.
The regional party also stated in its manifesto that the United Khasi and Jaintia Hills (Land Revenue) Regulation, 1953 has become an old law and needs to be amended. Also, the UDP stated that the Khasi Social Custom of Lineage Act, 1997, of the district council needs to be discussed thoroughly by all stakeholders.
