SHILLONG: The former headman of Nohwet under Pynursla civil subdivision, Bose Swell Khongthohrem, has hailed the High Court of Meghalaya order on the inclusion of women in the election of headman in the village.
Khongthohrem said on Saturday that based on the two petitions, one filed by him and the other by few women of the village, the Meghalaya High Court in the order dated January 28, 2020, had issued the new order.
He said following this order, he received a letter from the Syiem of Hima Khyrim on January 31, 2020, that the Syiem has appointed Bitlinwell Khongthiem as the acting Rangbah Shnong of Nohwet after the acting Sordar of Raid Rangah, Nobelstar Khonglar, quit.
Khongthohrem, however, criticised the Syiem for being biased and suppressing the rights of the villagers by appointing Khongthiem without the consent of the Dorbar Shnong.
He also said he had earlier written to the Syiem that the post of the acting Rangbah Shnong should be given to him till a full-fledged head is elected on grounds that he previously served as the head of the village.
“We strongly oppose the decision of the Syiem and we don’t recognise Bitlinwell Khongthiem and the Adhoc Executive Committee appointed by the Syiem,” he said.
Last month, Khongthohrem alleged that on January 3, 2020, the women of Nohwet were not allowed to participate in the election of a new headman in the village dorbar called by the Sordar of Raid Rangnah, Khonglar who was the then acting headman of Nohwet.
He alleged that on January 3, residents of the village protested against the acting headman and the Dorbar was later halted after the executive magistrate, Pynursla civil sub division intervened.
