Villagers oppose election of headman

JOWAI: The proposed election of a new headman of Umstain village under Elaka Narpuh in East Jaintia Hills failed after villagers protested on Thursday.
The villagers opposed to the election stating that no proper notification was given and moreover the term of the present headman is not yet over.
However, an official from JHADC informed that the decision to hold the election of a new headman in the village was based on the complaint received in 2019.
Robi Suchiang, present headman was verbally informed by the Dolloi that a fresh election will be held.
‘We don’t know the reasons behind the decision and we are also surprised
to hear from the Dolloi about the fresh election without proper notification or notice given to them officially’, Suchiang said, adding that, “we failed to understand why the JHADC took so long to decide on the matter despite the complaint from the former headman was received since 13 July, 2019’.
The term of the elected headmen as per the rules of the JHADC’s appointment of chief and headmen is three years, while Suchiang has just served one and a half year as the headman of the village”, secretary, Augustine Niang said