SHILLONG, March 12: Acknowledging the yeoman’s service rendered by headmen amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Opposition Congress on Friday encouraged the state government to either replicate the Nagaland mode of empowering headmen or examine other ways to do the same.
Congress MLA, HM Shangpliang, while maintaining that headmen also contribute during law and order situations, said, “Nagaland has empowered their headmen in the form of Village Development Board (VDB) and I suggest that Meghalaya could also replicate the mechanism or start examining the ways they (headmen) could be empowered in the best possible way or a way the government may find fit”.
He informed the House how Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong ka Bri Hynniewtrep (SNSBH), an association of headmen, played a major role after the COVID-19 pandemic broke out last year.
Maintaining that headmen facilitated the containment of COVID-19 in Meghalaya, Shangpliang said, “We really need to appreciate, congratulate, thank and acknowledge their services. This SNSBH comprises headmen, and these headmen have really worked in tandem with the government. It is because of their courage, we have been able to deliver all the services that were required during the pandemic”.
Petitioning the state government for empowerment of headmen, the MLA said, “Give them a role in governance. They could play the role at the grassroots level, they could help us in executing and implementing government schemes”.
“This Synjuk needs to be recognised, particularly when we have law and order situation, they play a great role in bringing peace and normalcy. They work hand in hand with the district administration in solving the issues of localities,” he added.
It may be mentioned that headmen from various localities had contributed to the fight against the pandemic last year. Various committees were also set up in localities across the state to curb the spread of the virus.
