Committee to discuss Dorbar Shnong entry for women

SHILLONG, April 4: The KHADC has formed a special panel to examine the possibility of opening up the Dorbar Shnong for women.
“We have recently constituted this special committee to examine the participation of women in the Dorbar Shnongs. This is the first such initiative taken by the council to deliberate on this matter,” KHADC chief Titosstarwell Chyne told reporters here on Tuesday.
The committee, headed by Chyne as the chairman, has two months to prepare its report.
The other members of the committee are the executive member (EM) in charge of Elaka, Jambor War, EM in charge of Market, Grace Mary Kharpuri, EM in charge of Forest, Macdalyne Mawlong, the special secretary of the Executive Committee, and the legal adviser of the council.
Chyne declined to say how the council will move forward on this matter.
The Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei (LKSK), an apex body of 28 women’s organisations from the East Khasi Hills district, had approached the KHADC with a memorandum demanding a separate legislation empowering women to take part in the affairs and functioning of the Dorbar Shnong.
Members of the LKSK led by its president Theilin Phanbuh, met Chyne at his chamber recently and submitted the memorandum.
In a statement issued here on Monday, LKSK general secretary Tentiness Swer said they have urged the KHADC to allow women to take part in the affairs of the Dorbar Shnong.
“Women should be a party in any decision to ensure the smooth functioning of the Dorbar Shnong. It will also allow all the residents to be part of the decision-making process,” she said.
The LKSK has been raising this issue with the KHADC since 2011, she said.
Reacting to the demand of the LKSK, Chyne said it is a very sensitive issue since only men are allowed in the Dorbar Shnongs according to the Khasi practice and customs.
He said the LKSK members wanted to take part in the election of the Rangbah Shnongs and of the members of the Executive Committee of the Dorbar Shnongs.
“As of now, the demand is only from the urban and suburban areas. There is no such appeal from the women in the rural areas,” he said.
Chyne, however, said there are some Dorbar Shnongs that allow women to take part in their elections. “But such practice is not recognised by the law,” he added.