SHILLONG: RTI activist Michael N Syiem on Monday informed that he was removed as member of the executive committee of Jaiaw Laitdom Dorbar and as president of Seng Samla Jaiaw Laitdom on October 23, for his move to file a PIL in the High Court seeking dissolution of the Autonomous District Councils in the State and his alleged stand against the Dorbar ethics.
Addressing a press conference in the city on Monday, Syiem claimed that he had been asked to appear before the Jaiaw Laitdom Dorbar but he did not attend and sent a letter clarifying that he had filed the PIL in his individual capacity and not as a member of the executive committee of the Dorbar.
Syiem voiced his opinion by saying that the proposed rally called by the Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong ka Bri U Hynniewtrep on October 30 should discuss empowerment of the traditional heads and not focus on the Village Administration Bills only.
Syiem also advocated for the secret ballot system in the election of village heads. He suggested that traditional leaders who will join hands in the rally should discuss and create awareness on the nature of secret ballot as a democratic framework for elections of the traditional heads.
“There is a need to empower the traditional institutions that resembles the framework of the local self government, for the residents to have a more democratic way of electing the village heads without any political intervention. This system should be implemented as soon as possible,” he argued.
“The present situation is pathetic; PDS rice is not being released, ostracizing/ killing in the name of superstitions is rampant and most schemes do not reach the residents. This system of secret ballot will make village heads more responsible and not dictatorial,” he stated.
On being asked about equal representation of women in the Dorbar, Syiem said that since women have the right to vote in the MLA, MDC elections, they should also have representation in the Dorbar Shnong.
