NONGPOH: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council on Thursday conducted the election for the post of headman of Umsawnongkharai village despite strong protest from the opposition party.
The district administration made heavy security arrangement to thwart any untoward incident.
The bickering over the headman’s post came to the fore after the opposition alleged that the former headman, Angelus Sun, was following dictatorship.
However, on Thursday the election went off peacefully
The Sirdar of Nongpoh Elaka, Wanphrang Syiem, Lyngdoh of Raid Nongkharai Moses Syngkli and headmen from adjoining villages, despite objection from the opposition party headed by Joseph Lyngdoh Thaiang, who was earlier appointed as Acting Headman by the KHADC, went ahead with the election.
Speaking to newsmen, Thaiang said the main reason behind the opposition is to protest against the former headman who already had a black mark in the village but the KHADC allowed him to file the nomination paper for the election of headman.
“The former headman, Angelus Sun, had even violated the very order of District Council when I was appointed as the Acting Headman by not handing over the files of the village Durbar and even keys of the Community Hall,” said Lyngdoh, adding that the former headman did not even respect the order of the KHADC and Sirdar of Elaka Nongpoh to return all the village documents and property to the Acting Headman.
Lyngdoh further alleged that as per the RTI filed by them, they have found anomalies to the tune of Rs 25,492,742 on implementation of MGNREGS and other schemes in the village. However, Lyngdoh said that fresh election of headman can only be done after the former headman admits to the embezzlement.
Meanwhile, when asked on the status of the election of headman, Sirdar of Elaka Nongpoh, Wanphrang Syiem, informed that the election was conducted successfully despite stiff opposition.
“The election was being conducted to comply with the order of the KHADC,” Syiem said.
He further informed that report on the election of headman today will be submitted to the KHADC and the final decision to declare a full-fledged headman of Umsawnongkharai village will be done by the KHADC accordingly.
