SHILLONG, Dec 12: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has decided to await the outcome of the inquiry initiated by the Wahadadar of the Shella Confederacy into the suspension of the Rangbah Shnong of Mustoh village, even as it directed that the scheduled village election on Friday be put on hold.
Executive Member in charge of the Elaka Department, Denzil R. Chen, told The Shillong Times on Friday that the Council would first examine all documents and allegations surrounding the suspension before taking any decision. “I need to properly study what would be the most acceptable solution in the interest of the villagers and to help break the deadlock. I have to find out the grounds and reasons for the suspension of the Rangbah Shnong and understand why the Wahadadar instituted an inquiry,” he said.
He emphasised that since the Wahadadar is the appellate authority, the KHADC would wait for the inquiry to conclude. “If the aggrieved group is unhappy with the inquiry, then I would decide either to confirm or reverse the findings of the inquiry constituted by the Wahadadar. My decision will be based on merit. It is too premature for me to intervene now,” Chen stated.
The situation in Mustoh has grown increasingly complex following claims and counterclaims within the village.
The suspended Rangbah Shnong’s position remains unresolved, while villagers have refused to accept the acting Rangbah Shnong appointed by the Wahadadar.
Chen said the council had not admitted the political appeal or complaint filed by the aggrieved party regarding the suspension.
Meanwhile, the acting Rangbah Shnong planned to visit the village after receiving his appointment letter (Sanad), but members of the Executive Committee opposed the move, citing potential law-and-order issues.
“To prevent any breakdown of peace, I advised that the acting Rangbah Shnong should not visit the village,” the EM said.
The aggrieved group later sought approval to hold elections of the members for its Executive Committee of the village dorbar, claiming that their term had ended. Chen, however, questioned the feasibility of holding elections without a full-fledged Rangbah Shnong in place.
They argued that the village traditionally allowed the village dorbar secretary to run affairs during a leadership vacuum, a claim that the Wahadadar contradicted.
“The Wahadadar made it clear that there is no such system where the secretary can oversee village administration in the absence of a Rangbah Shnong,” Chen said.
On Thursday, the residents of Mustoh marched to the office of the KHADC to protest against the sudden suspension of the election of the members of the village dorbar Executive Committee scheduled to be held on Friday.
Mustoh village secretary David Rapmai told reporters that the villagers strongly opposed the interference of the Wahadadar in stopping the election.
He stated that the community was shocked by the abrupt order, as the village has always followed its traditional customs and procedures when selecting its leadership.
Rapmai alleged that the Wahadadar’s intervention, along with the District Council’s directive to halt the election, has caused confusion and frustration among the villagers.
He had claimed that the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of KHADC, Winston Tony Lyngdoh, urged the village elders during the meeting to postpone the December 12 election.
According to Rapmai, the CEM assured the delegation that the Council would take necessary steps to ensure that the election could be held before December 18.
“As elders, we respected the request of the CEM and agreed to the postponement,” Rapmai said. He, however, cautioned that the trust and unity of the village may be affected if the Council fails to uphold its assurance.
“If the CEM’s promise is not fulfilled, it will only bring division and disappointment among the villagers,” he said.
The Mustoh leaders hoped that the KHADC would honour its commitment and allow the democratic and customary process of electing the new Executive Members of the village dorbar to proceed without further interference.
