Rebellion against village councils
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Shillong, February 09, 2012:
More and more people who are either ostracised socially and boycotted by the village councils for various reasons, have come out in the open to question the village authorities concern over the practise in Meghalaya.
Two days after the 37 villagers of Trongpleng in West Khasi Hills complained before the district administration against the practise of ostracising, another individual from Shella village council came out in the open to condemn the social boycott of 69 residents of Shella under East Khasi Hills.
He is Kondro K Ksanlah, a former general secretary of the influential Khasi Students Union (KSU) and ex- secretary of the village council.
Ksanlah not only challenged and condemned village council decision but vowed to take another legal step to set straight the issues related to the democratic practices and violation of human rights within the village.
Ksanlah's move added more teeth to the discriminated and victimised people who have dared to complain before authorities concern.
There were seven cases of social boycott reported to the authorities in the past one year in Meghalaya.
All these cases emanated because the villagers dared to ask the powerful village councils on issues related to the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the MNREGS.
On the issues related to social boycotting of the 69 residents of Shella village, Ksanlah told newsmen in Shillong today that they were victims of the imposing and bullied secretary of the Durbar identified as Tobias Tiewddop.
"As per conventions and constitutional practices we have asked the secretary to streamline the electioneering process to the post of Rangbah Shnong (Headman) but Tiewdop took our representation as a rebellious move and used his power to socially boycott us", stated Ksanlah.
Even as the secretary of the Shella village council alleged Ksanlah to be a "trouble maker" in the area under his domain as a reason that prompt the village council to socially boycott him and his coterie, Ksanlah dares the village council to prove the allegations.
Ksanlah had even been removed as the village council representative to the Shella confederacy.
Wahadadar (Traditional Chief) of Shella Confedacrecy (Chiefdom) Wallamphrang Lyngdoh Mawphlang came in support of Ksanlah.