Monsang village council and its administrative functions and selection

Waanglar Somie *

Savaang Rotha Ekur - Festival of Monsang Community in September 2016 :: Pix - Sanjay Wangjamcha

A Monsang Naga village is a closely-knit political institution. Every Monsang village has its own indigenous institution which looks after the well-being of the village. It comprises of fifteen (15) leaders and the institution is called 'Khuwngsang' meaning the village council. The elected members of the village council are known as 'Khuwpuh Chiipuh' meaning village protector.

The Monsang village chief is called 'Eruwngpa'. The village chief along with his assistants formed the traditional village council. It is significant to note that in each Monsang village, there are two administrative bodies, namely the traditional village council and statutory village authority, existing side by side.

In fact, the former represents the continuation of the ancient traditional political organization and the latter, the introduction of local self-government by the state in the post-Independence period. In this two-tier power structure, it is also difficult to make a clear cut distinction as far as their duties and functions are concerned.

But in general, maintaining law and order in the village are considered to be the main function and duty of both the groups. The village authority convenes meetings to discuss any developmental issues of the village and also to hear cases of disputes or disturbance if any. This is done only after consulting the village head and his subordinates.

Seen in the light of this, the relationship between the two bodies can be considered as symbiotic in nature. The village authority is made up of a chairman, a secretary and some members.

The Village Chief: His Powers and Functions

As mentioned above, the Monsang village chief is known as Eruwngpa. He is also the ex-officio chairman of the village authority. Though he is the head of the village, however authority in the case of the Monsang Nagas is not completely vested on the chief. In any decision-making the views and opinions of the other village council and authority members are taken into consideration. The nature of governance is very democratic.

Rampuh (Senapati)

The Rampuh is considered to be the assistant chief in the Monsang traditional village council. Sometimes, in absence of the village Eruwngpa, the Rampuh takes charge of the village. According to the Monsang customary law, Rampuh is the next immediate successor to the post of the chief after the death or end of the latter's term.

Khuwpuh (Khullakpa)

The Khuwpuh occupies third position in the traditional village council. His duty is to assist the Rampuh and the village chief. He looks after the general well-being of the village. It is one of the important posts in the traditional village council.

Lhupuh (Luplakpa)

Next to Khuwpuh, Lhupuh occupies the fourth position in the traditional village council. The role and function of the Lhupuh is to assist his superiors in important matters.

Mipuh (Mantri)

Mipuh is the fifth position in order of importance in the traditional village council. The role and function of Mipuh is related to warfare and he represents the commander-in-chief of the army since olden times.

The above five posts in the traditional village council are considered to constitute a sort of executive and judiciary body of the village council (Egbert Khartu 1978:114). All related disputes are decided by them along with the village authorities. The other officials included in the traditional village council are 'Elerpuh' (meaning in-charge of village youth), 'Ramthingpuh' (in-charge of hill range), 'Mharpuh' (interpreter of outside language), 'Raarpuh' (leader in-charge at times of war), Veenpuh (in-charge of feast and festivals during functions in the village), 'Lnepuh' (youth advisor), 'Sanuwpuh' (caretaker of incoming bride into the village), 'Chiipuh' (record-keeper of yearly collected crops of the village) and 'Shapuh' (collector of contributions and record-keeper of expenditure), 'Thepuh' (in-charge of assisting the chief and other visiting officials during important festivals).

According to Egbert Khartu, any office bearer irrespective of Eruwng or his associates can be removed if found involved in illegal acts such as unauthorised selling of village products or wood-lands for personal gain or for that matter leasing out of village land to some person for his vested personal benefits (Khartu 1978:120).

Selection of the Village Council:

The mode of selection to the traditional village council in the case of the Monsang Naga society is very unique and systematic in nature. Selection to the council is done taking into account equal representation of individuals from both the two major clans of the community i.e from 'Simputi' and 'Rinheti' clan. For example, if the chief of the village is selected or appointed from Ngariiti of the Simputi clan, then the next immediate post i.e Rampuh or the assistant chief has to go to any individual from the Rinheti clan, and further selection is continued in this manner/process until all the seats are filled.

Therefore, a Monsang traditional village council comprises individuals from various sub-clans of the two major clans. This has been the tradition according to the customary law of the Monsang 'tribe'. By doing so, every person from various sub-clans is allowed to participate in the decision-making of the village. From the mode of selection to the traditional village council, it is evident that power and authority are not confined to any particular lineage or individual.

The post of Eruwngpa or any post in the traditional village council of the Monsang Nagas is not hereditary unlike the Kuki chieftainship system. Such a post is usually given on seniority basis and the ability to look after the welfare of the villagers. However, in the case of the village authority, special emphasis is placed on educational qualifications. This is so because the village secretary is required to maintain proper records of the proceedings and resolutions passed in the village meetings.

In the case of vacancy in the post of the Monsang traditional village council, caused either by death or resignation, it is filled by the man who holds the immediately lower post. If the post of chief becomes vacant due to either of the above reasons, then it is occupied by the 'Rampuh' (assistant chief) and follows by 'Khuwpuh' and so on.

In case the person does not accept the promotion, then the next man in the lower post supersedes him. Seen in the light of this, it will be unwise to describe the selection of village chief or any other of the Monsang village council as "election" in the true sense of the term by which it is generally understood (Egbert Khartu 1982:17).

Any post of the Monsang village council, including village chief, is therefore not hereditary. It is held by men of different clans or sub-clans of the tribe. This democratic system of election or selection of leaders in the village administration is a living tradition of the past antiquity which is still practised in the present Monsang society in Manipur.