Dorbar serves deadline

SHILLONG, MAY 30: Traditional chiefs and headmen today served a 10 days deadline to the state government for approving the two bills passed by the KHADC and JHADC for institutionalizing traditional institutions.

The decision was taken at the grand council or the Dorbar Bah Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep organized by the Joint Action Committee of the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong, an umbrella body of headmen held at Polo Ground on Saturday.

A sea of humanity was also witnessed at Polo ground as people from all walks of life converged for the meeting.

“With one voice we have decided that we want that both the District Council and the government to take up the issue relating to bills seriously and ensure they get the Governor’s assent at the earliest possible,” W Kharshiing, President of the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong told reporters after the meeting.

While demanding from the government to execute the resolution, the meeting decided that a fresh course of action would be initiated if there were no response from the state government within June 10.

The meeting has demanded approving of the village administration bills passed by the KHADC and JHADC, in view of the last year’s Meghalaya High Court order which stripped off the powers of the traditional heads.

Speaking about the ordinance, Kharshiing said “We have no idea about the ordinance what it is all about and is not wise to say anything about it till we get it officially”.

Moreover, the Synjuk announced that it would take up all issues relating to the Khasi-Jaintia community while resolving to unite all the village councils under one umbrella.

The unified umbrella would be called as the Dorbar Khasi Jaintia, which would work towards bringing in unity and preservation of customs and traditions of the indigenous people of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.

The meeting also passed a resolution that the village councils should be treated as “sacrosanct” and it should be guaranteed that their functioning would be in a manner which would not invite disapproval.

Further, it was resolved that the traditional bodies would refrain from participating in state government-sponsored programmes until the issues relating to traditional institutions are resolved.

The Synjuk also resolved to take up issues or problems relating to the Khasi-Jaintia community, and to initiate steps to unify the community.

“The Dorbar will not co-operate and assist the government until and unless the VAB is passed and get the Governor assent,” Kharshiing said.

Despite the bad weather, lakhs of people from across the Khasi-Jaintia Hills trooped to Polo ground; some came on foot while scores of others travelled in vehicles.

Meanwhile, during the hours of the meeting, life in the state’s capital came to a standstill, with all shops and business establishments remained closed.

Business establishments in the major commercial areas – Motphran and Khyndailad besides those in the different localities were seen remained closed here.

City roads also wore a deserted looks with vehicles remain off roads.- By Our Reporter