SHILLONG, APR 9: Around four hundred Tynring villagers undertook an indefinite hunger strike in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council –KHADC- demanding revocation of the recent suspension of village sordar CA Lyngdoh.
Lyngdoh’s supporters came in 6 buses and other light vehicles and forcibly entered the KHADC premises when security personnel and officials tried to stop them from entering the premise by locking the entrance gate.
The protest came after the KHADC authority failed to give its decision on the suspension on the sordar within the stipulated time frame given by these villagers.
Last month, a similar protest was staged by these villagers and KHADC secretary has sought time till April 5, to come out to a decision.
The Tynring village sordar CA Diengdoh was put under suspension from March 16 by the KHADC acting on a complaint filed by the Seng Longkmie of the village accusing the sordar of trying to sell over 1000 acres community land to MUDA.
However, after the agitating villagers who came with placards protested saying they have every right to stage their protest in a peaceful manner and show their solidarity with Lyndoh.
KHADC officials had no option but to open the gate and allow them in.
“We have decided to go ahead with the indefinite hunger strike till the KHADC agrees to withdraw the suspension order against our sordar,” executive member of the Dorbar Shnong of Tynring Damehi Warpakyntein told reporters.
Warpakyntein also claimed that the KHADC suspended the sordar without any reasons. He said, earlier they had agreed to withdraw their agitation after the secretary of the KHADC assured them that final call on the issue will be taken by April 5 but failed.
“When we came to meet the Executive Member in charge Elaka KP Pangniang yesterday, he instead told us that the matter would be inquired by the district council,” Warpakyntein said.
According to him, what the KHADC will inquire and when what is the inquired to be it will be completed the council has failed to make clear irking the residents of the village.
Terming the action of the KHADC as illegal, Warpakyntein said, “The District Council has given a direct order to suspend the sordar without issuing any show-cause notice to him.” He said the district council should have conducted an inquiry before issuing such order.
A dorbar member was also of the view that ‘inquiry after suspending a person is like killing him first and then sent him to a doctor for examination’ adding there is something behind this sudden decision of the council.
Village treasurer Marshall Nongrum however informed that an RTI has been filed on March 26 seeking clarification on the reason behind the suspension of the sordar.
“We are also contemplating to move the court against the order of the KHADC,” Nongrum informed.
Village leaders said that they are not willing to initiate any dialogue with the KHADC until it decides to withdraw the suspension order.- By Our Reporter
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