SHILLONG, SEPT 4: Former UDP MLA candidate and Independent MDC candidate Dr OS Jyrwa on Friday accused the VPP-led KHADC of weakening traditional institutions through its land laws.
Addressing a campaign for NPP MP candidate Dr DRL Nonglait at Mawryngkneng, Jyrwa said the Land Bill and Land Ceiling Act sideline Rangbah Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima.
He alleged that Clause 16, which mandated consultation with village heads, has been removed.
“How can you say you are not disempowering when you have removed Clause 16?” he asked.
“In Mawryngkneng, selling land to outsiders is not allowed. That is our governance. Land belongs to the village, Raid and Hima, but they will usurp this ownership,” he said.
Jyrwa also slammed the VPP for failing to keep its promise on toll gates.
“They said there will be no more gates if we come to power. Now the gates have increased. Those we elected have become collectors at the gates,” he said.
He said the MP poll is a chance for people to judge the KHADC’s performance.
Dismissing claims that NPP paid people to attend meetings, he said, “People came because they love Dr Nonglait.”
Former KHADC CEM Pyniaid Sing Syiem said Meghalaya needs an MP who will be heard in Parliament on the Sixth Schedule.
“The fate of our tribe on the Sixth Schedule and District Councils rests in Delhi. We must not elect someone to sit in a corner in Parliament. Dr Nonglait is the best to go to Parliament,” Syiem said, adding that the proposed 125th Constitution Amendment is now with the Home Ministry.
He credited Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar for getting approval for several KHADC laws.
By Our Reporter
