Shillong, Sept 5: The Voice of the People Party (VPP)-led Executive Committee in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has once again faced criticism for allegedly undermining the authority of traditional institutions through new land legislations.
The proposed Land Bill and Land Ceiling Act seek to sideline Rangbah Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima, said Dr OS Jyrwa, who had earlier contested assembly as well as district council elections.
“When we ask why they are removing the Rangbah Shnong, Dorbar Raid, Dorbar Hima, they say there is no need if we implement the Land Ceiling Act because it will be implemented through the District Council,” he said while campaigning for NPP’s Shillong MP candidate Dr DRL Nonglait at Mawryngkneng on Friday.
Jyrwa pointed out that Clause 16, which made consultation with village heads mandatory, has been deleted.
“How can you say you are not disempowering when you have removed Clause 16? That provision clearly says if the Land Ceiling Act is implemented there must be consultation with village leaders, but they want to bypass it,” he said.
Stating that every village has its own customary governance, Jyrwa said a blanket law cannot be imposed.
“In Mawryngkneng, there is already a rule that selling land to outsiders is not allowed. That is our village governance. Land belongs to the village, to the Raid and Hima, but they will usurp this ownership. That is very wrong,” he said.
He also hit out at the VPP over its pre-poll promise of removing toll gates.
“Before the MDC election they said there will be no more gates if we come to power. Now that they have come to power, the gates have increased. Those whom we elected have become collectors at the gates,” he alleged.
Calling the Lok Sabha election a chance to deliver a verdict on the present KHADC leadership, Jyrwa said, “In a democracy, power lies with the people. You are at the top, you are the voters, you give power and you take away power.”
Reacting to claims that crowds were paid to attend NPP meetings, he said, “If there is no spirit, even if you give money, I will not come to meetings. The people of Mawryngkneng came because they love Dr Nonglait.”
Former KHADC CEM Pyniaid Sing Syiem, who also addressed the meeting, stressed the need to elect an MP who can defend tribal rights in Parliament.
Syiem recalled how hill leaders secured the Sixth Schedule in 1950 despite having no constitutional shield earlier.
He said District Councils were created in 1952 to protect land, culture and village administration, but strengthening them has taken decades.
“We have more than 70 years of District Councils, but we got laws only a few years ago because we have people like Sniawbhalang Dhar in the state government who helped get approval for District Council laws,” Syiem said.
On the proposed 125th Constitution Amendment Bill concerning the Sixth Schedule, Syiem said it is now with the Home Ministry after being examined by the Standing Parliamentary Committee.
“The fate of our tribe remains in Delhi on how to decide on the Sixth Schedule and the District Councils. We need an MP whom Parliament will listen to. We must not elect someone to go and sit in a corner in Parliament,” he said.
“Dr Nonglait is the best among the best to go to Parliament,” Syiem added while seeking support for the NPP candidate.
