Shillong, Sept 4: Former Mawryngkneng UDP Assembly and MDC candidate (Independent) Dr OS Jyrwa has accused the Voice of the People Party (VPP)-led KHADC of undermining the authority of traditional institutions through new land legislations.
He campaigned for NPP’s Shillong Lok Sabha candidate Dr DRL Nonglait at Mawryngkneng on Friday.
Jyrwa said the proposed Land Bill and Land Ceiling Act seek to sideline Rangbah Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima.
“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 told the gathering.
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 criticised 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 said.
Terming Lok Sabha polls as 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.”
In response 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 the hill leaders secured the Sixth Schedule in 1950 despite having no constitutional shield earlier.
“With hard work and leadership of our elders, they were able to include the Sixth Schedule in the Constitution,” he said.
He said District Councils were created in 1952 to protect land, culture and village administration, but strengthening them has taken decades.
“District Councils existed 70 years ago, but we got laws only a few years ago because we have people like Sniawbhalang Dhar in the state government who helped to get approval for District Council laws,” Syiem said.
Regarding 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 said.
