KHADC to challenge high court orders

SHILLONG, DEC 22: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) will ‘contest’ the twin orders issued by the Meghalaya high court barring the Rangbah Shnong from issuing the No Objection Certificate NOC) and also to the district councils from granting pre-arrest bail to accused.

KHADC Chief Executive Member- CEM- Adelbert Nongrum informed the decision of the council the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) delegation who met him on Monday to express their protest against the court orders.

“The CEM informed that the KHADC would soon file a petition with the division bench of the Guahati Dkhigh court to challenge the two orders issued by the Meghalaya high court recently as it is against the traditional and customary rights,” HANM general secretary Damon Dkhar told reporters  after the meeting.

The Meghalaya high court in its order emphasized the need to put an end to parallel government practice in the state and directed the state government not to indulge or ask people to obtain NOC from headmen as the order said they should function independently as per rules and laws.

The order also stated that “no rule of law has empowered the headmen to issue NOC or to interfere with administration or indulge in removing people from villages as per their whim and will for which the citizens are the worse sufferers.”

Expressing HANM’s disagreement with the order, Dkhar said, “The order of the high court will affect the district council who is the appointing authority of headmen.”

According to Dkhar, if the power of the headmen for issuing of certificates like the NOC and residential certificates is taken away, it will put the tribal land in danger from influx and illegal immigration.

“The role of the headmen cannot be ignore as they are the one who can verify and identify whether a citizen is genuine or not,” Dkhar argued.  He also informed that beside this particular order the CEM also informed the delegation that the KHADC will also challenge the order prohibiting the district council courts from granting pre arrest bail.

Dkhar said the delegation will also meet the CEM of Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) in the coming month adding the matter will also be taken up with the state law minister.- By Our Reporter