Nokmas oppose Rimpu

TURA, JAN 15: The council of Nokma (village head) on Thursday opposed the appointment of former ANVC – B chief Rimpu Marak as Nokma of Tura town.

Marak had claimed in a press release issued by him that he was appointed as the Tura town Nokma by Danakgre A’king Nokma, Enilla Ch. Marak, which did not go down well with most of citizens of the town and instead questioned the appointment.

The Council of Nokmas contended that as the authority of A’king Nokma does not extend to the town areas, no Nokma can be appointed for Tura Town.The issue of the alleged illegal appointment besides others was raised and discussed during an emergent meeting of the Council of Nokmas and other NGOs at Tura.

According to the Nokma Council as the real selection of the Nokma is made by the clan (Mahari) with the District Council merely approving it after proper verification the appointment or succession of the Nokma should be made by the clan concerned and later approved by the Governor.

The Council also decided to support the idea of raising the number of members of ADCs to 40, out of whom 33 members would be elected, 5 nominated by the Nokmas from amongst themselves while 2 nominated from amongst the educated section of women, all of whom should belong to ST Category.

The meeting also proposed the setting up of a Regional Council in every Lasker elaka with ten members, half of whom should be Nokmas nominated from amongst themselves with the other half elected democratically. It proposed that the regional councils be directly funded by the centre so as to enable speedy development as well as efficient administration. – From Our Correspondent