The delimitation process of constituencies in Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) has run into rough weather with a number of villagers opposing the draft proposal.
Today, residents of twelve villages under Raid Namdong presently falling under Mynsngat-Khanduli constituency have expressed their strong opposition to bring them under three different constituencies.
According to the villagers, the draft proposal showed that some villages have been brought under Umladang-Modop constituency, some other villages tagged with Shiliang Myntang constituency and some under Mynsngat-Khanduli constituency.
Expressing strong opposition to tag the villages with three different constituencies without taking the consent of the people, the Raid Namdong has urged the JHADC delimitation committee to reconsider the proposal “so that the existing unity among the villagers under Raid Namdong is not affected”.
Similarly, the Dorbar Shnongs of Namdong-B and Mukhnang have voiced their staunch opposition to the proposal by the delimitation committee to tag the two villages with Shiliang Myntang constituency.
The two villages are presently with Mynsngat-Khanduli constituency.
Waheh Shnong of Namdong-B Damian S War and Waheh Shnong of Mukhnang Runi Mukhim along with villagers today held a meeting to oppose the proposal.
They also threatened to boycott the future JHADC elections if the two villages were brought under Shiliang Myntang constituency.
The JHADC delimitation committee also faces mounting pressure from Nartiang village. In response to the proposed changes, the village held an emergency meeting of the Dorbar Shnong today expressing strong opposition to the draft proposal, which alters their constituency’s name and divides the Iaw Nartiang Colony.
Nartiang village has sent multiple communications to the delimitation committee, including a request to retain their village within its existing constituency.
However, despite these efforts and suggestions, the draft proposal does not retain the village within its existing constituency. Instead, it proposes altering the constituency’s name and dividing the village.
The villagers asserted that the proposed delimitation divides their community, leaving Iaw Nartiang Colony split and family members in different constituencies. This division disrupts their community structure and leadership.
Additionally, the alteration of Nartiang, one of the oldest constituencies, has sparked outrage. Villagers argue that the change disregards their heritage and serves a political agenda.
With a vote share of fewer than 10,000, residents believe the changes are unnecessary and unjust. They demand that Nartiang remain intact within its existing constituency and not to divide the colony.
The villagers warn that if their concerns are not addressed, they will consider boycotting the JHADC elections.
Moreover, residents of four villages falling under Raid Moobakhon have expressed their opposition against any attempt to shift them to other constituencies in the ongoing delimitation process.
The residents of Ksehrynshang, Moobakhon, Nongmulieh and Sehlama Nongthymme said that they were opposed to the draft delimitation of constituencies which was notified recently.
According to the draft delimitation, Sehlama Nongthymme village is being tagged with Mynsoo-Nongjngi constituency while Moobakhon, Nongmulieh and Ksehrynshang are being tagged with Wahiajer Kyndong constituency.
“We want that all the four villages should be tagged together in one constituency that is closest to them. If the delimitation committee goes against our will we will be compelled to boycott the district council election,” the villagers said.
