The village leaders of Belahari in Ri-Bhoi issued a clarification today that they have not expelled a resident who they accuse of troublesome behaviour but have given her five days to reconcile with the village failing which more serious action will be taken.
It had been reported last week that the Dorbar Shnong of Belahari had issued an expulsion notice to Morias Rani, giving her five days to leave the village. This after numerous run-ins between Rani and the villagers, chief among them her claim to what the Dorbar Shnong says is community forest land. She was also accused of disrupting development work in the border village by stirring up the authorities in Assam to interrupt any such work.
Speaking to reporters, the village leaders, including headman Peter Stone Syngkli, secretary Khrawpyrkhat Rani and former headman Active Pator, clarified that the Dorbar Shnong has not made a final decision to expel Rani but that she was temporarily suspended and given five days (that is until November 29) to reconcile with the village. Should she continue opposing the village, the Dorbar Shnong may resort to stronger measures by approaching the Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw, under whose jurisdiction the village falls.
