The Acting Rangbah Shnong of Bisnupur Kench’s Trace, Wankitbok Lyngdoh, today termed all the allegations made by KB Nongbri, who claims to have won an election to be the new Rangbah Shnong, as baseless.
On Tuesday Nongbri claimed that he had been duly elected as the new headman in an election on April 17 but that the Acting Syiem of Hima Mylliem had “suppressed” the people’s choice and illegally appointed an Acting Rangbah Shnong.
Today, however, Lyngdoh made counter-claims to the effect that while Nongbri had obtained permission from the Deputy Commissioner to conduct the dorbar shnong, the Acting Syiem halted proceedings because permission had only been granted for 50 per cent attendance.
“How can only 50 per cent of the residents elect a Rangbah Shnong for the entire locality? What about the fundamental rights of the rest of the residents?” Lyngdoh asked.
Nongbri had also claimed that there is no scope in the rules for an Acting Rangbah Shnong but Lyngdoh, who said he was appointed to this position as he was a former assistant headman, challenged the veracity of the claim.
He also said that the election on April 17 was faulty in that it was being held on the same day and at the same venue that a distribution programme for constituents of South Shillong was taking place.
“Does he (Nongbri) mean to say that he called the residents of the entire constituency to elect the Rangbah Shnong for specifically Bishnupur Kench’s Trace locality? Is that a fair election?” Lyngdoh queried.
