Residents of Askikandi, under Phulbari Police Station, in West Garo Hills have expressed their anger over the reasons for which their gaonbura (headman) has been replaced by another, younger person.
Many residents of Askikandi have been against the change of headman over the fact that there had been no complaints against the person in question, who apparently did the job to their satisfaction.
“The grounds for his termination are baseless. Neither is there a complaint against him, nor is he in ill health as stated. The basis for relieving him of his duty is illegitimate,” said the villagers.
On September 22, the Executive Member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in charge of revenue had, through an order, relieved Goffur from his duties as village headman and announced a temporary replacement, Akbar Ali, in his place. The grounds for his dismissal were complaints against him and his ill health, something the villagers and Goffur have vehemently denied.
Ali has been appointed in the place of Goffur for a period of three months, starting from the date of the order.
The villagers and Goffur complained that the various insinuations made by the GHADC were fake and baseless and sought for the replaced headman to continue in his role.
