Although the Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) has 29 constituencies, its delimitation committee is planning to complete the hearing process only in three days.
It may be mentioned that the State government has constituted the delimitation committee for JHADC in October 2023.
The committee was tasked to conduct public hearings and seek the views of people on the proposed arrangement of constituencies by ensuring that the number of voters is more or less equal in all constituencies.
Already, the committee has notified the draft proposal based on which the public hearing will be conducted.
Since the JHADC delimitation committee will start its job of conducting public hearings from tomorrow, it is unclear if such a huge exercise can be completed in just three days.
The first public hearing will be held at Syiem Jingsuk Parish Hall, Amlarem at 11 am. The hearing will be for three constituencies – War East, War West and War Central.
On July 9, the public hearing will be held at District Library, Jowai for 16 constituencies which included Amwi-Khliehtyrshi, Mukhla-Ummulong, Moodymmai-Nongkhroh, Wahiajer-Kyndong, Moodop-Umladang, Mynso-Nongjngi, Mynsngat-Khanduli, Shiliang Myntang-Namdong, Barato-Mukroh, Mowtyrshiah-Saphai, Sahsniang-Mowkaiaw, Raliang, Shangpung, Jowai North, Jowai Central and Jowai South.
On July 11, the public hearing will be held at Khliehriat West Community Hall for ten constituencies which include Muthlong-Sohkymphor, Tuber, Musniang-Rangad, Rymbai-Khliehriat, Sutnga-Narwan, Sutnga-Nongkhlieh, Sumer, Saipung-Nongkhlieh, Narpuh and Bataw-Lakadong.
It was also made clear that only persons who have registered their names at the venues of the hearing will be allowed to take part or give their views and opinions. Participants will be given only five minutes each.
However, it was unclear as to why the delimitation committee of JHADC took so long to conduct the public hearing.
It may be mentioned that the delimitation committee of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) which was notified on October 20, 2023 had started its hearing process on November 14, 2023 and the remaining works are mostly related to claims and objections from a few villages.
The committee is expected to complete its work by this month including submission of its report to the KHADC.
The KHADC delimitation committee is headed by retired District Council judge Stralwell Kharsyiemlieh and comprises former minister S Loniak Marbaniang, retired school teacher R Myrboh and NEHU professor D Rockyer Lyngdoh Nonglait. Retired KHADC secretary Monsoon Kharkrang is the member secretary of the committee.
Residents of 4 villages oppose shifting
Residents of four villages falling under Raij Moobakhon in West Jaiñtia Hills District 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,” they said.
