The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has prohibited village headmen from becoming members of any political party or involving in politics.
In a notification issued on April 4, the KHADC directed that a Rangbah Shnong, Myntri Shnong, Sordar Shnong, Headman, Matabor “should not be a member or be associated with any political party or any organisation which takes part in politics or assist in any manner any political movement or activity.
The notification also said that traditional heads such as Rangbah Shnong, Myntri Shnong, Sordar Shnong, Headman, Matabor must obtain a proper appointment order from the respective traditional chief as provided under the relevant Acts, Rules of the Hima or Elaka concerned as the case may be.
“Anything contrary to the above shall be deemed illegal which is null and void,” the notification added.
The KHADC notification also directed the headmen to issue residential certificates to a person of Khasi indigenous tribe “strictly as provided under the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Lineage) Act, 1997 and rules made under the Act”.
Further, it said that no certificate should be granted to any resident for change of Khasi clan or assume that any Khasi clan without following the provisions of Section 3 and Section 12 of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Lineage) Act, 1997.
It also said that a Rangbah Shnong, Myntri Shnong, Sordar Shnong, Headman, Matabor may on behalf of the Dorbar Shnong concerned issue residential certificate to local residents after proper verification of the antecedents and genuineness of such residents under the relevant Acts, Rules of the Hima or Elaka concerned.