Shillong, May 6: Residents of Rongjeng in East Garo Hills have expressed concerns regarding political interference in the election process of the Rongjeng Bazar Committee.
The Rongjeng NGOs, on behalf of the Rongjeng combined NGOs and traditional heads, in a statement said that historically, this committee was constituted through public consensus, supported by traditional village bodies. However, it has come to attention that elected leaders are now directly appointing office bearers, a move deemed ultra vires as it overrides the traditional juristic powers of the nokma and undermines the democratic choices of local traders.
The NGOs pointed out that under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, it is imperative to safeguard the community’s right to manage its local affairs without undue executive interference. The residents strongly advocated for measures that respect and reinforce their traditional governance and democratic rights.
Further the NGOs said senior citizens, and traditional heads of Rongjeng have pushed for strict enforcement of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) land and business notifications.
The key demands include the implementation of the Meghalaya Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act to identify and cancel illegal land transfers to non-tribals. Additionally, they have demanded for an immediate joint inspection to prevent non-tribals from conducting business without valid trading licenses from the GHADC, as well as verifying the status of non-tribal workers on significant projects like the NH-217 construction.
“The preservation of our land, identity, and traditional administrative roles is vital for maintaining peace and communal harmony,” the statement said, urging authorities to act strictly according to the law to protect the rights of the indigenous population.
