'I' m not against the Dorbar Shnong'

A REPORTER

SHILLONG, Oct 26: RTI activist  Michael Syiem today stated that he did not go against his own Dorbar Shnong Jaiaw Laitdom since when he was summoned by the Dorbar to clarify on the PIL he had sent a letter to the Executive Committee (EC) of the Dorbar on October 22 last, citing all the reasons why he would not be able to attend the meeting.

“I did not go against the Dorbar since I have already sent a letter citing the reasons, however what shocked me is when I received a letter on 23rd October from the Dorbar stating that I have been removed as the President of the Seng Samla and EC of the Dorbar Shnong Jaiaw Laitdom” RTI activist M. Syiem told newsmen here on Monday.

Informing that on October 24, a special meeting was held in the Dorbar regarding the massive rally called by the traditiol which is going to be held on October 30 he said, “I was not allow to speak in the meeting even after I went and attended it.”

According to him, the reason he was removed from the Dorbar is due to the fact that he was in favour of the secret ballot procedure in the election of headmen

“I did not file the PIL questioning the relevance of Autonomous District Councils as an executive member of the Dorbar Shnong Jaiaw Laitdom but as an individual,” he said adding that before he got the chance to clarify the issue in his Dorbar there has been several condemtion against him coming from various quarters including the Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong ka Bri U Hynniewtrep.

He has also questioned the Executive Committee of his Dorbar (Jaiaw Laitdom) that if he had came to clarify and if his clarification suits his principle or stands what they are going to do about the condemtion they have issued in various news item.

He also said “It may be reminded that after the High Court stripped off the power of the traditiol heads I have wrote about it many times which also came up in many newspapers that we need to strengthen the Dorbar Shnong to the extent that it becomes like the Local Self Government by giving the people a chances to choose their headmen through the secret ballot system without involving Party Politics.”

He also urged the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong (SKNS) that if they really want to empower the Dorbar Shnong with the VAB they should take the decision on 30th October during the Grand.

He also said that women should also be allowed to take part in the election of their headmen since they also elect their MLAs and MDCs.