Victimized for going against village’s consensus candidate

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 19, 2019

NARTIANG: The courage of one resident by the name of San Jone Laloo Dorbar to defy the diktat of the Dorbar Shnong Nongdhar did not went well as he was hammered with an iron hand as he was slapped a fine of Rs. 10000 by the Dorbar with a warning that if he fails to pay the amount he will be ostracized.

During the recent MDC election, the Dorbar Shnong Nongdhar selected NPP MDC Thombor Shiwat as consensus candidate from Nartiang-Umladang Constituency while Laloo awared of his rights as enshrined by the Constitution of India campaigned for Congress candidate Jeweller Synrem openly and this angered the Dorbar.

On 4^th March this year the Dorbar Shnong Nongdhar trialled San Jone Laloo for going against their decision and imposed the fine on him. However, Laloo did not pay the fine.

All went well until on 2^nd April this year, Chairman Dorbar Shnong Nongdhar Morly Nongpluh did not allow Laloo’s son to take part in the social works conducted by the Dorbar and told him that they do not need him and his family.

On receipt of instruction from higher up, the Nartiang Police summoned both parties to the police station on Thursday.  But the officer-in charge took no action after hearing both side of the story and instructed the matter for them to settle amongst without anything in black and white.

Waheh Chnong Nongdhar said that the matter will be resolved peacefully in the Dorbar as instructed by the officer in charge..

According to legal experts, the action of the Dorbar Shnong Nongdhar tantamount to ostracize and this violates the High Court of Meghalaya ruling of 2014 on headman issue and also Article 14 which guarantees freedom to expression. They also expressed surprise on the action of the officer in charge of Nartiang Police Station who did not asked the Waheh Chnong of Dorbar Shnong Nongdhar to give in writing to ensure the safety to the life and property of Laloo.