HT Correspondent
HAMREN, June 28: The Chinthong Rong Asar Amei (Chinthong Village Headmen’s Society) has strongly opposed the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) over alleged irregularities in the appointment of Chairmen for the newly constituted Tribal Village Development Committees (TVDCs) under the No 3 Chinthong Council Constituency.
Addressing a press conference at Chinthong Rongjangphong on Sunday, village headmen (Gaonburhas) expressed resentment over the exclusion of recognised traditional village heads from leadership positions in the newly formed development committees.
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The leaders of the Rong Asar Amei said that although 23 TVDCs had been constituted in the constituency to oversee grassroots development, only seven recognised Gaonburhas had been appointed as Chairmen.
They alleged that the remaining 16 posts were given to political workers and individuals who do not hold the traditional status of village headmen.
The society stated that village headmen had been demanding the formation of TVDCs for nearly eight years and welcomed the government’s decision to establish the committees.
However, it termed the appointment of political workers to key posts as unfortunate and contrary to the objective of strengthening traditional village governance.
The issue has generated discontent among the Gaonburha community, particularly as Chinthong falls under the home constituency of KAAC Deputy Chairman Abhijit Kro.
The traditional leaders questioned how such appointments could take place despite long-standing demands to recognise village headmen in the functioning of the TVDCs.
The Chinthong Rong Asar Amei has appealed to KAAC chief executive member Tuliram Ronghang to revoke the appointments of the 16 non-Gaonburha Chairmen and replace them with recognised village headmen.
The society warned that the objective of the Tribal Village Development Committees—to facilitate development in remote tribal villages—would be undermined if political considerations were allowed to take precedence over traditional leadership.
