DIMAPUR, March 14 - Following reports of certain village councils in Mon district passing diktats involving expulsion of some Gaon Burhas/residents from the villages for voting for or against a certain party/candidate in the recently concluded Nagaland Assembly elections, the Mon district administration has warned of immediate disciplinary action including heavy fine and dissolution of the council if the same is found true.
In a notification on Tuesday, Mon DC K Thavaseelan said in case any dispute/fight arises causing harm to human lives or damage to public/private property in the aftermath of the elections, the village council concerned will be held squarely responsible and liable to be fined a minimum of Rs 50,000 in addition to dissolution of council.
The notification said as per Section 15(1) of the Village Councils Act, 1978, village councils will be auxiliary to the district administration and have powers to deal with maintenance of law and order and also to enforce orders passed by the competent authority in the village as a whole.
A 58-year-old woman was allegedly brutally beaten up on March 5 and excommunicated from Changki village under Jangpetkong Assembly constituency in Mokokchung district for 30 years for not voting for a particular candidate supported by Changki Village Council. It was also reported that three other persons � two women and a man � were also excommunicated from the village for 30 years for the same reason.
In a showcause notice to chairman and members of Changki Village Council and GBs (gaon burhas) of Changki village on March 7, Mokokchung DC Sachin Jaiswal directed them to appear in person in his office on March 8 with names of the perpetrators of the crime and show cause why action should not be initiated against them.
