Shillong, April 15: The CSWO president Smti Agnes Kharshiing in her press statement today she said that the incident at Nonglyer village is a clear intimidation to scar women, she also narrate the incident.
“I visited the village of Kynroh Nonglyer on 14.4.2014 to meet the women who were chased from the Dorbar meet on the 10.4.2014..This is my second visit to the village. Earlier there was a good Sordar who allowed women to sit in the Dorbar meetings and he had also called us to give awareness there.
It is about 49 km away from Shillong. I met a few of the women as others were not aware I would be going. Even the men came to meet us and along with them also the dealer of the PDS(Public Distribution System) Mr Basil, and he has mentioned that on the 10.4.2014 he was told not to collect and distribute anymore PDS for the Women group.
He rejected saying if these women were deprived then he is not willing to be the dealer anymore. The village heads had also discussed and decided that they would take Rs 20,000 of the village fund for paying the legal counsels for the case against them.
Some of the men were disgruntled, but could not object and the Sordar and the Secretary of the Dorbar demanded the Rs 20,000 from the Treasurer Terlin Kyrsian who also met us and said he could not refuse. The women present were Fatima Kharthangmaw, Herina Nongrum, Martha Mawlong, Lorphia Kharthangmaw, Shimtilin Mawlong, Stet Basalormaw, Paulina Kharthangmaw, Ortila Nongrum, Mistina Warjri, Biralin Kurbah, Janailin Kharthangmaw, Ritalis Warjri, Ridalis Basalormaw, and Skontina Basalormaw and men of the village were also present along with the dealer.
It was also shocking to learn that Martha Mawlong who had applied for the low cost housing and was given a UC (Utilization Certificate) for the SRWP scheme for which she had to get the signature of the MLA( Member of the Legislative Assembly) of her Constituency Sohiong. She approached the MLA, Mr HDR Lyngdoh, who outrightly refused to sign.So shewas not paid the amount of Rs 10000. As she could not get the MLA to sign on the UC.
It was also sad to note that the materials like utensils (usually used for cooking when someone dies, as it helps the family so they do not have to take on hire the utensils)) purchased with the MLA scheme was refused to this group of women and those male members who supported them, by these Village leaders.
The village women have written a letter to the Sordar that he should immediately return the money which he has demanded from the village fund or else they will book him as the money is for the village and not for paying for the wrong done by these two.
The lady in the yellow sweater is Ortila Nongrum. Her son was not allowed to take part earlier in the village work as he was married and shifted. Since he sometimes stays with his mother, the village elders demanded that he pay Rs 400 annually ( Rs 200 for others) for not being present when helping in the village work.
The old lady is also looking after two minor children of her deceased daughter so to pay the 400 was a problem for her. She also wondered how she had to pay when her son was not allowed to take part. So when she did not pay the village elders told the dealer not to give her Rice under the PDS. That was when the FIR was filed. The case No is Laban PS Case No 12(2) 2014 u/s 7 of Essential Commodities Act. These women are fighters for their rights and we shall empower them even if obstacles from Politicians are there. Shocked to see this challenge by the village leaders”. Said Smti Agnes Kharshiing.
Today’s news says they intend to file an FIR against me and the 5 women who are speaking out the truth. This is all possible for these village leaders to speak out because they feel that they will get protection from Politicians and their corrupt officers…. This is clear intimidation to try and scare the women and others so they won’t be able to speak out, and deter them from speaking out in future.(SP News)
