Mon DC warns GBs, VGs, village heads not to take law into their hands

Dimapur, Aug. 21 (EMN): Dismayed over instances of villagers along with their leaders taking law into their own hands, the deputy commissioner of Mon, Thavaseelan K, has warned of taking strict actions, including halting of government schemes and dissolution of village bodies if anybody is found resorting to such acts.

The warning came amid imposition of Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973, in Tizit sub-division in Mon district after a land dispute between Jaboka and Yannu villages resulted in damage of properties.

In a circular issued on Saturday, the DC stated that the government had appointed Gaon Buras (GBs), Chairmen, Village Development Board (VDB) Secretaries and village guards (VGs) in different villages across the district as the custodial heads of the village.

He added that they are expected to maintain law and order within their respective villages as well as create an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence within the district by preserving cordial relationship with their neighbouring villages.

“Also, as the custodial heads, they should resolve all issues in a civilised manner or report to the district authorities for amicable solutions on all issues, so that peace prevails in the locality,” he said.

However, many villagers with the active participation of the appointed village heads had been found ‘taking law into their hands, leading to loss of property and creating apprehensions and mistrust in the society’, he added.

Thavaseelan warned the villages that all developmental works and assistance, both centrally-sponsored and state schemes would be stopped indefinitely “if any individuals or groups create problem by taking law in their hands which is detrimental to peace and tranquility in the society”.

“Further, the Village Councils and Village Development Boards of erring villages will stand dissolved immediately,” he added.