Changki Tatar Menden has refused to accept the announcement made by DC Mokokchung on May 12 in Changki village, that administration of Changki village will be run by the SDO (C) Mangkolemba as ex-officio chairman of Changki village. This was stated in a joint representation signed by Imodangba Pongen, Tenzüluba, Changki Tatar Menden, in a letter dated May 13 on behalf of the 12 GBs of Changki village: Lendimenba, Imchameren, Limameri, Sademtsüngba, Imrongsüngba, Temjenzulu, Menangnoktsüng, Tekamongba, Ningsangtemsü, Supongmeren,Arizongba and Supongningsang
The signatory said Changki village was “quite surprised” by the DC’s announcement on May 12. Further, the GBs informed the DC that since the days of their forefathers, the administration of the village had always been run according to their customary practices by the Putu Menden and leaders selected by the villagers in accordance with their own customary laws and practices. They also said that never in their history was Changki village administration ever run by non-Changki citizens presiding over the affairs of the village.
In the light of the above, the 12 GBs of Changki village informed the DC that they could never accept the SDO(C) Mangkolemba nor any other official as Ex-officio chairman of Changki village council as it ran contrary to the age-old customary laws and practices.
