Editor,
I would like to draw the urgent attention of the state government, district administrations, and civil society to a deeply concerning practice that is eroding the traditional justice delivery system in our villages.
The institution of the gaon bura and gaon buri is the bedrock of grassroots governance in Arunachal Pradesh. Historically, their primary roles and responsibilities have been to maintain harmony, act as a vital bridge between the district administration and the local populace, and resolve disputes amicably through our time-honoured keba/kebang system.
However, a deeply flawed and exclusionary practice has taken root – the charging of meeting procedure fees, commonly known as jorimuna, from both parties involved in a dispute. It is a known fact that GBs are formally recognised by the state and are already provided with a government honorarium for their services. Given this financial support, the justification for extracting additional meeting fees from villagers seeking conflict resolution is highly questionable and unethical.
To make matters worse, these fees are rarely uniform. The jorimuna ranges depending on the seriousness of the case, with property and land disputes attracting exorbitantly high charges. As a direct result, many poor and marginalised villagers are being outright denied justice. When a vulnerable villager cannot even afford the meeting fee for a local village council, the thought of them affording a licenced lawyer or navigating the formal court system is entirely out of the question. Justice at the grassroots level is rapidly becoming a privilege reserved only for those who can afford to pay for it.
The sanctity of the kebang must be preserved as a sanctuary of free, fair, and accessible justice for every Arunachali, regardless of their economic status.
Therefore, I strongly urge the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to take immediate corrective measures. The state government must pass an ordinance banning this commercialisation of local justice. Furthermore, clear directives must be given to all deputy commissioners to issue strict orders through their respective circle officers, mandating that all dispute resolution meetings conducted by GBs be held entirely free of charge.
Our traditional institutions should protect the poor, not penalise them for seeking fairness.
Musa Bhaiya