ST status to Marngar community
From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH: The Central body of Ri Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF), one of the frontal NGOs of the State, has reiterated its opposition to the State Government’s decision to award scheduled tribe (ST) status to Marngar (Bhong) community residing mainly in Raid Marngar, Ri-Bhoi district.
The official notification in this regard was issued on September 26.
Talking to newsmen here on Thursday, the general secretary of the RBYF, Central Body, LK Sawkmie, said several NGOs of the district had been opposing the decision which will affect Khasis.
He also informed that the NGOs had formed a JAC to protest the Government’s decision.
Earlier, five social organizations — the KSU, FKJGP, HNYF, RBYF and the JSU — had asked the government to immediately revoke the order.
Opposing the government’s notification through a representation submitted to the Chief Secretary, the five organizations stated the Marngar people do not belong to the Khasi indigenous tribe.
“To class the Marngar people as Khasis is unacceptable as they are not Khasis, they are quite different from the Khasis in respect to culture, language and religion,” stated the representation signed by the leaders of the five organizations.
Sawkmie urged the district administration not to issue ST certificate to the people of Marngar (Bhong) community.
He said if the Government fails to revoke the order the federation would be forced to agitate again.
Common facility centre inaugurated: Chief adviser to the State government DD Lapang on Thursday inaugurated a common facility centre at Umsawnongbri village in Ri-Bhoi district.