By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Believe it or not, a traditional head of Raid Sohkhwai in Ri-Bhoi district is ‘indulging in broad day light extortion’ by demanding money ranging from Rs 2000 to Rs 3000 from the people in order to organize a function to felicitate him for being elected as the new Lyngdoh (chief) of Raid Sohkhwai.
In a letter which was circulated among the various quarry and orchard owners under Raid Sohkhwai, P Syrling, who is the Lyngdoh (elder) of the Raid has asked them to generously donate for the proposed gathering of all residents of Raid Sohkhwai on January 25 in order to honour and introduce him for being elected as the new Lyngdoh of Raid Sohkhwai.
The quarry owners have been asked to pay Rs 3,000 each while farmers who cultivate betel leaves and other cultivation have been asked to pay Rs 2000 each.
Further, the letter mentioned that all donations should reach the Lyngdoh (chief) or secretary of the Raid Sohkhwai on or before January 10.
When contacted, Syrling claimed that this decision of collecting the donations was taken during a meeting held on December 17 last.
However, the resident of the Raid have raised strong objection to this diktat on the part of the Lyngdoh.
“We are really surprise that the Lyngdoh is asking the people to donate for the gathering to honour him. Nowhere on earth, would a person ask for money from people to organise a gathering meant for his own felicitation,” the resident of the Raid complained.
