From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH: The JAC,a conglomerate of four frontal NGOs in Ri-Bhoi, in a public meeting held at Iewmawlong on Tuesday has called for another two- day office picketing on February 14 and 15.
The decision comes after the State Government failed to pay any heed to the demand by the JAC to revoke the order of the inclusion of the Marngar Community as the Bhoi Tribe even after a one day office picketing called by the JAC on February 3rd last.
The public meeting saw large participation of the locals showing their support to issues taken by the JAC.
Addressing the gathering, JAC Chairman Donkupar Sumer informed that the State Government through its Political Department had passed the order to include the Marngar Community which hailed from the Raid Marngar as the Bhoi ST without proper investigation into their origin and that it had given ST status to the community based on clarification issued by the Syiem of the Hima Mylliem.
The JAC also strongly denounced the local representative of Nongpoh, Dr DD Lapang, for taking up this action on such a sensitive issue just for his self benefit without having any concern on the adverse effect that might arise in the future of the Bhoi people.
Sumer maintained that JAC does not oppose on Marngar Community being recognized as a Schedule Tribe adding “they must get their own ST status and not by inclusion with any other Tribe of the State”.
The two day office picketing of the JAC will affect all the State Government, Central Government offices and also all the Financial Institutions located in Ri-Bhoi district.
