SHILLONG: Kenin Syngkli and Sabina Makri, the couple who are being harassed by the Warmawsaw village authorities, cited an old case involving the brother in-law of the Sordar of Warmawsaw for their ouster from the village.
After Sabina, a mother of four, married Kenin, who was already married, the village authorities fined them for “committing adultery”.
Sabina said three years ago, Welcome Nongbak, the brother-in-law of the Sordar of Warmawsaw, had attempted to rape her causing her injuries as she fought him back. He even tried to rape her daughter who was a minor, according to Sabina.Later, the accused was arrested and lodged in judicial custody. The woman does not want to go back to Warmawsaw fearing further action by the village authorities. She said five years ago, she had to sell a portion of her land to pay Rs 27,000 as fine for selling alcohol. A weaver of bamboo products, Sabina lives in an IAY house on a small plot of land. Her husband died nine years ago leaving her with the responsibility of four children. She met Kenin, who is a daily wage labourer, around 11 months ago.
After meeting him, she requested a person in the village to allow her to open a shop and to stay there on his land. Her new husband built a house with bamboo and CGI roof as her own house needed repair due to damage from hailstones.
Few months ago, the first wife of Kenin came with members of the Village Defence Party and took both Kenin and Sabina to the Dorbar hall.
The village authorities decided to fine the couple Rs 8,000 each for adultery. Some villagers objected to this saying this was not right as Kenin’s wife was already separated from him five years ago, even before he met Sabina. However, the first wife’s relatives insisted that they should be fined.
The village heads insisted if the fine was not paid within a week, it would be doubled that is Rs 16,000 each. After the couple paid Rs 2,000, no receipt was given. The village heads in the Dorbar told them that if they pay Rs 32,000, they will be allowed to stay and if not, they will be ostracised. The village authorities called them to the Dorbar and insisted that they leave the place as they could not pay. This was also recorded in the register of the Dorbar.
On April 21, she came to Nongpoh to visit her children and on April 26, they were informed that the shop cum house where they were staying was dismantled by a group of villagers. Those who failed to join the dismantling work were asked to pay a fine of Rs 500 each.
The household belongings of the couple are in the Dorbar hall though the husband said around four to five items like a window, a plank, a bench and some others were thrown into the river. The rest were taken and kept in the Dorbar hall at Warmawsaw.
The woman, who is now residing at Nongpoh, said she is scared to go back as the village authorities will find fault with her again.
She had already filed a complaint with the police.
