SHILLONG: The conglomeration of clan elders – the Synjuk ki Rangbah Kur ka Bri U Hynniewtrep met the Governor Tathagata Roy on Monday with an urgent appeal to approve the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration) Bill, 2018.
Speaking to reporters here, president of the Synjuk, HS Shylla said the association wanted the Governor to take special interest in the Bill since currently the clans were disorganised. According to Shylla, the Bill will ensure clans organize themselves.
He said the Governor had assured to take the matter.
Shylla argued that the organisation of clans or Seng Kur serve as a protection to the indigenous people since non-tribals often take advantage of Khasi clan titles.
“Clan bill is simple, clans should be organised. A Thapa who is a Nepali can easily Thabah only through affidavit in the Court,” he said.
He added that the Court cannot certify the clan the identity of clans (jingling kur) except the clan.
With an aim to keep hawk’s eye on the misuse of clan titles by non-tribals, he said people could secure Khasi tribe certificate from District Council after getting clan certificate from the Seng Kur which is duly recognized by the District Council.
Shylla expressed concern over the online application for Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate which he said opened doors for non-tribals to secure ST certificate.
In the memorandum to the Governor, the Synjuk stated that out of more than 5204 clans, only a few have organized themselves for the purpose their own clan members.
Pending Bills
Shylla who is also the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) was asked to meet the Governor on March 1 to discuss about pending Bills of the KHADC in the District Council Affairs (DCA) Department of the state government.
Shylla contended that the Bills passed by the KHADC should be submitted forthwith to the Governor and it should not go through the DCA department.
He claimed there were Bills pending for years with the DCA department and he did not want the same to be repeated.