From Our Correspondent
Nongpoh, Nov 13: Traditional heads from Ri-Bhoi have jointly penned a letter to CEM, KHADC, Pyniaid Sing Syiem seeking his intervention to facilitate the issuance of Khasi Tribes Certificates.
Traditional heads from Raid Marwet, Raid Marngar, Raid Nongkharai, Raid Nongpoh, Raid Sohkhwai, Raid Nonglyngdoh, Hima Jirang, Raid Nongkhrah, and prominent figure Fabian Lyngdoh in their letter to the CEM has urged him to facilitate the issuance of the specific certificate to enable affected individuals in obtaining Scheduled Tribe certificates from the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
The affected individuals, known as Khun Shaw Bhoi/Shaw aBuri/Ringbia, are the offspring of men of the Bhoi tribe who are married to non-Khasi women and follow their father’s clan name, ensuring the continuation of the family line.
Voicing their concern over the recent halt of the KHADC to issue the Khasi Tribe Certificate to such offspring has prompted them to write to the CEM to intervene in the matter.
At the same time, the leaders urge the KHADC to promptly codify Shaw Bhoi/Shaw Buri/Ringbia into law to safeguard and preserve the significant customary practice of the Bhoi tribes.
The absence of the specific certificate has led to a cessation in the issuance of Scheduled Tribe certificates by the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi, causing significant difficulties for hundreds of students in the region, they pointed out.
Phrangsngi Syngkli, Lyngdoh of Raid Nongkyrla, and William Syngkli, Secretary of Elaka Nongpoh, expressed these concerns, stating that they have received numerous complaints from the residents of the district.
‘CEM Pyniaid Sing Syiem has agreed to expedite the issuance of Khasi Tribes Certificates for Khun Shaw Bhoi/Shaw Buri/Ringbia by the KHADC’, they said.
This measure is intended to provide relief until a resolution is reached or the customary practices of the Bhoi tribe regarding Shaw Bhoi/Shaw Buri/Ringbia are formalized into law by the KHADC.
The leaders emphasize the importance of avoiding any adverse impact on students pursuing education and requiring Scheduled Tribe certificates.
The leaders underscored that Shaw Bhoi/Shaw Buri/Ringbia is a vital customary practice of the Bhoi tribes, where men marry non-Khasi women to ensure the survival and prosperity of the family line.
They clarified that approximately one-third of the Bhoi tribe’s population is linked to this practice, which has been accepted by all traditional bodies in the district since time immemorial without any previous complaints.
Additionally, the leaders highlighted the respect and acceptance accorded to the offspring of such marriages within the Bhoi clan.
These individuals inherit the rights of their father’s clan and are forbidden from marrying within the same clan to prevent incestuous relationships, they added.