By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 7: Fifty-four Garo Headmen from Raid Marwet in Ri-Bhoi, under the banner of All Ri-Bhoi Garo Headmen Association (ARGHA), on Thursday, met Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma following the alleged derecognition of Garo headmen.
“We are here to press our demand that we, the Garo people living in Raid Marweit, should be given the headmen’s post as we have been staying in the area since the British era. Since the last two years, they have derecognised our headmen saying they are the right owner. Since this is in India, and we are living here since 1905, we should be allowed to have the headmen,” said the president of ARGHA, Nickel R Marak.
According to Marak, the headmen’s seals are by and large accepted in government offices. There is opposition from one group, he added without disclosing the name.
They will now meet the Chief Executive Member of KHADC, after being directed to do so by the Chief Minister.
The Hynniewtrep National Youth Movement (HNYM) had earlier given a seven-day deadline to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council to direct the Hima Mylliem to issue directives to all self-proclaimed Garo headmen of villages under Raid Marwet in Ri-Bhoi to surrender their official seal and letterheads while alleging they use it illegally to sell land to people from outside.
The HNYM had also urged Hima Mylliem not to spare non-Khasi self-styled Rangbah Shnongs, who are issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) in Raid Marwet, Ri-Bhoi
The president of All Khasi Hills Achik Federation, Ri-Bhoi unit, Serimina D Marak, who accompanied the delegation of headmen, said all the residents and different NGOs have been living peacefully for decades, but only one NGO is against Garos becoming headmen.
“We are all from one state, we are brothers and sisters and we should continue our relationship in a good way,” she added.