By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 21: The revitalised Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) on Monday registered its protest against the alleged fraudulent issuance of Scheduled Tribes (ST) certificate to a non-Garo person.
The CoMSO said Esther Ngurlienmoi Marak was selected under the Garo ST quota in the Meghalaya Civil Services Examination although she lacked any matrilineal Garo descent, recognised Mahari (clan) affiliation, or verifiable connection to Garo customary roots.
The matter has already been brought to the notice of the offices of the Governor, the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary by social activist Cherian G Momin through a petition.
The CoMSO said an RTI reply received from the office of the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills district confirmed that no official record of the ST certificate issued to Esther could be located.
The CoMSO demanded that she be immediately suspended until a full and impartial verification of her identity and customary eligibility is conducted.
Further, it demanded the constitution of a state-level ‘Independent Enquiry Committee’ comprising traditional clan heads (Nokmas and Mahari leaders), representatives from the Autonomous District Councils, scholars of tribal customs, and the State Tribal Affairs Department to examine this case and other similar cases.
The CoMSO demanded accountability and departmental action against any official found complicit in the unlawful certification process, whether through negligence or deliberate facilitation.
The NGO favours a statewide review and audit of tribal certificates issued in the past for government employment, academic admissions, and other reserved category benefits, with special emphasis on cross-verification with traditional authorities.