SHILLONG, JUNE 16: Eight former and present headmen and secretaries of a village dorbar in Ri Bhoi District were arrested for allegedly ostracizing a family for over two decades just because they failed to pay a subscription of rupees two.
Both former and present Rangbah Shnong and Secretaries of the dorbar shnong were arrested for being part of the decision to ostracize the family since 1995, police said.
Markaret Jarain and her family was ostracized by the the Dorbar Shnong of Khlieh Umtrew and Tdoh Umsiang village under Raid Mawbuh, Mylliem Syiemship in Ri Bhoi district on October 3, 1995.
The decision was taken based on a complaint lodged by the Seng Longkmie (women organization) of the village alleging that Jarain was ‘unwilling’ to pay the subscription of rupees two.
The Rangbah Shnongs who were arrested includes DL Nonglait, who is the present headman (elected since 2006 till date), Rostinglan Wahlang, who was holding the post in 2003 and Drekstar Nongbet, who was a headman in 1995, when the decision to ostracized the family was executed, police said.
While, the secretaries included Tarwel Kharshilot (1995), Medral Warjri (2000) and Washington Wahlang, who is present secretary of the village dorbar, an Assistant Secretary Fastone Warjri and an EC member Justice Jarain were also arrested.
All of them were arrested yesterday and were taken to Nongpoh police station.
This decision of the Dorbar Shnong was again finalized in 2002 in which the family till now is being denied of their rights to avail the benefits of government schemes, to use water sources, firewood from the forest in the village.
Earlier, the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) had also tried to intervene by requesting the dorbar shnong to reconsider its decision on the family.
The HNYF Mawrong Road Circle had also written to the village headman following reports of some people of the village who were disturbing the family and also throwing stones at their house.
In the letter, the organization had also expressed concern over the curtailment of government schemes to the family.
Ironically, the HYNF leaders were instead summoned by the executive committee of the Dorbar Shnong on June 13, this year for expressing their concern on the issue.
The Dorbar Shnong refused to lift the ban against the family. – By Our Reporter
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