SHILLONG, JUNE 14: In what could only be described a appalling eleven members of a family residing in Khlieh Umtrew and Tdoh Umsiang village in Ri Bhoi district has been ostracized by the dorbar for the past twenty-years because they failed to pay subscription fee of rupees two.
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 to ostracized the eleven family members was taken after a complaint was lodged by the Seng Longkmie (women organization) of the village alleging that Jarain was ‘unwilling’ to pay the subscription of rupees two, CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing informed.
The other allegations leveled against Jarain was that she dared to speak against the Seng Longkmie of the village and refusal to make an appearance when summoned by the Dorbar three times, Kharshiing said.
This decision of the Dorbar Shnong to ostracized was finalized in 2002 and till date the family is being denied their rights to avail the benefits of government schemes, to use water sources, firewood from the forest in the village.
Sources, however, said Jarain was not present in the meeting that decided that villagers must give rupees two subscriptions. When she inquired about the collection of rupees two, Seng Longkmie member got angry with her and shouted. This made Jarain not to contribute the money they had asked.
Recently, the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) had also tried to intervene by requesting the Dorbar Shnong to reconsider its decision of ostracizing the family.
The HNYF Mawrong road circle had also written to the village headman after it was reported that some people from the village were disturbing the family by throwing stones at their house.
In the letter, HNYF expressed its concern over the curtailing 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 over the ostracizing issue.
The Dorbar Shnong also refused to lift the ban against the family.
Terming the action of the dorbar shnong as unacceptable, the Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) has demanded the authorities concern to immediate take action against such functionaries of a village dorbar.
Kharshiing said the CSWO urges the authorities to look into the matter as this is a violation of the fundamental rights of this family.- By Our Reporter
+ There are no comments
Add yours