Khliehriat, Jun 17: The Jaintia Students’ Movement (JSM) has urged the district council to immediately enact the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Registration & Protection of Clans) Act, 2026 that seeks to protect clan identities from misuse.
In a memorandum to the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) chief executive member, the JSM said the district council must introduce the draft bill in the upcoming session and hold consultations with the waheh kur and traditional institutions.
The demand stems from a resolution adopted at an annual general meeting of the Dorbar Waheh Kur Ri Jaintia held at Chilliangraij on June 13.
JSM president, Leningstar Rymbai said the JHADC is empowered to make laws on inheritance and social customs and hence the issues of clan registration, lineage, authority of dorbar kur, and protection of ancestral property fall have to be addressed.
Rymbai pointed out the problems faced by Jaintia clans. He said the absence of a law to protect ancestral property has led to a rise in disputes and conflicts within clans. While lineage of maternal and paternal clans have become unclear due to lack of official records and registration the dorbar kur lacks legal authority to take action against those who violate customary laws and traditions.
“Without a legal framework, our identity will be lost. Protecting our clans is protecting our jaitbynriew,” Rymbai stressed
JSM general secretary Roitre Dkhar, added, “This is not just the responsibility of elders. It is the duty of the youth to preserve our customs and traditions.”
The JSM has appealed to all waheh kur, rangbah shnong and the community to support the demand of the Dorbar Waheh Kur Ri Jaintia.
