Shillong, Aug 17: Claims have emerged that clan names have been altered by Bangladeshi settlers in border villages of East Khasi Hills.
The FKJGP Riwar Mihngi Circle and KSU South Central East Circle alleged on Monday that 19 clan names in villages like Pyrdiwah, Tishang and Hatthymmai have been changed.
Citing an RTI reply from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), the groups said only two clans in Pynursla Civil Sub-Division are officially recognised by KHADC as having changed names — Kharsan and Kharraikha.
The groups met KHADC Law Executive Member Deity H. Majaw and submitted a list of 19 allegedly altered names from the three villages, including Sumer, Khongpynbeit, Kharkylla, Kharpati, Kharryngi and Kharni.
They further alleged that during the Special Intensive Revision of voter enrolment, some Bangladeshis claimed they were not indigenous tribals and changed their clan names themselves.
The groups said more such cases are suspected and investigations will continue. They demanded that the Council summon those allegedly misusing clan names and call village leaders to verify the claims.
