The Synjuk Ki Seng Samla Byrnihat today met the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Syiem of Hima Mylliem to submit a protest against a demand to recognise Garo headmen in Raid Marwet in Ri-Bhoi.
The issue has come to the fore of late with villages in which no Khasis live electing Garo headmen. While these seem to have been recognised by the state government, the KHADC vehemently in opposition. The Garo headmen then tried to raise the matter with the Chief Minister.
The delegation of the Synjuk ki Seng Samla Shnong Byrnihat was accompanied by BB Makdoh, the chairman of the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong Ri-Bhoi District and members of the Seng Samla Shnong Shillong City.
In their letter addressed to the CEM and Syiem of Hima Mylliem, the youth body said that it opposed the demand of the All Ri-Bhoi District Garo Headman Association and the All Khasi Hills A’chik Federation who want recognition for the headmanship of Garos in villages in Meghalaya, especially those in West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi.
The Synjuk Ki Seng Samla Byrnihat said that it cannot digest the idea of Garo headmen in Ri-Bhoi as this goes against the Hima Mylliem Act 2007 and Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and Headman Act 1959.
The Synjuk also lodged complaints against those Garo leaders who still utilise seals and identification as headmen and sought clarification from the KHADC and Hima Mylliem on the number of Garo ‘headmen’ who had surrendered seals and letterheads.
