Shillong, Jan 8, 2014: The Executive Committee of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council has come under strong criticism again this time for repealing its recognition of the Seng Kur Thangkhiew Lai-kpoh.
The SKTL alleged that two persons from the clan had manipulatively approached the KHADC seeking its de-recognition after they were put under the scanner for misappropriation of funds.
The duo, AL Thangkhiew and Asirshon Thangkhiew, according to SKTL member Kyrmenskhem Thangkhiew, have been involved in diverting funds thus for fear of being caught they wanted the immediate dissolve of the SKTL.
“The initially were part of SKTL but when we started digging and discovered their true intention of robbing, they went against us,” Kyrmenskhem said told media persons at the press meet here today.
Denouncing the biasness of the KHADC in the strongest terms for de-recognizing the SKTL, its president Livingstone Thangkhiew said, “Its integrity and sanctity as an institution to protect and safeguard our indigenous customs and traditions is questionable.”
“The executive order dated 13.09.2013 has established beyond doubt the duplicity of KHADC as the guardian of customary laws and traditional institutions as they function only for greed, favouritism, biasness and nepotism.”According to Livingstone, although the court has directed the KHADC to allow an opportunity of being heard, the SKTL had sought for withdrawal and transfer of the matter from the table of Executive Member in-charge of Elaka Mr Lamphrang Blah because of his double standard.
“The entire executive committee ignored everything and prejudicially passed the impugned order ignoring all norms and procedures and rules of natural justice,” Livingstone elaborated.
He also said that the reason given for repealing recognition is biased.“This is like treating Seng Kur as an association or organization which requires to be registered under the Meghalaya Registration Act 1983 having an adverse effect as it will nullify all the Seng Kurs which are established as per customs and practices and subject matters lies exclusively within the purview and competency of the KHADC,” Livingstone said.
“On the other hand,” Livingstone said, “the KHADC had notified its recognition of the Seng Khasi Seng Kmie in 2005 allowing it to act as a body for the interpretation and codification of the Khasi Customary Laws, preservation and publication of folklore, including other Seng Kurs, yet it had adopted the Meghalaya Societies Registration Act 1983 by approving the sanad (appointment) of the Myntri elected by Seng Kur Kharshiing of Hima Mawphlang.”(SP News)
