Shillong: A coalition of traditional bodies and student groups plans to hit the streets if the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council fails to pull back a controversial order. The groups set a June 30 deadline for the council to cancel a June 11 notice that granted clan recognition to the Biate and Khelma Sakachep communities.
Failure to act triggers protests. Starting July 2, the organizations will launch a democratic agitation to force the issue. The decision came Saturday during a heated meeting in Jowai. Representatives from the Jaintia Students Union, Jaintia National Council, and various clan leaders stood united against the move.
The coalition blames Chief Executive Member Thombor Shiwat for ignoring the Jaintia people. They claim the council prioritizes patrilineal groups while stalling on long-standing demands to protect the region's matrilineal lineage system. The groups argued that the council must draft clear legal rules for Jaintia clan recognition before moving forward with any other tribal status approvals.
They insist the council ignored the core of their culture. In a joint resolution, the groups stated: "The issue concerns the protection of Jaintia customary practices and identity."
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