113 clans register with KHADC ** Council cites ‘high cost’ of setting up tribunal
KHADC yet to form Lineage Tribunal citing cost, says 113 Clans registered so far
Shillong, Oct 15: The tribunal to hear lineage disputes under the Khasi Social Custom of Lineage Act is yet to be established, keeping the KHADC’s Act not fully implemented as yet.
During the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) session on Wednesday, EM in-charge Law and Legal Matters Deity H Majaw admitted that the Council has failed to set up the Tribunal mandated by the 2023 amendment.
She was replying to a question of the Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne.
In her written reply, Majaw asserted that the Executive Committee (EC) is implementing the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Act, 1997 and Rules 2007 “in letter and spirit” to protect, preserve and promote the Khasi matrilineal system.
She, however, later conceded in the floor of the House that a crucial component – the Tribunal to hear lineage disputes – remained non-functional.
When Chyne asked if the Tribunal had been formed and who its members are, Majaw replied saying, “Till date, we have not been able to constitute the Tribunal.”
Chyne termed the delay as serious, noting that the 2023 Act clearly provides for a Tribunal to deal with disputes pertaining to clans.
Majaw attributed the delay to high costs and stringent qualification requirements.
“The expenditure will be huge. The Tribunal will have many members and experts. We need at least an advocate with 10 years of experience. There are many hurdles. We are still deliberating and will discuss how to operationalize it,” she said.
On a separate supplementary by Nongpoh MDC Rona Khymdeit regarding Shaw Bhoi, Majaw said the proposed amendment is stuck.
Khymdeit had pointed out that a committee meeting was held in early 2025 to amend provisions related to Shaw Bhoi within the Lineage Act.
Majaw responded that while the 2023 amendment had included Shaw Bhoi, elders from Ri-Bhoi have now demanded further amendments.
“We have formed a committee. We are awaiting expert opinions and names of members from Ri-Bhoi who know both the law and the custom of Shaw Bhoi. That is why it is still pending,” she said.
Earlier, Majaw informed that 113 Clans (Seng Kur) have come forward for registration since the 2023 amendment came into force.
