PYNURSLA : The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) South East Central Circle and the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) Riwar Mihngi on Monday met representatives of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to seek clarification over allegations that people from outside the Khasi community are using Khasi surnames in villages along the Bangladesh border in the War Pynursla region.
The two organisations had sought to meet KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh on August 17. However, in his absence, the delegation met Executive Member in charge of the Council’s Law Department, Deity H Majaw, to seek information on whether the individuals in question had received any form of recognition from the KHADC.
Following the meeting, KSU Vice-President Basuklang Khongwar said the organisations had approached the Council out of concern over the alleged presence of people whose origins and identities, according to the organisations, remain unclear but who are allegedly using Khasi surnames.
Khongwar claimed that during the organisations’ inspection, they came across around 19 voter ID cards belonging to individuals whom the organisations allege are not Khasi but are using Khasi surnames in border areas.
He further claimed that some of the surnames found included Sumer, Khongpynbiet and Kharpati, which he said are not commonly known in the Riwar area.
The KSU leader said the organisations had urged the KHADC Executive Member to consider framing stricter legal provisions to address the alleged misuse of Khasi surnames.
He said the organisations suggested that such provisions could include penalties, including fines or other legal action, against individuals found deliberately misusing Khasi surnames.
The organisations have called for greater scrutiny and verification of identity and recognition in the border areas, particularly where questions have been raised regarding the use of Khasi surnames.
The allegations made by the organisations have not been independently verified, and the KHADC’s official position on the specific cases was not immediately available.