Ostracized woman threatened by village authorities

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, March 28: In another case of misused of powers by village authorities a woman and her nine-year-old daughter were allegedly ostracized by a Dorbar Shnong of a remote village in West Jaintia Hills District despite being an aggrieved party over a land dispute case.

Loris Khongjoh a single-mother was allegedly ostracised on March 25 this year by the village Dorbar of Sankhat, which is 15 kilometres away from Muktapur village, located along the Indo-Bangla border and falling under Amlarem subdivision.

Speaking to reporters today, Khongjoh said: "The village authority had not only allegedly directed the complete stoppage of drinking water supply but has also threatened to burn down our house."

She also said: "The dorbar shnong had summoned me and decided to ostracize me from the village for no fault of mine."

The decision was declared by village headman Hedrik Dhar, who was just elected two weeks ago, and his secretary E Khongiong after they received a complaint from one B Syrti, she said.

According to the victim, Syrti has accused her of practising witchcraft.

However, Khongjoh charged that the real reason Syrti had accused her of practising 'witchcraft' to the Dorbar Shnong," was over a plot of land which belonged to her where Syrti had recently illegal encroached.

"I had strongly objected on the illegal attempt by Syrti to encroach on my land which I had bought in 2006 for Rs 40, 000 from one Will Pohti of Ri- Bhoi for cultivation of arecanut," the victim said.