Shillong, April 21: The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO), a collective body of indigenous community-based organisations, student unions, and civil society institutions from across the state, raised objection to instances of false representation and misuse of Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates by individuals who do not belong to the indigenous Garo community by birth, customary affiliation, or traditional clan recognition.
CoMSO regional office, Tura said that it’s concern has been amplified by the widely reported case of Esther Ngurlienmoi Marak, who was selected under the Garo Scheduled Tribe quota in the Meghalaya Civil Services (MCS) Examination, despite lacking any matrilineal Garo descent, recognised Mahari (clan) affiliation, or verifiable connection to Garo customary roots.
“This instance, now under public scrutiny, is not an isolated case—it reflects a
deeper administrative failure and an emerging pattern that threatens the credibility of
tribal identity and the integrity of the reservation system in Meghalaya.
This matter has already been brought to the attention of the highest constitutional offices in the state, including the Governor of Meghalaya, the Chief Secretary, and the Chief Minister’s Office through a formal petition submitted by Cherian G. Momin, a well-respected social activist. His representation clearly outlined how such irregularities undermine the very foundation of tribal identity as defined by Garo customs and accepted matrilineal heritage.
An RTI reply from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills
District (vide Letter No. P.15/1/26/09/Vol-I/82, dated 20th March 2025), confirmed that
no official record of the ST certificate issued to Esther Ngurlienmoi Marak could be
located. This lack of documentation raises serious questions about procedural
transparency, the role of administrative scrutiny, and potential irregularities in certification and appointment”, CoMSO added.
In this context, CoMSO made the following 5-point demands
1. Immediate suspension of the appointment of Esther Ngurlienmoi Marak under the Garo quota, until a full and impartial verification of her identity and customary eligibility is conducted.
2. A State-level Independent Enquiry Committee must be constituted, comprising
traditional clan heads (Nokmas and Mahari leaders), representatives from the
Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), scholars of tribal customs, and the State
Tribal Affairs Department, to examine this and other similar cases.
3. Verification of the tribal certificate in question, including public clarification on
how the certificate was issued, who authorised it, and why official records are
missing.
4. Accountability and departmental action against any official found complicit in
the unlawful certification process, whether through negligence or deliberate facilitation.
5.A full state-wide review and audit of tribal certificates issued in the past decade
for government employment, academic admissions, and other reserved category
benefits, with special emphasis on cross-verification with traditional authorities.
“Should the Government of Meghalaya fail to act within a reasonable period, the
Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations reserves the right to initiate
appropriate constitutional remedies, including legal recourse and peaceful democratic
protests, in defense of indigenous rights and community integrity.”, CoMSO added.
