Leaders of indigenous faith ask govt to address problems related to cremation grounds

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 26, 2021

Leaders of the traditional faith – ‘Niam Tynrai or Niam Tre’ have asked the state government to address the problems related to cremation grounds.

This was conveyed during an open meeting convened under the chairmanship of the principal secretary Sampath Kumar on Friday, in compliance with the direction of the Meghalaya High Court.

Representatives of the Seng Khasi, Seinraij Jowai and others attended the meeting even as they highlighted the various problems faced in connection with the cremation grounds across the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.

“The state government should direct the autonomous district councils (ADCs) to issue necessary instruction to all traditional heads to discourage religious instigation against the niam tynrai/niam tre as we are living in a secular country,” Seinraij president OR Challam told reporters on Friday.

“The state government should also take necessary steps to ensure there is no problem in obtaining no-objection certificates (from the traditional institutions for construction or improvement of cremation grounds),” he said.

He also cited an incident at Mynso village where a complaint was already lodged with the deputy commissioner of West Jaintia Hills against a dorbar shnong for refusing to issue NOC for construction of crematorium through funds sanctioned under MP scheme.

Asked, Challam informed that the state government in 2016-2017 had stopped extending financial assistance for the construction of the eco-friendly crematoriums for performing last rites according to traditional faith. The crematorium was designed by late Kambel Shullai.

He said earlier based on an agreement signed in 2013, the state’s forest department had sanctioned for a total of 20 crematoriums across the state.

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“However, after the government has suddenly stopped the funding, the majority of the crematorium were constructed with the help of public representatives through their MDC, MLA and MP schemes,” he said.

According to him, 31 proposals are still lying pending with the forest department for sanctioning of funds. The schedule of rate at present has increased to Rs 34 lakh per crematorium compared to the previous years at Rs 14 lakh.

When asked, Challam said it was only recently that DFO, Jowai informed that the 31 proposals were approved and the government would soon release the funds.