'Implement Registration of Marriage Act'

Shillong, Jun 13 : The Maitshaphrang Movement and some other NGOs today demanded the Congress led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government should implement Supreme Court's order on compulsory resgistration of marriage by enacting a law.

The apex Court in its verdict on February 14th directed all states to frame rules for compulsory registration of marriages.

Talking to UNI here after submitting their views to Secretary Registration Jopthiaw Lyngdoh, MSM Convenor Michael Syiem said, it was high time that the Meghalaya government enacts the law as per the guidelines issued by the court in order to deal with social problems caused by rising divorce cases.

''Compulsory registration of marriage and possession of marriage certificate will help in checking exploitation by outsiders who marry indigenous tribal women to get various benefits'', the MSM leader said.

Mr Syiem stated that the NGOs which include the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People, Synjuk Ki Seng Samla Shnong, Hynniewtrep National Youth Front and Syngkhong Rympei Thymmai would jointly submit their views to the state government.

The MSM leader also said that submission of marriages certificate under various Marriage Acts for Christians, Hindus and Muslims besides Special Marriage Act should be made mandatory while applying for enrolment in electoral rolls, trading license, birth certificate, job admission to educational institutions and other purposes.

Mr Syiem added that the NGOs have also suggested the government to enact the complusory registration of marriage simultaneously with the ''Equitable Distribution of Self Acquired or Ancestral Property Act''.

''We want enactment of both the Acts simultaneously in order to ensure that all difficulties related to claims for maintenance and distribution of property are solved'', Mr Syiem concluded.

UNI