The high ranking female of Otong clan of Ulimang, Ebil ra Otong Ereong Remeliik’s body has remained at the morgue for little over 2 months without proper funeral and burial awaiting court’s decision on whether or not to hold her funeral and bury her on Otong clan properties in Ulimang village of Ngaraard State.
The long delay of the funeral and burial of Ereong Remeliik stems from the extended dispute over the title of Beches, the highest ranking chief of Ulimang village of Ngaraard State. The dispute has been going on for decades including going through the court process to determine who the stronger member of the clan is by blood, by public contributions, by appointment, by consent of the village chiefs and so on.
The issue at the center of this controversy is, which of the contenders for the title of Beches will be most harmed by the funeral and burial of Ebil ra Otong Ereong Remeliik on the Otong clan lands. The trial court ruled in favor of Beches faction led by Paulus Ongalibang granting preliminary injunction to stop the funeral and burial on Otong properties until the Beches title issue is resolved.
Appellate Court ruled that Trial Court erred in its order by not taking into equal consideration the harm its order will inflict on the Beches faction led by Augustino Blailes and ordered Trial Court to reconsider its decision within 30 days.
In the meantime, the body of Ebil ra Otong Ereong Remeliik has remained at the morgue since her passing on August 28, 2019.