SHILLONG: Leaders of Hima Sohra on Monday urged Governor CH Vijayashankar to intervene in the ongoing dispute over the appointment of the Syiem, alleging that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is interfering in a process traditionally governed by Khasi customary law.
A delegation comprising traditional heads and around 50 elders met the Governor and sought his intervention to ensure that KHADC recognises Marremdor Syiem as the successor to the late Freeman Sing Syiem. The delegation maintained that the Dorbar Hima had already completed the customary process of selecting a new Syiem and that there was no requirement for an election. Addressing reporters after the meeting, adviser to the Synjuk of traditional heads, Laborious Manik S Syiem, cited a 1903 report by Captain D Herbert, then Deputy Commissioner under British rule, to argue that even colonial administrators respected the autonomy of Khasi traditional institutions.“The report shows that the British respected Khasi customs and did not interfere in the affairs of the Hima,” Manik said.
Questioning the Council’s stand, he added, “If the original sahibs during the British era respected our customs, why are the duplicate sahibs of today trying to overturn them?” The dispute began following the death of Freeman Sing Syiem on October 31, 2025. According to the delegation, the Dorbar Hima unanimously selected Marremdor Syiem, who was serving as Deputy Syiem, on November 3, 2025. Members of the Synjuk said the selection was carried out in accordance with customary practices, which require a successor to be chosen before the cremation of the deceased Syiem.
The controversy emerged after a rival claimant, Planet Syiem, challenged the process. The KHADC subsequently moved towards conducting an election and appointed Acting Chief Mynjurlang Majaw to prepare an electoral roll. The delegation argued that the Council’s decision contradicts established customary law and could have wider implications for traditional governance systems across the Khasi Hills.Manik also questioned the eligibility of the rival claimant, alleging that Planet Syiem does not meet certain customary requirements associated with the office.
The delegation appealed to the Governor to ensure that the KHADC issues the sanad formally recognising Marremdor Syiem as the Syiem of Hima Sohra.
“The Hima has already chosen its Syiem according to tradition and religious practice. We are only asking the authorities to respect that decision,” Manik said.
According to members of the delegation, the Governor sought additional information regarding the historical documents and customary precedents cited during the meeting and assured them that he would examine the matter. The issue has remained unresolved for nearly eight months and continues to draw attention over the relationship between statutory powers exercised by the KHADC and the customary rights of traditional Khasi institutions.