SHILLONG : The people of Hima Langrin expressed outrage today at the Executive Committee (EC) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) for reappointing Paiem Nangtei Singh Syiem as the Syiem (chief) of Hima Langrin. On this day, hundreds of residents from Hima Langrin, holding placards, marched directly to the KHADC office and even attempted to break down the gate of the office premises to meet the Chief Executive Member (CEM). After some time, the EC invited the leaders of the Hima for talks to resolve their grievances.
Speaking to the public after the meeting with EC leaders, Wadlad Lyngdoh, Convener of the subjects of Hima Langrin, informed that the discussion between the representatives of the Hima and the CEM and EMs of the KHADC yielded no outcome, as the KHADC failed to make any decision regarding their demands.He stated that since the KHADC could not give a definitive decision, they have served a 15-day ultimatum. If the Council fails to decide within this timeframe, the people will return to the KHADC premises to stage a hunger strike until a decision is reached.
“The CEM could not make a decision right now, citing that the case file is too thick and requesting time to thoroughly examine it,” Lyngdoh told the gathering. The subjects are demanding that the KHADC remove Paiem Nangtei Singh Syiem immediately, alleging that he violated traditional governance practices of the Hima and claimed land belonging to the Hima as his mother’s private property. They further alleged that he no longer allows residents aged 18 and above to become members of the Hima Council (Dorbar Hima), which led to their strong opposition against him.
“The CEM failed to give a proper response even by the end of the meeting, and the Council could not provide a satisfactory answer according to our demands,” the Convener informed the crowd.”
There are many avenues open to us, and we will decide our next step. If the public agrees to stay here until a decision is made, we will return within 15 days to stage a sit-in strike until the KHADC provides a clear answer to the people of Hima Langrin,” he added.
The leaders of the Hima also criticized the Voice of the People Party (VPP), noting that while the party had previously campaigned on the promise of clean and transparent governance, its current actions are worse than those of the previous Executive Committees.