SHILLONG : The dispute over the Syiemship of Hima Mylliem took another turn on Thursday, with Acting Syiem Alban Fredrick Syiem vacating the Mawkhar office after the Meghalaya High Court warned of contempt proceedings.
Alban left the office around 3 pm, two days after the court reinstated Ainam Manik Syiem as the full-fledged Syiem and cancelled Alban’s appointment as Acting Syiem. Alban said he had not received a formal order from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council asking him to leave, but decided to vacate the office following the court proceedings.
Ainam was present when Alban left the premises, and the two were seen shaking hands before Alban departed.
The development came hours after Justice H.S. Thangkhiew warned that continued failure to comply with the August 11 judgment could lead to contempt proceedings and personal appearance before the court.
The High Court was hearing a contempt petition filed by Ainam after he was reinstated but Alban had continued occupying the office.
In a related development, the KHADC has decided to challenge the August 11 judgment. Executive Member in-charge of Elaka and Markets Denzil R. Chen said the Council would file an appeal, with legal consultations underway. The Council is questioning the High Court’s interpretation of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Electors and Rangbah Shnong of Mylliem Syiemship) Act, 2007.
The High Court had found that the Council did not follow the statutory procedure before suspending Ainam over alleged non-payment of revenue dues.
The dispute is therefore not over yet. While Ainam has regained the Syiem’s chair, the KHADC is preparing to challenge the judgment, with the contempt matter also listed for further hearing on August 17.
