By Lamphrang Nongspung
NONGKHLAW: That Meghalaya has no sense of history is evident from the fact that significant places associated with the great Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem, the Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw who put up a spirited fight against the British, are in a shambles.
The legendary Khasi freedom fighter had left behind many footprints which have the potential to become major tourist destinations. A visit to these landmark places would also revive a sense of patriotism among the younger generations who might have only read about the greatness of the Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw.
One of the prominent places is ‘Krem Tirot’ at Nongkhla in Nongkhlaw which used to be a ‘hideout’ of U Tirot Sing Syiem during his struggle with the British forces led by the ‘David Scott’.
Another important historical site is the traditional court where Tirot Sing used to hold court to hear the appeals of his people and pass judgment against criminals who committed various crimes.
At this unique site, one would see a particular kind of stone where Tirot Sing Syiem would sit and listen to his people. This traditional court is also popularly known as ‘Dum Kut’.
But this place of great historical importance in Khasi history does not even have a proper footpath, forget about an approach road. People who visit these historical sites would have to trek through difficult terrain to reach the place especially during the monsoon.
If these places of historical importance and tourist attractions have not caught the imagination of the Government then the question is whether the State Government is serious about historical tourism which is a prime attraction for places like Rajasthan etc.
The worrying factor is that if nothing is done to preserve these places then it they might be wiped away from public memory like the cave where Tirot Sing Syiem used to keep his prisoners.
It is distressing to see that a huge mobile tower has been erected near the site where the prison cave is located.
The aspirations of the people of Nongkhlaw to set up a museum at the Khasi Patriotic Home in Nongkhlaw, the birth place of U Tirot Sing has not yet materialized.
The residents of Nongkhlaw are surprised to see that the Government is happy to commemorate the death anniversary of Tirot Sing Syiem by declaring a State holiday, which they feel is just an empty gesture.
People of Nongkhlaw also wonder why the Government has done nothing to preserve the historical places of the Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw in the past many years.
While the Government is slumbering over this matter, the KHADC has come forward and allocated Rs 10 lakh towards construction of the footpath leading to these historical places.
“We will donate Rs 10 lakh from the Council towards this noble cause,” KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pynshngain N Syiem informed while speaking at a function to celebrate the 177th death anniversary of U Tirot Sing Syiem at Nongkhlaw near Mairang on Tuesday.
The CEM also assured that the Council would try and allocate more funds towards preservation of these historical places.
Earlier, Syiem also laid the foundation stone of the footpath leading to Krem Tirot in the presence of his fellow MDCs Irin Lyngdoh and Artist Rani and the present Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw (Syiem Khynnah) Dr KM Syiemlieh.