By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The tiff between the State government and residents of Raid Nongkrem over the land acquisition issue for the New Shillong Township project took a new turn on Thursday when the Lyngdoh of Raid Nongkrem under Hima Khyrim, P Lyngdoh came forward and verified the Hima’s claims over the proposed land for the construction of NST.
Opposing the claims made by the Sordar of Mawpdang, a sub-raid of Raid Nongkrem that the proposed land for the NST project solely belong to the Raid Mawpdang, Lyngdoh presented verified documents of the Hima stating that Mawpdang is not a Raid but it is a sordarship falling under the jurisdiction of Raid Nongkrem, Hima Khyriem.
“And to sell the land belonging to the raid without the knowledge of the Hima is not just by-passing the Syiem of Hima Khyrim but also defying the customary laws laid down by our forefathers,” Lyngdoh asserted.
Referring to the order issued by the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner on March 28 based on the notification filed by Lyngdoh, Lyngdoh of Raid Nongkrem said the order which was only received recently has out rightly de-recognized the traditional set up by questioning the authority of the Lyngdoh of the Raid and the Hima Khyrim.
Coming down hard on the Sordar of Mawpdang for claiming sole ownership of the proposed land belonging to Raid Nongkrem without the notice of the Hima, Lyngdoh said “The Sordar of Mawpdang has totally violated the traditional rules and norms including the customs and usages.”
Lyngdoh asserted that the Sordar has violated the condition that bind him as per the Sanad issued to him by the Syiem of Hima Khyrim which states that before entering any contract with the government, he has to inform the Dorbar of the Syiem of Khyrim so that the rights of the people shall not be affected.
Referring to the agreement entered between the government and the village of Mawpdang as ‘illegal’, Lyngdoh said that this has affected the rights of the localities who have got the same rights over the community land.
The Sordar of Mawpdang had earlier submitted a letter to the government that the lands proposed to be acquired belongs solely to the Raid Mawpdang whose ownership is undisputable in view of the fact that the lands were earlier acquired by the state government for the same project and for construction of the Shillong Bye-Pass.
“Mawpdang should have consulted and take these localities’ feelings and views first before entering into any agreement with the government and also with due information to the Dorbar of the Syiem of Hima Khyrim,” Lyngdoh said.
Meanwhile, the Lyngskhor (Second in command in the Hima), Crosswell Mylliemngap has reiterated the stance of the Raid maintaining that the customary laws laid down by the forefathers cannot be compromised at any cost as this is the right of the people.
“If the government has mentioned development as its main agenda for procuring the 2000 acres land at Mawpdang, then we want to know the exact purposes of the government and the kind of development and projects it aspires to bring in,” Mylliemngap said.
Maintaining that the traditional practices and the Land transfer Act should not be compromised for the sake of development, the Lyngskhor said that the Hima will continue to fight for the rights of the people and retain the basic foundation of the Hima laid since time immemorial even if it means taking up the matter right to the higher authority i.e., the Supreme Court.