Cremation of elder in residential area opposed

SHILLONG: Residents of Madan Iing Syiem, Mylliem on Friday opposed the cremation of the body of an elder of the Seng Khasi, Kulam Nongrum, in a residential area.
Nongrum’s body however was cremated amidst heavy security deployment to prevent the crowd of Madan Iing Syiem from disturbing the cremation.
Hamphel Khyriem, the headman of Ing Syiem Mylliem, asserted that the village opposed the cremation claiming that an agreement was signed between the Seng Khasi and the Dorbar Shnong in 2010 to not allow any cremation in the residential area which is adjacent to a river and a school.
He claimed that the Seng Khasi violated the agreement which led the residents to come out along with residents protesting with placards and shouted slogans while the body of Nongrum was being carried.
Khyriem denied that the residents protested at the instigation of the village council but claimed that the residents were angry as the agreement was violated.
“The public oppose as they don’t want any cremation to take place near the Hemont Zenith Secondary School and adjacent to the river Umjlieng which flows to Mawphlang dam of PHE,” Khyriem said.
The Dorbar Shnong has said it would approach the district council and the deputy commissioner, East Khasi Hills to clear the argument over the cremation.
Meanwhile, the Seng Khasi Mylliem has alleged that the village has forced the Seng Khasi to sign the agreement.