SHILLONG: The headman of Madan Ing Syiem in Mylliem, Hamphrel Khyriem said the Dorbar Shnong (village council) did not protest the cremation of Seng Khasi elder Kulam Nongrum on August 11.
Khyriem told reporters on Monday, “We did not protest the cremation but we were disappointed that they (Seng Khasi, Mylliem) disrespected the authority of the Dorbar Shnong.”
A delegation of the traditional heads of Madan Ing Syiem, Mylliem met East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar on Monday, pertaining to a news items that appeared in a vernacular newspaper that stated that the Dorbar Shnong has apologised for the incident. Khyriem said, “We did not apologise. This has shed poor light on the Dorbar Shnong.”
When asked about the claim of the Seng Khasi that the plot of land proposed by the Dorbar Shnong is situated at a distance far from Madan Ing Syiem, Mylliem, Khyriem said, “The place (Lum Nongkhlaw) is located at the centre and not so far. It is only 2.5 km from Madan Ing Syiem, Mylliem.” On the demand of the Seng Khasi to punish the people involved in the protest, he said the action of the Seng Khasi, Mylliem has to be scrutinised. “They (Seng Khasi, Mylliem) did not communicate with the Dorbar Shnong with regard to the cremation,” he said.
It may be mentioned that the Seng Khasi, Seng Kmie on Sunday demanded that cremation should be allowed at Kper Phatok as long as another plot of land for cremation has not been identified.
