MAWKYRWAT: The Synjuk of Myntri Shnong Hima Maharam Syiemship, South West Khasi Hills District, has condemned the preacher who was misleading people about Aadhaar.
The preacher, known by the name ‘Phawa’, had been telling villagers that whoever cast their vote or enroll for Aadhaar will be automatically linked to 666, which is believed to be the number of the devil.
His preaching forbade many villagers in Mawkyrwat and Ranikor from voting in the February Assembly elections, the traditional body said.
The Synjuk on Wednesday held a meeting, chaired by its president HT Snaitang, to discuss about the issue.
Snaitang said the impact of the superstitious speech made by the self-styled preacher is affecting the mindset of locals.
Headmen from different villages under the Hima Maharam said Phawa caused trouble not only to the churches but also to the villages as many families were split or separated due to his misleading information.
They further informed that the preacher and his followers visit mostly rural areas where illiteracy is high. “Therefore with this strategy, he is able to convince hundreds of people from the district to skip the recent Assembly elections in the state,” the traditional body said.
The association urged the headmen, church elders and the NGOs present to be alert.
The Synjuk requested the Deputy Commissioner to take action against the preacher and his followers.
The polling stations at Mawsep, Mawthawpdah, Photjaud War, Mawrap and Manad in Mawkyrwat, Ngunraw and Rangjadong in Ranikor recorded low voters’ turnout because of the superstition.
Mawsep polling station recorded the lowest turnout of 46 per cent (275 out of 508 voters refused to vote). Manad with a turnout of 63 per cent and Photjaud with 67 per cent were the other two booths where fear of Aadhaar loomed.
Speaking to The Shillong Times after the meeting, some Myntris informed that there has been no intervention by government officials to put an end to this rumour.
Meanwhile, DC Isawanda Laloo informed that inquiry into the matter has already started in which the SP has been directed to find the preacher. “We are beginning outreach and advocacy initiatives with headmen and villages to spread intensive awareness about the issues,” she added.
