SHILLONG: The Executive Committee (EC) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Committee has asserted that Sweepers’ Lane belongs to the Nongkhlaw clan and should be handed over to its rightful owners.
With a view to strengthen their stand on the issue of Sweepers’ Lane, the KHADC decided to write to the Syiem of Hima Mylliem to issue appointment letter (sanat) to a Myntri from the clan.
KHADC chief executive member Hispreaching Son Shylla told reporters on Tuesday that the owners of the land at Them Iew Mawlong are from the Nongkhlaw clan and it does not belong to the Hima Mylliem.
“Now that a Myntri has been appointed, they will come forward with regard to the issue of Them Metor,” he added.
Shylla claims that the clan would know better about the course of action taken with regard to the land at Them Metor while referring to the lease agreement with the then British government.
“These were the lands which were leased to the then British government during 1874 when Colonel HS Bivar was the Deputy Commissioner.’’
‘‘The lease is lapsed under Section 7 of the Indian Independence Act, 1947,” he said.
The CEM further added that the treaty which was signed between the English government and 25 chiefs has lapsed and are free.
“The lands are returned to the rightful owners-the government of India, Assam and Meghalaya will not be able to stake claim of the land,” “the CEM said.
Shylla said the state government, in all these years, did not understand and instead claimed ownership of these lands. It does not understand Section 7 of the Indian Independence Act, 1947.
With regard to the agreement signed between the Syiem of Mylliem and the Shillong Municipal Board in 1954, Shylla said that the agreement was signed at a later stage.
Speaking of Khasi state, Shylla said, the Khasi state became part of India on January 26, 1950.