SHILLONG: The Grand Council of Chiefs has expressed gratitude to Paiem Ainam Manik Syiem, Acting Syiem Mylliem and the KHADC for convening the Dorbar Hima Mylliem after almost 18 years at 5th Ground, Polo in the city on Friday.
The council also submitted a memorandum to Manik Syiem, expressing appreciation.
Grand Council of Chiefs, chairman, John Kharshiing in a statement said that they also appreciate KHADC CEM H.S. Shylla and his Executive Committee for facilitating and reviving this custom and practice of convening the annual Dorbar Hima Mylliem which is an integral part of the Khasi identity. The memorandum signed by a few residents highlighted the urgent need to review the Acts and Rules of Hima Mylliem namely The Khasi Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Electors, and Rangbah Shnong of Mylliem Syiemship) Act 2007, Amendment 2008 and The Administration of Mylliem Syiemship Rules, 2015.
“We express our anguish and serious concern as to the unfortunate incidents of May 31 at Iew Them Mawlong, Shillong Hima Mylliem, which led to law and order issues and one of the prime reasons being the lack of clarity till date of land ownership under our Hima and especially the absence of a clear and transparent Land Policy within Hima Mylliem,” Kharshiing said.
The statement further added that the Council of chiefs urged the acting Syiem and Dorbar Hima Mylliem to ensure total transparency and to clarify the manner in which landholding documents (Patta) has been issued without the knowledge of the KHADC and violating the customary laws under Hima Mylliem.
“Who issued such documents without the knowledge of the Dorbar Hima and what are the steps to be taken so that such illegalities do not happen again,” the statement added.
The chiefs also sought clarity as to the rights of the people under the Constitution of India especially relating to the Municipality, Shillong Administered Areas under Municipality, Cantonment and the jurisdiction and the powers of legislation of the Sixth Schedule and also to have clarity as to the overlapping and contradicting powers and jurisdiction of the existing Municipal and Cantonment vis a vis the customary laws of the Khasis and the applicability of the Sixth Schedule laws over the Municipal and Cantonment areas within Hima Mylliem.
“We also urgently need review of the Acts and laws to provide positive impact, improve transparency and governance in the Administration of the Dorbar Hima Mylliem. There should be an annual report, submission of audited accounts, receipt and expenditure, on revenue and assets, the approval of the annual budget from the office of the Syiem to be bought before the citizens at the Dorbar Hima Mylliem,” Kharshiing said in the statement.
They also urged clarity to building bye-laws relating to construction of houses, multi storied shops, markets, absence of parking spaces, narrow roads, illegal opening of commercial activities in residential areas under Dorbar Hima Mylliem.
There is also urgent need to have clarity through legislation as to the process of convening of the annual Dorbar Kur, Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima in the event the Syiem or Rangbah Shnong or Sordar Shnong do not convene the various levels of Dorbar, the statement added.
