EKH village to preserve age-old resting stones

SHILLONG: A village near Pynursla has decided to preserve resting stones in and around the village which were used by travellers during the British period.
Croning Khongtani, a resident of Laitmynrieng village in East Khasi Hills, told a group of media persons during the British rule there were no roads and people would leave Mynrieng (there was no Lait Mynrieng then) early to go to Pynursla market, an 8-km journey.
“They would rest on these stones, sit and chat while waiting for other villagers and then travel together to feel safe and secure,” Khongtani said.
However, the resting stones have not been in use for the last 65 years ever since the place got road connectivity.
“During a discussion at the executive committee of the village, we decided to come up with a body that will look after the sites which bear the footprints of our ancestors,” he said.
“We need to revisit those places and renovate the sites so as to attract tourists which will benefit the people and the village as a whole,” he added.
Khongtani urged locals to preserve and conserve the stones.
As reporters took a walk on the hill, there were stones, covered with moss, wild flowers and grass, where people sat down and kept their heavy load. Khongtani said there are many places of interest such as Mawriat, Mawsyllen, Krem Khla and Synrang Hati, which the locals want to promote.
“There is a view point in the village where people can get a bird’s eye view of the entire village,” he added.