Traditional body opposes market plan at Mawlai

SHILLONG: Traditional leaders of the Mawlai Town Dorbar have opposed the attempt of the KHADC to set up a market at Mawlai Mawroh asserting that it will disturb the catchment area which is the main source of water supply in Mawlai and the adjoining areas.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, President of Mawlai Town Dorbar, SD Khongwir said, “We will oppose the setting up of a market there as it will affect the source of drinking water for all Mawlai residents. The people of Mawlai are united and we will continue to oppose the attempt tooth and nail”.
With report that the KHADC plans to establish a market in the area to reduce congestion in Iewduh, a delegation of the Mawlai Town Dorbar met CEM of KHADC Titos Chyne who said that the market in Mawlai Mawroh is only at the planning stage.
However, the council is on the lookout for a market place to decongest Iewduh, the CEM said, adding that the delegation will be taken into confidence henceforth.
Fearing the pathetic condition of Iewduh, the local body has decided to oppose the plan of a market place in the area which may as well affect the area in many ways especially the catchment areas.
Khongwir said that Mawlai Water Supply Scheme has outlived its utility and it is over 50-years-old.
Pointing to the importance of the catchment area to the people of Mawlai, headman of Mawlai Mawroh, Peter Lamare said that Umshing is the gift of Lum Mawpat and Mawlai is the gift of Umshing as the water source of Mawlai is Umshing.
“It will be a very bad move if the water source is being disturbed at Lum Mawpat”, he said.
However, Khongwir and Lamare also pointed out that establishing a market will usher in huge revenue which will be a setback to some of the opposing groups.
“There will be a temptation because it generates revenue”, Lamare said. Khongwir echoed, “We should not get carried away and should not be misguided by the search committee”.
Lamare also alleged that non-Khasis might also dominate the market in Mawlai as is evident in Iewduh.