SHILLONG, Dec 20: The Hynniewtrep National Youth Movement (HNYM) on Tuesday asked the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council to immediately remove the acting Syiem of Mylliem, Ainam Sing Syiem and Syiem of Raid Marwet, Kensing Syiem for allowing Garos to become headmen of villages in Ri-Bhoi under their jurisdiction.
HNYM president Louis Dohtdong told reporters that the Garos are considering themselves as headmen due to the presence of the phrase ‘Nongpyniaid Shnong’ (village supervisor) in the Mylliem Act of 2007 and administration of Mylliem Syiemship Rules, 2015.
“Therefore, we demand the deletion of ‘Nongpyniaid Shnong’ from both the Mylliem Act and the Mylliem Syiemship Rules,” he said.
He warned of closing down the KHADC office by the last week of January 2023 if the HNYM’s demands are not fulfilled.
“We are tired of demanding from the KHADC action against the acting Syiem of Hima Mylliem and Syiem of Raid Marwet since July this year. The council has remained unmoved,” Dohtdong said.
Pointing out that the self-claimed Garo headmen are now demanding Sanads (appointment letters) to be issued to them, he said only a Khasi can become the Rangbah Shnong in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region. “A Khasi cannot be appointed as a Nokma in the Garo Hills. The Garos have their own Garo Hills Autonomous District Council. It will be against our traditional practices and customs if the Garos are allowed to become headmen in areas falling under the KHADC,” Dohtdong said.
He said he was surprised to learn that there are 56 Garo villages under Raid Marwet as the KHADC had mentioned only 28 such villages in reply to an RTI he had filed in 2015.
The HNYM president claimed the self-declared headmen of 10 Garo villages had issued no-objection certificates for the setting up of casinos in the Khanapara area.
Dohtdong said the Hima Mylliem had assured during a November 2 meeting with them and the KHADC that they will write to various line departments not to recognise any documents by these Garo headmen.
“Till now, the Hima Mylliem has failed to write to the line departments,” he said, slamming the KHADC for failing to appoint a full-fledged Syiem of Hima Mylliem.
“A full-fledged Syiem should be appointed within six months according to United Khasi Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and Headmen) Act, 1959. But the present acting Syiem of Mylliem has been allowed to remain in office for more than three years, which is illegal,” Dohtdong said.
He also said the present Executive Committee headed by Chief Executive Member Titosstarwell Chyne has been delaying the appointment for allegedly carrying on interfering with the affairs of the Hima Mylliem.
“This only proves the corrupt practices of the KHADC Executive Committee,” Dohtdong alleged.
