SHILLONG, July 17: The Dorbar Shnong of Mawlai Mawroh has unanimously resolved to remain within the Mawlai constituency, rejecting the delimitation committee’s recommendation to attach their locality to the Jaiaw constituency. This decision was made during an emergent meeting where the majority of residents expressed their preference to stay with Mawlai.
Mawlai Mawroh Rangbah Shnong, Harbor Lyngdoh Nongpyiur, stated that aligning their locality with Jaiaw was unacceptable. “It would be better to divide or split Mawlai into two constituencies if there is a need,” Nongpyiur said. The Dorbar Shnong plans to submit a petition to PN Syiem, Chairman of the Select Committee, to formally oppose the recommendation.
Earlier, NPP MDC from Mawlai, Teibor Pathaw, voiced strong opposition to the delimitation committee’s proposal.
He argued that the current delimitation exercise should focus on readjusting existing constituencies rather than separating them. Pathaw insisted that Mawlai Mawroh should remain part of the Mawlai constituency, even if it results in a higher electorate count compared to other constituencies.
Pathaw acknowledged the potential for a different scenario if a new constituency were created from the Mawlai constituency under the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule. This amendment, which aims to increase the number of seats in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), still requires approval from Parliament and will take time to implement.
“But I am not going to allow the separation of Mawlai Mawroh from the Mawlai constituency as part of the proposed readjustment of the existing 29 constituencies,” Pathaw asserted.
