From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, Nov 25: Residents and leaders of Namdong A&B and Mukhnang villages on Monday staged a united protest against the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council Administrative Officer’s decision to hold a meeting in Thadmynri regarding their proposed shift to Nartiang Elaka.
The protest, which was held between 9 am and 2 pm, reflected widespread dissatisfaction with the actions of the AO and the JHADC under Chief Executive Member (CEM) Thombor Shiwat.
Villagers, led by the Raij Namdong office-bearers and headmen, initially waited for the AO at Namdong-B along the road to Thadmynri from 9 am to 12 pm.
When the AO failed to appear, they convened an emergency gathering at the site to voice their grievances.
The meeting, chaired by Raij Namdong chairman L Pale, included key addresses by Elder Raij L Lyngdoh, Raij Secretary I Pakma, and the headmen of Namdong A and B, as well as leaders from Mukhnang and Ladmyngngor.
During the meeting, the speakers condemned the JHADC’s handling of the matter, accusing the Council of creating unrest within the Raij Namdong community.
Highlighting that Thadmynri is the only forest area of Namdong village, they recalled how villagers had previously welcomed settlers from Nongkhroh, Umladang and other areas to live and cultivate land. This cooperation was facilitated under the leadership of the late Dolloi Lyngngong Snieh Dolloi of Nongjngi Elaka.
The community made it clear that Raij Namdong has no historical ties to Nartiang Elaka and strongly opposed the proposal to relocate. They argued that those advocating for the move were recent arrivals with no legitimate claim to the land.
In a unified declaration, the villagers asserted that while those wishing to relocate could freely do so, they would no longer be permitted to use land in Raij Namdong.
“We will not allow them to use the land that we have provided for their living and farming due to their greed. They are free to go to Nartiang and request land there, but our land is no longer available to them,” they said in a statement.
