SHILLONG, Jan 7: KHADC’s decision to create Mawsaw village in East Khasi Hills has been seen as an erroneous move by stakeholders outside of the Council. However, its members have parried the criticisms against the Council with KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pyniaid Sing Syiem stating that the demand for the creation of Mawsaw village had been pending since 2016, which had even been brought to the attention of Hima Khyrim.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the KHADC CEM explained that the Council’s Elaka department had conducted a hearing on the matter and requested the Kharkongor clan to submit land documents delineating the boundaries of the proposed village. The Dorbar Shnong of Umphyrnai and Urmasi-u-Joh had opposed the Kharkongor clan’s request to create Mawsaw village, Syiem claimed.
“We decided to recognise the new village because the Kharkongor clan’s demand was genuine,” the CEM said.
Meanwhile, he dismissed allegations that the decision was made for political mileage, clarifying that members of the Kharkongor clan reside in multiple localities and villages, not just in Nongthymmai.
Earlier, former KHADC Deputy Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pynshngain N Syiem had clarified that the Council approved and recognised the creation of the village to resolve the ongoing boundary dispute between Umphyrnai and Urmasi-u-Joh villages.
Syiem had stated that the Council had written to Hima Khyrim seeking clarification on whether the boundaries of the two villages had been demarcated, following a request for the establishment of Mawsaw village. Instead of providing clarity to the Council, Hima Khyrim wrote directly to the two villages to inquire about their boundaries, Syiem said.
Acknowledging the boundary conflict, Syiem said the Council saw the creation of Mawsaw village as an opportunity to resolve the dispute. He explained that the boundaries of Umphyrnai and Urmasi-u-Joh would eventually be defined based on the boundaries of the newly created Mawsaw village, as Hima Khyrim had not undertaken demarcation.
Syiem added that the decision to establish Mawsaw was based on the understanding that the land comprising the proposed village belongs to the Kharkongor clan. “This will provide convenience for the Kharkongor clan by having their own village,” he stated.
He had also dismissed concerns about the village’s size, saying, “Whether there are 18 or 30 families in Mawsaw, the decision was made with the larger picture in mind.” However, the decision has faced strong opposition from local Dorbar Shnongs. The Dorbar Shnong of Urmasi-u-Joh demanded that the KHADC immediately revoke its December 13, 2024, order recognising Mawsaw village. Urmasi-u-Joh Rangbah Shnong, Phaston Wankhar, has accused the KHADC of overstepping its authority, claiming Mawsaw lies within Urmasi-u-Joh’s jurisdiction. He described the Council’s decision as disrespectful to the Dorbar Shnong and Hima Khyrim. Wankhar further alleged that the order was part of a conspiracy orchestrated by KHADC CEM Pyniaid Sing Syiem and Deputy CEM PN Syiem, in collaboration with the Kharkongor clan, to secure political leverage ahead of the KHADC elections.
Meanwhile, the Dorbar Shnong of Umphyrnai has announced a boycott of the upcoming KHADC elections in protest. It was reported that the notification for Mawsaw’s creation was issued on the same day the Deputy CEM in charge of Elaka resigned after withdrawing support for the NPP-led Executive Committee. This has added further controversy to an already contentious decision.
