Editor,
Firstly, let us start by confirming that the landed property known as “MAWSAW” situated on both sides of the Shillong-Jowai Road and Lad Smit is a Ri Kynti (Ancestral Property) which was duly registered in the office of the Syiem of Mylliem on February 7, 1876 by our forefathers measuring about 300 acres more or less. This Land rightfully and exclusively belongs to the Kur (Clan) Kharkongor, Nongthymmai and is managed and controlled by the Ïing Khadduh Kharkongor and the Rangbah Kurs.
The false allegations of the Rangbah Shnong, Ur Masi-U-Joh that the District Council had issued the order on December 13, 2024 for the establishment of Independent Shnong (Village) of “MAWSAW” without respecting their participation is wrong and misleading. In fact, over the past few years, the Kur Kharkongor, Nongthymmai and the Ïing Khadduh Kharkongor have time and again approached the Syiem of Hima Khyrim for consultation with the neighbouring villages for a separate Shnong, which is well within their knowledge but they never appeared before the office of the Syiem.
Briefly, it can be stated here that the Shnong, Ur Masi-U-Joh has been making use of the water source from the land of the Kharkongor during the life time of our Late Rangbah Kurs (clan heads).
It may be mentioned here in that the high handedness of the Rangbah Shnong, of Ur Masi U-Joh, did not end here. The Kur Kharkongor had received a letter from him on June 9, 1999 which was dated May 26, 1999, where two families who were engaged in farming at “Mynsain” inside the Land of the Kur Kharkongor with due recognition, were threatened by the Rangbah Shnong, Ur Masi-U-Joh to stop the farming, by illegally claiming it to fall under their jurisdiction and he further took away a portion of the land from them. Thereafter on Inspection by the Elders of the Kur Kharkongor it was found that the stone boundary (Maw Bri) was erected since 1800 above and after few years cemented pillars were erected beside the stone boundary(Maw Bri) were also destroyed by bulldozing them so that he could falsely lay claim on our Land. He even went to the extent of asking land for the purpose of burial ground for his Shnong (Village) from the Syiem Hima Khyrim which was denied to him by the Syiem.
The football ground which falls within our land was also requested by the Dorbar Shnong, Ur Masi-U-Joh for its use by the Sports and Cultural Club and an agreement was drawn up dated March 31, 1997 for the use of it by both the Shnong(Villages).
The allegations issued from the office of the Rangbah Shnong, Ur Masi-U-Joh are totally false and baseless. It had never been agreed by the Kharkongor Clan, Nongthymmai that the jurisdiction of “MAWSAW” shall be managed and controlled either by the Dorbar Shnong of Ur Masi-U-Joh and Dorbar Shnong of Umphyrnai which are only neighbouring villages.
It was only after the Kur Kharkongor, Nongthymmai started giving plots to its own clan heirs that the two Shnongs started their illegal demands.
When the Rangbah Kurs along with the Ïing Khadduh Kharkongor approached the Syiem of Hima Khyrim to create their own Village (Shnong) that trouble started. The Myntris of the Hima Khyrim had also issued letters to the neighbouring villages(Shnong) for joint inspection of our boundaries but none of the members from their side co-operated, so after a very long wait for approval from the office of the Syiem, Hima Khyrim was delayed and put off from time to time, the Kharkongor Clan had no option left and therefore approached the higher authorities of the KHADC.
There were a number of notices which were also issued from the KHADC for the Syiem of Hima Khyrim to intervene and survey the areas belonging to our Clan but it never went through. Therefore, finally the authorised personnel of the KHADC and the Kur Kharkongor Elders made the survey in accordance with law and thereafter when our application was found to be genuine, the KHADC had allowed the Kur Kharkongor to establish its own Shnong (village) namely to be known as the “MAWSAW” village exclusively belonging to us. There has not been any political affiliation or any commitments for any political reasons.
The real motive of these two Shnongs is just for monetary benefits where many of our Kur have been pressurised and forced to register their plots under these two villages by paying money to them, to which the original Pattas which were issued from the Office of the Ïing Khadduh Kharkongor were not taken into consideration at all.
Therefore, we as the Kur Kharkongor Nongthymmai stand firm on our rightful claims which is also a Ri Kynti (Ancestral Property) that does not belong to the administration of any of the neighbouring Shnongs(Villages).
Yours etc.,
Iing Khadduh &
Ki Rangbah Kur Kharkongor
Pohkseh, Nongthymmai
Distorting history?
Editor,
Revisiting the past creates a pathway towards understanding the pattern to which solutions can be worked out thereby enabling better management and security. The Dhaka Tribune in its article published on December 27, 2019, ‘Remembering the ‘Phantoms of Chittagong,’ describes Operation Eagle, in which R&AW and the Special Frontier Force launched an audacious campaign against the Pakistan Army and gained superiority in an operation which has no official record. However, it seems like the narratives in Bangladesh towards India are changing. Media reports last year indicate that the interim government instructed the removal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s image from their Taka, and newly introduced textbooks stated that Ziaur Rahman declared the country’s independence in 1971. If all this is true, the Bangladesh story is mind boggling. Is Bangladesh going the India way? Al Jazeera in its report on February 19, 2024, ‘How RSS textbooks are reshaping Indian history and science under Modi’ are clear signs of fascism slowly penetrating into the edifice of democracy. Bleeding the narratives would give the enemy the edge, as foreign powers are trying to lure this springboard of the east for their own benefits. Under Muhammad Yunus, the survival of this country would depend on diplomatic manoeuvres and thoughtful planning and sharing of crucial information with their neighbours. This could give things the right meaning.
A book to supplement as to why Northeast India is at its crucial point and how going back to history will provide the answers would be Sanjoy Hazarika’s ‘Strangers of the Mist.’
Yours etc.,
Christopher Gatphoh,
Shillong-10
Laws don’t apply in Mawkasiang
Editor,
I write this letter as a concerned resident of Mawkasiang, troubled by the glaring disregard for laws that seem to exist only on paper. It is currently 10:57 PM as I pen this letter and the air is thick with the deafening sound of music blaring from what appears to be the residence of a candidate for the upcoming MDC elections.
This is not just a trivial annoyance; it is a blatant violation of government regulations. As per a circular issued in 2022, noise levels in residential areas should not exceed 45 decibels during night time hours (10 PM to 6 AM). Furthermore, the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills has explicitly restricted the use of loudspeakers and public address systems beyond 10 PM. Yet, these rules are disregarded with impunity, as if they were mere suggestions, especially when those in question are individuals of influence. Furthermore, authorities, including the village headman, have turned a blind eye. It appears that the rules exist only for the common people, while the “important” and well-connected residents are granted immunity.
The failure to enforce regulations is not only unfair but also deeply disheartening for those who rely on authorities to maintain law and order. What is the point of issuing circulars and laying down laws if they are not enforced equally? This selective application of justice is eroding trust in our leadership and governance.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email