By Aristotle Lyngdoh
Wei-Sawdong is in the news every single day in every media channel of the country simply because the body of one of the missing couple from Indore was recovered from the adjoining gorge. This sensational incident is indeed tragic and unacceptable but all manner of speculations are looming large in the minds of people vis a vis this incident. However, this should not undermine the sincerity and determination of the local community who nurture their surroundings to promote tourism. It is perhaps for the first time in the history of the region that such an incident has happened. From all indications the Police Department is doing well despite allegations of their being incompetent by family members of Sonam Raghuvanshi. However, in solidarity with the victim’s family, we sincerely hope that this mystery should come to its logical end and justice is delivered to the aggrieved family.
Wei Sawdong the ‘three-tier’ natural waterfall is located at the bottom of the Dainthlen falls. It’s difficult to reach, yet beckons the adventurous to explore it. Wei Sawdong was unknown to the outside world for several years until some years ago, the village folks from Laitduh comprising mostly youngsters constructed a rough ladder like stairs to promote the spot for tourism purposes. And with the blessing of social media, the spot became a popular destination. But who knew that such an initiative would trigger worldwide attention as has happened today. The route to the spot is deep down from the Laitduh-Mawsahew road which is directly opposite to Dainthlen Falls. On the other side of the road on the right side is another gorge known as ‘Arliang-riat’ where the Mawsynram plateau is clearly visible. Above the other side of the ‘Arliang-riat’ lies an ancient hamlet ‘Rangjyrteh’ known for the iron-smelting industry that had flourished there.
Ever since the spot was opened to tourists the inflow has been phenomenal and no one anticipated that such a gory incident would happen despite the sincere efforts of the local community to ensure safety and security to the visitors. When the order for closure was imposed in 2023 by the Civil Sub-divisional authority under section 144 CrPC, both the tourist spots Dainthlen and Wei-sawdong became abandoned and unvisited. Even though police patrolling happens every day for a few hours, since it is a contentious spot, the need for a temporary check post should have been contemplated seriously by the district administration. This is perhaps a factor why the perpetrator of the crime used this location to execute their vicious plan.
The reason for the concerned authority to enforce precautionary measures was because of the frequent confrontation between the three villages – Laitduh, Umblai & Mawphu, all of whom claim ownership over these spots. Incidentally the Syiem too who often attempts to exert absolute administrative control on these particular areas is involved in the fracas. The KHADC has in fact directed the Syiem of Sohra to expedite the process of codifying the boundaries of these villages according to the traditional pattern envisaged by the previous ‘Syiem’ and village chiefs during the early part of the 20th century. But that has not happened due to reasons best known to the current traditional heads. If this exercise had been completed, such a tragic incident would have not happened in this area.
Since my ancestors were from this area I can recall stories and events narrated by them and how each and every spot derived its logical nomenclature such as Dain-thlen, Wei-sawdong and others. But what strikes my mind is that in today’s world, the written document is the only evidence to establish a fact before the law. Now considering that Khasis are an oral tradition people and only got our script in 1841 our ancestors establish facts and settled agreements before the advent of the written word through word of mouth. They demarcated their territories not in written form or maps but strictly on the commitment of their verbal agreement taking as boundary, landmarks such as a particular tree, a stream; stone, hill or a bush. But today, politics has taught our rural folks many things to the extent that valuable and meaningful practices of the past are neglected and set aside. This should not happen and as citizens of the enlightened century we should honour and respect the good example and initiative of our fore-parent.
From a historical perspective all these villages currently antagonistic to each other belonged to the erstwhile Khasi state known as ‘Khathynriew Shnong’ (an agglomeration of several villages) with ‘Rangjyrteh’ as the headquarter and centre of trade. Later it merged with the “Khatar-Shnong’ to form the ‘Hima Sohra’ at the initiative of the Basan (elder) of Nongkseh according to history. Therefore, in such a scenario these boundary disputes and confrontation among these villages and their dorbars are funny. The reason I use the word “funny” is because there is something behind the scenes that has prompted these villages to engage in a dispute. As a matter of fact, for many decades, perhaps a century or less, people of these villages have been living a peaceful and respectful life along with the Syiem as their honorable chief. This is common knowledge and not just my version and all those who hail from the region will agree with me on this aspect. For many decades, the inhabitants of Laitduh village have been the guardians of all the surrounding areas of Dainthlen and Wei-Sawdong. However, things suddenly took an ugly turn the moment the places began to go commercial and tourism became a thriving business in the area.
Before the year 2000 perhaps until the late 1990s, individuals had to walk 15 kms to reach Sohra market due to absence of road connectivity and proper bridges along the Sohra –Laitduh road. During those days, nobody had any interest or even bothered about the welfare of these areas except the local community there. Villagers from Umblai, Mawphu and other adjoining areas would transport their agriculture products through Laitduh village and store their items, especially bay leaves and oranges in large quantities in their friends’ or relatives’ homes at Laitduh free of cost, before shifting to Sohra on the market day. They supported each other cohesively without prejudice and that was the golden age of the region. Even traditional heads too never interfered or attempted to encroach in their neighbour’s affairs, unlike the present where land and boundary disputes are common. So the question arises as to why these disputes?
Sometimes people behave like wild animals when they see new developments and projects coming up in a particular location. They will try their best to stop such projects from taking off and the reason is pure and simple – jealousy. They seem to believe in the dictum that “it is better for all parties to lose rather than for only one to gain.” Land disputes always involve individuals and traditional leaders. For the individual and common people, livelihoods and shelters are the primary objectives for acquiring land. But for those at the higher rungs of the hierarchy it is a different kind of objective. To them, the more land they can control and manipulate the larger and better the scope to execute a deal with anyone. Having said this, I do not intend to blame anyone for this but since the issue involves the scheduled areas, the sole responsibility for addressing these problems lies with the KHADC. However, the question remains as to whether our MDCs or the MDC of this particular area has the guts to tackle these thorny issues at the cost of his vote bank.