From Our Correspondent
MAWKYRWAT, Sep 20: The controversy over allotment of land to the BSF continues with the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), South West Khasi Hills, now alleging that the Syiem (Chief) of Hima Maharam, Niandro Syiemiong, offered land to the force without prior approval from the Executive Dorbar of Hima Maharam for the construction of a Unit Headquarters near the Mula River under Ranikor Civil Sub-Division.
Citing information obtained through an RTI, KSU district president Forwardman Nongrem said RTI documents revealed that the Syiem had already written to the Additional Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills on June 6, 2025, stating that he and the Dorbar Hima had accepted the BSF’s proposal. However, the Executive Dorbar of Hima Maharam was convened only on June 28, 2025.
Nongrem argued that this action reflected the high-handedness of the Syiem, who he claimed showed no respect for the Executive Dorbar and treated the Myntri Shnongs and Lyngdohs as mere puppets to run the Hima as he pleased. The Union, therefore, condemned the Syiem’s move and questioned whether Hima Maharam belonged to the people of the Hima or was the private property of the Syiem.
He further stated that the KSU, along with other pressure groups, NGOs, and residents of the Hima, strongly opposed the Syiem’s proposal to hand over land near the Mula River—fertile agricultural land on which hundreds of farmers depend for their livelihood. Nongrem warned that once the paramilitary force set up its Unit Headquarters, the BSF personnel would occupy the area and eventually bring their families to settle there, as seen in places such as Upper Shillong and Happy Valley.
According to the RTI, Nongrem added, the BSF had inspected only the land near the Mula River and did not want to set up the Unit Headquarters near the international border fencing. “This clearly shows that there is something questionable behind this issue. If the BSF establishes a Unit Headquarters there, it will affect the local people in many ways,” he said.
On the Syiem’s claim that the project would provide employment to locals, Nongrem dismissed it as baseless. “From what we have observed in military bases, we hardly see Khasi villagers employed there, not even for basic cleaning jobs,” he asserted.
Nongrem reiterated that the Union’s stand on the issue was firm and that it would continue to oppose the move until the Syiem and the Dorbar Hima issue a written statement declaring the withdrawal of the proposal to hand over about 70 acres of agricultural land to the BSF.
