By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 21: The decision of the Executive Committee (EC) of the KHADC to appoint an Acting Chief instead of recognising Maremdor Syiem as the new Syiem of Hima Sohra has triggered strong resentment among traditional heads of villages under the Hima.
In a notification issued on December 19, the KHADC Deputy Secretary said that the EC has appointed Mynjurlang Majaw Myntri as the Acting Chief to temporarily administer the governance of Hima Sohra. The decision was taken following the demise of the former Syiem, Freeman Sing Syiem.
According to the notification, the EC exercised its powers under Section 11 of the United Khasi–Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and Headmen) Act, 1959, as amended from time to time, to make the appointment.
The Acting Chief will administer the affairs of the Hima in accordance with its traditional customs and practices, as well as the Acts of the KHADC, in coordination with the Executive Dorbar and subject to approval by the Council. The order has taken immediate effect and will remain in force until further notification. However, the EC’s move has angered traditional heads from various villages under Hima Sohra, who recently met Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh and Executive Member in-charge Elaka, Denzil Raynard Chen. During the meeting, they highlighted the administrative difficulties being faced due to the delay in issuance of the Sanad (appointment letter) recognising the newly appointed Syiem.
The village heads had hoped that the KHADC would issue the Sanad in favour of Maremdor Syiem. Instead, the EC decided to appoint an Acting Chief, a move that has drawn sharp criticism.
Sources pointed out that while the 1959 Act empowers the KHADC to appoint either an Acting Syiem or an Acting Chief, the EC should have respected the long-standing customs and traditions of Hima Sohra by recognising Maremdor Syiem as the new Syiem. “At the very least, the EC should have appointed an Acting Syiem,” sources said.
Sources further observed that the EC has taken advantage of the fact that Hima Sohra does not have its own separate Act governing succession. They added that in Himas such as Khyrim and Mylliem, which have their own Acts, the EC would have had little option but to respect prevailing customs.
Following the demise of former Syiem Freeman Sing Syiem on October 31, the Executive Dorbar of Hima Sohra had convened an urgent meeting on November 3 to deliberate on the succession and select a new Syiem to perform the Thang Syiem ceremony. During the meeting, Deputy Syiem Maremdor Syiem was chosen to take over as full fledge Syiem, and his appointment was approved by the Hima Pyllun Dorbar.
Subsequently, Maremdor Syiem performed the ritual purification ceremony following the death of Pa’iem Freeman Sing Syiem on November 5, 2025.
Despite this, the KHADC has yet to issue the Sanad recognising him as the Syiem of Hima Sohra, leading to growing dissatisfaction among traditional authorities and villagers alike.
