SHILLONG: The Executive Committee (EC) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has decided to reinstate Bashemphang Thabah as the full-fledged Lyngdoh of Hima Sohiong even as the traditional heads of Krang Pyllun opposed the decision.
Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Deputy CEM Pyniaid Sing Syiem said the KHADC wants to dispense with the system of acting traditional chiefs and to henceforth appoint full-fledged chiefs.
Thabah was suspended as a full-fledged Lyngdoh by the previous EC led by former Chief Executive Member (CEM) HS Shylla on December 20, 2018. Syiem said the inquiry committee submitted a report on the matter on June 25, 2019.
Thabah was suspended on allegations of creating new villages in Krang village falling under Hima Sohiong. Thabah was accused of issuing sanat (appointment letters) to 11 sordars in Krang village.
“The decision to form new villages was made in the Executive Dorbar and the Lyngdoh cannot take the decision in his capacity. He is reinstated with the condition that he should report the system of administration in Sohiong to the KHADC,” he said.
Syiem said Thabah has flouted the Administration of Elaka Act, 1991 pertaining to the creation of new villages. However, the EC decided to reinstate him as it was evident that he did not act alone.
The village of Krang, which has more than 700 households, came to limelight when 11 Sordars were found to administer it.
Interestingly, the 11 Sordars have were entrusted to look after the village and subsequently accused of creating division in the village and among families.
Admitting that the law and order situation in Krang is still sensitive, Syiem said the EC went ahead to reinstate Thabah as the KHADC plans to go ahead and do away with the system of having acting chiefs.
“We did not decide in a hurry. The Lyngdoh will have to work together with the EC for smooth administration,” he said.
Decision opposed
Traditional heads of Krang Pyllun have opposed the decision of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to re-instate Bashemphang Thabah as the Lyngdoh of Hima Sohiong. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, president of Synjuk ki Sordar shnong, Krang Pyllun, Lemberkut Stepwar termed the decision of the KHADC as baseless and misleading.
“It is surprising that eleven Sordars would come up from one village and Thabah appointed them as Sordars,” he said adding that creation of new villages is an arbitrary decision.
He further went to allege that Thabah is not fit to be a Lyngdoh as he was suspended thrice as the Lyngdoh of Hima Sohiong.
Stepwar said that the KHADC did not inform them of their decision to re-instate Thabah. The members of the Synjuk maintained that acting Lyngdoh, Rastingwell Thabah should remain in the post until the problem in Krang village is resolved.
