SHILLONG: The adhoc committee of Golflinks on Friday said that there has been a demand of the residents of the three localities, Mawpun, Lumsohkynphor and Polo Hills to have separate Dorbar Shnong in the past which could not be materialised due to varied reasons.
In a statement issued here, the committee and the residents of the three localities said that they are committed to pursue the matter in a democratic and peaceful manner.
In order to gain public opinion and understand the mood and desires of the residents, a public meeting comprising the Khasi residents of the three localities was held on December 12 last year at Christ Disciple School.
During the meeting, an adhoc committee was
constituted to take forward the wish of the local residents for a separate Dorbar.
The first initiative taken by the committee was a signature campaign and the outcome of the campaign was submitted to the Dorbar Shnong and the Syiem Hima Mylliem in January this year.
The Syiem in his letter to the Rangbah Shnong, Dorbar Shnong Polo Golflink had requested him to convene a meeting of the three localities on July 13 with intimation to his office. However, the Rangbah Shnong failed to convene the meeting and sought time which was allowed by the Syiem and fixed it on July 20.
In the meantime, the Rangbah Shnong Ioanis Lyngdoh resigned from office without complying with the direction of the Syiem.
Under the changed circumstances, the Syiem had authorised the assistant Rangbah Shnong Michael Hek to continue as acting Rangbah Shnong and carry forward its direction by convening a meeting of the three localities on August 3 but he also failed.
The acting Rangbah Shnong had sought time, and August 10 was given for the meeting and public announcements were made for three consecutive days to inform residents of the three localities.
The representatives of the Syiem said the task would be carried out by voting through secret ballot with the Sun and the Moon as symbols.
Those in favour of having a separate Dorbar Shnong are to tick on the Moon and those against it are to tick on the Sun. They informed that voting is only for those residing within the three localities.
However, during voting, the acting Rangbah Shnong, secretary and few non-residents of the three localities and Rangbah Dong Pdeng Shnong misbehaved with the representatives of the Syiem abusing them and his office.
Other boys who were under intoxication and women from other localities joined in and created havoc at the venue. The adhoc committee said that they have video footages as evidence to substantiate their claim. The action of the people forced the representatives of the Syiem to wind up the proceeding.
The adhoc committee maintained that the actions of the acting Rangbah Shnong and the secretary as well as Rangbah Dong Pdeng Shnong with the representative of the Syiem were uncalled for while the Dorbar Shnong under the Hima derives its power from the Syiem.
