MAWKYRWAT, Oct 11: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) has demanded of the Syiem of Hima Maharam to immediately stop “harassing” the people of Raid Saw Symper, while warning that it will resort to action if the demand goes unheeded.
Days after the Syiem of Hima Maharam Niandro Syiemiong filed a police complaint against leaders of the JAC Saw Symper area for obstructing the trucks and owners of the stone quarries at Umnongrim under Raid Saw Symper to pay the taxes, the JAC — comprising KSU, FKJGP, HYC and HYAM — on Tuesday made it clear that they will “continue to fight for the rights of the people of Raid Saw Symper”.
Speaking to media persons here after giving statements at Mawsynram Police Station, JAC chairman Gilbert Kharraswai said, “This is a message to the Syiem of Hima Maharam that while he may threaten us but the JAC will not move even one eyebrow because it stands to protect the rights of the people of Raid Saw Symper.”
Accusing the Syiem of trying to create fear psychosis, Kharraswai said the JAC will not allow the Syiem to take advantage of the people.
It may be mentioned that the JAC had earlier claimed that the notice issued by the Office of the Syiem of Hima Maharam dated August 31, 2022, had directed all trucks carrying stones as well as owners of stone quarries at Umnongrim to pay taxes to the Office of Syiem Hima Maharam.
The JAC said that the taxation was against the agreement signed by Bamon Syiem, the then Syiem of Hima Maharam and the leaders of Raid Saw Symper in 1944, which clearly stated that the Syiem of Hima Maharam will have the right to rule only over the people, while the land will be dealt by the Raid Saw Symper.
The JAC on September 19 conducted inspection at the stone quarries at Lumnongrim under Wahmawpat village and told all drivers and owners of the stone quarries to not pay the taxes to the Office of the Syiem Hima Maharam.
It was on October 8, the Syiem of Hima Maharam filed a police complaint against three leaders of the JAC — Drimshon Mawlein, Runningstar Kharbani and George Shangdiar — for allegedly discouraging the people from paying taxes to the Office of the Syiem Maharam.
