By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 13: Commissioner and Secretary, Arts and Culture Department told The Shillong Times on Monday that there has been no objection regarding the archeological site at Myrkhan.
Frederick Roy Kharkongor, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Arts and Culture Department however added that the monoliths at Rynghep are on a private land and the owner has responded to the notification, as per the Meghalaya Heritage Act that gives time to reach out to the department in case of any objection.
Kharkongor said, “The owner has not raised any objection per se but since it is a private land, maybe the owner wants it done in a certain way, so we have scheduled a hearing as per the protocols.”
It may be noted that the state government had on October 25 preliminarily notified two sites in the East Khasi Hills as heritage sites- Myrkhan, a Neolithic tool site and the megalithic monuments at Rynghep, Nongkseh.
The sites after getting the clearance would be declared protected sites which will fall under the purview of the arts and culture department, and then would be looked after by the department.
“Once it is cleared, the first phase is protection so that there is no encroachment here, and the historical and archeological value is not compromised,” he added.
The initiative stemmed from architect Marco Mitri’s recommendation, leading to a confirmation of the historical significance during a visit by the department and Kharkongor.
