Nongkrem MLA Lambor Malngiang pointed out that
the provisions of the KHAD (Administration of Elaka) Act, 1991, clearly require the consent of parent villages — Umphyrnai and Urmasi-u-Joh — before establishing any new village. He stated that neither of the two Dorbar Shnongs had given their consent for the creation of Mawsaw village
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 8: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is facing serious backlash over its controversial decision to establish a new village called Mawsaw in East Khasi Hills.
Nongkrem MLA Lambor Malngiang, on Wednesday, met KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pyniaid Sing Syiem to seek clarification on the Executive Committee’s decision to approve the new village.
Speaking to reporters, Malngiang, who is also the local Member of District Council (MDC) for Nongkrem, stated that he plans to engage with the Syiem of Hima Khyrim and the Dorbar Shnongs of Umphyrnai and Urmasi-u-Joh to address the issue collectively with the Council.
Malngiang pointed out that the provisions of the KHAD (Administration of Elaka) Act, 1991, clearly require the consent of parent villages — Umphyrnai and Urmasi-u-Joh — before establishing any new village. He stated that neither of the two Dorbar Shnongs had given their consent for the creation of Mawsaw village.
Additionally, Malngiang noted that even Hima Khyrim had not issued any recommendation supporting the establishment of the new village. He questioned the unusual procedure in which the Deputy CEM signed the order for the village’s creation, a task typically carried out by a joint secretary of the Elaka department.
“I have seen that the order to approve the creation of the village was signed by the former Deputy CEM, Pynshngain N Syiem,” he said. Malngiang added that he plans to consult his legal counsel before sending another formal request to the KHADC, urging the Council to resolve the dispute with the two Dorbar Shnongs over the Mawsaw village.
Earlier, defending the Council’s decision, KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pyniaid Sing Syiem explained that the demand for the creation of Mawsaw village had been pending since 2016 and had even been brought to the attention of Hima Khyrim. Syiem stated that the Council’s Elaka department conducted a hearing on the matter and requested the Kharkongor clan to submit land documents marking the boundaries of the proposed village. He also noted that the Dorbar Shnongs of Umphyrnai and Urmasi-u-Joh had opposed the Kharkongor clan’s request to establish Mawsaw village.
“We decided to recognise the new village because the Kharkongor clan’s demand was genuine,” the CEM said, dismissing allegations that the decision was politically motivated. He clarified that members of the Kharkongor clan reside in various localities and villages, not just Nongthymmai.
It may also be noted that the former KHADC Deputy CEM, Pynshngain N Syiem, had clarified that the Council’s approval of the village aimed to resolve an ongoing boundary dispute between the Umphyrnai and Urmasi-u-Joh villages.
