SHILLONG, April 14: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has strongly condemned the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) and officials from the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) for allegedly demolishing a boundary pillar belonging to the Nianglang clan at Hima Nonglang in West Khasi Hills. The KHADC asserted that such actions constitute a violation of traditional land rights.
KHADC Executive Member in charge of Land Development, Powell Sohkhlet, conducted an on-site inspection following reports of the incident. He was accompanied by Rambrai MDC Lurshai Kharbani, Nongstoin MDC Juristman Iawphniaw, the Sirdar of Hima Nonglang, and other local traditional leaders.
The inspection was prompted by allegations that GSU members, along with GHADC officials, had demolished the Nianglang clan’s boundary pillar at Mawkuru — an area under the jurisdiction of Hima Nonglang. Officials from the Mawshynrut Civil Sub-Division, including the Extra Assistant Commissioner and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, were also present during the inspection.
The team extended the inspection up to the Umpait river bridge near the Ildek river, which marks the boundary between West Khasi Hills and East Garo Hills.
Speaking to reporters, Sohkhlet stated that the inspection was conducted under the directive of Chief Executive Member (CEM) Shemborlang Rynjah, following a formal complaint lodged by the local MDC of Mawshynrut. He strongly condemned the alleged actions of the GHADC and GSU in dismantling the Nianglang clan’s boundary marker.
Sohkhlet clarified that the KHADC had not erected the marker in question, explaining, “The boundary pillar was installed by the Nianglang clan for internal land demarcation purposes, specifically to divide land among clan members.” He further noted that the actual inter-district boundary between West Khasi Hills and East Garo Hills lies far from the site where the pillar was removed.
Addressing the broader context of the dispute, Sohkhlet referred to a 2011 High Court ruling which affirmed that Mawkuru, Nongkonghur, and Ringkha fall under the jurisdiction of Hima Nonglang.
It may be noted that GSU members and GHADC officials, on April 7, allegedly entered Mawkuru and dismantled the Nianglang clan’s boundary marker. In response, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Mawshynrut erected a signboard near the Umpait river bridge the following day, identifying the area as part of “Hima Nonglang Sirdarship.”
However, it was later alleged that individuals from East Garo Hills subsequently removed the KSU signboard.
