By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 23: Opposition Leader in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Titosstarwell Chyne, on Tuesday, said he has advised the council’s Executive Committee (EC) to appoint former Deputy Chief (Syiem Khynnah) of Hima Sohra, Maremdor Syiem, as the Acting Syiem.
He asserted that the move would be apt as Maremdor Syiem had been selected to take over as the full-fledged Syiem, and his appointment was duly approved by the Hima Pyllun Dorbar and the Syiem clan.
Speaking to reporters here, Chyne said he had conveyed his views to both the Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh and the Executive Member (EM) in charge of Elaka, Dezil Raynard Chen. He stated that Maremdor Syiem, who has the endorsement of the Dorbar and enjoys unanimous support from the public, could have been appointed as Acting Syiem temporarily.
“I do not understand why the EC has not confirmed Maremdor Syiem as the Acting Syiem. Instead, they have appointed a Myntri, Mynjurlang Majaw Myntri, to take charge,” Chyne said.
Clarifying the role of the Council, he said that the KHADC does not appoint a full-fledged Syiem directly. He explained that the formal installation of the Syiem involves due process, including placing the matter before the House along with a report submitted by the EC for confirmation.
Earlier, the KHADC’s decision to appoint an Acting Chief triggered strong resentment among traditional heads of villages under Hima Sohra. In a notification issued on December 19, the KHADC Deputy Secretary said that the EC had appointed Mynjurlang Majaw Myntri as the Acting Chief to temporarily administer the governance of Hima Sohra following the demise of former Syiem, Freeman Sing Syiem.
According to the notification, the EC exercised its powers under Section 11 of the United Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and Headmen) Act, 1959, as amended from time to time. The Acting Chief will administer the affairs of the Hima in accordance with traditional customs and practices, as well as the Acts of the KHADC, in coordination with the Executive Dorbar and subject to approval by the Council.
The order has taken immediate effect and will remain in force until further notification.
Village heads had hoped that the KHADC would issue the Sanad in favour of Maremdor Syiem. However, the EC’s decision to appoint a Myntri as the Acting Chief instead has drawn sharp criticism.
Sources pointed out that while the 1959 Act empowers the KHADC to appoint either an Acting Syiem or an Acting Chief, the EC should have respected the long-standing customs and traditions of Hima Sohra by recognising Maremdor Syiem as the new Syiem. “At the very least, the EC should have appointed an Acting Syiem,” one of the sources said.
