The action of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council in appointing an ‘acting’ syiem who is a myntri by name Mynjurlang Majaw instead of the Syiem Khynnah or the Syiem designate, Marremdor Syiem who is to take over on the demise or ill health of the Syiem, has caused much heartburn among the people of Sohra. Marremdor Syiem has been attending functions along with the late Freeman Syiem who passed away recently. There are times when he is asked to represent the Syiem at certain events. The community of Sohra also accepts this transition wholeheartedly so why is the KHADC making exceptions to the rule? Even if the acting Syiem is not confirmed as Syiem of Hima Sohra as per the protocols cited by the KHADC, he can still remain the acting Syiem until he is confirmed so by due process. But to set aside the name of Marremdor Syiem is not par for the course and is seen as undue interference in what should have been a smooth transition in the appointment of a new Syiem following the demise of the old one.
The United Khasi and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and Headmen) Act, 1959 clearly states that in case of emergency or the demise of a sitting chieftain (Syiem) an election is to be held where the electors are clearly mentioned. Such election is to be supervised by the District Council. So even if the KHADC intends to hold elections to the office of the Sohra Syiemship, there is no bar to having an Acting Syiem to take up responsibilities in the interim. But the KHADC refuses to acknowledge the present Acting Syiem thereby causing an administrative loophole. And if as alleged the acting syiem appointed by the KHADC from among the myntri also happens to be a political actor aligned with the VPP then that makes things really murky. The VPP was elected on the premise of ushering in clean politics. But there is nothing clean in appointing someone not from the “Syiem” clan as a “Syiem” for that is defying tradition.
However, these controversies are not new for the KHADC. In the past too Syiems have been arbitrarily removed and others appointed. KHADC cites many reasons for what is called “pynkhein syiem” or setting aside a duly appointed syiem and appointing another in his place. But what has often been alleged by those in the know is that when a Syiem refuses to toe the KHADC line especially on collection of tolls from markets, forests etc. he is immediately set aside and a person pliable to the dictates of the KHADC is appointed. When the “raid’ and “shnong” under Hima Sohra are agreeable to having Marremdor Syiem as their present Syiem then why is the KHADC standing in their way? Is there a reasonable explanation or is the VPP looking at better revenue generation from Hima Sohra which is now a much-visited tourist destination? KHADC owes an explanation to the public on why it chooses to set aside a Syiem who is acceptable to the people of Sohra and wants to create unnecessary controversy.
