The Meghalaya High Court has directed the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to decide within three months the plea by eight persons for removal of Acting Syiem of Mylliem, Ainam Manik Syiem as an enquiry against his uncle Latho Manik Syiem is going on.
The High Court bench of Justice Wanlura Diengdoh passed the order recently on a writ petition by Baswell Nongneng Shanpru and seven others.
The petitioners had filed a representation dated June 2, 2020 filed before the KHADC Executive Member, In-charge Elaka Administration wherein they stated that there was an enquiry conducted against the suspended Syiem of Mylliem, Latho Manik Syiem regarding various allegations against him.
According to them, the presence of the Acting Syiem of Mylliem, Ainam Manik Syiem who is the own nephew of the suspended Syiem is considered improper under the circumstances since the enquiry may not be fairly conducted.
The eight petitioners in the same representation have urged the KHADC Executive Member, In-charge Elaka Administration to remove the Acting Syiem during the pendency of the enquiry.
While passing the order, the High Court said that the representation filed by the eight persons with the KHADC should be disposed of expeditiously by the council.
“On this premise, this matter is hereby disposed of with a direction to the respondents/KHADC to dispose of the said representation dated 02.06.2020 within a reasonable time preferably within a period of three months from the date of this order,” the High Court said.
It may be mentioned that Latho Manik Syiem has been accused of misusing his power in allotment of land at Mawpat forest and Umbir beside alleged misuse of funds during his tenure.
