The Dorbar Shnong of Lawjynriew under Nongthymmai constituency hosted a common platform for candidates contesting the upcoming MDC elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
The event, held at the Lawjynriew ground, brought together key contenders in the electoral race. Among them were Allan Victor Lyngdoh (INC), Desmond K. Mawlong (UDP), Ericton Donbok Swer (KHNAM), Winston Tony Lyngdoh (VPP), Pyniaid Sing Syiem (NPP), and Fairlock Denard Ryngksai (BJP).
These candidates engaged with the community on pressing local issues.
The platform provided voters with the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, understand their visions, and assess their commitment to addressing the needs of the constituency before the crucial MDC elections scheduled for February 21, 2025.
Pyniaid Sing Syiem of the NPP emphasized that the choice of an MDC candidate by the constituents of Nongthymmai should be in the best interest of the Indigenous people.
Syiem pointed out that Paragraph 3 of the Sixth Schedule grants power to the district council to enact laws that protect the customary practices of Indigenous people in the state.
The two-term MDC from Sohryngkham, now contesting from Nongthymmai after the passing of Latiplang Kharkongor, highlighted the three pillars of the district council: its executive, legislative, and judicial powers.
He reminded the high court order on February 17, 2023, which stated that powers previously conferred to district council courts or particular officers, could no longer be exercised, thus weakening the judicial authority of the district council.
However, he noted that in 2024, they worked diligently and sent expert advocates to the Supreme Court to contest this high court ruling and obtained an interim stay.
Syiem also referenced a 2014 high court order that de-recognized the issuance of certificates by traditional heads in the state but received an interim stay from the Supreme Court in 2016.
“We have made numerous amendments during our tenure, and in recent years, we achieved these victories by putting aside our party differences to address the issues faced by our people collectively,” he stated.
Winston Tony Lyngdoh from the VPP mentioned that the VPP did not include Article 371 in its manifesto since it is not a subject of the district council.
He likened the discussion of Article 371 to the lower part of the teeth, asserting that the Sixth Schedule is its upper part.
“Together, both can provide significant benefits and security for our Jaitbynriew (indigenous people) of the state,” Lyngdoh said.
He also expressed the need to revisit the issues faced by the Khasi people living in border areas with Assam, who continue to experience significant hardships.
Desmond Lyngdoh of the UDP stressed the necessity of implementing an anti-defection law within the district council to prevent members from switching parties. This, he argued, would provide much-needed stability in the council and smooth governance would prevail.
Ryngksai of the BJP stated that the party’s promise to provide financial assistance to the weaker sections of society would be fulfilled through the legalization of coal mining, with the royalty shares going to the district council.
This funding would then be directed to the dorbar shnong, which would be in a better position to identify eligible beneficiaries.
Victor Lyngdoh of the Congress said that pointing fingers at candidates and parties only breeds division and hatred among the Jaitbynriew.
The Congress candidate emphasized the importance of working together.
He also highlighted the need for foresight regarding the dangers facing Indigenous people in the state, who, after losing their lands, have nowhere else to go—unlike individuals from other states who can return to their respective regions.
Swer of KHNAM said his entry to politics is to serve the Khasi people and protect them from the danger of influx by right implementation of the trading by the non-tribals regulation act, to relook at the Presidential order 1950, etc.
