The Joint Action Committee of Hima Sohiong has demanded that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council remove Bashemphang Thabah, the Lyngdoh (chief) of Hima Sohiong over land he signed away to Hima Jirang.
Accusing Thabah of secretly handing over Nongwah-Mawtamur to Hima Jirang without the consent of the Dorbar Hima Sohiong, the JAC chairman, Purningstar Shabong, said that the handover of Nongwah-Mawtamur to Hima Jirang was approved by the executive committee of the KHADC on August 6, 2015 without following proper procedures, which included getting the consent of the people.
According to Shabong, this handover will also complicate the efforts to resolve the border dispute between Meghalaya and Assam as all the land documents of Nongwah-Mawtamur are in the possession of Hima Sohiong.
The JAC had filed a complaint with the KHADC in September 2019 (which also called for Thabah’s removal), with a reminder the following month, but Hima Sohiong did not get a response, despite promises from the Executive Member in charge of Elaka Administration, Jambor War, promising to look into the matter.
“This delay by the KHADC to act on our demand has paved the way for Assam to encroach even further into many areas under Nongwah-Mawtamur that are adjacent to Assam. The people there are facing constant harassment from the Assam side,” Shabong said.
The JAC also accuses Thabah of misusing lakhs of rupees that belonged to the Hima and his remaining in position shows that “Titosstarwell Chyne is not fit to lead the KHADC as the Chief Executive Member,” Shabong added.
