Shillong, May 7: The Voice of the People Party (VPP)-led executive committee in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) today made it clear that it will not issue sanad to claimant Marremdor Syiem at present, citing incomplete formalities for the election of a new Syiem of Hima Sohra.
Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh said that the people of Sohra had come to the KHADC with a demand to issue sanad to Marremdor Syiem. He said that they met 10 representatives and discussed many matters and made it clear that as of now they cannot issue the sanad because there are things that need to be ironed out.
Executive Member D Chen said that the delay to issue sanad is because the Hima Sohra, through the Acting Chief, has not arranged the list of electors for election of a new Syiem at Hima Sohra. The Acting Chief, Mynjurlang Majaw, was appointed to the role by the KHADC after the death of the incumbent Syiem, Freeman Sing Syiem, last year.
Chen said that there are three fewer myntris than required for conduct of the election according to the rules and regulations.
Stating that there is another claimant, Chen said that another person, P Syiem, has also expressed his desire to contest for the post of Syiem. He is the nephew of Freeman Sing Syiem.
When there is more than one contestant it is mandatory to hold an election, Chen explained.
“We have to wait for the Acting Chief of Hima Sohra to ready everything, including the myntris and the number of electors required for conduct of the Syiem election, then only an election will be held,” he said.
Earlier today, people from Hima Sohra in large numbers, along with banners and shouting slogans, thronged the KHADC demanding the issuance of sanad, or official appointment letter, to Marremdor Syiem. The protesters demanded immediate recognition of their chosen leader.
The protesters argued that the KHADC is unnecessarily delaying the process and ignoring the will of the traditional institutions of Hima Sohra.
