Non-tribal headmen: KSU complains to KHADC

HP NEWS SERVICE
Shillong, Jul 1: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has petitioned the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) over the issue of non-tribals claiming to be headmen in the Majai area of East Khasi Hills district.
The KSU said that these people have created five new villages – Proper Majai, Nayabasti, Chakalabasti, Dhorombasti and Alubari and call themselves ‘Mulor’ (headmen).
KSU assistant general secretary, Readyon Stone Nongrum said today that these headmen have written a letter to the students’ body stating that they did not have a hand in the incident at Inchamati, wherein one KSU member was killed by a mob on February 28 this year.
“We will meet the Syiem of Hima Sohra, Freeman Syiem and ask him to provide us proper documents along with proof on how these people got to create these new villages,” Nongrum said after meeting Executive Member (EM) Elaka Administration, Jambor War.
During their meeting with War, the KSU has urged the KHADC to immediately arrest these self-styled headmen.
The KSU also said that the KHADC has failed in its duty wherein even as five new villages have been created by these non-tribals, the district council has no knowledge about this development.
“Even in RR Colony at Rynjah there is a village council and in Police Bazar a non-tribal claims to be the headman of the area,” Nongrum said.
Nongrum also said that they have spoken to the Syiem of Hima Sohra and asked him to clarify in writing on when these self-styled headmen are operating and who gave them the power to do so.
Meanwhile, the EM Elaka said that he will summon the Syiem of Sohra to enquire about the matter and whether or not he has recognised these villages.
War also informed that the matter has not come to the notice of the KHADC.
“The district council is the authority that can give approval for creation of a village proposed by the Hima or Elaka,” War added.
He also said that if these villages were created on their own without the knowledge of the authorities then the KHADC will have to direct the Syiem of Sohra to derecognise these five villages.