The Chief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) today condemned what he described as the “barbaric” act of certain residents of Hima Sohiong, who last week violently protested in front of the council.
The residents, under the banner of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Hima Sohiong, had marched to the KHADC with black flags and sloganeering with a demand to remove Thabah over land he signed away to Hima Jirang. Unable to get into the premises, the crowd tried to tear down the gates of the KHADC in order to gain access. The JAC had accused Thabah of secretly handing over Nongwah-Mawtamur to Hima Jirang without the consent of the Dorbar Hima Sohiong. The handover was approved by the executive committee of the KHADC on August 6, 2015.
On Monday, the CEM condemned this behaviour and said that there are better and more peaceful ways for the people to have their voice heard. The KHADC will also decide on what action to take over the violence.
When asked about the reason for the delay in solving the issue, the Executive Member in charge of Elakas, Jambor War clarified that 13 villages of Hima Sohiong transferred to Hima Jirang in 2014. These villages, he added, had intimated Hima Sohiong beforehand of their intention and representatives of both himas signed an agreement for the handover in 2015. Only in 2019 did the people of Hima Sohiong raise a protest.
