KHNAM demands legal action against Garo individuals for illegally functioning as headmen under Hima Mylliem

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 26, 2024

The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) on Tuesday demanded the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to take legal action against individuals belonging to Garo community for functioning as headmen under the Hima Mylliem and allegedly indulging in illegal selling of land in Ri Bhoi district.

In a letter to the Deputy CEM PN Syiem, KHNAM working president Thomas Passah said, “Therefore, we strongly demand that immediate legal action be initiated against these individuals so as to ensure that law of the land prevails at all time to come.”

He alleged that individuals from Garo communities are functioning as headmen in villages like Maikholi, Pillangkatta A, Iongkhuli, Mawiong, Gambalbari, Jyrmang, Jolsyiem, Rangsakona, Chibra, Nongspung A and Nongspung C, which is in violation of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Electors and Rangbah Shnong of Mylliem Syiemship) Act, 2007.

Passah said that Section 2 (o) of the 2007 Act clearly states that “Rangbah Shnong” means a traditional elected head of a village or an urban locality under the administrative control and territorial jurisdiction of Mylliem Syiemship who belongs to a Khasi community and is duly appointed as per the provision of the Act. 

“In the process it is reported that there is a selling of land under the authorisation of these illegal headmen to person(s) not belonging to the Khasi tribes which is again another violation of section 3 (1) of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971,” he stated.

“This illegal practice if not tackle legally will demolish the very purpose of the 6th Scheduled,”Passah added.