Shillong, May 11: Adviser of Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Hima Sohra, Laborious Manik S. Syiem, on Monday strongly criticised Voice of the People Party (VPP) president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit for allegedly attempting to politicise the recent agitation concerning the confirmation of the Syiem of Hima Sohra.
 |
| Voice of the People Party (VPP) President Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit. (File Photo) |
Addressing
a press conference alongside elders of Hima Sohra, Syiem said the movement was
rooted in the protection of customary institutions and should not be reduced to
“street-level party politics.”
He stated
that the struggle aimed to ensure party politics does not infiltrate and weaken
the five traditional pillars of the Khasi Dorbar system - Dorbar Ïing, Dorbar
Kur, Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima - which he described as the
enduring foundation of Khasi identity and unity.
Referring
to the events of May 7, Syiem said the Dorbar Khlieh ki Nongsynshar of Hima
Sohra, along with residents of the Hima, had marched to the Khasi Hills
Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to protest what they termed an injustice in
the traditional process of electing a Syiem.
According
to him, the purpose of the protest was to demand corrective action from the
District Council and seek recognition of the customary choice made by the
people of Hima Sohra.
Syiem
accused Basaiawmoit of framing the issue as a political matter during a public
meeting at Mawlai and said the movement had nothing to do with party
affiliations. He rejected allegations that those participating in the agitation
were supporters of the National People’s Party (NPP).
ALSO READ: Meghalaya CM Says Biochar Initiative Will Strengthen Farming, Soil Health and Rural Economy
“It is
very sad that you branded the innocent people of Hima Sohra as NPP supporters,”
he said, adding that their primary concern was the preservation of
long-standing customs and traditions inherited from their forefathers.
Syiem
also clarified that he was not a member of any political party and maintained
that his stand was solely against injustice and in defence of traditional
institutions.
