Shillong, June 20: Ka Dorbar ki Khlieh Nongsynshar Ka Ri Hynniewtrep has expressed its shock and strongly condemns the intimidation and threat to the Dorbar Kur or Seng Kur, Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima, (the traditional bodies of Meghalaya) as reported in the khasi dailies on 17th June 2014, by Mr Ardent Basaiawmoit, MLA & MDC, CEM KHADC, who is also heading the ARPA (UDP, HSPDP bad KHNAM), in the KHADC. The reported threat is based purely on political considerations for the benefit of the HSPDP and the ARPA which is leading the party based Government in the KHADC.
As per newspaper report in the Khasi dailies The CEM, KHADC’s Mr Ardent Basaiawmoit, CEM, KHADC stated that ‘his Executive Committee will find out all who all are associated with this Dorbar Khlieh Nongsynshar led by Bah John and will punish and persecute them as per law as this Dorbar is a only a political platform of the vice president of the Congress meant for his political self interest’ The Dorbar recalls a famous quote ‘you will know the person’s true colours and character only after he sits and assumes power’ . The Dorbar will definitely not be cowed down by such intimidation and threat, and will take up this matter of threat with the State Government and other Constitutional Authorities.
The manner of threat and intimidation, from the CEM, KHADC, is a clear abuse of authority just because his party the HSPDP and the ARPA is in power. This is a clear violation of Human Rights and the right to freely associate for good and rightful purposes.
We urge all the Khlieh Nongsynshar Village Chiefs, Clan Chiefs, Dorbar Kur or Seng Kur, Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid or Dorbar Hima not to be intimidated by such threats from the CEM, KHADC and the ARPA comprising the HSPDP UDP, and the KHNAM. It is shocking that the UDP and the KHNAM are still quite till today, where is their commitment to protect and preserve the customary rights.
With regards to the statement that the present CEM, KHADC does not recognize the Dorbar Ki Khlieh Nongsynshar Ka Ri Hynniewtrep which comprises of the Federation of Khasi States, Ki Sirdarship, Council of Dolloi, and Council of Nokma, the Dorbar would like to remind the CEM, KHADC and his EM’s, that the Chiefs were invited on 21st October 2013, to Raj Bhavan, Shillong to meet Shri. Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India. Further, the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, would receive messages during the Dorbar Ri ( Peoples Parliament) during 2004, 2007, 2011, and 2013 from the former Presidents including the present incumbent. Messages from other embassies, and countries were also received. It is also necessary to state that ALL POLITICAL PARTIES were always invited to the Dorbar Ri convened by the Chiefs.
The CEM, KHADC should check from his officers in his office and enquire as to how many times the Chairman of the Chiefs have been invited to participate in various committees and discussions.
The Dorbar feels that the CEM and EC of the KHADC are free to recognize or not to recognize the activities of the Dorbar but they, the KHADC has no right to do away with the traditions and customs as done recently in Hima Malaisohmat, where this tradition has been recognized even by the colonial british rulers, the Assam Government and past Executive Committees of the KHADC.
What is completely contradictory is that on one hand the CEM, KHADC says that he wants to bring in so called Indian democracy on the other hand he intimidates and threatens the Dorbar Kur or Seng Kur, the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima warning them not to associate freely to demand for their citizens (u khun u hajar’s) rights.
The MDCs represents various political parties, while most of the Chiefs do not expose their political affiliation and do so discretely in an individual manner, as they are free to do so as per the Election Commission of India.
When a Dorbar is convened, discussions that is party based in nature or is likely to favour individuals is not allowed. The party less political discussions are strictly on matters that would affect the rights of the citizens (u khun u hajar).
Initially the Dorbar did not seem it fit to respond to the demeaning statement of the CEM, KHADC, however as this statement was intimidating and threatening in nature, and after receiving large number of phone calls from far and wide from the various levels of the traditional institutions expressing their anger and displeasure on such statements from a person holding high office of CEM, KHADC, we were compelled to respond with this press conference, for the benefit and awareness of the CEM and his EM, under the ARPA comprising of the HSPDP, UDP and KHNAM.
Without any partiality, we would like to state that this matter has been going on for many decades, and which ever party that holds power in the the KHADC from time to time has abused power for their personal and political benefits, and it is for this reason that the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, has been demanding a separate PARTY LESS COUNCIL to address the issues of the Chiefs in a fair and impartial manner.
The charge by the CEM, KHADC that this Dorbar has been for the self-interest and political gain of Bah John, we would like to state that the CEM himself is also one of the Working Presidents, of the HSPDP party, including the EM i/c Elaka. Infact all MDC’s represents one party or the other, as per Election Commission rules.
The CEM, KHADC, need not make efforts to identify and punish the Syiem, Sirdar, Dolloi, Rangbah Shnong, Sordar Shnong, Myntri, Lyngdoh, Basan, (Chiefs) who are associated with the Dorbar all information is already available in the KHADC, all he has to do is call for the large number boxes of files and letters including pictures available with the KHADC submitted from the Chiefs to the past CEM’s of the KHADC.
The Dorbar has encountered a number of CEM’s and Executive Committees, some have respected the customary rights and some have been abusive and misinterpreted the customary rights of the Khasi people, what is more damaging is that this Executive Committee of the ARPA has placed self-interest and party based interest as paramount and have undermined the Customary Laws.
Ka Dorbar Ki Khlieh Nongsynshar Ka Ri Hynniewtrep, comprises of chiefs and Clan elders right from the Dobar Kur or Seng Kur, Dorbar Shnong, Raid and Dorbar Hima, (It also comprises of The Federation of Khasi States, Ki Sirdarship, Ka Dorbar ki Dolloi) and this Dorbar is also in association with the Council of Nokmas under the The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya. The Dorbar Ki Khlieh Nongsynshar ka Ri Hynniewtrep was constituted on 17 July 2003.
It is because of the The KHADC Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and Headmen Act 1959, which enslaves the Khasi Chiefs, that made the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Chiefs to entrust the post of Chairman, to Bah John F Kharshiing, as the draconian law cannot suspend or remove someone who is not a Syiem, Lyngdoh, Sirdar or Dolloi.
Subsequently, again in September 2011, the Chiefs unanimously elected John F Kharshiing, as Chairman, of the Grand Council of Chiefs to convene the Dorbar Ri (Peoples Parliament) and to pursue the issues and rights of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people as enshrined in the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of 17 Aug 1948, to its logical conclusion.
The Dorbar has encountered numerous hurdles including lack of political will from the political parties, but has remained consistent in its objectives which are starting to show some results. The Dorbar would like to state that many Chief Executive Members and Executive Members of the KHADC have come and gone since last 62 years but the Dorbar Kur, the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima has remained till date, inspite of a number of difficulties, intimidation and threat.
However, dispite all this threat and intimidation, we would still like to extend our hand of cooperate and make concrete suggestions to the present CEM and the EC of the KHADC under the ARPA, so as to build and not to destroy which has been there since time immemorial, and where it requires magnanimity from those in Power and not to function through threat and intimidation to the traditional institutions.
To avoid such mis-interpretation and damage to the customary laws of the Khasi people the Dorbar urge the KHADC and the State Government to urgently consider setting up of a permanent TRIBUNAL to look into all the issues of codification and customary laws and rights of the unique people. This TRIBUNAL should be chaired by a High Court judge and not by a politically party based CEM or EM of the District Council.
In fact the Dorbar would like to test the CEM and EM in charge Elaka including all MDCs supporting the ARPA to show their desire for democracy and transparency by immediately amending the KHADC Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and Headmen Act 1959, so as to enable and empower the citizens (u khun u hajar) to deliberate freely in their own Dorbar Kur, Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid, and Dorbar Hima as per Customary Law and practice since time immemorial. For such steps the Dorbar will surely support the CEM , EM and the KHADC.
We call on all the Village Chiefs, Clan Chiefs, Dorbar Kur or Seng Kur, Shnong, Raid bad Hima, to adhere to the Customary rights and practice as handed over to us by our ancestors and to protect and preserve them for the benefit of the future generations.
U bah John u shu khleh jaktung tang na ka bynta ka myntoi shimet…san snem mynshwa u ialeh ia ka election hynrei u rem…..mynta u sdang da kine ki kam hima sima, dorbar kur, dorbar shnong ban iarap ia u ha ka politic hynrei kynmaw bah John ba ngi ki khasi-pnar ngim dei shuh kiba biej ba phi lah ban pynbiej….phi dei tang u briew jong u Mukul bad ka Sonia
Bah Helix Mawsor. Kam mut tang ba la dei U politician uba la rem ym lah shuh ban pynksan ne leh eiei na ka bynta ka Imlang Ka Sahlang. Lada ka long kumta te ka mut ba baroh kiba la rem Eelction kim bit shuh imat ban shong ha Ka Ri Khasi Ba Ieit Ki Blei. Kaba kham ma ia u paralok Politician jongngi uba long Niam Khristan uba tip bha ruh shaphang kiei kiei kiba U Jisu U la ong ba Nga la wan ban pynskhem; ym ban pyndam. Nga sngew kine ki kyntien ki thew shai ia Ka Imlang Ka sahlang jongngi ruh kum Ka Jaidbynriew Rit Paid ba ngin ym lah ban pyndam ne pynduh ia kaei kaba Ki Longshwa Manshwa ki la buh beit buh ryntih na ka bynta Ka Dustur Ka Ritu bad Kolshor jong ngi ka Jaitbynriew Khasi Kaba dang shah niew kum ka Jaitbynriew Rit Paid ha Ka Ri India baiar. Na kata ka daw wat Ka ktien Bah, Kong bad Rangbah ka thew shai ba ngi la kham sngewthuh ban niew kor la ka jong. hynrei don kiba thoh Mr & Mrs. Ngi kwah leh phareng, hynrei ngi dei ban tip ba u phareng u bam 180 tylli ki pylleng ha ka shi shisnem na ka bynta ban ioh ka met kaba koit kaba khiah. Katba ha Ka Ri Khasi (Meghalaya) ngi pynmih pylleng Syiar tang kumba 13 tylli shisnem na ka bynta uwei u briew. Katba haba ngi la wanrah na shabar ruh, ka dap tang kumba 103 shisnem na ka bynta uwei u briew. Te haei kata “Ka Standard Life of Livng” jongngi. Hynnin ka sngi, na Delhi 20 Jylliew 2014 Ka Sorkar U Modi uba bunsien u kren da ka Hindi, hynrei ka sorkar jong u ka sngewthuh shai kdar ba yn ym lah ban pynbor iano iano ban thoh bad kren Hindi. Kumtaka Sorkar U Modi ka la pynbna ba yn ym lah ban pynbor iano iano ban kren lane thoh da ka Hindi khamtam hakito ki “Non Hindi Speaking States”. Kane ka mut ba ngi dang hap hi ha “Ka Category “C” jong Ka Official Language Act kaba la mih naduh u snem 1968. Wat U Modi u burom ia kaba la buh kiba rim; balei ia ngi pat hangne ha Ri Khasi jongngi. Hato, lada ioh bor ki bym ju ioh bor bad ki leh bor, ka long mo ia ngi ban shu ia sngap jar. Ngi shait ioh sngew teng teng ha Iing Iap Briew ha ki Thain Mawlai ba ki Tymmen ki ju ia ong; “Oh lada Kew u bym ju ioh Kew, Wat u Kada ruh u jew slew”. U Soso Tham u ong; Quoted: “U Syiem kam pher la dei ‘U Maw; Ka Hima kit u rit u khraw; Bishar Khadar ryngkat bad ki; Ha U ki ai ka Nar-Bylli; Te kum U ‘Tiew Mynngor Lyngsyun; Kumta ka iaid Dorbar Pyllun”. Unquoted: Ia Ka Autonomous District Council la buh khnang ban kdup Ia KI Syiem, Ki Hima bad kumno ban kham pynbha ia kaba la don LYPA; ym ban pynduh PYNDAM. LYM KUMTA KAN LONG LEHNOHEI BAN BUH IA KA DUR KABA ITYNNAT JONG U RANGBAH J J M NICHOLSROY (I Bah Joy) HA MAN LA KI KAMRA JONG KA KHADC wat lada tang shikyntien ruh ym shim la niew kor ne jer eiei ha Ka Por Ba Dap 50 snem Ka KHADC lada ngam bakla. Khublei ia phi baroh lada phi ioh pule ia kane. Lada nga bakla, sngewbha ban kham pynshai shuh shuh ia nga. Ngim kwah ban long kum Ka Hima Madur Maskut. To ngin ia tei; ym ban shu ia khlei, da kiei kiei ki bym sngewdei, ioh paw bieit ha ka pyrthei. Bah Lorenzo P Warjri (Larry) Mawlai Shillong………..
Comments on SPNEWSAGENCY…
Bah Helix Mawsor. Kam mut tang ba la dei U politician uba la rem ym lah shuh ban pynksan ne leh eiei na ka bynta ka Imlang Ka Sahlang. Lada ka long kumta te ka mut ba baroh kiba la rem Election kim bit shuh imat ban shong ha Ka Ri Khasi Ba Ieit Ki Blei. Kaba kham ma ia u paralok Politician jongngi uba long Niam Khristan uba tip bha ruh shaphang kiei kiei kiba U Jisu U la ong ba “Nga la wan ban pynskhem; ym ban pyndam”. Nga sngew kine ki kyntien ki thew shai ia Ka Imlang Ka Sahlang jongngi ruh kum Ka Jaidbynriew Rit Paid ba ngin ym lah ban pyndam ne pynduh ia kaei kaba Ki Longshwa Manshwa ki la buh beit buh ryntih na ka bynta Ka Dustur Ka Riti bad Kolshor jong ngi ka Jaitbynriew Khasi kaba dang shah niew kum ka Jaitbynriew Rit Paid ha Ka Ri India baiar. Na kata ka daw wat Ka ktien Bah, Kong bad Rangbah ka thew shai ba ngi la kham sngewthuh ban niew kor la ka jong. Hynrei don kiba thoh Mr & Mrs. Kane ka long kaba ma. Ngi kwah leh phareng, hynrei ngi dei ban tip ba u phareng u bam 165 – 180 tylli ki pylleng ha ka shi shisnem na ka bynta ban ioh ka met kaba koit kaba khiah. Katba ha Ka Ri Khasi (Meghalaya) ngi pynmih pylleng Syiar tang kumba 13 tylli eiei shisnem na ka bynta uwei u briew. Wat la ngi la wanrah na shabar ruh, ka dap tang kumba 103 tylli eiei shisnem na ka bynta uwei u briew. Te haei kata “Ka Standard Life of Living” jongngi. Hynnin ka sngi, na Delhi 20 Jylliew 2014 Ka Sorkar U Modi uba bunsien u kren da ka Hindi, hynrei ka sorkar jong u ka sngewthuh shai kdar ba yn ym lah ban pynbor iano iano ban thoh bad kren Hindi. Kumta ka Sorkar U Modi ka la pynbna ba yn ym lah ban pynbor iano iano ban kren lane thoh da ka Hindi khamtam ha kito ki “Non Hindi Speaking States”. Kane ka mut ba ngi dang hap hi ha “Ka Category C” jong Ka Official Language Resolution dated 18th January, 1968 as adopted by both Houses of Parliament”. Wat U Modi u burom ia kaba la buh kiba rim; balei ia ngi pat hangne ha Ri Khasi jongngi. Ne ngi ju ia don por tang ban khlong iwei ia iwei.
Hato, lada ioh bor ki bym ju ioh bor bad ki leh bor, ka long mo ia ngi ban shu ia sngap jar. Ngi shait ioh sngew teng teng ha Iing Iap Briew ha ki Thain Mawlai ba ki Tymmen ki ju ia ong; “Oh lada Kew u bym ju ioh Kew, Wat u Kada ruh u jew slew”. U Soso Tham u ong; Quoted: “U Syiem kam pher la dei ‘U Maw; Ka Hima kit u rit u khraw; Bishar Khadar ryngkat bad ki; Ha U ki ai ka Nar-Bylli; Te kum U ‘Tiew Mynngor Lyngsyun; Kumta ka iaid Dorbar Pyllun”. Unquoted: Ia Ka Autonomous District Council la buh khnang ban kdup Ia KI Syiem, Ki Hima bad kumno ban kham pynbha ia kaba la don LYPA; YM LAH BAN PYNDUH PYNDAM. LYM KUMTA KAN LONG LEHNOHEI BAN BUH IA KA DUR KABA ITYNNAT JONG U RANGBAH J J M NICHOLSROY (I Bah Joy) HA MAN LA KI KAMRA JONG KA KHADC wat lada tang shikyntien ruh ym shim la niew kor ne jer eiei ha Ka Por Ba Dap 50 snem Ka KHADC lada ngam bakla. HA KA POR Election; jied ia ngi ban leir sha Ka Durbar Thawain khnang ba ngin ia leh ban pynneh pynsah ia “Ka Dustur Ka Riti Ka Jaidbynriew Rit Paid”. Khublei ia phi baroh lada phi ioh pule ia kane. Lada nga bakla, sngewbha ban kham pynshai shuh shuh ia nga. Ngim kwah ban long kum Ka Hima Madur Maskut. To ngin ia tei; ym ban shu ia khlei, da kiei kiei ki bym sngewdei, ioh paw bieit ha ka pyrthei. Bah Lorenzo P Warjri (Larry) Mawlai Shillong………..