Nongpoh:
The newly-elected Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council executive council (EC) along with its CEM on Monday visited Ummat village which falls under the disputed Block II area in Ri Bhoi district to ensure peace is maintained as well as to address the problems faced by the residents of the border area.
A meeting was organised between the KHADC and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) to demonstrate cooperation in preserving peace between two sides.
The meeting was attended by CEM Pyniaid Singh Syiem, Pynshngain N Syiem (Deputy CEM), Lamphrang Blah (Chairman), Charles Marngar (Deputy Chairman), Rangkynsai Kharbuki (Executive Member), and Teibor Pathaw (Executive Member) and from KAAC, Avijit Kro MAC Chintong constituency and other village leaders, including Blik Sohtun (Chairman of Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong Border Area) and Syiem Khynnah of Raid Nongtung.
One of the purposes of the visit was to observe the Mawbah of the 12 clans. Mawbah is a ritual where the skeletons of deceased individuals from the 12 clans of Raid Nongtung are buried. This ritual is performed to preserve and honour the ancestral place.
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The councils assured to work together in various ways to maintain peace and tranquility.
The KHADC delegation also held a meeting in Mawlasnai village with the village leaders to discuss the challenges faced by the public in the area, particularly in light of the upcoming government decision on border settlement, which includes Block II.
Addressing the media after the meeting, KHADC CEM Pyniaid Singh Syiem emphasised that the Council’s purpose in visiting these places was to specifically assess the land, the ritual site of the 12 clans of Raid Nongtung, and the cultural heritage preserved by their forefathers. As a district council, it is their responsibility to oversee the land, soil, and cultural preservation of such places. He further said that the Council would allocate budgetary resources during the session to preserve the ritual site for future generations.
Syiem also expressed that the Council’s visit aimed to instill hope among the public.
The CEM urged both Khasi and Karbi communities to maintain peaceful coexistence.
He also informed that the Council will convene a meeting and present the matters to the Border Settlement Committee.