Hima Mylliem hands over land at Them ïew Mawlong to Shillong Municipal Board in 1954

Shillong, June 6: The land at Them ïew Mawlong which is in the limelight over the demand to shift settlers from there, was handed over to the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) way back in 1954 by the Hima Mylliem, a traditional body in Khasi Hills.

Acting Syiem (chief) of Hima Mylliem, Ricky Nelson Syiem said that two plots were handed over to the SMB which include Plot-A (21,837 sq ft), and Plot B (11,577 sq ft).

“The agreement was signed in two parts, to allow the SMB to have the sweepers’ quarters, and the other for the construction of a shopping complex in the area,” Syiem said.

Them ïew Mawlong is part of ïewduh, an oldest and biggest market in the heart of the city under the direct management of Hima Mylliem. The biggest market measuring about 10 acres, is the hub of trade which has existed over hundred years. This biggest commercial hub in the city is very congested.

Syiem said that the land allotted as per the agreement cannot be misused for any other purposes.

“If there is any violation of the agreement, the Hima can always object. The agreement has clearly stated that if the SMB failed to utilize the land for the given purpose, the Hima can take the land back,” Syiem informed while quoting the agreement.

The chief of Hima Mylliem, said that the Hima wanted to expand ïewduh, as it is facing congestion at present, and “We have to fight to get back the land by taking legal recourse to ensure that settlers at Them ïew Mawlong (Sweepers’ Colony) could be relocated.”

He also informed that 218 families from those residing at Them ïew Mawlong have sought for land pattas (documents) from the Hima Mylliem but his office is yet to consider it.

“These 218 families have applied for land pattas but so far, we have not issued any land pattas to them,” Syiem said.

Revealing records maintained by the office of the Hima Mylliem, Syiem said that it was also found out that four land pattas were issued by the suspended chief, Latho Manik Syiem in 2009.

He said that the land pattas were issued on “humanitarian ground” in four places for the purpose of constructing Gurudwara, Guru Nanak School, Shiv Mandir and Durga Mandir, but the four land pattas were cancelled by the Hima in its order issued in 2010 following stiff opposition from several quarters.

Aggrieved by the decision of the Hima, people residing at Them ïew Mawlong sought the intervention of the court, which directed the Hima Mylliem to conduct a hearing before taking any decision on the matter.

Stating that the Hima is yet to conduct the hearing, Syiem said, “As per the court order, the matter was again remanded to the Hima and that the cancellation of land pattas should be on valid grounds.”