Shillong, May 11: Advisor to the Synjuk ki Khlieh Nongsynshar Hima Sohra, Paiem Laborious Manik S. Syiem, has accused VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit of politicising an ongoing traditional dispute in Hima Sohra, asserting that the issue concerns the protection of the indigenous five-tier Dorbar system and not party politics.
Addressing the media, Syiem was responding to Basaiawmoit’s May 7 street meeting at Mawlai.
“I wish to state unequivocally: we will not be embroiled in street-level party politics or whatever party politics you may call,” Syiem said.
“Our struggle is dedicated to ensuring that party politics does not creep in to destroy the five sacred pillars of our traditional Dorbar system.”
Syiem listed the pillars as Dorbar Iing, Dorbar Kur, Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima, describing them as grassroots democratic institutions that have endured for centuries and continue to serve as the “ultimate binding force for Ki Khun Ki Ksiew Hynniew Trep Hynniew Basa.”
He said the Synjuk would continue resisting any attempt to replace or weaken traditional governance structures.
“We stand resolute in our fight to uphold and protect these sacred traditions against any authority that seeks to replace our systems,” he said.
“We will never allow party politics to creep in, for we know that if our customs and traditions die, our very existence is called into question.”
Referring to the May 7 march to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Syiem said the people of Hima Sohra had mobilised against what they viewed as an injustice concerning the traditional process of electing a Syiem.
“On May 7, 2026, the Dorbar Khlieh ki Nongsynshar Hima Sohra bad ki khun ki hajar jong ka, stood against the injustice perpetrated by the KHADC against the traditional essence of electing a Syiem by the Hima Sohra and ‘Ki Khun Ki Hajar Of Hima Sohra.’ We marched to the District Council to demand that this injustice be rectified immediately,” he said.
Criticising Basaiawmoit for raising the matter during a political gathering, Syiem said, “While we sought redress from the appropriate authorities, it is a pathetic state of affairs that you, Bah Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, chose to frame this as a party issue during your political hate speech at Mawlai.”
“My job is never to prove I am right, my job is to keep the light on until ‘ki khun ki hajar ka ri 30 Syiem 12 doloi’ find the right path,” he added.
Identifying himself as a descendant of the “kur syiem,” Syiem said he was among the many inheritors of the responsibility to safeguard Khasi customs and traditions.
“Bah Ardent, in your chase of a political chair, you seem willing to trample on the very essence of the five-tier Dorbar system that ensures our survival,” he said. “I ask you, please, desist from such steps.”
Syiem further accused Basaiawmoit of misrepresenting the demands of Hima Sohra residents by branding them as supporters of the National People’s Party (NPP).
“You branded these innocent people as NPP sympathizers, failing to see that their binding force is not party politics, but a love for the time-tested traditions inherited from their forefathers,” he said.
He maintained that the residents had approached the KHADC solely to seek a certificate of confirmation related to the Syiemship issue, which he said was within the council’s mandate.
“You are an MLA, not an MDC; your role is in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. Why interfere here?” Syiem asked.
He also denied any political affiliation with the NPP.
“It is very sad that you branded the innocent people of Hima Sohra as NPP supporters. Also, at the same time you insinuate that I am an NPP member. Let me make it clear to you, one and all that I am not so,” he said.
“My conviction is to always stand up to any injustice done to anyone and in any form. I ask you to correct this statement and desist from making such statements henceforth,” he added, concluding in Khasi: “ha ka hok ka shi kyntien, ka jingiler bad ka jingthok kan sa bishar bad kyrtoh kylla.”
