Shillong,May 7: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council premises witnessed massive protests on Thursday as hundreds of residents and traditional functionaries of Hima Sohra demanded that the VPP-led Executive Committee immediately grant formal recognition to Bah Marremdor Syiem as the new Syiem of the Hima.
The protestors, including Myntris, Sordars, shnong secretaries and local leaders, gathered inside the Council premises carrying placards and shouting slogans in support of Bah Marremdor Syiem. They maintained that he was democratically elected by the Dorbar Hima following the death of Pa’iem Freeman Sing Syiem on October 31, 2025.
According to the demonstrators, Bah Marremdor — who earlier served as Syiem Khynnah under the late Pa’iem Freeman Sing Syiem — was officially chosen as the new Syiem during a Dorbar Hima held on November 3, 2025. However, the KHADC has yet to recognise the decision.
Supporters waited for the Chief Executive Member and the Executive Committee to address the matter and initiate a resolution to the ongoing deadlock. Reports indicated that the Executive Committee later invited 10 representatives of Hima Sohra for discussions inside the Council office.
However, sources from the Hima alleged that the talks ended without any breakthrough. They claimed the Executive Committee remained rigid in its stand and allegedly displayed what they described as an attitude of authority and confrontation during the meeting. According to the sources, heated exchanges reportedly broke out before the representatives later came out to brief the crowd gathered outside.
The controversy intensified after the VPP-led Executive Committee, on December 19, 2025, appointed Myntri Mynjurlang Majaw as Acting Syiem of Hima Sohra by invoking Section 11 of the KHAD (Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and Headmen) Act, 1959.
The issue has also attracted attention from the banned outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council, which accused the KHADC of allegedly misusing Section 11 of the KHAD Act to deny recognition to Bah Marremdor Syiem and facilitate the appointment of an Acting Syiem.
