Shillong: Advisor of the Synjuk Ki Khlieh Nongsynshar Hima Sohra, Paiem Laborious Manik S. Syiem, has strongly refuted allegations made by VPP leader and MLA Bah Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, asserting that the recent agitation over the issue of issuing a sanad to the Syiem of Hima Sohra was not politically motivated.
In a press release issued on Sunday, Syiem said the movement was solely aimed at protecting the traditional Dorbar system and safeguarding the customs and traditions of the Hima.
“We will not be embroiled in street-level party politics,” he said, while stressing that the struggle was to ensure the protection of the five pillars of the traditional Dorbar system — Dorbar Ïing, Dorbar Kur, Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima.
He stated that the gathering held on May 7 at Dorbar Khlieh ki Nongsynshar Hima Sohra was organised to oppose what he termed as an injustice committed by the KHADC against the traditional process of electing a Syiem by the Hima Sohra.
According to him, the protesters marched to the District Council only to demand immediate rectification of the issue and accused Ardent of wrongly portraying the matter as a political issue during a public meeting at Mawkisyiem.
Syiem also criticised the VPP leader for allegedly branding innocent people as NPP supporters merely because they supported the demand for recognising the Syiem elected according to the customs and religious rites of Hima Sohra.
“You branded these innocent people as NPP sympathisers, failing to see that their binding force is not party politics, but love for the traditions inherited from their forefathers,” he stated.
Clarifying his own stand, Syiem said he is not affiliated with the NPP and maintained that his duty is to stand against injustice in any form.
“My conviction is to always stand up to any injustice done to anyone and in any form,” he said, while urging Ardent to refrain from making such statements in the future.
He further questioned why the MLA was interfering in a matter concerning the KHADC, stating that the issue of issuing a certificate of confirmation is a duty to be carried out by the District Council.
