SHILLONG, SEPT 7: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) today asked the different himas (chiefdoms) under its jurisdictions to hold dorbar himas at least once in a year while citing that they play a vital role in eradicating social evils from the society.
Speaking at the Dorbar Hima convened by the Hima Mylliem held in the city here on Friday, KHADC chief Hispreaching Son Shylla said that today is the beginning towards reviving the dorbar himas in the region.
“Every hima will have to convene a dorbar hima at least once in a year. If not the Syiem or Acting Syiem will lose their authority. This was also clearly stated in your (Mylliem) Act,” he said.
The Dorbar Hima of Mylliem was held after a gap of 18 years. The last was convened by the then Syiem of Hima Mylliem Laborious Manik Syiem in 2000.
Stating that the traditional institutions play an important role in eradicating social evils, Shylla urged the Himas to take steps in addressing the increasing crimes against women and children and the problem of drug menace that is affecting the society.
“While the state authorities has the power to take action after an incident had happened, the himas and the syiems however has the powers to prevent and eradicate many kind of social evils,” he said.
He said the hima should play their role in tackling with the issue relating to drugs which has affected the youth and also take measures to prevent rape cases by coming up with stern warnings to instill fear in the mind of perpetrators.
“The syiems and the headmen should make also it a point to speak against these social evils in their dorbar meetings,” he said while lamenting that at present the headmen are only dedicating their time in meeting the MLAs to get developmental schemes.
Shylla also informed that the first meeting of the Council of Traditional Chiefs and Headmen (CTCH), which was constituted recently, will be held on September 26.
Pointing out at the present situation in Iewduh, which is one of the biggest traditional markets in the region, the KHADC chief said Iewduh which was once known as the ‘rice plate of the indigenous Khasi people’ is now overtaken by traders from other communities.
“It is disheartening to see that our own people are made to carry out their business on the streets and outside the shops owned by non-indigenous community. Therefore it is high time that such shops are transferred to the locals,” he said.
Asking the Hima Mylliem to restore the objective of having the Iewduh market, he said, “You should start taking steps one day at a time and make Iewduh 100 percent the rice plate of our people.”
He also said that the Hima should also ensure that the Iewduh market is not made into a residential area while pointing out to the various incidents of crimes that had taken place in the past.
On the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Bill, the chief executive member said that after the state government had returned the Bill, steps have been taken to ensure that it becomes an Act at the earliest.
Earlier, the KHADC chief also lamented at the low attendance of people during the dorbar hima and his suggestion to hold the next dorbar hima outside Shillong was also adopted as part of the resolutions of the Dorbar Hima by the Hima Mylliem.
“Where are the headmen and how many of them have made public announcement in their respective villages to inform the citizens about this dorbar hima? It is sad to see that ground like this will be crowded only if people like Amit Paul comes. Therefore we will have dorbar hima to other places where people still have love for the indigenous community,” he said.
Also commenting on the conditions given by the district administration while granting permission of convening the dorbar hima, the KHADC CEM said, the restriction to discuss on the issue related to Them Iew Mawlong was a discouragement to the dorbar.
“They (district administration) thought the dorbar hima (by discussing the issue) would bring violence but it is absolutely not like that. In fact having a dorbar hima would bring peace in the society as it can help instill sense of security among the citizens,” he said.
By Our Reporter
+ There are no comments
Add yours