SHILLONG, DEC 21: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has threatened action against the Voice of the People Party (VPP), which is ruling the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), if there is any further delay or interference in issuing the Sanad (appointment) to the Syiem of Sohra.
“The HNLC demands the immediate issuance of the Sanad to the duly selected Syiem of Sohra. The continued misuse of Section 11 will not be accepted, justified, or normalized. Customary sovereignty is not subordinate to bureaucratic convenience, and Acting arrangements will never replace legitimacy,” HNLC general secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement issued on Sunday.
He emphasized that any further delay or interference in issuing the Sanad to the Syiem of Sohra will be treated as deliberate obstruction.
“Full responsibility for the consequences will lie with those manipulating the law, including the leadership controlling the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, particularly the Voice of the People Party,” Nongtraw said.
“We want to make it abundantly clear that the HNLC stands resolutely against the district council, which we view as nothing more than a puppet of the Indian state. Any endeavor to reshape the political landscape by the VPP president, CEM, EM, or any political group or government will face formidable and uncompromising resistance,” he warned.
Nongtraw stated that when the government attempted to conduct municipal elections, the outfit executed the ward commissioner to fiercely defend the status and authority of rangbah shnong.
“Within the district council, we are unwavering in our commitment to protect the position of our syiem from any EC, EM, or CEM who dares to undermine it,” he said adding “Any Myntri or individual, including Myntri Mynjurlang Majaw, who accepts or functions as an Acting chief while a duly selected Syiem exists does so in open defiance of customary legitimacy. This is a personal political choice, not a collective mandate. The HNLC will take no responsibility whatsoever for the consequences.”
Stating the message is clear and non negotiable, Nongtraw said, “Any attempt to threaten our identity, weaken our power, or fracture our Jaidbynriew through political manipulation, colonial mentality, or the weaponization of religion will be resisted without compromise. Such actions cross a red line, and the response of the HNLC will be firm, decisive, and relentless.”
By Our Reporter
