By: Filtina Lyndem, Senior Citizen
In 1952, I was in Class 9 studying in the Welsh Mission Girls High School and I remember vividly that I enrolled myself as a volunteer in the protest against the nomination of member or “MDC shu sieh”, in the United Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council. While celebrating the Golden Year of Meghalaya, it is important for the people to remember the important historical events which ultimately led to the formation of Meghalaya on 21 January 1972.
In 1923, the formation of Khasi National Dorbar was an important moment in the history whereby the idea and dream for self-rule began to take shape. When India became Independent on 15 August 1947 once again the Khasi people were confronted with two options, one, to remain independent and two, to accede to the Dominion of India. The former, was too big a challenge for the smaller Khasi Native States. Therefore, we chose to accede to the Indian Union, and an Instrument of Accession was signed separately by the Khasi Syiems. Thus, the Khasi States Constitution Making Dorbar was held in 1949 to debate and decide the political future of the region.
In 1952, the United Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council was inaugurated under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. The nomination of the non-indigenous member to the District Council, by the Assam Government enraged the Khasi people and eventually led to the protest movement under the leadership of Hoover Hynῆiewta, Molen Swer and others. Lest we forget the house of Molen Swer in Mawkhar Main Road, was the place where the Think Tank of the movement used to meet.
On the morning of 27 June 1952, a large public gathering was convened in the hall of the Khasi National Dorbar at Mawkhar to protest against the nomination of non-indigenous member. It was on this day, that many students like me, came forward to sign and pledge as volunteers for the protest movement. I remember many youths from Riatsamthiah who signed were myself (Filtina Lyndem), Mera Malñiang and others. From among the prominent leaders who took active part in the protest were Lina Adel Laloo and Enit from Mission Compound, Moreen Lyngdoh, Plain R Mawthoh, L. Gilbert Shullai, Stephen Lyngdoh, Markan Lyndem, Dr. John Victor Diengdoh, Hamlet Bareh, Stetnel Shylla, Wattis War and many more.
The protest began from the Hall of the Khasi National Dorbar and proceeded towards Motphran where it was met with a heavy hand from the district administration, and Mr. Perry who was the Deputy Commissioner gave an order to clamp down the protest. When the protesters resisted, the District Administration resorted to lathi charge and tear gas, in which many protesters were injured. I remember that the entire stretch of Mawkhar Main Road leading up to the Office of the Dorbar Syiem of Hima Mylliem, was engulfed in fumes but at the same time families along the Mawkhar Main Road came rushing with buckets full of water to help the protesters to wash the fumes from their eyes. My friend Mera and myself were helped by the family of Lin Jyrwa (Oasis Restaurant). Ensued the lathi charge and tear gas, the police arrested Hoover Hynñiewta, however immediately after the arrest, Plain Mawthoh and Stephen Lyngdoh took over the leadership and led the protesters to the police station to demand for the release of Hoover.
The 27 June 1952 protest movement had a far-reaching impact on the political movements which eventually led to the demand for a separate state. Immediately, on the 29th December 1953 the Government of India passed a resolution to constitute the States Re organization Committee. Therefore, no one can deny the fact, that the Hill State Movement started gaining momentum since then.
In 1954 the States Re Organization Committee visited the Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills to examine the political unrest. Thus, the Khasi National Dorbar was among the first to submit the memorandum to the States Re Organization Committee on the 1st April 1954 to demand for a separate state.
From 1954 onwards, many agitations, protests and movements for a separate state followed. Ultimately, in 1971 an Act known as the North Eastern Areas (Reorganization Act) 1971 was passed by the Parliament and with effect from 21 January 1972, Meghalaya became the full-fledged state with Shillong as the capital.
