Mawjymbuin Cave Row: Mawsynram MLA seeks Meghalaya Govt's intervention as deadline approaches

Shillong, Dec 18: United Democratic Party (UDP) MLA from Mawsynram, Ollan Singh Suin, has urged the Meghalaya government to intervene and assess the threat posed by Hindu group Kutumba Suraksha Parishad, which has threatened to impose road blockades if the ban on worship at the Mawjymbuin cave in Mawsynram is not lifted by December 23.

“Since this group has already threatened to organize demonstrations like road blockades, I think the government should intervene and have a look at it,” Suin told reporters on Tuesday.

The core of the dispute revolves around the Parishad’s demand to allow Hindu devotees to conduct religious rituals inside the Mawjymbuin cave, which is known for its natural stone formation resembling a Shivaling. The local Dorbar Shnong (traditional village council) had earlier refused to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the rituals, and the district administration upheld this decision.

“These groups have been raising the issue for the last few months, and the district administration had first sought permission from the local Dorbar, but it declined to give an NOC. The district administration had to go in line with the local Dorbar’s decision to not allow any organization to perform rituals and rites inside the cave,” Suin explained.

The matter has since reached the High Court of Meghalaya, which instructed the district administration to form a committee comprising representatives from the Tourism Department, the local Dorbar, and the district administration to resolve the issue. Suin affirmed that the local Dorbar remains firm on its stance, stating, “The local Dorbar has stuck to its decision of not allowing any rituals inside the Mawjymbuin cave. That matter was brought to my notice.”

Highlighting the role of the Dorbar, Suin asserted that since the cave falls under the jurisdiction of the local Dorbar, no external force can overrule its decision.

Meanwhile, Kutumba Suraksha Parishad chief Satya Ranjan Borah reiterated his organization’s warning. Speaking to the media in Assam, Borah demanded an explanation from the Meghalaya authorities on the ban and threatened protests and possible road blockades along key routes connecting Assam and Meghalaya if the ban was not lifted within the stipulated time.

The Mawjymbuin cave, located around 60 km southwest of Shillong, is a geologically significant site and a tourist attraction, drawing visitors for its unique natural rock formations. The ongoing dispute has raised concerns about potential disruptions to road connectivity and heightened communal tension in the region.

Read: Ia Ka Mynried: Empowering students to resist drug abuse for a better tomorrow

WATCH:

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Assam: Businessman abducted, supervisor still in captivity