Mawjymbuin Cave Row: Prestone appeals to Hindu group to respect Meghalaya’s traditional land system

Shillong, Dec 17: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong on Monday asked the Hindu group – Kutumba Surakshya Parishad (KSP) to study the land tenure system of Meghalaya before directing the demand for reopening of the Mawjymbuin cave to the government.

Speaking to media persons, Tynsong said, “Let us go back to the history of this Mawjymbuin. That particular place doesn’t belong to the state government and they need to understand one thing, whoever from outside the state, they need to know exactly the land tenure system that we have here in the state of Meghalaya.”

He explained that the land tenure system in Meghalaya is such that it does not allow the government to take a land unless the land owner is willing to give it, along with the permission from the Shnong, the Raid or the Dorbar and the Syiem. “Therefore, I would like to appeal to such organizations be it from within the state or outside the state, let us also understand the reality about the land tenure system that we have here because no one is above the system that we have. No one is above the traditional practices that we have, so I think we need to understand that,” he said.

The KSP has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Meghalaya government, demanding the reopening of the Mawjymbuin Cave for Hindu rituals. The group has warned of blocking key roads of Meghalaya, including Jorabat near Guwahati, if their demand is not met before Christmas.

The controversy over Mawjymbuin Cave, located near Mawsynram, approximately 60 kilometers from Shillong, has been simmering for months. This natural limestone cave is revered by Hindus for its unique Shivaling-like rock formation under dripping stalactites. However, since August 6, 2024, the Dorbar Shnong (local village council) of Mawsynram has prohibited religious rituals within the cave, citing various concerns.

The matter was brought before the Meghalaya High Court, which directed the state government to engage with relevant stakeholders to seek a resolution. Despite this, KSP president Satya Ranjan Borah claimed that the government has made no progress.

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