Shillong: Hima Langrin leaders pointed the finger at politicians and businessmen for a riot that ruined a public meeting on August 7. Traditional heads met in Shillong on Wednesday to address the fallout. WL Sangriang, representing the Executive Dorbar Lyngdoh, accused outsiders of being paid to break up the event. They were not from the region.
The trouble started when an opposition group threw stones and flipped chairs at the venue. Sangriang said, “We strongly believe vested interests linked to coal and limestone mining are behind the incident.” He noted that the group avoided a bloody confrontation by refusing to fight back.
Nongtei Sing Syiemiong, the Syiem of Hima Langrin, claimed his previous suspension opened the door for outside interference. He stated that coal and limestone quarry operators stopped paying required taxes and royalties following his exit. This drop in revenue cost the Hima between Rs 7 and 8 crore.
The Syiem warned the instigators that he holds proof of these financial schemes. He intends to release these documents if the sabotage continues. Traditional leaders now view the disruption as a direct hit on the authority of their institution.
Updated at 14th August 2026 at 2:00pm
The Syiem of Hima Langrin has escalated the fight by filing a formal FIR at the Mawkyrwat Police Station against 20 named individuals and several unidentified suspects. The complaint labels the riot an unlawful assembly that turned violent immediately after the meeting concluded at 12:15 pm.
The mob allegedly used iron knuckles, slingshots, and stones to attack police personnel and attendees. The Syiem reported that female officers and a female volunteer were among those assaulted, explicitly naming Bastibal Syiemiong as a participant in the attacks. The Hima has handed over potential video evidence to investigators and is pushing for immediate arrests.
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