Shillong: The Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council put up two 15-foot statues of Khasi patriots Bormanik Syiem and Sngap Sing Syiem on Friday. The event took place at Laitarted, Nongthliew, in the Eastern West Khasi Hills. It marked the foundation day of the HYC and the 191st death anniversary of freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem.
Niandro Syiemiong unveiled the monument for Sngap Sing Syiem of Hima Maram. Habapan Sing Syiem, Deputy Syiem of Hima Khyrim, revealed the statue of Bormanik Syiem of Hima Shyllong. Traditional heads, including G. Kharlukhi of Hima Mylliem, joined HYC leaders Roy Kupar Synrem, Rhembor Saiborne, and Donbok Kharlyngdoh. Social activists from the Jaintia and Garo Hills also attended. Officials call the site the largest patriotic heritage enclave in the state. Local artists from the Riti Academy built the statues. Chief Creative Director Raphael Warjri led a team including Banteilang Hynniewta, Returnwell Sutong, Skhemlang Hynniewta, Iallissing Mawrie, Bapynskhem Mawrie, and Batskhemlang Kharumnuid.
The statues highlight 19th-century fights against British colonial rule. Bormanik Syiem challenged the British East India Company over land and revenue rights in the Dimurua region back in 1828. Sngap Sing Syiemlieh of Hima Maram directed armed battles during the Second Anglo-Khasi War from 1835 to 1839. He used the rugged terrain of Nongnah to fight off British expeditions for four years. The council described the installation as "a significant architectural landmark for the region."
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