Shillong: A High Court ruling failed to resolve the leadership fight at Hima Mylliem on Wednesday. The dispute triggered a day-long police standoff in Mawkhar. Acting Syiem Alban Fredrick Syiem blocked the return of his predecessor, Ainam Manik Syiem, to the office.
Alban arrived early with his Myntris and the Basan. He occupied the Syiem’s chamber and the office of the Syiem Khynnah. Ainam arrived later to reclaim his post after the High Court quashed his May 22, 2026, suspension on Tuesday. The KHADC had suspended Ainam over alleged unpaid taxes. Ainam and his supporters waited in the Conference Hall while Alban remained in the main office. Lumdiengjri and Hima Mylliem police guarded the site to prevent violence.
The deadlock lasted until after working hours. Police eventually forced Alban to leave at 5:30 pm. Alban claimed he was not defying the court or Ainam. He stated, “I have no problem with anybody. I was appointed by the KHADC and have not yet received any order from the District Council directing me to step down.” Alban argued that his KHADC-issued sanad required formal notice before he could relinquish power. No such notice arrived, keeping him in the building until the end of the day.
Updated at 14th August 2026 at 2:00pm
The legal fight is far from over. The KHADC plans to file an appeal this Friday against the High Court order that cleared Ainam Manik Syiem. Executive Member Denzil R. Chen argued the Council acted within its rights, claiming Ainam failed to pay the required one-eighth revenue share as stipulated in his appointment sanad. Justice W. Diengdoh had previously ruled the Council bypassed mandatory procedures under the 2007 Act, but the Council maintains its inquiry into Hima Mylliem’s finances remains active.
Alban finally cleared out of the Mawkhar office Thursday afternoon. His departure followed a direct warning from the High Court, where Justice H.S. Thangkhiew threatened contempt proceedings against him and the Council for ignoring the reinstatement order. Ainam met him at the door, and the two shook hands before Alban left the building.
A fresh audit has compounded the chaos. A report for 2025-26, submitted by Alban and his aides, alleges over Rs 3 crore in undocumented spending and missing revenue. The findings point to unexplained gaps in market toll collections and land revenue, alongside millions spent on development and cleaning without a single receipt or invoice. The KHADC also flagged market leases that fetched significantly less than recent public tenders, fueling claims of deep financial mismanagement under Ainam’s tenure.
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