Clan wants freedom fighter’s name notified as ‘Tirot Sing Syiemlieh’
Shillong, Sept 19: Arts & Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai unveiled a statue of legendary Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Sing at Laban in Shillong on Saturday.
Addressing the occasion, Shullai, also the South Shillong MLA, said the statue it is more than a monument — it is a call to the youth to know their history.
The project was taken up jointly with the Raid Laban Sports, Social and Cultural Organization Club.
He appealed to the young generation to read the history of warriors like Tirot Sing Syiem and spend time going to the State Central Library and buying books to read.
Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw, Phrester Manik Syiem, who was present, said Laban itself is historic — once synonymous with Shillong for villagers coming to the city.
Tracing Tirot Sing’s legacy, he said Tirot Sing was the 10th Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw who took the throne in 1804 as a child.
“He took over the throne in the year 1804 when he was still a child, whereby the affairs of the Hima were run by his Uncle… after he completed 18 years, he took over the affairs,” he said.
The Syiem recalled how the British, through David Scott, sought permission to build a road from Kamrup to Sylhet through Hima Nongkhlaw.
“Tirot Sing convened a Dorbar to discuss this important matter and it is said that the Dorbar took two days and two nights to decide on the request of the British government. After two days the Dorbar decided to allow it through conditions that it laid down,” he said.
That agreement, he said, is still on record.
“In the treaty, it was written that the agreement is between David Scott of the East India Company and Tirot Sing Syiemlieh,” he pointed out.
Stating that Tirot Sing is from the Syiemlieh clan, he urged Shullai to push for a government notification, stating the full name as “Tirot Sing Syiemlieh”
He said the British betrayed the treaty. “After this treaty, the British started to construct the road and after building the road, they showed arrogance, contempt, disrespecting the sons and daughters of Hima Nongkhlaw. The British broke the agreement and finally the British Government through its officers and soldiers insulted the women and children and this made the Syiem unable to tolerate it anymore,” he added.
