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| Wickliffe Syiem |
While Wickliffe and other colleagues were in the process to draft the Constitution for Nongstoiñ through setting up of Consituent Assembly, the Indian government
led by Nehru (Prime Minister of India at that time) deployed maximum numbers
of troops to capture the king Kñi Sibsing Syiem. The king was thrashed and compelled to sign the Instrument
of Accession. Sibsing Syiem
to prevent bloodshed against India agreed to sign the Instrument of Accession
with the negotiation of three
subjects only, i.e. Defense, External Affair
and Communication. Meaning the Hynniewtrep land would only transfer its administration to India only in the matter of defense, foreign relation (external affair) and communication between other countries. Apart from these three subject, Hynniewtrep would have their own political admistration over its own people. Therefore,
the Prime Minister and the king signed the Standstill Agreement to abide by the Instrument of Accession under these three subjects until further notification applies. However, just after a couple of moments, the
Standstill Agreement was struck down by the Indian government
unilaterally without any
notification to the Khasi States and forcefully
merged the Khasi States to India without signing the Instrument of Merger.
Therefore, slogans were raised in many protests and agitations to protest against the dictator rule of India to the Jaidbynrew Hynniewtrep. The slogan reads INDIAN BY FORCE, KHASI BY BLOOD.
In the aftermath, the Indian government restricted the movement of Wickliffe from entering the Hynniewtrep territory. Wickliffe never bowed down to surrender easily. He urged the Indian government to free Hynniewtrep land as it was before. But the Indian government gave him a stern warning and banned him from entering the Hynniewtrep territory without any prior permission. He would be punished as per the Indian law and jurisdiction if he does not abide by the Indian rule. Amidst tension and anger, He swore to never land in any Indian territory, but, if He wishes to do so, he will come as a conqueror. "I WILL NEVER SET FOOT ON ANY PART OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY; IF I WISH TO DO SO, I'LL COME AS A CONQUEROR" ~ WICKLIFFE SYIEM.
Since then, he left the Hynniewtrep land to live in Bangladesh for survival. While living in Bangladesh, He still tried to figure out a way to free Hynniewtrep. He urged, criticized and never kept quiet against the dictatorial rule of the Indian government to our land. Although his struggles and grieves were all in vain, nevertheless, He paved the way for us to wake up, rise and resurrect our stolen freedom.
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| Wickliffe Syiem |
Therefore, on judging his way of life, we understood that He was the founder of Hynñiewtrep Nationalism. Like U Tirot Sing and U Kiang Nangbah, Wickliffe Syiem was also one of the freedom fighters that the Jaidbynriew Hynniewtrep ever had. Until his last breath, he opposed without surrendering to the Hindustani Country. He died on 21st October 1988 in Bangladesh as a king rather than a slave in India.
Thus, on 21st October has been observed as the Death Anniversary of U Syiem Wickliffe (Founder
of Hynniewtrep Nationalism). Though
He is nothing to others, but for us, the Hynniewtrep, was a True Khasi Patriot
who did not surrender to The Mighty Force of Hindustani.
Things for us to
ponder:
What kind of government was this? In our habitual land but we need a permit. Was this not the abuse of power by the Indian government? More importantly, are we really independent when our root was detached and mask by fake characters?
Meaning:1. Hynniewtrep Land - Khasi State
2. Khasi State - Khasi Jaintia Hills
3. Land - Khasi Jaintia Hills
Note: The Khasi States did not signed the Instrument of Merger with India yet. And it is the only States perhaps to sign this agreement in the future.
References & Souces:
1. U Wickliffe Syiem written by T. Rngaid
2. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/khasi-kingdoms-to-revisit-1947-agreements/article26945820.ece
