SHILLONG, DEC 30: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) commemorated the 163rd death anniversary of legendary freedom fighter U Kiang Nangbah at the Kiang Nangbah memorial stone in Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District.
Members from all JNC zones, units, and circles gathered to pay floral tributes and reaffirm their commitment to preserving Jaiñtia land, culture, and sovereignty.
In his keynote address, JNC President Sambormi Lyngdoh delivered a fiery condemnation of contemporary betrayals, drawing parallels between historical colonial tactics and present‑day threats.
“During Kiang Nangbah’s time, the deceitful British misled our village elders and Dollois of the elakas, trampling upon our sacred traditions,” Lyngdoh proclaimed.
“The Doloi of Nartiang Elaka called forth the largest assembly in Jaiñtia history—a rallying cry against foreign forces tarnishing our Pnar customs and culture. From that pivotal moment, U Woh Kiang Nangbah arose, divinely appointed to lead our people in righteous anger.”
He recounted Nangbah’s symbolic act of leaping into the Myntdu River to retrieve a sacred leaf, which he held aloft as a unifying emblem:
“As this green leaf clings together in threes, so must we—united in vision, strength, and principles—to protect our communities forever! This was not just a symbol; it was a battle cry for unbreakable Jaiñtia unity.”
Lyngdoh warned that the same cycle of exploitation is resurfacing, with “governments and opportunistic outsiders employing deceitful tactics, enticing village elders and elaka leaders with false assurances to appropriate our ancestral lands for cement empires, destructive mining operations, and industrial exploitation.”
He specifically cited the “betrayal by Shree Cement in Daistong, labor invasions by Amrit, and border encroachments from Assam” as modern manifestations of colonial land grabs.
Calling for resolute action, he declared, “Nangbah’s demise was caused by a treacherous black sheep among us; today, we pledge zero tolerance for such vipers! As sons of this sacred land, I call upon you to unite with the fierce spirit of that Myntdu leaf! Create one vision, one unbreakable strength, one ironclad principle to reclaim every inch of Jaiñtia territory. Governments may stumble, elakas may hesitate, but JNC stands as Nangbah’s fist—united we are invincible; divided, we will fall. No black sheep shall taint our ranks; we will expel them, expose them, and eliminate their shadows!”
 commemorated the 163rd death anniversary of legendary freedom fighter U Kiang Nangbah at the Kiang Nangbah memorial stone in Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District.){kind=link}