Shillong, May 15: Syiem of Hima Mylliem, Laborious Manik Syiem, was voted out of power through a referendum by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) last evening.

The referendum against Laborious Syiem received the support of 27 of the 42 members present in the House. He was ousted a couple of years ago by the KHADC for alleged misappropriation of funds and other irregularities in the Mylliem Dorbar, but has been contesting the decision of the district council to remove him from the post. Latho Manik Syiem was appointed acting Syiem.

Soon after the ouster, Laborious moved court, saying the allegations levelled against him were “malafide and not true”. He had managed to get stay orders from the court on the KHADC decision.

Later, the KHADC asked him to step down, but he refused to pay heed. A referendum was put by the council on the floor of the House, which voted him out of power. Among those present during the referendum were myntris (ministers) and executive members of the district council as well as acting Syiem Latho Manik.