Shillong, Jan 03: A delegation of eight (8) tribal Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Chiefs led by John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board, Chairman, Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, called on Dr Rameshwar Oraon, Chairman, National Commission for Schedule Tribes (NCST), Government of India, in his official chambers at Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi on 3rd January 2014, at 1.30pm, and urged for his intervention on the fulfillment of the national commitment made 65 years ago through the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement.
The tribal chiefs also handed important documents including a Demi Official letter Dated 13th October 1947, from former Prime Minister Shri Jawaharlal Nehru urging the former Dy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, ‘to treat the twenty five Khasi States on a separate basis… in view of the tribal position ’ and to favourably consider the agreement entered into between the Khasi States and the then Governor of Assam on behalf of the Dominion of India which was finally accepted by the Governor General of India on 17th August 1948.
During the discussions the Chairman, NCST, informed the Khasi tribal Chiefs that he had earlier referred the matter to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and in view of the fact that the IOA & AA was a subject matter under the then Ministry of States now known as Ministry of Home Affairs, he stated that the NCST Commission has decided to refer this matter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India to advise them to address and conclude this long pending issue. He stated that it was necessary for the Central Authorities to quickly conclude this matter as it was about fulfilling a national commitment.
The plight of the villages under the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Chiefs along the India Bangladesh Border with Meghalaya and the Assam Meghalaya boundary issue was also discussed, the Chiefs urged that the NCST should intervene so that the territorial and customary land rights of the tribal indigenous people should be respected by both Bangladesh and India, and that similarly the Assam Government should recognize the customary practices including land rights of the indigenous Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people especially those falling under the disputed area.
The Chairman, NCST agreed to visit Meghalaya to personally meet the Council of Chiefs during May 2014.
The delegation of Chiefs also met Shri. Shambhu Singh, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India, at 3.30pm and handed over a copy of the historical documents relating to the treaty of the Khasi States. During the discussions the Joint Secretary, MHA, informed that discussions on the amendments to Sixth Scheduled was at a very advance stage and that the matter of a creation of a separate a Regoinal Council and or alternatively providing legislative representations through nomination for five Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribal Chiefs in the respective ADCs was being seriously considered.
The Joint Secy, MHA, informed that Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India is in the process of concluding and finalizing the Sixth Scheduled Amendments for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and in case if there was delay there are likely to proceed with the Amendments for Khasi & Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council.
The delegation led by Shri. John F Kharshiing, Chairman, Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, comprised of Mr Hamphrey L Ryntathiang, Lyngdoh of Lyngiong Lyngdohship, Mr Tyllilang Myrthong, Secretary, Hima Mawsynram Syiemship, Mr Kestonbel Manik Syiem, Dy Syiem, Hima Nongkhlaw Syiemship, Mr S J Lyngdoh Mawnai, Lyngdoh of Hima Nongkhlaw Syiemship, Mr Wanphrang Syiem, Sirdar of Hima Nongpoh Sirdarship, Mr Manbha Kyndoh, Dolloi of Elaka Narpuh Dolloiship, Mr C Lamare, Secretary of Elaka Narpuh Dolloiship.(SP News)
