Shillong, Oct 03: A 19 member delegation from the Grand Council of Chiefs met Dr Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister, Shri. HDR Lyngdoh, District Council Affairs Minister, and Smt. Roshan Warjri, Home Minister, and submitted a memorandum regarding i) Issues arising out of the letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs; ii) Need for short and long term policies to deal with the issue of Influx, Infiltration; economic opportunities through Border Hats and ; iii) Contradictions of the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act relating to the Land Holding and collection of annual registration by the 11 Hima/Elaka along the Assam –Meghalaya Boundary iv) compensation for loss of economic livelihood by the people of Sohra due to lack of tourist on the backdrop of the present ongoing agitation v) To urge the State Government to initiate talks with all sections of Society at all levels including the NGOs to resolve the any issue with an open mind. The delegation was led by Bah John F Kharshiing, Chairman, The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, Chairman, Ka Dorbar ki Khlieh Nongsynshar Ka Ri Hynniewtrep, Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States.
With regards to the letter from the MHA, Dr Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister, stated that a meeting chaired by Shri. HDR Lyngdoh, Minister, District Council Affairs, would be convened to make appropriate suggestions so as to provide political space to the traditional institutions.
The Chief Minister was in agreement to the grievances of the 11 Hima/Elaka along the Assam – Meghalaya Boundary, relating to the contradictions with the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act, and the problems faced by the Traditional Chiefs in registering and collection of the annual fees from the non-tribal residents in those specific areas, and for which it is having an impact on the territorial jurisdiction of the Hima/ Elaka which is well within the boundary of Meghalaya. The Chief Minister, agreed to constitute a specific commission to specifically look into this particular issue.
In connection with the request for opening more border hats to uplift the economic conditions of the people along the Indo-bangla Border , Dr Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister, stated that recently the Government of Meghalaya has been able to impress the Government of India and that the good news is that Government of Bangladesh has jointly agreed to open additional 20 Border Hats. The Chief Minister stated that since opening of the intial 2 border hats it is now observed that the prices for the valuable perishable products has increased compared to what was earlier as they had only one market access.
With regards to the issue of ILP and the present prevailing situation, the Chief Minister stated that much debate has happened for last four decades since 1973. The Chiefs were apprised by the Chief Minister as to the legalities of the recommendations.
He stated that Government is serious and approaching the matter of influx and infiltration through a number of measures a few of which was the setting up for the first time the infiltration directorate, initiating the process of appointment of about 39 Labour inspectors in the 39 C&RD blocks, pursuing with the center for modernization of the police force including other measures.
The Chief Minister stated that the Government will be releasing the draft of a new legislation which will include a working arrangement between the various enforcement agencies, the Police and the Traditional Institutions.
In this connection he called the traditional institutions, all sections of Society including the agitating NGOs to call off their agitation and to come forward and contribute their views with an open mind so as to enable the people of Meghalaya to have a realistic mechanism which can be implemented effectively.
In response the delegation also agreed that all sections of society should come together and positively respond to the proposed new legislation.
The Grand Council of Chiefs urge the NGOs to consider responding positively through talks to the new Legislation and to the Chief Ministers call through the Chiefs today and called on them to contribute their valuable views and suggestions to the new legislation which is likely to be released shortly in the public domain.
Among those who spoke and attended were Lyngdoh Hima Lyngiong, Syiem Hima Mawsynram, Deputy Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw, Sirdar of Hima Nongpoh, Myntri Kharlukhi, Myntri Kharbukhi of Hima Mylliem, Myntri Nongrum, Myntri Diengdoh, Hima Sohra, Secy Raid Ri 6 Kur, Hima Khyrim, Acting Chief Hima Nongspung, Secretary, Hima Nongspung, Secretary Hima Mawsynram, including Executive Members of the Executive Dorbar of the various Hima /Elaka.(SP News)
