The Instrument of Accession (IOA) signed between the Syiems (Chieftain) of Hima Khasi and the government of India in 1947 is still alive and very much respected by the government of India till the very date, said spokesperson of the Federation of Khasi State John f Kharshiing. However, he said it is the state government who does not pay heed to the IOA.
Talking to media persons Kharshiiing said the central government through the Ministry of Minor Affairs has set up a Commission which will specifically look after the IOA. As it is now there is hope that the people of the state can still have a claim of being soul possessor of the natural resources, land, rivers beside others.
Besides, former syiem of Hima Mylliem Laborious Syiem said that most of the former syiems from different hima’s fought hard at the Federal Court presently the Supreme Court to bring in welfare to the people of Khasi hills.
Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw Paim, P M Syiem also said that even though the IOA has been signed between the Syiem’s and the government of India however they did not signed the memorandum of understanding.
Meanwhile, when it comes to the question raised by SP News Agency with regards to the Hima Nongstoin Kharshiing said that actually on 13 June 1947 Nongstoin has been declared as an independent Hima and this was even spoken by the then syiem of Hima Nongstoin Wiklief Syiem at the conference of the United nation Organization (UNO) however in later years even this Hima signed the IAO with the government of India.
