Shillong, May 26: The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya has sent a letter to Dr Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister on 23 May 2013, requesting the states positive response to the demands from the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, calling for a ‘Separate Council of the Party Less Political tribal governing Institutions of Meghalaya’, in accordance with the treaties accepted by the Govt of India with the 25 Khasi States on 17 August 1948.
This matter has now come up after a delegation on 7th June, 8th June and 9th June 2012, from the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya submitted a memorandum and called on Shri. V. Kishore Chandra Deo, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Govt of India, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, UPA, and National Advisory Council (NAC) and Shri. M. VenkaiaNaidu, MP & Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, who have now sought a brief from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
It may also be recalled the the National Commission for Tribal Affairs, Govt of India, on 26th April 2012, had earlier issued directives to the Ministry for Tribal Affairs to address the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of 17 August 1948.
Earlier the National Commission for Human Rights, Govt of India vide their letter dated 16 June 2012, had also stated in its reply to the memorandum from the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya ‘that the matter (treaties) were within the Legislative Competence of Parliament. The petitioner must approach government for redressal of their grievance’
It may also be noted that 66 years (1947-2013) on the Center is yet to call the Khasi States who have continued with their democratic expression and resolutions through the Peoples Parliament to draw the attention of the Government of India to conclude these solemn national commitments. (SP News)
