Shillong Feb 08: The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya express its sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble President of India Shri. Pranab Mukherjee, for his greetings and felicitations and best wishes for the fourth Dorbar Ri – Peoples Parliament to be held on 13 Feb 2013 (copy attached) and to the Message received later today from Hon’ble Shri. V Kishore Chandra Deo, MP, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Govt of India, who expressed confidence that the unique values of the traditional institutions of Meghalaya would inspire citizens from other parts of the country (copy attached).
Five days from today Chiefs, Rulers, Clan Chief/ Village Chiefs, Village Elders, Men, Women, Young and old will converge at Mairang, Hima Nongkhlaw, from 10 am to 3 pm on 13 Feb 2013.
All Chiefs, Rulers, Clan Chief/ Village Chiefs, Village Elders, Men, Women, young and old, have been requested to submit a list of the participants at the Reception Counter.
As part of the arrangements, parking has been arranged at KSA Sports Stadium, Mission Mairang playground, St Thomas Higher Sec School playground, Madan Mawlum playground pyndenumiong, and a request has been made to the West East and Ri-bhoi District authorities to regulate the flow of heavy vehicle so as to ensure smooth flow of traffic on this occasion.
Those wanting to set up stalls are requested to contact the office of Syiem Hima Nongkhlaw at Mairang for necessary permission.
One speaker each from the National and State political parties have been invited to state briefly their views on the issues of the Traditional Institutions. The gathering is all party and all faiths.
The Dorbar Ri will pass resolutions, and discuss important issues especially the direction from the National Commission for Schedule Tribes, (NCST), on 26 April 2013 to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt of India to address the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement 17 Aug 1948, signed and accepted by the Govt of India and the 25 Khasi States on 17 Aug 1948.
Another issue to be discussed would be the need to incorporate the IOA & AA within the Constitution of India under a special Article and or Schedule and for a separate Council for the Partyless Tribal Governing Institutions of Meghalaya.
The third important resolution is to express the strong views of the Peoples Parliament to the Center and the State Government for urgent Amendment and Review of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act 1971 to stop alienation of tribal lands in Meghalaya, the amendment of a number of Acts of Parliament such as the Indian Registration Act 1908, Land Acquisition Act 1894, Forest Conservation Act 1980, The Mines Act 1952, Coal Mines Nationalisation Act 1973, and many others which are in conflict with social and customary laws.
The Peoples Parliament will also witness a ninety minute peoples parliament session where citizens from all over the state will be allowed 2 minutes each to express their views in writing.
The Dorbar once again invite all the citizens of Meghalaya to witness this historic event from 10 AM to 3PM on 13 Feb 2013.(SP News)
