Shillong April 03: The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, (comprising of Ka Dorbar Ki Khlieh Nongsynshar Ka Ri Hynniewtrep, Federation of Khasi States, Sirdarship, Dolloi & Council of Nokma) which met today 3rd April, 2013, at Lumbasuk, Demthring, Shillong, to discuss the letter from the KHADC (Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council) to the Chiefs, on the proposed 6TH Schedule Amendment Bill 2012 to the Constitution of India and also the need for fulfillment of the solemn National Commitments agreed in the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement signed and accepted by the Government of India on 17 Aug 1947,
The Council of Chiefs after almost five hours of deliberation acknowledge the fact that finally the Ministry of Home Affairs, has accepted the fact that there exist unique indigenous traditional institutions and that there reference was being highlighted in the proposed amendments, however, the Council of Chiefs felt that the customary traditional administrative Constitution, laws and legislation of the Dorbar Kur Pyllun, Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima of the 54 Hima’s in Khasi Hills, 18 Dolloi -1 Sirdar in Jaintia Hills, and 1400 Nokma’s must be put in place along with the proposed Sixth Schedule and in this regard resolved.
That the proposed Amendment to the Sixth Schedule must incorporate the treaty Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement(IOA & AA) signed and accepted by the Government of India on 17 Aug 1947, failing which resolution of the International and Interstate Border dispute will be inconclusive.
To urge the State Government /District Councils as requested by the Ministry of Home Affairs, in their recent letter to urgently constitute multiple task force for codification of traditional laws.
That the indigenous nomenclature viz., Dorbar Kur, Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid, Dorbar Hima, (Syiem, Lyngdoh, Sirdar, Wahadadar, Dolloi and Nokma) instead of the word ‘chiefs’ must be mentioned in the Sixth Schedule in accordance with the IOA & AA.
That a separate party less Council for the Syiem, Lyngdoh, Sirdar, Wahadadar, Dolloi Nokma, and other Clan Elders, Village Chiefs and Village Elders be constituted and provided under the proposed Amendments.
That the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo ADCs must seek Govt of India and Constitutional interpretation of Section 7, of the Indian Independence Act 1947, the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement(IOA & AA) signed and accepted by the Government of India on 17 Aug 1947 vis-à-vis the constitutional validity of Municipalities in Meghalaya (particularly within the Khasi States).
To convene a joint meeting during first week May with all NGOs on the proposed amendments to the Sixth Schedule.
To immediately convene awareness meetings for the benefit of u khun u hajar all over Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills as to the relevance of the recent treaty documents ‘White Paper on Indian States’ placed before the Constituent Assembly (Indian Parliament) during 1948 and 1949 by Sadar Valabhai Patel Deputy Prime Minister, i/c Ministry of States now called Ministry of Home Affairs.
To meet Dr Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister, Meghalaya, so as to hand over the resolutions of the Fourth Special Dorbar Ri (Peoples Parliament) held on 13 Feb 2013, particulary with reference to the urgent need for Amendment and enforcement of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act 1971.
To seek appointment with the Prime Minister and Home Minister of India and to seek clarification on the non-fulfillment of the solemn national commitments as mentioned in the treaties specified in the ‘White paper on Indian States’
To send a delegation to follow up and meet Smt. Ranee Narah, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Govt of India, on 8 and 9 tarik April 2013, in New Delhi.(SP News)
