Tura, June 27: We will launch a social movement by end of this week to aware the people of their Hill rights, Hill Autonomy, reservations and protection of the Hill tribals and Hill people’s privileges. The word ‘Hill’ is very important in the Sixth Scheduled area, as it has an autonomous significance and identity in the Sixth Scheduled areas. It is equally important to know the special provisions of the Hill areas through the Indian Constitution.
Most Districts created in the State of Meghalaya are under the Hill provisions including the creation of Meghalaya is the outcome of the ‘Hill State movement’. People have forgotten the actual provisions of the Hills areas and the “Law of the Land”, it is time to awaken the people of their rights empowering the traditional “Law of the land” to prevail in the Hill Districts.
Therefore, “we are launching a social movement under the banner Protection and Empowerment of Traditional Rights and Autonomy in the Hills “PETRAH”. This will be a non political movement to strengthen the traditional bodies under the provisions of the Agreed Text of Settlement and will function within the ambit of the Indian constitution.
People of Garo Hills have faced difficulties in the past till the present day due to lack of knowledge of their own rich heritages, their rights and reservations through the Indian Constitution. There has been a plot by our political leaders in the past to blind the Garos of their rights restricting knowledge on provisions of the Sixth Schedule. Garos have lacked behind but it is not too late to educate the people through an awakening movement.
It is high time to educate the people of Garo Hills of the Hill rights. The history of the Garos were remarkable but it is seldom taught to our children and very few documented records are available. It is sad that our education system does not narrate the eventful past of our fore fathers and the glorious heritage of the Garos. PETRAH will aware the people of their past. It will also educate the people of the rights, autonomy, reservations, privileges etc of the people living within the Hill Districts. said Bernard N Marak.
