From Our Correspondent
TURA: The Council of Nokmas from Garo Hills have written to the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma, calling for retaining the traditional rights of the clan heads, the people, and their land under the Meghalaya Community Participation Draft Bill, 2011. The Nokmas have strongly reacted to the State Government’s “failure” to address their grievances regarding the Bill.
The Council has stated that it is prepared to agree and admit the Bill provided the conditions spelt out categorically in its earlier letters are inserted in the Bill.
The Nokmas are unhappy with the Government stand that only a maximum of two traditional heads such as Nokmas will be considered for nomination as ward commissioners in place of the five sought by them.
They are also cautious that the proposed Bill can have the propensity to impose subservience to Nokmaship and their A’king land under municipal and urban laws that could destroy the traditions and customs instead of protecting them.