From Our Correspondent
TURA: The 3rd Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya or ‘Dorbar Ri’, the Peoples’ Parliament of the indigenous institutions of Meghalaya was held at Asanangre village, 17 kms from Tura for the first time in the history of the tribal council.
The council of chiefs demanded that the treaties and agreements made between them and the government must be respected.
The Grand Council of Chiefs was held for the first time in 2009 with the objective to address various problems between the council chiefs and the government and ensure that the treaties and agreements made were met. The annual affair gives a platform to further the objectives and aspirations of the traditional institutions of Meghalaya through clear and deliberate interaction with the Government.
The Co-Chairman of the Meghalaya State Planning Board and the Chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya and Adviser and Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States, John F Kharshiing, said that the ‘Dorbar Ri’ or Peoples’ Parliament was a unique assembly of chiefs facilitating the revision and rectification of various deficiencies affecting the indigenous people of Meghalaya.
Dr Milton Sangma, former Pro-Vice Chancellor, NEHU and Adviser, Council of Nokmas Vice Chairman, Grand Council of Chiefs informed that the traditional institutions in Meghalaya had been since time immemorial headed by clan chiefs but after the advent of British colonial rule the system was subjugated and the traditional chiefs were turned to mere custodians. Therefore, he said that it was imperative that traditional institutions retain their sovereignty in all spheres. Later Dr Sangma called upon Dr Balajied S Syiem, Syiem of Hima Khyriem, to release a Garo book titled Nokma, uni Kamrang aro Bilrang (Nokma, his duties and powers).
The 3rd Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya later came to a resolution to urge the Speaker of the State Assembly to hold a special session at the Assembly with its members and the Heads of the traditional institutions of Meghalaya to address anomalies in certain amendments of the Constitution of India.
It also resolved to urge the Government to expedite more than 40 border haats in the Indo-Bangla border areas to facilitate trade and commerce. The Grand Council also resolved to urge the Government to remedy the Assam Meghalaya border dispute and the insurgency problem in Meghalaya within a given time frame.
Later Awards honouring dedicated services in different fields of life were handed over to beneficiaries.
Among others who spoke at the occasion were SG Momin, Retd. IPS, President, Nokma Council, West Garo Hills, NK Lyngdoh, Lyngdoh of Hima Mawphlang, H Skhemlon, Sirdar of Hima Mawdon, Laborious M Syiem, President, Federation of Khasi States, Oflyn Dohling, President, Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong, and B Lyngdoh, Doloi of Elaka Rymbai.