Traditional chiefs meet Union Tribal Minister
From Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi: The traditional chiefs of Meghalaya on Friday reiterated their demand for special provisions for tribals of the State in line with the Instrument of Accession for Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference here after their meeting with after their meeting with Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, VK Chandra Deo and other top leaders, John F Kharshiing, Chairman of the grand council of chiefs of Meghalaya said chiefs belonging to the three major tribes – Khasis, Garos and Jaintias – had signed the Instrument of Accession with the Centre in 1947 seeking protection of their rights.
In case of Jammu and Kashmir a similar agreement was honoured but in case of Meghalaya the Centre adopted a different policy, Kharshiing said.
Under the Instrument of Accession, Kashmir found mention in Article 370 of the Constitution, but traditional chiefs of Meghalaya were denied their treaty rights to have representation in Parliament, Assembly or even in the District Councils, Kharshiing said.
The State has lost hundreds of acres of fertile land to Bangladesh in the absence of due recognition of the tribal chiefs, he added.
The chiefs also repeated their demand for opening all traditional border haats in Meghalaya along the international border
to revive the local economy.
The chiefs also appraised the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) of the matter which has asked the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs to make provisions to protect the rights of traditional tribal chiefs.
The delegation also met BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu.