By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The traditional heads of Meghalaya have resolved to continue with their demand for adoption of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement during the fourth edition of the People’s Parliament (Dorbar Ri) to be held in Mairang, West Khasi Hills on February 13.
The fourth edition of the People’s Parliament to be jointly hosted by Hima Khadsawphra and Hima Nongkhlaw would renew the call for the adoption of the Agreement to provide special constitutional protection to the indigenous Khasis of the State.
“We would continue to pursue the resolution adopted during the previous editions of the People’s Parliament to provide special constitutional protection to the indigenous population by incorporating a new Article or Schedule in the Constitution,” chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, John F Kharshiing, said on Tuesday.
He said that the traditional heads of Khasi States and other stake holders would hold threadbare discussion on the Agreement and other issues relating to the rights of the indigenous people during the fourth edition of the Dorbar Ri.
Kharshiing said that they have also decided to write to the Centre on the various Acts passed by the Parliament including the Indian Registration Act, 1908, Indian Forest Act, 1972 and Land Acquisition Act, 1894 which is totally against the spirit of the Agreement.
According to him, they have also decided to urge the Centre and State Government to earmark special fund allocation from the State budget to the 54 Hima and Elaka of Khasi Hills, 19 Elaka of Jaintia Hills and also to the Council of Nokma to empower these traditional institutions.
On August 17, 1948 the Government of India accepted the agreement signed with over 25 traditional chiefs of the 25 Khasi states, who had collectively signed the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement in 1947.