By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The fourth Dorbar Ri (Peoples’ Parliament) of the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya (GCCM) set to be held at Mairang, Hima Nongkhlaw on February 13 will reiterate on the need for the 1948 Instrument of Accession (IOA) to be included in the Constitution of India under a special Article.
Informing this here on Thursday, chairman of the GCCM, JF Kharshiing, said the Parliament will stress on the 1948 Instrument of Accession signed between the then chieftains of Meghalaya and the Central Government besides seeking amendments to the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act, 1971 and Indian Registration Act, 1908 and will send the resolutions to New Delhi for consideration.
“The People’s Parliament will discuss on the direction of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribe to the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs to honour the IOA,” Kharshiing said, adding that they have met the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs to discuss the matter.
“The Ministry has informed that they are seeking views of the Law Ministry and Home Affairs. In cognizance with our demands Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had forwarded a letter to the Ministry to study on the same,” Kharshiing informed.
Stressing on alienation of tribal land as a cause of concern, Kharshiing said, “There is an urgent need for Amendment of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act, 1971,” while adding that indigenous tribes without any land of their own would suffer.
The Peoples’ Parliament will witness a special ninety-minute session where citizens from all over the State will be allowed two minutes each to express their views in writing.