By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya has asked the State government to provide constitutional space for the ‘Party Less’ political traditional institutions within the Constitution of India as fulfillment of the solemn national commitments made on August 17 1948.
In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma recently, the traditional heads sought the attention of the State government to give positive response to the demands from the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya.
The memorandum was submitted following a letter sent by from the State Political Department on May 14 seeking copies of the memorandum submitted by the Council of chiefs to the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, government of India and Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs on June 7, 8 and 9 last year in New Delhi.
In the memorandum sent last year, the Grand Council of Chiefs sought for a separate Council for the Chiefs of Meghalaya. The matter was then referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India, who last year, sought comments and views from the State Government.
It may also be recalled the National Commission for Tribal Affairs, government of India, on April 26, 2012 had earlier issued directives to the Ministry for Tribal Affairs to address the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of 17 August 1948.
“Earlier the National Commission for Human Rights, government of India vide their letter dated 16 June 2012, had also stated in its reply to the memorandum from the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya ‘that the matter (treaties) were within the Legislative Competence of Parliament. The petitioner must approach government for Redressal of their grievance’,” chairman of the grand council of chiefs JF Kharshiing said in a letter issued here on Sunday.
“It will be in the people’s interest if the matter is looked into and positive steps taken by the State and the Central Authorities at the earliest,” Kharshiing added.