Demand for respect, recognition of land rights and customs of indigenous State tribes
SHILLONG: The delegation of the tribal chiefs from Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills on Friday met National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) chairman, Dr Rameshwar Oraon to impress upon him the need to ensure that the land rights and customary practices of the indigenous tribes of Meghalaya are recognized and respected.
During the meeting, the tribal chiefs handed over important documents to the NCST chairman including a demi official letter dated October 13, 1947, from former Prime Minister late Jawaharlal Nehru urging the then Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, “to treat the case of the 25 Khasi States on a separate basis” and to favourably consider the agreement entered into between the Khasi States and the then Governor of Assam on behalf of the Dominion of India which was finally accepted by the Governor General of India on August 17, 1948.
During the discussions, the NCST chairman informed the Khasi tribal chiefs that he had earlier referred the matter to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and in view of the fact that the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement (IoA &AA) was a subject matter under the then Ministry of States now known as Ministry of Home Affairs, he stated that the NCST Commission has decided to refer this matter to the Ministry of Home Affairs to advise them to address and conclude this long pending issue.
He also stated that it was necessary for the Central authorities to quickly conclude this matter as it was about fulfilling a national commitment.
The plight of the villages under the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo chiefs along the India-Bangladesh border with Meghalaya and the Assam-Meghalaya boundary row was also discussed.
The chiefs urged that the NCST should intervene in order to ensure that the territorial and customary land rights of the tribal people are respected by both Bangladesh and India.
Similarly, it was pointed out that the Assam Government should recognize the customary practices including land rights of the indigenous Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people, especially those falling under the disputed area.
The NCST Chairman agreed to visit Meghalaya to personally meet the Council of Chiefs during May, 2014.
Later, the delegation met Ministry of Home Affairs, Joint Secretary Shambhu Singh and handed over a copy of the ‘historical documents’ relating to the treaty of the Khasi States.
The Joint Secretary, MHA, informed that discussions on amendments to the Sixth Schedule was at an advance stage and the issue of creation of a separate regional council and/or alternatively providing legislative representations through nomination for five Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribal Chiefs in the respective ADCs was being seriously considered.
Singh also informed that the Ministry of Home Affairs is in the process of finalizing the Sixth Schedule Amendments for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and in case of any delay they are likely to proceed with the Amendments for Khasi & Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Councils.
