SHILLONG: John F Kharshiing, the chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs, on Thursday criticised the “draconian diktats” of the KHADC and termed it as a “political institution”.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Kharshiing, while thanking the district council for deciding to review the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Act, 1997-2005, said it should also recall the amendment bill of 2018 for expert opinion.
“If they had done just this in the first instance all this confusion would have been avoided but because the KHADC is a party-based political institution so customary laws become victims of political calculations,” he said in the statement.
In reply to KHADC CEM Hispreaching Son Shylla’s comment that he would write to traditional chiefs not to be part of the Grand Council of Chiefs, Kharshiing said there was no need to threaten the Khasi chiefs “as they are already accustomed and fighting in courts against such draconian diktats since last 70 years 1952-2018, and we urge the chiefs not to be brow beaten by such intimidation”.
“It is because of such unconstitutional threats… it is this type of political masters’ approach of KHADC that the Khlieh Nongsynshar Ka Bri Hynniewtrep (The Federation of Khasi States) have been demanding a separate council so as not to mix the party-based institutions with party less institutions as in the own words of HS Shylla on June 27, 2017, he had stated that ‘presently the Sixth Schedule has become like a leaking water tank’,” the statement said.
“What is more shocking is the fact that KHADC ignored its own notification issued by the same CEM in 2005 empowering and giving recognition to the Seng Khasi (Seng kmie) body in the interpretation and codification of the Khasi Customary Laws. Ironically, they completely forgot about their own notification and we understand that KHADC have not sought opinion from the Seng Khasi on this Amendment Bill 2018, which interferes with the age-old customary laws,” it added.
We also congratulate the new acting chief of Hima Mylliem Ainam Manik Syiem for his resolution to convene the Dorbar Hima Mylliem, however, we would like to also recall that the last Dorbar Hima Mylliem on December 12, 2000, among others passed resolutions declaring the united Khasi-Jaintia Hills.
Autonomous district (appointment and Succession of chiefs and headmen) acts, 1959, as a draconian Act. We look forward to a more transparent Dorbar Hima Mylliem wherein all the Myntris should also place their role, function and responsibilities before the Dorbar Hima Mylliem.
This 1959 Act has been the cause of the lowering of the status and prestige of the Khasi Chiefs and especially the Jaitbynriew Khasi People.
Many Chief Executive Members in the past have in meetings with the Chiefs promised to do away/review outdated provisions of the Act however they just remained hollow promises.
The Federation of Khasi States, The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya will never succumb to such draconian threats and have no time to listen to such unconstitutional dictats and it will not cow down to such illegal statements and will continue with it’s objective to seek the incorporation of the Instrument of Assession and Annexed Agreement 17 August 1948 (IOA & AA) within the Constitution of India as per the solemn national commitments entered into between the Govt of India and the Khasi States.
