Indigenous people meet ST panel on Sixth Schedule amendment

SHILLONG: A delegation from Meghalaya Indigenous Tribal Constitutional Rights Movement (MITCRM), a conglomeration of fourteen NGOs and traditional institutions, met Hari Krishna Damor, Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) at the Circuit House in the city on Wednesday.
When contacted, spokesperson of MITCRM, Samuel Jyrwa said, “We have discussed on the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution for the protection of the tribals. We got assurance that he will look into the matter.”
Meanwhile, Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Deputy CEM, Teilinia Thangkhiew who also met Damor said she took up some of the challenges faced by the KHADC.
“I informed the member of the NCST that the Council needs stronger laws to protect the interest of the tribals. The laws especially those related with customary laws, passed by the Council gets delayed in getting assent. I also spoke about restoring the authority to issue ST certificate to the KHADC,” she said.
She also asserted that institutions like the KHADC needs funding which should be released on time.
John F Kharshiing, Chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya and spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States, presented a copy of April 26, 2012 directive to MHA regarding incorporating the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement August 17, 1948, into the Constitution of India under a special article. Damor was informed that Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has till date not yet resolved this matter till date.
He urged the NCST member to take up the important constitutional issues raised in the memo of the MITCRM such as the need to amend the Constitution Schedule Tribe Order 1950 and 1976 as it has grave anomalies and is against the interest of the indigenous tribes.  He was also requested to see that the specific traditional indigenous names -nomenclature of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo such as Syiem, Lyngdoh, Sirdar, Wahadar, Dolloi, Nokma is used instead of a general term “Chiefs” so as to avoid confusion.
During the meeting and while submitting the memorandum, various issues were raised by RL Blah, Secretary, Synjuk Rangbah Shnong, and Tengsak G Momin, president, GSU regarding safeguarding the indigenous tribes of Meghalaya in the upcoming amendment to the Sixth Schedule, so as to recognize the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima.
Damor was also urged to move for amendment of Article 338 so as to give the NCST actual teeth and not be only an advisory body, as several reports of the NCST to President have not been placed in Parliament since many years as it did not include a time bar for the President to place reports of the NCST before parliament.