Grand Council wants KHADC special session on citizenship bill

SHILLONG: John F Kharshiing, the chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya and spokesperson for Federation of Khasi States, has shot off a letter to KHADC chief HS Shylla urging him to convene a special session to pass a resolution urging the state government to pass resolution in the Assembly to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2018.
He also said the special session should urge the state government to recommend to the Centre incorporation of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of 1948, under Article 370 so as to have a permanent protection clause for the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people against the bill, besides urging the President to direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to make effect the treaty terms.
According to Kharshiing, the Federation of Khasi States had sent a memo to the Prime Minister last August expressing serious concerns on the outcome of the NRC process in Assam and urging the Centre to extend the Assam Accord to Meghalaya as it was under the composite State of Assam.
“Shockingly in total disregard to the sentiments of the people of North East particularly to the treaty agreement between Government of India and Khasi States, the Instrument of Accession the Federation of Khasi States, the Union Cabinet of India recently instead recommended and introduced the amendment of the  Citizenship Amendment Bill 2018 in the Lok Sabha, in violation and in conflict with Assam Accord – Memorandum of Settlement 1985 and IOA & AA 1947,” he said.