SHILLONG: The instability in the KHADC and the JHADC has affected implementation of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement, 1948, the Federation of Khasi States chairman John F Kharshiing has pointed out.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Kharshiing said in spite of the “political circus” in the two councils, the traditional heads of the state look forward to an in-depth discussion on the agreements.
However, “the outcome of the movement has exposed the ignorance and lack of depth of political parties regarding the IOA & AA, and this is what has brought conflicts and confusion to the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo citizens about how to face and overcome the many challenges that are unresolved till date”, the statement said.
Though there were 12 elections to the KHADC, the council had 39 CEMs so far exposing the lacunae in the Constitution, the statement pointed out.
The Federation of Khasi States from time to time has tried its best to approach the state and the KHADC to address the treaty terms of the IOA & AA. It had petitioned the National Commission for Schedule Tribes and after prolonged hearing it issued favourable directives to the Ministry of Home Affairs to take steps to include the treaty agreement within the Constitution, communication to this effect was sent to the state government that sought opinion from the KHADC since 2012, the federation said.
The federation said now that the 2019 district council elections are over, the stakeholders should consider what steps should be taken to include IOA and AA in the Constitution that will enable the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people to finally see the definition of Dorbar Kur, Dorbar Shnong Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima within the Constitution.
