SHILLONG: The Chairman of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), PN Syiem, will hold a meeting of the Forum of Councils under Sixth Schedule (FOCUSS) to discuss and come up with an All India Tribal Forum (AITF) to protect and preserve tribal rights.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, he expressed apprehension that the Centre might dispense with some of the rights enjoyed by the indigenous tribal communities following the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35 A in Jammu & Kashmir.
He said there is a sense of urgency to bring together the tribals in the country in the wake of the recent developments in Kashmir. “By working together, we can come up with one voice to demand our rights from the Centre which it has to respect,” Syiem said.