NONGPOH: The All Meghalaya Karbi Association (AMKA) on Tuesday expressed resentment and protest against the Meghalaya Government’s recommendation to Centre for removal of the provision for unrepresented tribes from the proposed Amendment to the Sixth Schedule.
“Apart from Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes, Meghalaya is also the land of various minority tribes such as the Karbis (Mikirs), Marngars, Tiwas, Hajongs, Koches, Bodos, Rabhas, etc., who are also the indigenous inhabitants of the state,” Keson Klein, publicity secretary of the association said in a statement issued here.
The Karbi tribe, officially recognised as ‘Mikirs’ in the state, are predominantly inhabited in Ri Bhoi which is under the Khasi Hill Autonomous District Council (KHADC). There are more than 60 Karbi inhabited villages with a population of more than 20 thousand. In Ri Bhoi there are around 5 Karbi Raijs (raid) such as Raid Marmain, Umwang, Kharpati, Nongkharai, and Khuswai, which are duly recognised by the Hima Mylliem (Mylliem Syiemship)’ and that the establishment of these villages and Raid are not of present origin which proves that the Karbis are the indigenous tribe of the state.
Karbis are settled in all five Assembly and District Council Constituencies of Ri Bhoi, but due to their being a minority tribe they have not been able to send representative either to the state legislative assembly or KHADC, the statement further stated.
The association also said that the proposal by the Centre to nominate at least two persons from the unrepresented tribe is highly cherished and welcomed by the committee, but unfortunately, the state government’s recommendation is injustice towards minority tribes which should have been protect and looked after by the district council.
AMKA has appealed to the state government to relook into the matter so that the minority tribes are not deprived of their rights and privileges.
