TURA, Aug 3: With the opposition to the Centre’s proposal for amendment to the Sixth Schedule continuing to amplify, various social bodies, pressure groups and civil societies on Friday contended that the move is detrimental to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
Condemning the Meghalaya Government’s recommendations to the Centre, the Nokma Council and the Garo Civil Societies, comprising several prominent organisations, called on the state government to withdraw the recommendation.
In a joint meeting on Friday, it was also resolved to hold a public meeting and a protest march on Monday over the issue.
Meanwhile, leaders from several organisations such the GSU, FAF, GSMC, GGU and NTDF, under the banner of the All Garo Hills Joint Action Committee (AGHJAC), on Friday also moved GHADC CEM Benedic R Marak and Deputy CEM Nikman Ch Marak, stating that various factors should be reconsidered in its recommendations.
During the meeting, the leaders made it clear that village councils, if at all established, should not be made to affect the Garo traditional institution of Nokmaship, the rights of the Nokma over her a’king shall not be affected, that no village council or village development committee shall acquire any portion of land without the permission and consent of the concerned Nokma, that A’king Nokma shall have veto power and any developmental scheme should be approved under his seal and that the GHADC also adopt a new nomenclature as ‘Garoland Territorial Council’, similar to the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in Assam.
During the parley, the GHADC CEM is said to have assured the leaders that the Nokma A’kingland will not be tampered with and the power of the Nokma will remain the same.
The CEM had also reportedly said that the Municipal Area under the Sixth Schedule would be relooked and amended accordingly.
It was also informed to the leaders that different stakeholders will hold a meeting on the issue with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in Shillong on September 10.
The AGHJAC, during the meeting, also requested the CEM to halt the recommendations for the nonce so that the people will have sufficient time to discuss and express their concerns.
