TURA, Sep 24: Various groups, including Nokma Councils from East, West and North Garo Hills, on Friday organised a sit-in outside the East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner’s Office to protest against the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule and the consequent creation of the Village Council in Garo Hills.
The sit-in was organised jointly by Nokma Councils, Mothers’ Union, FKJGP, GSU, ADE, AAYF, AYWO, FAF, SCF, GGU, NAS, among others.
Speaking during the demonstration, various speakers, while enlightening the gathering on the provisions of the Sixth Schedule, cautioned against the repercussions of introducing Village Councils.
They also urged the people to be united in their dissent against the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule.
Earlier, a similar protest was organised in West Garo Hills by the Council of Nokmas along with local organisations, which saw an attendance of almost thousand participants.
AHAM cautions CM
Meanwhile, the A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) from Tura on Friday urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to reconsider the recommendations to the Centre on proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule as well as creation of Village Councils in the region.
In its memorandum to the chief minister, the AHAM gave the thumbs up to the government for rejecting the proposed inclusion of the term ‘unrepresented tribes’ in the Sixth Schedule but, at the same time, argued that the proposal for having an elected body such as the Village Council shall dilute the power and functions of the Nokma.
“The proposed amendment seeks to supersede the traditional institution of Nokma which has been in existence for years by being a custodian of the community asset,” vice president of AHAM, George Prince Ch Momin, said, clarifying that the AHAM has no issues with the Centre’s developmental activities and policies for GHADC.
The AHAM also said that it backs Nokmas and organisations’ dissent to the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule.