Tura, Feb 4: The Council of Nokmas from Garo Hills has written to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind urging him to put on hold the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule Bill which the Meghalaya Cabinet has finalized and is soon to forward it to the Central Government.
“We, Garos are one of the three major tribes of Meghalaya popularly known as the ‘Three Sisters’. Each sister has got separate Autonomous district councils, but among them Garo are the only ones that give equal opportunity and freedom to all non-tribals to take part in the GHADC, the right to vote and the right to contest MDC elections, all the while living together in peace and harmony as one brotherhood. In spite of all this, our Nokmaship has remained undisturbed and untouched,” the nokmas said.
Pointing out that Nokmas will be stripped of their powers and functions if the amendment to the bill takes place, the council requested that the proposed amendment be put on hold in the interests of the people of Garo Hills.