SHILLONG, Feb 4: Rajya Sabha member, WR Kharlukhi on Friday drew the Parliament’s attention to the demand for inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule to the constitution.
Making a brief submission in the Upper House, Kharlukhi said Meghalaya recently celebrated 50 years of statehood and the state comprises of three ethnic groups of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo who speak different languages.
“The sad part is that despite the demand and resolution passed by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly for inclusion of the two languages in the Eighth Schedule, nothing has been done,” he said.
Tura MP, Agatha Sangma also demanded that Garo and Khasi languages should be included in the Eight Schedule. Expressing concern over the killing of civilians in Nagaland last year, Agatha also demanded that the Centre should repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the Northeastern states.
The Tura MP raised the issue of repeal of AFPSA while participating in the discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.
Sangma said the repeal of AFPSA from the Northeast would help in preventing the “unfortunate incident” which occurred last year. (With PTI input)
