Shillong, July 5: The KHADC along with the various pressure groups and traditional bodies on Wednesday unanimously resolved to oppose on the move of the Centre to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
UCC
The stakeholders which attended the meeting include the prominent pressure groups KSU, FKJGP, HNYF, HYC and e Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH).
Talking to reporters after the meeting with the various stakeholders held at the conference room of the council, Deputy CEM, Pynshngain N. Syiem said that the meeting deliberated on the on the resolution passed by the KHADC during the recently concluded session on June 24.
“We are firm in our stand to oppose the move by the Centre unanimously. We need to remember even during the British Rule, rights over land, forest and even the customary practices remained untouched. The powerful British regime was not able to touch even on our territories,” Syiem said.
He further mentioned that majority of the Governments in the past at the Centre have not tried to come up with such laws which may infringe into the custom and traditional practices which has there since time immemorial.
According to him, they understand that the BJP led NDA Government at the Centre has its own ideology of taking away the rights of the indigenous communities.
Stating that historically, the Centre cannot take way the tradition and custom of the indigenous communities of the State, he said that Article 224 (A) of the Constitution clearly speaks about administration of the tribal areas as per provisions of the Sixth Schedule.
Meanwhile, Syiem informed that the council has prepared a draft explanatory note which would be attached with the resolution passed by the Council.
“We will incorporate the views of the various stakeholders in the explanatory note to be submitted to the National Law Commission and the Law Ministry. We have given till July 14 by the Law Ministry to submit our views. We want to send one united voice that we are opposing to this move to implement the UCC since it goes against our interest,” KHADC Deputy CEM said.