By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 20: The KHADC on Wednesday adopted a resolution to urge the Centre through the state government to take steps to bring an amendment to the Constitution (Schedule Tribes) Order, 1950, so as to recognise only the indigenous communities as the STs in Meghalaya.
Moving the official resolution on the first day of the council’s winter session, KHADC Chief Executive Member, Pyniaid Sing Syiem said Part XI of the Constitution (Schedule Tribes) Order, 1950, as amended has provided a list of the STs belonging to Meghalaya.
“We are considering the increase in the demographic status of the indigenous tribes of Meghalaya over the last few years. It has become expedient to re-examine the list provided in Part XI of the Constitution Order, 1950, in so far as Meghalaya is concerned,” he said.
Seeking the support of the house, he assured the members that the EC would immediately write to the state government to take up the matter with the Centre to ensure only the indigenous communities of the state are included in the ST list.
Participating in the discussion on the resolution, Opposition leader Titosstarwell Chyne said the Executive Committee (EC) appears to have woken up after he submitted a private member’s resolution on the same matter. “It looks like the EC prepared this official resolution yesterday night. I would like to express my gratitude to the EC for responding to the resolution,” he said.
Chyne said he could not reject the official resolution since it was in line with the one he had moved. He said he is concerned since the tribals from other parts of the region settling in Meghalaya are being recognized and are enjoying their rights as STs.
According to him, the local indigenous tribes do not get similar recognition in other Northeastern states.
Citing an example, he said tribes from outside can buy land in areas such as Madanrting and Happy Valley.
“Would the indigenous tribes from Meghalaya be able to buy land in Mizoram?” he asked.
He felt the issue of exploitation by tribal people from other states has been buried under discussions on the issue of influx. “Will we in Meghalaya see a situation similar to what has happened between the Kuki and Meitei people in Manipur?” he asked.
Participating in the discussion, Nongthymmai’s independent MDC, Latiplang Kharkongor pointed out that the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Nongthymmai Pyllun in 2019 had asked the state government to urge the Centre to amend the Constitution (Schedule Tribe) Order of 1950.
He said the Supreme Court had clearly stated that a person belonging to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe in one state cannot be deemed to be SC/ST in another state where he migrated for employment or education.
Stating that Meghalaya will only need to come up with a notification, Kharkongor said Sikkim, Mizoram, and Nagaland have already issued notifications to ensure only their indigenous tribes enjoy the rights and privileges.
Deputy CEM, PN Syiem said the biggest mistake committed when Meghalaya got its statehood was the adoption of the Rules and Acts from Assam.
Stating that they would urge the state government to pursue with the Centre to amend the Presidential order of 1950, he underscored the need to revisit the Land Transfer Act to ensure not all tribes on the ST list can buy land in Meghalaya.
In his reply, the CEM said he could not disclose how the council would move forward to address the issue.