Heads of 10 councils from Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura want the Sixth Schedule to be stronger for the protection of the indigenous communities
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 22: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has invited the heads of 10 autonomous councils (ACs) and territorial councils (TCs) across the North East for a meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The KHADC’s Chief Executive Member, Pyniaid Sing Syiem, nominated as the convener of the conglomeration of the ACs and TCs of the region, said they would impressed upon Shah to table the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Amendment) Bill, 2019, which proposes to amend the Sixth Schedule during the ongoing session of Parliament reconvened from Monday.
The 10 ACs and TCs are Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council, Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Dima Hasao Autonomous Council, Lai Autonomous District Council, Chakma Autonomous District Council, and Mara Autonomous District Council.
Their heads participated in the second round of the meeting in the national capital on Monday.
The meeting was jointly convened by Pradyot Manikya Deb Barma, chairman of the Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (also known as TIPRA Motha) and the BTC’s Chief Executive Member, Pramod Boro.
Syiem said they discussed many issues and difficulties faced by the ACs and TCs in Meghalaya, Assam, Mizoram, and Tripura.
“We want strong legislation for the protection of the various indigenous tribes of the North East,” he said.
He said the KHADC delegation to meet Shah will be led by former CEM, Titosstarwell Chyne and Executive Member Fantin J Lakadong as he had to rush to Shillong for Governor Phagu Chauhan scheduled visit to the council at 4 pm on Tuesday.
Replying to a query, Syiem said the KHADC in its representation to the Home Minister would be impressed upon the need for strong constitutional provisions under the Sixth Schedule to preserve and protect the customary and traditional practices of the Khasi indigenous tribe.
He said they have sought an increase in the number of the council seats from 35 to 37, two of them being nominated (one reserved for women).
“We do not want the election to the KHADC to be conducted by the ECI. Our election should be conducted by the District Council Affairs Department,” Syiem said.
He also said the term “village council” should be replaced by “village dorbar” for Meghalaya in the 125th Amendment Bill. The KHADC wants the term “municipal council” to be included in the amendment.
Syiem further said the term “unrepresented tribes” should be removed from the amendment.