SHILLONG, Oct 17: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has urged the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to convene an all-party meeting before finalising its recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
In a statement, KHNAM working president Thomas Passah expressed concern that the Centre’s motive behind the proposed amendment might be to facilitate uranium mining. He urged the KHADC not to rush the process and emphasised the importance of seeking input from various stakeholders to ensure the protection of the interests of the indigenous tribes. Passah further noted that KHNAM has already recommended the revocation of Paragraph 12 (a) of the Sixth Schedule to prevent the application of central laws in scheduled areas. He also suggested that the term “unrepresented tribes” be removed in relation to nominated members.
“We have also maintained that the word ‘Autonomous’ should not be replaced with ‘Territorial Council,'” Passah added.
