By Our Reporter
TURA, Sep 13: The Achik State People’s Front (ASPF) has strongly condemned what it described as attempts by certain government agencies to impose the Panchayati Raj system in the tribal lands of Meghalaya, where the institution of Nokmaship has served as the traditional and legitimate custodian of land, customs and community governance for centuries.
“Such attempts amount to a direct assault on the constitutional safeguards provided to the tribal people of Meghalaya under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The imposition of Panchayati Raj structures in areas where Nokmas exercise their customary and hereditary authority undermines not only the spirit of self-governance but also the very identity, culture, and traditions of the indigenous communities,” said ASPF secretary, Bernita Marak.
Marak asserted that the framers of the Constitution deliberately recognised and protected the distinct system of governance in the tribal areas of the Northeast, including the Nokmaship institution, through the Sixth Schedule.
She further stated that any attempt to dilute or bypass this protection is unconstitutional, unacceptable and will be strongly resisted by the people of Meghalaya.
“We call upon all right-thinking citizens, traditional institutions and civil society organisations to remain vigilant and united in defence of our tribal land, customary practices and community governance. We demand that the government immediately desist from such unconstitutional actions and respect the traditional institutions that continue to safeguard the identity and heritage of our people,” she added.