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SHILLONG: A delegation of traditional heads along with the Chairman of Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya and spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States, John F Kharshiing, met the Home Minister, James Sangma on the issues of Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement August 17, 1948.
In a statement issued here, Kharshiing said the issues have been pending since the last seven decades. During the discussions, James was briefed about the subject matter to be discussed during the proposed meeting to be held next month with the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma.
According to Kharshiiing, he said the delay in formalisation of the traditional Institutions of Syiem, Lyngdoh, Sirdar, Wahadar, Dolloi, Nokma within the Constitution had caused numerous conflicts at the ground level.
The DCA Minister was also informed about the lack of interest from the KHADC to respond to issues of the IOA & AA due to obvious reasons which can be reflected from the United Khasi–Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and Headmen) Act 1959 which has undermined and lowered the status of the Customary Chiefs such as the Syiem, Lyngdoh, Sirdar, Wahadar, Dolloi Myntri, Basan, Syiem Raid, Lyngdoh Raid, Bongthai Raid, Rangbah Shnong, and Sordar Shnong within Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
He argued repeated reminders was sent to the KHADC but the Dorbar Hima Mylliem was not convened which according to Kharshiing deprived the people of the Mylliem State a transparent administration.
Kharshiing submitted a sample list of almost 44 Acts/Rules of Central Laws, State Laws which were in conflict with the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement 17th August 1948.
The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, urged the Home Minister to initiate discussion on the need to constitute a State level Committee comprising of all state holders to discuss the issues arising out of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement.
He also urged the Government of India to constitute a time bound High Powered Committee under the Union Cabinet Secretary, to resolve the Annexed Agreement and Constitutional Legal issues as advised by the National Commission for Schedule Tribes in its directive of April 26, 2012, August 27, 2014.
He urged the government to move a special resolution and a Bill in the Meghalaya Assembly to incorporate the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of 17th August 1948, under a separate Article 370 A for the said Khasi States presently under Meghalaya State.
On the other hand, Sangam agreed that these matters needed in-depth understanding and unanimity from all concerned and that these issues had to be resolved, and a start must be made to address these long-pending issues including the matter of replying to the MHA, and stated that the Law, DCA Departments would be asked to prepare a brief so that the State Government can discuss these complex issues in the next meeting with the Chief Minister and the Federation of Khasi States.
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