SHILLONG: The report of the Task Force Committee dealing with the issue of giving recognition to Niam Khasi and Niamtre, has suggested that Christians, who are in majority, be excluded from the minority list at the State level.
While hearing a pending petition filed by HS Thangkhiew on behalf of Khasimon Phanbuh, the Division Bench of the High Court of Meghalaya said on Monday that in pursuance to the order on January 13, 2016, the Task Force Committee has filed the affidavit along with a report, wherein the Committee, after its constitution on December 21, 2015, issued by the Social Welfare Department, has highlighted that the main objective of the representations is to recognize Niam Khasi and Niamtre as religious minorities.
“In the concluding part of the report, it has been recorded that the Committee felt, it would be advisable for the state government to set up a State Minority Commission to deal with the representations of concerned parties and other related matters and Christians who in the State of Meghalaya are in majority be excluded from the minority list at the state level,” it said.
The counsel for the petitioner, while inviting attention of the court to the report and conclusion drawn therein, has also referred to the order on March 12 passed by the Supreme Court and wanted issuance of direction to the respondents to respond to the Task Force Committee report. The Advocate General sought more time to enable him to file an affidavit in response to the Task Force Committee report and the court granted four weeks’ time.
