Shillong:
United Democratic Party (MDC) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Titostarwell Chyne said that the indigenous people of the state should oppose any move to include the term ‘unrepresented tribes’ in the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule.
Chyne, who is also the leader of opposition in the KHADC, spoke during a function to mark 71st anniversary of the Council on Tuesday at its premises.
“Members should be from the indigenous community to ensure our protection. In the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule to the Indian Constitution, there was a provision that the Union government wants to incorporate the term unrepresented tribe. If at any time the Union government bulldozes and includes the term, then we should unitedly oppose it,” he said.
Chyne added that it should be clear that electorates in the district Council should be Khasis and the representatives should also be from the community.
Paying tribute to the architect of the district councils late JJM Nichols Roy, Chyne said that he had envisioned the need to protect the interest of indigenous tribes.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the KHADC, Pyniaid Sing Syiem, urged the executive members (EMs), Members of District Council (MDCs) and the officers to work for the interest of the Council ensuring that posterity will be blessed.
The United Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council was inaugurated by the then Governor of Assam, Jairamdas Daulatram on June 27, 1952 at the Dinam Hall, Jaiaw, Shillong.
The MDCs and officers, the District Council Affairs (DCA) secretary, A Nikhla laid wreaths at Roy’s bust.
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QUOTE: “The State’s consistent practice has been to ward off these matters and hope for something better. However, when it comes to cracking down on illegal operations, very little appears to have been done—High Court of Meghalaya