Federation of Khasi States spokesperson meets US Consul

From A Correspondent

Shillong, Dec 5: Federation of Khasi States spokesperson John F Kharshiing met Dr Prasenjit R Gupta, US Consul for Political & Economic Affairs, Kolkata. During the interaction, Kharshiing briefed the US official on the challenges of indigenous people of the Northeast where the Government of India allegedly has showed little interest to resolve the long-pending issues of tribal people.

Kharshiing, drew the attention of Gupta to the numerous peace accords signed in the region that had come about only through violent movements like the ga, Bodo, Mizo, Tripura, Assam, Garo, Gurkha, etc, accords. Kharshiing similarly pointed out that Khasi political issue under the treaty Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of August 17, 1948, is yet to be honoured by Government of India, and this was due to serious lack of redressal mechanism within the Constitution of India.

He further informed the US Consul that the delay in fulfilling the tiol commitment under the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of August 17, 1948, was the root cause of the many legislative conflicts vis-à-vis rights over land, mineral resources, forest, water, traditiol governce, etc, that prevail presently between the Federation of Khasi States and the Government of India, as there is no mention of this treaty within the Constitution of India till date.

Similarly the Khasi States have also been denied their rights and are against the Indo-Bangla Land Agreement.

Kharshiing informed Gupta that traditiol institution of self-government, including role, functions, responsibilities and status of the Dorbar Kur, Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima, are yet to be defined and till date they find no mention within the Constitution of India, and as such are mute spectators to the Indian system of parliamentary elections as the traditiol institutions are partyless and based on referendum and consensus.

He further informed the US Consul that he has decided to participate in the upcoming 2018 Assembly election so as to explore the possibility of discussing the issues of traditiol institutions within the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.