MIPRL urges BJP to protect indigenous people

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

Shillong, April 25: The Movement for Indigenous People’s Rights and Livelihood-Meghalaya (MIPRL-M) today said that during the visit of BJP president Amit Shah recently they have submitted a memorandum underlining the need to protect and maintain the status of the indigenous people of the state.

According to the MIPRL-M vice-president Erwin K Syiem Sutnga it demanded that the status of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people of the state should be protected as guaranteed by the Constitution of India and the Sixth Scheduled to the constitution of India and inclusion of their rights under Article 371 of the Constitution.

He also said that in the memorandum to Shah, the MIPRL has also demanded the BJP, being a major party in the Parliament should consider to specifically protect the rights of the indigenous people of the State as per Article 371.

“We have made this a substantive demand because the Sixth Schedule did not clearly state our rights concerning lands”, he added.

Sutnga also said that the MIPRL also demanded regulation of the entry of non-Meghalaya residents into the state.

He further informed that Shah during his visit to the state gave the members of MIPRL a patient hearing and they also were able to explain to him the fact that we are matrilineal system and the lands belong to the people.

“After discussing the matter thoroughly, Shah gives us a positive and concrete assurance that he will go in depth into the memorandum and will get back to us,” Sutnga said. He also urged the BJP president to arrange a meeting with Prime Minister rendra Modi and we are definitely going to Delhi and talk on these points and make our voices heard in Delhi, he added.