Traditiol chiefs not to participate in party based ADCs

From A Correspondent

Shillong, January 13: The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya has demanded constitution of a separate council for the traditiol institutions in the State.

The chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs, John F Kharshiing said that in a meeting held today the traditiol chiefs rejected the idea of participating in the party–based autonomous district councils. According to Kharshiing, the traditiol institutions are “party–less” institutions.

“Moreover, the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya felt that nomition was not acceptable as the meaning of ‘nomition’ or reservation was for weaker sections or minorities,” Kharshiing said.

It may be mentioned that there is a proposal for nomition of traditiol chiefs on the lines of nomited MDCs in the three autonomous district councils of the State.

Recently, the Grand Council of Chiefs had said that a “party–less” district council will remove all political differences and bring about the much needed legislative constitutiol changes required to retain the unique history and status by recommending necessary Constitutiol recommendations for preservation of the customary laws and practices existing in the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills.

Meanwhile, in the meeting held today, the Grand Council of Chiefs, resolved to attend the meeting convened by the State Government to discuss issues related to the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

The Grand Council of Chiefs said that it will pursue their demand for special recognition within the Constitution of India as per the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement, August 17, 1947.

 “We will pursue the issue to its logical conclusion where the treaties should find place under a special Article 370A within the Constitution of India, which would facilitate constitution of a special Assembly or Council for the Tribal Governing Institutions of Meghalaya which should be party–less and elected as per their respective territorial boundaries and jurisdiction,” Kharshiing said.