SHILLONG, JULY 30: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) said it would convene a meeting of the Khasi-Jaintia people in case there is any attempt to obstruct the passage of the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Second amendment) Bill, 2018 from becoming an Act.
According to the Bill, “Any Khasi woman who marries a Non-Khasi as well as her offspring(s) born out of such marriage(s) shall be deemed as Non-Khasi who shall lose the Khasi status and all privileges and benefits as a member of the Khasi Tribe who cannot claim preferential privileges under any law.”
“We will convene a meeting of the people from both Khasi and Jaintia Hills region if there is any attempt to obstruct the passage of the Bill from becoming an Act,” KHADC chief Hispreaching Son Shylla told reporters here on Monday.
The CEM, who led a delegation of the ruling Khasi Hills Democratic Alliance (KHDA)-led executive committee also met and handover the copy of the Bill to the deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong requesting the state government’s intervention into the matter.
“He (Tynsong) has assured us that the state government would study the Bill and we have requested him to consider speeding up the process in order for the Bill to get the assent of the Governor at the earliest,” he said.
He said that the state government is also asked to point out the flaws if there is any, so that the district council can accordingly take corrective measures.
Asked what if there is a chance for the government to delay by sending this amendment Bill to the Centre for examination as was done in the case of the Village Administration Bill (VAB), Shylla said, “They cannot do that as this Bill deserve to get assent because it is for preserving and protecting the indigenous people.”
Claiming that the Bill has come at a right time especially when the Assam government is all set to publish the Draft National Register of Citizens (NRC), he said it is anticipated that illegal immigrants will try to enter the state and this Bill will act as strong protection for our people.
“We will also keep a check on traditional headmen. If they are found to be indulging in giving rampant residential certificates to doubtful citizens, we will take action to the extent of removing them as headmen,” he added.
Rubbishing the claims of those in opposition against the Bill terming it as a “grave injustice done to tribal women”, the KHADC chief said, “We have every right to protect the Khasi identity and the indigenous community. Nobody can stand in our way.”
“If our youth take up arms, you say it is wrong, and if we are trying to bring a law to protect our community, still you are saying it is wrong, it think this is too much,” he added.
He also clarified that Khasi women who marries Non-Khasi will continue to get tribal surname but they can no longer get the rights and privileges as Schedule Tribe.
“The Bill does not bar Khasi women from marrying Non-Khasis but they will lose their identity as Khasi,” he said adding “The decision of the KHADC by bringing this Bill is to eradicate the fraud done to our indigenous people who are taking advantage by marrying tribal women.”
Claiming that majority of the tribal women are supporting the Bill, Shylla further alleged that those who are opposing the Bill, most of them are those who are marrying Non-Khasis.
“You find out their previous activities all have Non-Khasi husbands. Therefore they have no right to oppose this Bill. Moreover, those who are anti against the Bill are enemies of the indigenous community,” he said
Maintaining that the KHADC will ensure that the Bill becomes an Act, the Council chief said that he would soon meet the chief executive member of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council requesting the need to consider passing similar law under his jurisdiction.
Hailing the KHADC for passing the Bill, the banned Khasi rebel outfit – Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has recently asked the Council to consider bringing the “Anti-miscegenation Bill” to ban interracial marriages for both Khasi men and women.
On this, Shylla said there is no difficulty for the KHADC to bring such law if required to avoid discrimination.
By Our Reporter
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