TURA, JULY 23: The introduction of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) Codification of Garo Customary Law, Bill, 2009 was on Wednesday stalled by ngos. The ngos stalled the bill and also criticized the council on the bill for including a “contentious clause” on the definition of the Garos tribe.
Of the five clauses, which define Garos under the new bill, three clauses are being opposed.
The clauses that are being opposed are (i) A person born of a Garo mother and a non-Garo father is also recognised as a Garo/A’chik provided Garo matrilineal system; kinship and other custom and traditions are followed by him. (ii) The non-Garo father may be recognised as a Garo provided he adopts any other sub-clan or ma’chong other than his wife’s ma’chong and fully identifies himself with the Garos and is accepted as such by the adopting ma’chong, and (iii) A person who is born of a non-Garo mother and a Garo father is recognised as member of the Garo tribe provided he follows the Garo customs and traditions.
The three clauses are being opposed by Garo Students Union (GSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE) beside others.
The ngos staged protest outside the GHADC for over 2-hours, which prompted the GHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) to invite the protesting organisation for a discussion.
After holding consultations with the ngos, the GHADC has decided not to go ahead with the introduction of the bill in the current session.
Speaking to reporters, Besterfield N. Sangma, GHADC executive member of district council said, “We have decided not to go ahead with the introduction of the Bill. It is a very important Bill as the oral customary laws of the Garos will be enacted as an Act”.
On the three contentious clauses which are being opposed by ngos, Sangma said, “The customary practices for ages had such a law, so it was incorporated. The bill was drafted by a select committee of experts. Now that the opposition has come in, we have decided to put the bill in public domain to solicit opinions before we once again place it for introduction in the council”.
Sangma also clarified on the allegation of the ngos that the bill was not put up in public domain. “The select committee has been working on the bill for over 10 years. The draft was completed and was submitted to the Governor of Meghalaya for his approval to introduce the Bill in the council”.
Sangma also informed that the bill was carefully examined before it was sent to the Governor. The bill also talks elaborately on laws of marriage and divorce, inheritance, etc.
Asked on whether any time frame has been set for the next introduction of the bills, Sangma said, “It will be carefully studied once again, so no time-frame has been fixed. We don’t want to take decision in hurry”.
ADE president Dalseng Momin said, “Our discussion with the chief executive member was fruitful. He has assured us that the bill will be put in public domain for examination. Opinions and suggestion from stakeholders will be solicited.”
Momin asserted that at no cost, we will allow the contentious clauses to be passed into an Act. If required, we may appeal apex court on the issue”. He questioned, “How can a non-Garo be considered a Garo?”- By Our Reporter
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