BY Our Reporter
SHILLONG, MAY 6: Former leader of the disbanded ANVC.B turned Nokma Bernard N Marak today said it is for the autonomous district councils (ADCs) to regulate mining activities in the state.
“It is the duty of the Autonomous District Councils to frame proper regulation for safe mining,” Marak said in a statement issued here on Saturday.
He was strongly reacting to the recent proposal announced by the Congress led state government to allow the Meghalaya Minerals Development Corporation Ltd (MMDC) to carry out coal mining on behalf of the tribal people.
Stating that the people of Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills are the absolute authorities of land in the Hill Areas, he said that it is wrong on the side of the state government to intrude into the jurisdiction of the Hill Tribals.
“Land belongs to the Hill people and it is sealed through various regulations, Acts and the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution,” he said while accusing the government of acting as zamindar who tried to exploit the people.
According to him, the state’s policies need to be carefully analyzed as it is contradictory to the provisions of the schedule, regulations and acts pertaining to the Hill tribes.
Stating the State is not tribal, Marak said, “Meghalaya cannot own a land other than through process of acquisition which is again restricted in the Scheduled areas.”
He said that Meghalaya is a Hill State because it covers the territories of the three “Hill” Districts – Garo Hills, Khasi Hills and Jainti a Hills.
Pointing out that the state is not the authority of the land because of the unique land tenure system, he said, “The role of the Autonomous District Council is very vital in the Hill areas.”
“State cannot exploit tribal land and resources of the land on pretext of some rules which does not apply to scheduled and excluded Hill areas,” Marak added.
The former leader of the disbanded ANVC.B further stressed the need for the leaders of the state to study the history of the Hill tribals as according to him the state cannot just impose “dos and don’ts” over the tribal land.
“It is the duty of the Autonomous District Councils to protect the people from any attempt to exploit the tribals of their rights,” he said adding “It is advisable to those who challenge the banning of mining in the Court to first know the provisions of the law applicable to the Hill areas.”
Meanwhile, he said that it would be appreciable if the state government can hold an open discussion or debate on the rights of the hill people and the “Hill” concept as it will bring mass awareness on the rights of the people.
“Taking advantage of the ignorance of the people is an atrocity against the rights of the Hill people,” he added.
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