Tribes representation to Prez

Chiefs of dominant tribes in Meghalaya, Khasi, Jaintia and Garo, today sought constitutional safeguard by adopting a party-less council in the proposed Thirteenth Schedule of the Constitution of India to protect the customary laws and practices of the tribes.
"The observance and implementation of these commitments soundly made on the 17th August 1948 be incorporated into the proposed Thirteenth Schedule of the Constitution for constitution of a special party-less council to promote and protect our customary laws and practices," J F Kharshiing, a leader of the conglomeration of chiefs here, said in a representation to President Pranab Mukherjee.
A delegation of over 20 chiefs met Mukherjee at the Raj Bhavan to give the representation.

"We fervently pray to render your good office for the fulfillment of the aspiration of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people way of inclusion of the proposed Thirteenth Schedule within the Constitution of India," he said.
Expressing serious concern against Acts, Rules and Regulations, passed in the Parliament by the Government, Kharshiing said registration, forest, mines and other Acts "have caused much conflict to the people in the state which are atotal contradiction to the terms of the signed treaties.
The tribal chiefs also reiterated their demand for provision of a special article or introduction of a 13th Schedule in accordance with the terms as agreed in the annexed agreement of the tribal chiefs and centre.

Asked on the reaction of the President, Kharshiing said the President has assured them that he would go through the presentations and would get back to them at the earliest.