Tribal chiefs in Meghalaya today sought the opinion of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes on the recent judgement by the High Court here prohibiting tribal village headmen to issue NOC or interfere with the administration.
"We sincerely request the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to kindly provide its opinion as to the observations of Justice S R Sen, High Court of Meghalaya," John F Kharshiing, chairman Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, said in a letter to NCST chairman Rameshwar Oraon.
He argued that the opinion was sought since the matter was under scrutiny by the various Ministries and the commission relating to the incorporation and implementation of Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement 17 August 1948 into the Constitution of India.
Justice S R Sen observed in his December 10 judgement that a village/locality headman did not derive any right from law, and rule or from the Constitution of India to issue NOC for the purpose of birth/death or for registration of any document as well as for building permission and obtaining loan.
