KHADC advisory committee for inclusion of IOA & AA in the Constitution

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 28, 2019

SHILLONG: The Advisory Committee on Legislation & Legal Issues constituted by the KHADC said it is high time that the Centre consider including the provisions of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement (IOA&AA) in the Constitution of India. 

It has also decided to recommend to the executive committee of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to recognize the Federation of Khasi States (FKS). 

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the KHADC chairman Pynshngain N Syiem, who is also heading the advisory committee here on Friday. The meeting was attended by traditional heads to discuss on the IOA&AA signed by the 25 Khasi states on August 17, 1948. 

Talking to newsmen here, Syiem said the advisory committee is organizing consultative meetings with different stakeholders including MDCs, NGOs and traditional heads to sensitize about the importance of these agreements. 

He said the objective is to have one common voice to urge the Central government to include the provisions of the agreements in the Constitution of India to protect the interest and identity of the indigenous community. 

“This is in view of the various problems faced by the indigenous community relating to land, minerals, traditional institutions and others,” he said. 

The former KHADC chief also said the Centre’s move to implement the Citizenship Amendment Bill is a major concern adding “The IOA & AA can be very powerful to protect the indigenous community by ensuring such central laws are not made applicable to our state.” 

He further informed that the committee has also decided to recommend on the need to insert the word Hima in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India. 

“We will also recommend to the executive committee of the KHADC to recognize the FKS as a traditional body by taking into consideration that they have signed the IOA & AA,” Syiem said. 

The KHADC chairman further informed that the committee would submit a report to the EC for its consideration.