Shillong, Oct 19: The Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) today remembered Wickliffe Syiem’s 37th death anniversary and has raised concerns over the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement.
HNYF president Sadon Blah highlighted the historical context of the Khasi states’ accession to the Indian dominion through the Instrument of Accession (IOA) and Annexed Agreement (AA).
The HNYF stated that the Khasi states acceded to India in 1947-48 through the IOA and AA, which specified alignment on three subjects: defence, communication and currency. However, the pressure group claims that the Indian government has not respected the terms of the IOA and AA, leading to a constitutional misalignment.
The Khasi states never signed an instrument of merger with India, and Mylliem State contested the Indian annexation, citing Section 7 of the Indian Independence Act 1947.
The HNYF alleges that the Indian army was used to compel Khasi chiefs to sign the IOA, effectively making it a conquest by superior military force.The organization claims that successive governments have feigned ignorance of the historical documents and the right to self-determination.
The HNYF demands that the Federation of Khasi States take a progressive stance on the IOA and AA and engage in discussions about the core issues. The organization asserts that mineral resources, including uranium, belong to the Hynniewtrep people, and the Indian government should not manipulate existing laws to exploit these resources.
