The Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) today met the Chief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Pyniaid Sing Syiem, to call for an amendment that would strip non-Khasis of voting rights in council elections.
Speaking to reporters, KHNAM working president Thomas Passah said that Rule 128(1) goes against the spirit of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution by allowing non-Khasis who are permanent residents of districts falling under the KHADC to vote. A permanent resident is defined as someone who has lived for at least 12 years in a district.
KHNAM is worried that the KHADC will someday follow the district council in Garo Hills (GHADC) where non-tribal MDCs have even been elected.
“We suggest that this portion of the act should be amended and to incorporate a new clause that specifically states that only Khasis are eligible to vote in the district council election and do away with the other specifications,” Passah said, adding that the party will raise the matter with the District Council Affairs Minister as well.
KHNAM also brought several other issues to the attention of Syiem today.
These included the trading by non-tribals. KHNAM is of the opinion that in areas that already have large numbers of non-tribal residents, such as Shillong, Nongpoh, Umsning and Khanapara, it is important to protect the indigenous population by stopping the issue of new licences for traders in these areas.
Meanwhile, KHNAM also drew the attention of Syiem to the Regulation and Administration of Land Act 2021, which empowers Himas to charge fees to confirm land documents, etc. However, the fees are not uniform and members of the public have to sometimes pay large amounts, Passah said.
