Tura, Sept 8: The Nokmas of Garo Hills, custodians of the tribal land, concerned about the upcoming amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which gives protection to tribal areas of the North East, staged a protest march in Tura on Wednesday demanding that there should be no dilution of their powers and the protection bestowed to the tribals and their land since the past history.

Nokmas representing various Aking or clan lands from different corners of Garo Hills assembled at Tura’s Nokma Council office before the start of the protest rally. They raised their voice to protest against the central government’s proposal to create village councils.

The tribal leaders want the central government to put into public domain the proposals and also take into consideration their side of the story and ensure protection of the tribal areas.

There is apprehension among the hundreds of nokmas that the tribal rights they have for long been granted could make way for other “unrepresented” tribes also benefiting at the expense of the tribal nokmas.

Another concern is the transfer of power from the hands of the Nokma to that of an elected village council chief, something that has been termed totally unacceptable by the Nokmas of Garo Hills.

To prove a point they mean business, the Nokmas were joined by hundreds of others representing different student and social groups of Garo Hills and even including lawyers.

Members of the GSU, AYWO, ADE, FAF, FKJGP, GGU, Bar association also joined hands with the Nokmas by marching alongside.

The Nokmas are planning to meet with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and submit a memorandum to protest any move that is aimed at removing the powers of the tribal chieftains in the tribal dominated region of Garo Hills.