Shillong, Sept 4: The Council of Nokmas has decided to hold a protest rally on September 8 to protest against the state government’s recommendation to the Centre for introduction of village and municipal council in Garo Hills region in the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of Constitution of India.
The protest rally by the traditional headmen will be supported by the Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Achik Youth Welfare Organization (AYWO), Federation of Achik Freedom (FAF(, Garo Graduate Union (GGU) and Williamnagar Bar Association (WBA).
A joint statement issued on Saturday informed that the proposed rally will be held on September 8 and not September 6, as was reported in the media recently.
It said that leaders of the civil society organizations under the leadership of the Nokma Council will deliberate its plans and strategies for the upcoming programme at the Nokma Council office at 1pm on September 6.
“We would also like to state that amendment to the Sixth Schedule without considering the traditional fabrics of our tribe is uncalled for and will have serious conflicts of interest with the proposed Amendment (Introduction of Village Council and Empowerment of Municipal in Scheduled Areas) and the traditional set up which was being followed by our beloved Tribe since time immemorial,” they asserted.
The Council and the CSOs added that the protest aims at protecting the rights of the Nokmas and traditional system. “We invite all the stakeholders and the general public to be part of this protest to save our identity,” they said.
