DIPHU, March 4 - A conglomeration of more than 24 organisations have demanded the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) to revoke the Mikir Hills Land and Revenue Act, 1953 and reactivate the traditional land and revenue law of the Karbis and other hill tribes in line with the Chakma Autonomous Council of Mizoram and the Bodoland Territorial Council.
While citing the examples of Chakma Autonomous Council of Mizoram and Bodoland Territorial Council, the organisations reminded the KAAC that necessary amendments were necessary for prohibiting sale and transfer of tribal land within their official jurisdiction.
The organisations therefore demanded scraping of names of all non-Scheduled Caste (SC) electors from the voters list as per the provision in paragraph 2, sub-para (7) of paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule.
The organisations lauded BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary for taking protective measures as per the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India and stated that the BTC has acted more pragmatically than the KAAC.
The organisations reiterated that the KAAC must repeal the Mikir Hills District (Transfer of Land) Act, 1959, which the Gauhati High Court and Supreme Court of India had declared annulled in 1979 in the case of Sitimon Sawien versus Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
They urged the KAAC to immediately take measures for preparation of Council election and voters list Acts and norms as per rules encapsulated in paragraph 2, sub-para (7) of paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule.
Further, KAAC chairman Horensing Bey, ex-MAC Surjya Rongphar and Kangjang Terang were urged to withdraw their proposal for amendment of paragraph 2 sub-para (1) endorsing the acceptance of application of Article 243 (for Panchayats) in the Sixth Schedule areas without any delay, clarifying that these amendments will wipe out the Scheduled Tribes. Article 243 (d) has recognised the constitutionality of Ser Van Kep of Karbis, Tolsung Vaisa of the Kukis and Salai Yarao of Dimasas, for which the Government is authorised to release MGNREGA funds under the 73rd and 74th amendment of the Constitution of India, the organisations stated.
