Tura, (Meghalaya), Nov 15 : Meghalaya's tribal chiefs
today demanded more haats along the India-Bangladesh border to
facilitate trade and commerce between the two neighbours.
"The Government must expedite at least 40 border haats
along the Indo-Bangla border to improve the economic condition
of the people living on both sides of the border," John F
Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, State Planning Board and Chairman of
the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya said.
He was addressing a conference of tribal chiefs called
'Dorbar Ri' or People's Parliament near here.
More than 300 tribal chiefs gathered here to attend the
third People's Parliament or 'Dorbar Ri' of the indigenous
institutions of the state.
India and Bangladesh unveiled a border haat at Kalaichar
in Meghalaya in July this year. The haats are aimed to
re-create the thriving commerce shuttered forty years ago
after the creation of East Pakistan.
The 'Dorbar Ri' also resolved to urge the Government to
remedy the Assam-Meghalaya border dispute and the insurgency
problem prevailing in Meghalaya within a given time frame.
The tribal chiefs had earlier met in 2009 in the first
'Dorbar Ri'.
"The 'Dorbar Ri' is a unique assembly of chiefs
facilitating the revision and rectification of various
deficiencies affecting the indigenous people of Meghalaya,"
Kharshiing said.
Stressing on the need of conformity of certain amendments
made to the Constitution of India as an Act of Parliament,
Kharshiing said that the tribal chiefs would recommend to the
Speaker of the Meghalaya State Legislative Assembly to hold a
special session at the Assembly with its members and the heads
of the traditional institutions of Meghalaya.
Milton Sangma, former Pro Vice Chancellor, NEHU and
Adviser, Council of Nokmas Vice Chairman, Grand Council of
Chiefs informed that the traditional institutions in Meghalaya
had been since time immemorial headed by clan chiefs but after
the advent of British colonial rule the system was subjugated
and the traditional chiefs were turned to mere custodians.
Therefore, he said, "It was imperative that traditional
institutions retain their sovereignty in all spheres."
Balajied S Syiem, one of the tribal chiefs, released a
Garo book titled 'Nokma, uni Kamrang aro Bilrang' literally
meaning 'Nokma, his duties and powers'.