SHILLONG : The Meghalaya government will approach the Centre seeking an amendment to the 1950 Presidential Order and a review of the list of genuine Scheduled Tribes in the state, NPP state president Prestone Tynsong said on Tuesday.
Speaking during the 14th Foundation Day of the National People’s Party (NPP), Tynsong said a committee headed by him has been constituted to revisit the list of tribes and sub-tribes in Meghalaya.
“When we say Meghalaya is a tribal state, we base it on the 1950 notification. Seventy-six years have passed. We have constituted a committee to review tribes and sub-tribes and examine who are genuine and who are not,” he said.
Government to pursue amendment constitutionally
Tynsong said the government would pursue the issue through constitutional and legal means rather than through street protests.
“We don’t need to agitate on the streets. We will touch the law. We will bring a resolution. If needed, the entire government will meet the Prime Minister and President to amend the 1950 notification,” he said.
He said the move was aimed at strengthening the interests of the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia communities of Meghalaya.
According to Tynsong, the issue has remained unresolved for decades, with no government having taken it up in the past 76 years.
He also linked the proposed review to the spirit of the Sixth Schedule, which provides constitutional protections for tribal areas in the Northeast.
Tynsong recalls Mizoram clashes
Tynsong also referred to the 2003 clashes in Mizoram, saying Khasi and Pnar people living in the neighbouring state had suffered during the conflict.
He said Meghalaya respects the Mizo tribal communities living in the state and questioned why Khasi and Pnar people in Mizoram should not receive similar consideration.
“We respect Mizo tribals here and share benefits from the same plate. I asked a Mizoram minister — if your people can share the same plate here, why can’t ours there?” he said.
Tynsong maintained that the Meghalaya government would continue to pursue the matter through constitutional channels.
NPP workers asked to ensure victory in Shillong
During his address, Tynsong also urged NPP workers to work towards ensuring victory for Dr D R L Nonglait in the Shillong parliamentary election.
He said having an NPP Member of Parliament representing Meghalaya in Delhi would help the state raise its issues more effectively at the national level.
The NPP state president’s remarks come amid renewed discussions over the identification and protection of genuine Scheduled Tribes in Meghalaya and the constitutional provisions governing tribal communities in the state.