Tribal chiefs demand more haats along Indo-Bangla border

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'.