Shillong, Oct 22: The Khasi Social Custom of Lineage (Amendment) Bill, 2018 and a resolution for implementing Inner Line Permit (ILP) system would be tabled in a special session of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) .

This was decided at the meeting of an Executive Committee (EC) chaired by the Council’s chief executive member, Hispreaching Son Shylla here on Monday.

Shylla said the meeting has decided to immediately write to the Chairman of the KHADC to convene the special session on October 25-26.

The Executive Committee has proposed to table the Khasi Social Custom of Lineage (Amendment) Bill, 2018, Subordinate Council of Traditional Chiefs and Headmen Bill, 2018, Town Committee Rules for implementing the building bye-laws, and an official resolution on implementation of the ILP.

Shylla said that the implementation of the two laws (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage Bill and ILP) will no doubt take out fear (of being outnumbered by outsiders) from the hearts of the people, adding that when peace prevails, all round development will also take place.

He said that the Khasi Social Custom of Lineage Bill to be re-introduced in the two-day special session has clearly define the custom of marriage which is based on the principle of “Tip Kur-Tip Kha” – to regard the matrilineal relationship and also the paternal relations.

“The Bill is a codification of the Khasi custom of marriage where a woman cannot marry a non-Khasi man,” Shylla said.

With regards to the unique customary practice of ‘Ringbia’ or ‘Shaw Bhoi’ by certain clans in Ri Bhoi District where a male would marry a woman from other communities to preserve the clan, Shylla said, “We have included a proviso in the Bill, to allow the practice to continue by the indigenous Khasi clans in the district.”

“On studying, we found out that application of law regulations, 1952 which was prior to establishments of the ADCs, where the governor had listed the central laws right from British era which include Eastern Bengal Regulations 1873 and others. These were notified by the governor and assent by the president of India,” he said.

Through the official resolution, Shylla said, “we would urge the Governor to notify the Eastern Bengal Regulation, 1873 for the implementation of the ILP in the jurisdiction of the Council.”

He also said that the Council would implement the ILP through the Village and Town Police, 1991, where it would have its own manpower dedicated for checking influx and illegal immigration within its jurisdiction.

The Village and Town Police Bill, 1991 is pending with the state government till date.

According to Shylla, implementation of the ILP will also pave way for providing employment to educated unemployed youths besides boosting the revenue generation of the Council.

On the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016 passed by the state government, Shylla alleged that the Act was aimed at facilitating influx into the state.

He said that the Act was not only weak, but aimed at facilitating influx into the state as it mainly aimed to restrict only criminals.