Shillong, August 11: The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) has urged Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Vincent H. Pala to raise the issue of the Instrument of Accession (IOA), particularly Clause 5 of the agreement between the Khasi States and the Government of India, in Parliament.
In a letter addressed to Pala, HITO appreciated the MPCC’s recent protest against the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). However, the organisation maintained that efforts to safeguard the rights of minorities and indigenous communities should not remain confined to the FCRA issue alone.
HITO President Donbok Dkhar and Assistant Publicity Secretary Marrius Mallai requested Pala to bring the matter to the attention of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and urge him to raise the IOA in Parliament and seek clarification from the Centre regarding its present legal status, scope and implementation.
According to HITO, the Instrument of Accession was accepted on August 17, 1948, by the then Governor-General of India, C. Rajagopalachari. The organisation stated that the agreement has significant implications for the protection of customary practices, land, minerals, forests, natural resources and traditional governance systems of the Khasi States.
HITO claimed that the lack of adequate public understanding and official clarification regarding these historical agreements could be linked to several challenges currently facing the Hynñiewtrep people.
The organisation called for a comprehensive review of laws, rules and notifications relating to coal mining, forests, land ownership, the entry and settlement of non-indigenous people, the granting of licences to non-tribals and other commercial activities.
It also expressed concern that limited awareness of historical laws and agreements could lead to the misuse of notifications, rules and administrative orders, potentially affecting the rights and protections enjoyed by indigenous communities.
HITO further demanded legal recognition for the National Assembly and its flag, which, according to the organisation, was inaugurated by the Governor of Assam on April 29, 1949.
On the FCRA issue, HITO supported efforts to protect schools, colleges, charitable institutions and civil society organisations receiving lawful foreign contributions. However, it stressed that the campaign should not become merely a political exercise but remain rooted in constitutional rights and public welfare.
The organisation put forward seven demands, including:
- Raising the IOA issue in Parliament;
- Taking up the matter with Rahul Gandhi;
- Seeking clarification from the Government of India on the status and implementation of the IOA;
- Reviewing laws affecting indigenous land, customs and natural resources;
- Opposing policies that weaken existing safeguards;
- Protecting educational and civil society institutions; and
- Demonstrating commitment through concrete action rather than rhetoric.
HITO also referred to discussions and directions involving the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes and the Ministry of Home Affairs in April 2012 and October–November 2014.
“Historical documents should not remain confined to textbooks; they must serve as the foundation for protecting the rights of the people,” HITO stated.
