Shillong, Oct 12: Former KHADC CEM and KHNAM member, Adelbert Nongrum on Thursday broke down while raising concern over the “lack of seriousness” on the part of the PN Syiem-led executive committee to amend the AD Rules, which allows non-tribals to participate in the election process to the ADC.
This came as a shock to the members of the House who remained silent for sometimes when Nongrum all of a sudden shed tears after the KHADC chief PN Syiem tabled a report of the EC on the issue on the first day of the session of the Council.
Nongrum’s crying made Syiem to walk to the opposition side to console the emotional member of the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), whose No-Confidence motion was also rejected in the House before it was moved.
The report tabled by the EC was on the proposed amendment of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951.
A Committee to look into the matter was constituted following an official resolution passed in the last budget session of the KHADC.
Syiem informed the House that the EC after deliberation on the proposal deems it necessary to refer the matter again to the Committee for in-depth study.
“The Committee has reconsidered the draft proposals minutely including any legal aspect which may come into conflict with the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India,” Syiem said.
Earlier while accusing the EC for showing lack of sincerity, Nongrum said that he would continue to raise his voice on the issue because he did not want Meghalaya to become another Tripura.
“While the present EC is busy thinking about getting political majority, the indigenous people of the region are becoming minority in their own land,” he said.
Nongrum also threatened that if not amended immediately, he would make Rule 128 an issue against the People Democratic Front (PDF) in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Referring to the ADCs in Mizoram which have specifically stated in their rules that the district council is only for scheduled tribe, he said, “Out here in the KHADC, it still have time to make excuses.”
Syiem however assured that the EC will convene a special session at any time once the Committee submits its report. He said the EC is committed to protect the rights and interests of the indigenous people.
According to him, the matter has to be referred again to the Committee to ensure that the proposed amendment can stand any judicial scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the No-Confidence motion moved by Nongrum was rejected due to lack of requisite number of members who support the NC.
Only six opposition members from the United Democratic Party (UDP) and Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) rose from their seats to support the NC.