Northeast Desk, 18th June: The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) Students’ Wing has issued a strong rebuke against the demands by various non-indigenous residents, including Bihari and Nepali communities, for reservations in education and employment within Meghalaya. The organization has called on the state government to disregard these demands to avoid unnecessary tensions.
In a recent press release, HITO emphasized that non-indigenous residents should seek reservations in their respective states, stating, “Hynñiewtrep individuals do not demand reservations in Bihar, Darjeeling West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.” The organization highlighted that the Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills Districts are governed by the Khasi States Treaty, which established special provisions under a conditional treaty of accession rather than a formal merger.
HITO urged the state government to ignore the demands made by non-indigenous residents, warning that acceding to these demands could lead to unnecessary tension. They further cited the need for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) and referred to the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act 1971, which prohibits non-tribals from owning land in the state.
The students’ body stressed that non-indigenous communities are tenants in Meghalaya and must respect the decisions made by the indigenous people. Non-compliance, they warned, would be met with “stiff resistance.”
HITO criticized the non-indigenous communities for their past actions, particularly in creating disturbances in border areas with Assam, such as Langpih, and attempting to infringe on the rights of the indigenous Hynñiewtrep people during the Hill State Movement and other historical conflicts. They questioned the legitimacy of the current reservation demands, noting that these communities did not participate in the struggle for statehood.
The statement quoted former Law Minister Martin N Majaw, who notified the Land Transfer Act in 1978: “We don’t like outsiders to stay here. We tell them, come here, appreciate the blue sky and the green hills, and then go away.” HITO concluded by asserting that they would not tolerate provocations and demands from non-indigenous communities, emphasizing their stance on protecting the rights of the indigenous Hynñiewtrep people.
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