Instrument Of Accession Of The Khasi State:
A tribal council in Meghalaya has called for a meeting of traditional heads to revisit the Instrument of Accession that made the Khasi domain a part of the Indian Union more than seven decades ago.
- The chief executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) agreed that the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement signed with the Dominion of India between December 15, 1947, and March 19, 1948, should be studied.
- The KHADC said the provisions can be added to the Sixth Schedule, which “can be amended by Parliament”
- Meghalaya is divided into three regions dominated by as many matrilineal communities – the Khasis, Garos and Jaintias. The Khasi hills straddle 25 Himas or States that formed the Federation of Khasi States.
- The conditional treaty with these States was signed by Governor-General of India, Chakravarty Rajagopalachari, on August 17, 1948.
- Nagaland was granted special status under Article 371A, which was an idea of the Federation of Khasi States.
INSTRUMENT OF ACCESSION OF THE KHASI STATE:
- It was signed between the Khasi rulers and the Dominion of India.
- Agreement (which shall be regarded as part of Instrument of Accession), Khasi accepted that the Dominion Legislature may make laws for the said Khasi States in respect of any matter.
