Deprivation to minority

SHILLONG, JAN 4: Meghalaya high court on Monday fixed January 13 as the next date for hearing the petition alleging that Niam Khasi and Niam Tre, which are in minority in the state, are being deprived of their fundamental and human rights.

“We take a serious view of the matter and direct the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya and the Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt of India to remain present in court for assistance. Listed on January 13, before full bench,” division bench headed by the Chief Justice Uma Nath Singh said in its order issued on Monday.

Earlier in its order issued on December 15 last year, the high court had also directed Chief Secretary PBO Warjri to file affidavit on the matter.

During the hearing, the court was also informed though the order of this court has been forwarded to the ministry concerned but till date no instruction has been received.

Meanwhile as per the writ petition filed on this regard, it has stated that the ‘Ñiam Khasi and Ñiam Tre’ tribes which are in minority tribes in the state of Meghalaya are being deprived of their fundamental rights and human rights, particularly the ones as guaranteed under Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution of India.

As a result, they are not provided any benefits, which they claim to be entitled to, under the National Commission for Minorities, Act, 1992, and National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act, 2004, apart from similar other benefits available under various other Central and State Government Minority Welfare Schemes.

“We take a serious note of the matter and issue notice with direction to the respondents to show cause as to why the central government not be directed to hold inquiry into the allegation that the minority tribes in Meghalaya are being deprived of their entitlements as the aforesaid without any ostensible valid ground,” the court had stated in its December 15, 2015 – order.

It also stated, “We also direct that during the pendency of this petition, before the next date of hearing, all the pending representations filed by all or any of such minority tribes whether it is Niam Khasi in Khasi Hills or Niam Tre in Jaintia, or Sansarik, Koch, Hajong and Rabha etc. in Garo hills, shall be disposed of by the respondents on merit with reasoned orders and the state government shall ensure that there is no deprivation or denial of their entitlements on the grounds of caste, creed, religion, tribe and clan etc. nor is there any allurement/inducement or pressure causing any interference with their culture and religious faith or any other fundamental and human rights.”-By Our Reporter