SHILLONG, AUG 18: Traditional chiefs of Jaintia hills on Thursday sought intervention of chief minister Mukul Sangma in restraining the Congress led EC in the JHADC from interfering with their customary functioning.
Over 18 Dolois (chieftains) under the banner of the Ka Dorbar Ki Doloi Ka Ri Jaintia (DKDKRJ) has strongly opposed the recent order issued by the Congress led Executive Committee in Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council asking them to stop collecting customary taxes.
According to them, the direction came despite the Supreme Court in its recent order allowing the Dolois to continue to function as per the Act framed by the JHADC in line with the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
They stated that the Act framed by the council also recognizes the collection of customary taxes by the Dolois which is in para 5 of the Sanad (appointment) that clearly empowers the Doloi to continue the custom and tradition of collection taxes.
In a letter submitted to the chief minister, DKDKRJ secretary Manbha Kyndoh said, “Being the head of the government in the state and also the head of the Congress party which always talk about protecting tribal culture and people, we request your kindness to intervene into the matter and restrain the Congress led EC in JHADC from interfering with the customary functions of the Dolois of Jaintia Hills.”
He said in order to support their various activities; the Dolois are getting their funds through collection of customary taxes from various produces of the different elakas.
“This practice has been in place since time immemorial. In fact the first war which broke out during the early 1700 AD between the Ahom King and the Jaintia King was due to the differences in sharing the customary taxes from limestone,” Kyndoh said.-By Our Reporter
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