COMSO Revived in Tura, to Focus on Protecting Meghalaya’s Indigenous Identity

In the meeting several prominent organisations, representing diverse sections of the indigenous populace, came together to pledge their support to the platform.

The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO), a platform uniting indigenous voices across the Khasi, Jaiñtia, and Garo Hills was revived a landmark meeting held at Tura and discussed many issues like Inner Line Permit (ILP), Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) amendment.

With the restoration, COMSO aims to focus on the collective efforts of indigenous communities of Meghalaya to assert and safeguard their rights, with an eye on shaping the future of the state in a way that preserves the unique cultural, social, and economic fabric of its indigenous people.

While speaking to media, Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) president, Roykupar Synrem said, “Council will be able to show its presence once again before the government of Meghalaya as well as the government of India in order to raise various issues that relates or concerns the indigenous rights of the state be it the issue of ILP or the immigration into the state.”

Synrem further highlighted concerns regarding the Scheduled Tribes Order of 1950. He said that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 1976 had added around 50-60 tribes to the list of recognised Scheduled Tribes in Meghalaya, some of which do not exist in the state. Certain tribes that have rights in their own states should not have the same status in Meghalaya.

Regarding the pending 125th Amendment Bill, Synrem said, “We have also been discussed regarding the 125th Amendment to the Sixth Schedule which is still pending with the central government that issue also will be raised by and there will be a lot of issues that concerns us as the indigenous states COSMO will be taken up.”

In the meeting several prominent organisations, representing diverse sections of the indigenous populace, came together to pledge their support to the platform.

Among the participating organisations were the Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC), Jaiñtia National Council (JNC), Jaiñtia Students Movement (JSM), Confederation of Ri-Bhoi People (CORP), Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC), A’chik Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK), A’chik Progressive Approach (APA), and A’chik Socio-Economic Justice Forum (UASCJF), alongside other community leaders.

The meeting was chaired by Roykupar Synrem, the President of the Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC), who, in his opening remarks, stressed the importance of forging a collective vision for the indigenous communities of Meghalaya.

New office bearers for COMSO’s core committee were also selected in the meeting. Roykupar Synrem was elected as the Chairman, while Sambormi Lyngdoh, President of the JNC, and Roger D. Shira, President of the APA, were chosen as the Vice-Chairmen. Balbina Ch. Marak, Acting Chairman of the GSMC, was selected as the General Secretary.

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