Shillong, Jul 29 :The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) today asked states in the Northeast to form the State Minorities Commission (SMC) to protect minorities' rights.
Among the seven Northeastern states, Assam has constituted the State Minorities Commission, while other states in region are yet to set up the commission.
''It is important for all states to form the State Minorities Commission as it can act as nodal agency to facilitate various development programs and welfare schemes for minorities,'' NCM vice-chairman HT Sangliana told reporters here.
Mr Sangliana visited Meghalaya today and discussed with state government officials regarding issues relating to minorities.
He said states in the Northeast were mostly Christians-dominated and happened to be majority in respective states though they were minorities in the country.
Mr Sangliana, however, maintained that those who were majority in the country but happened to be minorities in states were also being taken care off.
He also made it clear that the NCM was not in a position to recognize tribes practicing indigenous faith from states in the Northeast, including Meghalaya, as minorities.
''Being the tribals (practicing indigenous faith) they are under the nomenclature of tribal but not minorities but it does not mean that their problems are not taken care. We are ready to handle any issues or problems being faced by them also,'' Mr Sangliana asserted.
In Meghalaya within the Khasi community there are people who practice indigenous faith.
Mr Sangliana, who called on Chief Minister Mukul Sangna, took note on the implementation of various schemes in the state and discuss various issues on how to utilize the benefits of related schemes made available to the state.
He laid stress on better co-ordination between National Commission for Minorities and State Commission so as to have better understanding of the problems and needs of the minorities.
Mr Sangliana also requested the state government to organize more awareness and sensitization programs related to minority issues.
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