TURA: The battle lines are once again drawn between the State Government and NGOs of Garo Hills over the contentious issue of civic polls as the former has threatened to oppose the elections to the four municipalities of Garo Hills alleging apprehension it would lead to the dilution of powers of the traditional bodies and affect both the land transfer act and the provisions of the Sixth Schedule.
“The government is afraid to take on the KSU and the FKJGP by holding elections in Khasi Hills. That is the reason they are undertaking the exercise in Garo Hills,” alleged GSU president Tengsak G Momin.
Buoyed by a recent High Court order directing the State to hold polls to four municipalities of Garo Hills latest by September 30, the State Government has announced that polls would take place as early as next month.
Polls are scheduled for Tura, Williamnagar, Baghmara and Resubelpara municipal boards.
Previous attempts to hold the polls met with stiff resistance by student and social groups leading to a major law and order problem in the three districts of Garo Hills.
The Union also questioned the rationale behind holding of polls in only Garo Hills while the state government has allegedly gone ahead and signed an MOU with the Asian Development Bank for the development of Shillong city.
“Why should we face the elections for a developmental project in Shillong?” questioned the GSU.
The student body has also demanded the scrapping of the Draft Meghalaya Community Participation Bill (MCPB) 2011 on the grounds it would adversely affect the functioning of the traditional heads and institutions of the State, particularly in Garo Hills.