By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Despite mounting criticism for his recent remarks, Jaiaw MDC Adelbert Nongrum (KHNAM) on Friday stuck to his demand that the Garo population residing in Khasi Hills region should be debarred from voting or contesting the election to the KHADC.
“The nomenclature of the Council (KHADC) itself indicates that this Constitutional body was created to protect the interest of the local Khasi population of the State,” Nongrum said while speaking to reporters here on Friday.
While referring to the condemnation of the ANVC (B), he said that the Garo militant outfit should not misunderstand his demand.
“I am not against the Garo community. After Statehood, three separate Autonomous District Councils were created in the State to protect the interest of Garos, Jaintia and Khasi communities respectively,” Nongrum said.
He also said that if it was a joint council of the three communities then he would not have made such a demand.
“My main concern is the interest of the people of my community. I don’t think I am wrong in having such a mindset since every public leader should learn to love his own community,” the MDC asserted.
Nongrum further said that any leader from Garo Hills would also voice their opposition in the same manner if people from other tribal communities of the State are allowed to vote in the election to the GHADC.
“We need to adopt this policy to safeguard the interest of our own community,” Nongrum said.
