NGOs urge people to boycott elections
TURA: A public meeting was jointly organized recently by NGOs of Garo Hills at Mellim in South West Garo Hills as part of public mobilization against the inclusion of non-tribals in the upcoming GHADC elections.
During the meeting the NGOs, including the Tengsak led faction of the GSU, FAF, FKJGP, AYWO and ADE stressed on the idea behind the Sixth Schedule which is to provide the tribal people with administration and safeguard their customs and way of life. Hundreds of local people were made aware of the provisions under the Sixth Schedule as well as the Bordoloi Committee which recommended that non-tribals should not be allowed to contest elections in the hill districts.
“The District Councils have to exercise their powers and functions in matters pertaining to their customs and institutions without affecting the unity and the general responsibility of the State and the Union Government. The laws passed by State legislature may be applied by the District Councils with or without modifications. But the state legislature does not have the power to make laws on any subject allotted to the District Councils or Regional Councils,” they stated.
Following the meeting, the elders of the area have reportedly taken a unanimous decision to boycott the GHADC elections and also take part in the agitations to support the movement for non inclusion of non-tribals in the District Council and its elections.
“The government wants to oppress the will of the people and is trying to militarise Garo Hills so that fear psychosis is created in the minds of the people which are examples of the dictatorial attitude of the government,” the NGOs added.