TURA, April 26: Condemnations continue to pour in against Phulbari MLA SG Esmatur Mominin for his statement where he said that amendment to the Sixth Schedule was needed to bar non-tribals from participating in the GHADC elections. Many local bodies and organisations have even questioned the MLA’s understanding of the issue.
“We want to know whether the MLA is well conversant with the relevant clauses and articles of the Sixth Schedule on the basis of which the ADCs are created to safeguard the rights of the tribals. We want him to point out the particular clause where non-tribals are allowed to take part in ADC elections,” the New Tura Development Forum said.
It was yet to be convinced that amendments are required to bar non-tribal participation in GHADC as relevant articles and paras that seek to safeguard the rights of tribals are still valid. However, if amendments have been made to the relevant articles and clauses, it would support rectification of the same to uphold the true spirit of the relevant articles, it added.
Meanwhile, the GSU from Resubelpara in North Garo Hills has also condemned Mominin’s statement as well as the demand for the creation of a plain-belt district. “We will never allow our land to be further sub-divided into a plain-belt district. We will fight tooth and nail if anyone tries to do it,” the group said.
Another Garo body, the A’chik Association for Protection of Environment, has urged the MLA not to make such statements in the future as it disturbs the peace and tranquillity among the people. “We urge the MLA to respect the sentiments of the Garo people just as we respect the sentiments of non-tribals residing in our land,” it said.
