From Our Correspondent
TURA, Nov 27: The Constitutional Rights Forum (CRF) has urged all parties in the state, to not allot party tickets to non-tribals to contest the upcoming GHADC scheduled for next year.
“As concerned citizens, we strongly oppose the participation of non-tribals in the upcoming MDC elections of the GHADC. We urge you to instruct your party to stop giving party tickets to non-tribals and oppose their participation,” it said, in an appeal addressed to prominent parties like the NPP, INC, UDP, TMC, NCP besides others.
According to the forum, the GHADC is a special institution for tribals, and non-tribal participation undermines their rights and interests.
“As per Article 244(1) and 275(1) of the Constitution of India, the GHADC is mandated to promote the social, economic, and cultural interests of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the region. The Sixth Schedule, under Paragraph2(1), also provides that the Autonomous District Councils, including the GHADC, shall have the power to make laws with respect to the allotment, occupation, or use of land, and the regulation of the practice of jhum cultivation, among other things. Furthermore, the Garo Hills Autonomous District (Constitution and Administration of Justice) Rules, 1983, under Rule 3(1), states that the GHADC shall be composed of 30 members, of whom 29 shall be elected by the people of the Garo Hills region, and 1 person shall be nominated by the Governor of Meghalaya,” it added.
Meanwhile, organisations from Phulbari in West Garo Hills have also made an appeal to all political parties to refrain from giving party tickets to non-tribals.
The appeal to the political parties was made by groups like the GSU, ASPF, FKJGP, AHAM, GOERA, ADIL, GSMC, AAYF, AYWO and AAYWS in a joint statement issued to the media on Thursday.
“Granting tickets to non-tribals goes against the very letter and spirit of the Sixth Schedule and risks setting a dangerous precedent for the future,” they stated.
