Our Bureau
TURA/SHILLONG, March 2: Rongrong MDC Rinaldo K. Sangma and the A•chik State People’s Forum (ASPF) have strongly condemned former Phulbari MLA S.G. Esmatur Mominin’s statement questioning the legality of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) making Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate mandatory for candidates in the MDC elections scheduled on April 10.
Sangma defended the requirement as “constitutionally sound and morally necessary,” emphasising that the Sixth Schedule protects tribal self-governance and Garo identity.
“The GHADC exists to safeguard our land, customs, and political rights. Representation must remain with the people it was created to protect,” he said, urging respect for the Constitution’s spirit ahead of the polls.
ASPF general secretary Bernita Marak echoed this, criticising Mominin’s video as an attempt to undermine statutory and constitutional provisions for tribal autonomy. She highlighted Article 244(2), which grants Autonomous District Councils authority to ensure indigenous communities remain primary custodians of their governance.
“Any attempt to circumvent these provisions is legally untenable and constitutionally indefensible,” Marak stated.
The ASPF called on authorities to uphold the framework protecting tribal rights, warning that challenges would betray constitutional vision and democratic trust.
Groups warn against efforts to reverse GHADC decision
Combined Garo Hills organisations—including FKJGP, ADE, AYWO, and GSU—warned on Monday of stiff opposition to any attempts to jeopardise the GHADC Executive Committee’s decision mandating ST certificates for the polls.
The groups gathered outside the GHADC office after reports that four MDCs were pressuring the Chief Executive Member and Secretary to reverse the move. ADE President Dalseng Bira, speaking for the coalition, welcomed the EC’s bold step—long demanded since 2015 to exclude non-tribals from GHADC affairs—but vowed resistance to reversal.
“We warn all those trying to jeopardise it. The people of Garo Hills will fight against it,” Bira said, while urging Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to prevent disruptions.
The requirement, notified on February 17 following the EC’s February 9 resolution under Chief Executive Member Albinush R. Marak, makes a valid Meghalaya-issued ST certificate compulsory at nomination filing. Failure is deemed a substantial defect, leading to rejection.
Bernard reinforces tribal-only representation
State BJP vice president and Tura MDC Bernard N. Marak asserted that only Scheduled Tribes are constitutionally eligible to represent Autonomous District Councils. He noted the Sixth Schedule’s purpose: safeguarding tribals’ interests, land, customs, and governance from external dominance.
Marak referenced historical protections like British-era regulations shielding Garo Hills from plains exploitation, now embodied in the Sixth Schedule.
He expressed concern over attempts to dilute these safeguards and raised related issues on land administration, urging strict adherence to Sixth Schedule provisions.
