TURA/SHILLONG, March 16: The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) witnessed a smooth leadership transition on Monday followed by a significant state government decision to extend the council’s term by six months.
The day began with the resignation of former Chief Executive Member (CEM) Albinush R. Marak, just ahead of a no-confidence motion and floor test in a special session of the council. The motion had been proposed by 21 MDCs who had earlier approached Meghalaya Governor C.H. Vijayashankar in Shillong seeking permission to move it.
In the special session held at the District Council Hall in Tura, NPP MDC from 21-Naguapara constituency, Dhormonath Ch. Sangma, was elected as the new Chief Executive Member with the backing of 21 MDCs. He immediately assumed charge, and a new Executive Committee was constituted to run the affairs of the council.
With the new CEM in place, the region appears calm for now, with expectations that the fresh leadership will focus on restoring stability and addressing the underlying issues that contributed to recent tensions in parts of West Garo Hills.
Later in the day, during a Cabinet meeting in Shillong, the Meghalaya government approved a six-month extension of the GHADC’s term, effective from April 18, pushing the term to October 18, 2026.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma joined the cabinet meeting virtually from Tura.
The extension follows recent bouts of violence in the district and comes ahead of the GHADC elections that were originally scheduled for April 10.
It is widely viewed as an opportunity for the council—now under new leadership—to frame necessary rules, including the possible requirement of a mandatory Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate for candidates contesting MDC elections, effectively debarring non-tribals if such a rule is adopted.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who oversees the District Council Affairs Department, clarified the sequence and reasoning behind the developments.
Denying any politics behind Albinush R. Marak’s resignation as the CEM, Tynsong said 21 MDCs had paraded themselves before the Governor and the Governor in his wisdom took a decision, asking the MDCs to prove majority inside the House. He added that a special session was called but before facing trial, Marak resigned from the post.
Pointing out that the posts of CEM and Chairman in GHADC are elected and constitutional positions, Tynsong said if anyone wants to remove them, it has to be done inside the House.
He said the former CEM did not follow the prescribed norms before issuing the notification that made it mandatory for any candidate to produce the ST certificate before contesting election.
“I am not saying that it was wrong. Maybe, it was right but it was not as per the prescribed norms,” he said, questioning why a CEM should sign the notification alone instead of bringing the matter to the House.
“The 21 MDCs felt that he is not fit to continue as the CEM,” Tynsong said, adding that Marak did not understand the participation within the EC and inside the House which was his failure, and all MDCs went against him.
“The new EC and the CEM will have to take responsibility. Along with them, the state government will take the responsibility of initiating discussions on the matter as we would like to carry everyone along to meet the aspirations of our people,” Tynsong said.
Terming the Cabinet’s decision to extend the GHADC’s term as a landmark decision, he said that the residents of Garo Hills should be happy with the decision as they would now get an opportunity to flag their concerns and share their views before any amendments to the GHADC rules.
