TURA, March 27: Former South Tura MLA, John Lesley K. Sangma, has raised significant concerns regarding the Meghalaya Government’s recent Gazette Notification requiring Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates for candidates in Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections.
While the ruling NPP celebrated the move as a victory for indigenous rights, Sangma described the notification as “disputable” and an incomplete answer to the long-standing aspirations of the Garo people.
In an exclusive interview, Sangma argued that simply requiring an ST certificate is a superficial fix that fails to address the underlying legal framework. He pointed out that the definition of “Tribal” provided by the Chief Minister in the Assembly includes a vast scope—approximately 11 tribes and 37 sub-tribes—which could still allow a wide array of groups to contest.
”I do not think we won,” Sangma stated. “We closed the door but kept the windows open. Asking for an ST certificate is not enough without changing the old laws. This will only bring contradiction and ambiguity.”
Sangma highlighted that the High Court, while dismissing a previous challenge to this rule, indirectly advised the government to amend the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951. Specifically, he called for the overhaul of:
Rule 8 (c): Which currently allows anyone who can vote to contest elections.
Rule 128: Which allows permanent residents of the territorial limits to vote, even if they are not members of a Scheduled Tribe specified in the 1950 Order.
Sangma suggested that Rule 8 (c) should be amended to state that only indigenous tribals within the Garo Hills with land ownership rights should be eligible to vote and contest. Furthermore, he argued that Rule 128 must be changed to explicitly bar those belonging to ST groups not pertaining to Meghalaya from voting.
Reflecting on the civil unrest in Tura and the subsequent arrests, the former MLA hailed the local NGO leaders as the “true heroes” and “Achik Matgriks” of the movement. He credited these leaders with forcing the government’s hand after five years of perceived neglect.
Recognition of Activists: Sangma specifically cited the actions of NGOs on March 9th, which prevented non-tribal candidates from filing nominations, as the catalyst for the current government action.
* He urged the government to drop all charges against the NGO leaders who led the movement for tribal rights.
* While supporting the activists, Sangma was firm in his stance against “anti-social elements” who engaged in looting or violence, stating that the law must take its course against those who exploited the protest for criminal gain.
Sangma warned that without comprehensive legislative amendments to the 1951 Rules, the current notification remains vulnerable to legal and technical challenges in court. “The battle is not over yet,” he concluded, calling for a more robust legal shield to protect the indigenous rights of the Garo people.
