Our Bureau
SHILLONG/TURA, April 5: The BJP has asserted its commitment to addressing demographic concerns in the plains of Garo Hills, alleging that sections of the tribal population have been marginalised over the years due to migration and past political decisions.
Tura MDC Bernard N. Marak said the situation traces back to the partition of East Pakistan in 1971 under the then Congress government, which, according to him, led to significant changes in the demographic and socio-economic landscape of Garo Hills, including its protected provisions regarding land, trade, and related sectors.
“The partition of East Pakistan in 1971 under the then Congress Government led to significant changes in the topography of Garo Hills and its protected schedules over land, trade and other facilities. As a result, the original citizens of the plains became minorities due to unofficial arrangements made by the subsequent political leaders for illegal migrants after partition,” he stated.
He claimed that subsequent political arrangements allowed illegal migrants to settle in the region, resulting in the original inhabitants of the plains becoming a minority.
Marak further alleged that such arrangements undermined the provisions of the Sixth Schedule, which are meant to safeguard the interests of hill tribes.
Calling for corrective measures, he urged all bona fide citizens to come together to implement a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to identify illegal Bangladeshi migrants.
He also alleged that migrants had been promised equal rights, facilities, and livelihood opportunities in Garo Hills. Marak pointed to what he described as a noticeable increase in the number of voters in several polling booths of GHADC constituencies over the past five years, attributing this to unchecked migration.
“The previous government’s political arrangements were made unfairly, undermining the Sixth Schedule’s provisions for Hill tribals as enshrined in the Constitution. Migrants were allegedly promised equal rights, facilities, and livelihood options in Garo Hills. Unchecked migration has led to a notable surge in voters in many polling booths of GHADC constituencies over the last 5 years,” he added.
He cautioned that without intervention, the region could face issues related to overpopulation, and emphasised the need for collective action to safeguard the interests of the local population.
