By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 24: With the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) adopting a historic amendment making Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates mandatory for candidates contesting its elections, a delegation of pressure groups, church leaders and citizens from Garo Hills on Tuesday met Governor Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar at Lok Bhavan on Tuesday, pressing for additional legal safeguards for the indigenous tribes by completely disallowing non-tribals from voting in autonomous district council elections.
The delegation, which included the Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Association of Democratic Empowerment (ADE) and Nangrimingin A•chik Dol (NAD), submitted a memorandum urging that ST certification be made compulsory not only for candidates but also for voters in district council elections.
The groups argued that such measures are necessary to protect the constitutional intent of the autonomous district councils as institutions meant for indigenous tribal communities.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, GSU president Tengsak G. Momin said the delegation also called for amendments to Rule 128 of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules to incorporate provisions safeguarding the rights of indigenous tribes of Garo Hills.
He further stated that the groups reiterated their demand for amending Paragraph 12A of the Constitution, an issue that has been under discussion with organisations from Khasi and Jaintia Hills in recent months.
According to Momin, the Governor responded positively to the concerns raised and assured that the issues would be carefully examined. He said that the Governor also sought the delegation’s views on the possible implementation of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls before the conduct of district council elections.
Momin added that similar matters have already been discussed with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, particularly with regard to strengthening provisions in the ADC Rules.
Expressing gratitude, the GSU leader acknowledged the support extended by indigenous groups across the Northeast, including organisations from Khasi and Jaintia Hills, stating that such unity is crucial in addressing issues concerning tribal rights and governance.
