Dhormonath Ch. Sangma has been elected as the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) following the resignation of Albinush R. Marak. Marak’s resignation came just hours before a special session intended to address a no-confidence motion against him, which was supported by a coalition of 21 Members of the District Council (MDCs) who claimed that he had lost majority support. The special session, now focusing on the formation of a new Executive Committee, follows this leadership transition.
In a related development amidst increasing unrest in Garo Hills, particularly concerning the involvement of non-tribal individuals in tribal council elections, the Meghalaya Cabinet has decided to extend the tenure of the GHADC by an additional six months. The decision, communicated by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, was confirmed during a Cabinet meeting chaired remotely by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. This extension is particularly significant in light of recent violence in Tura and nearby regions, which resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals. The unrest escalated after the GHADC issued a notification preventing non-tribal candidates from participating in the upcoming council elections, originally scheduled for April 10 but now postponed due to the ongoing disturbances in the area.