Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday announced that the state government has initiated a comprehensive research project to study the origins of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes. He said two separate committees have been constituted to carry out the study, one focusing on the Khasi-Jaintia community and the other on the Garo tribe.
Sangma said the project will involve DNA mapping, along with the study of linguistic and cultural linkages, and collaboration with researchers to document various aspects of the tribes. The Chief Minister said two separate committees have been constituted for the study—one focusing on the Khasi-Jaintia community and the other on the Garo tribe—to ensure a detailed and specialised approach.
According to the Chief Minister, the research is expected to be completed within 18 to 24 months, with periodic reports to be released during the course of the study. The formal launch of the programme is scheduled for May. Officials added that preliminary work has already begun, with research teams engaged in initial groundwork since February.