Tura MP Saleng A. Sangma on Thursday underscored the need to rectify historical oversights by amending the Autonomous District Council Rules to address the contentious issue of non-tribals participating in Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections. The Congress MP met Governor C.H. Vijaya Shankar in Shillong and discussed primarily the situation in Garo Hills apart from procedures under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and concerns over alleged infiltration of Rohingyas into Meghalaya. On the core issue of non-tribal participation in the GHADC elections, Sangma observed that the council currently lacked specific rules on the matter.
“Since the GHADC does not have any such rule in place, the procedures for enacting appropriate laws need to be discussed,” he said, adding that he will return to Garo Hills to consult stakeholders on the way forward. Urging the Governor to set up security camps in sensitive areas where tribal communities have faced attacks, Sangma thanked various stakeholders for their efforts in restoring control over the situation in Garo Hills and stressed that tribal rights must be protected at all costs for lasting peace in the region.
Regarding the law-and-order situation, Sangma said the recent unrest and tension may have been instigated for political motives or to exploit the circumstances. He further noted rectification of longstanding practices were now essential. “The GHADC itself would need to propose and adopt the required rules and amendments, including framing the electoral college, in line with proper processes,” he said. In his response, the Governor indicated that necessary amendments to the District Council rules would be deliberated with the stakeholders in Garo Hills even as he stressed that all rules and constitutional procedures must be followed.