Shillong, Mar 24: Meghalaya Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar has granted his assent to a crucial amendment mandating that any candidate contesting the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections possess a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate.
The amendment effectively bars non-tribals from contesting or participating in the GHADC polls.
Celebrating the decision, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma took to social media to thank the Governor for ratifying the amended rules.
The amendment was unanimously passed by 26 MDCs (Members of District Council) on Monday, providing a legal shield against non-tribal candidacy in future council elections.
Garo Hills, particularly West Garo Hills, witnessed deterioration in the law and order situation after a former non-tribal MLA, Esmatur Mominin, tried to file his nomination papers for the GHADC polls on March 9. Curfews and internet shutdowns were clamped, two lives were lost and much property was looted and/or destroyed. The state government had to postpone the GHADC elections, which were scheduled for April 10, and extended the council’s term by six months.
