Shillong, Oct 2: The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Garo Hills Zone, has thanked the government for notifying the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) (Garo Hills Autonomous District Second Amendment) Rules, 2026.
In a statement, FKJGP president Pritam Arengh said the organisation has since 2010 relentlessly pursued the cause of implementation of a separate electoral roll in the GHADC along with other civil society organisations and NGOs through sit-in demonstrations, dharnas, office picketing, public meetings, rallies, non-cooperation movements and even boycott of GHADC elections in 2015.
He said their core demands before the GHADC included implementation of separate electoral roll, Garo Customary Law, service rules for employees along with maintenance of an annual confidential report, constitution of a Public Accounts Committee for monitoring of funds and digitalised payment system.
On the separate rolls, Arengh said the historic decision after decades of persistent demand fulfils the aspirations of Garo people and will safeguard constitutional rights, identity and political interests enshrined in the Sixth Schedule, ensuring GHADC remains an institution of and for indigenous tribals.
He also thanked the Chief Minister, GHADC Chief Executive Member, opposition leaders, District Council Affairs Department, ruling and opposition MDCs, church leaders and citizens who fought for the cause.
