Shillong, Apr 4: The A·chik State Peoples’ Front (ASPF) submitted a memorandum to the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), Dhormonath Ch Sangma.
The memorandum addressed crucial issues related to electoral safeguards, the protection of customary land tenure, and constituency delimitation within the framework of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
According to the ASPF the CEM assured that a committee has already been formed to examine the implementation of a separate electoral roll and the Garo Customary Law (GCL).
The front stated that this proposal has been forwarded to the government through the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills and is currently awaiting approval.
He also expressed his commitment to completing this task during his tenure as CEM of GHADC.
The ASPF has demanded the cancellation of Trading Licenses (TNT) Issued to Non-Tribals from Assam. It cited the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which empowers the District Council to regulate trading activities of non-tribals.
The organisation argued that the current practice undermines the protective framework envisaged by the Constitution and leads to economic marginalization of indigenous communities.
The ASPF has also demanded the immediate abolition of Mouza No. 6 and its conversion into A-king Land, aligning with Garo customary law and the constitutional scheme of land governance. The Mouza system, the organisations said is a colonial relic that creates administrative confusion and erodes customary land rights.
It also demanded the urgent preparation and enforcement of separate electoral rolls exclusively for indigenous tribal communities, citing the Sixth Schedule and constitutional provisions safeguarding tribal autonomy and representation.
The ASPF has urged the GHADC to expedite the codification and enactment of Garo Customary Law, preserving traditional practices and ensuring clarity in governance.
Meanwhile, the ASPF has also demanded a rational delimitation of the Rochonpara constituency, grouping Garobadha and adjacent polling stations into a unified constituency, ensuring more effective representation and governance.
