Shillong, Mar 13: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has requested Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar to call a special session of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in the aftermath of attempts to curtail the participation of non-tribals in the election process and following deadly and destructive violence in Garo Hills this past week over the issue.
A delegation of the BJP state unit met with the Governor today here to discuss recent incidents in Garo Hills.
The GHADC elections had been scheduled for April (now postponed) and there were demands from civil and pressure groups for non-tribals to be stripped of the right to stand and vote in the election. In a misguided attempt at this, the GHADC made it compulsory for candidates to have a Scheduled Tribe certificate but the High Court struck this down for not following prescribed rules. The attempt by two non-tribal would-be candidates to file their nominations led to days of violence that has left at least two dead, several injured and much property destroyed. A curfew remains in place in West Garo Hills and other restrictions apply to the rest of the region.
State BJP spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang told reporters after the meeting that the party urged Vijayashankar to convene a special session of the GHADC to discuss the amendment of council’s rules.
When asked what was the view of the Governor on non-tribals contesting and participating in the GHADC elections, Kharkrang said that he told the BJP delegation that he will consult legal experts on the matter and then take his decisions.
“He (the Governor) has not given any commitment. He will take up the issue. Whatever action he does has to stand scrutiny from the legal point of view,” Kharkrang said.
On the incidents of arson and vandalism in Garo Hills, Kharkrang said that it was unfortunate and expressed concern the way the GHADC notification was issued, which subsequently did not pass legal scrutiny.
“The district council has been there for the last five years. This matter could have been taken up earlier. Taking it up just before elections – that raises a lot of questions,” Kharkrang said.
