Shillong, Mar 18: The Meghalaya unit of the Congress Party has suggested postponing the election of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in two non-tribal dominated seats until a legal method is introduced to resolve the issue of non-tribal participation in the polls.
The two constituencies on the Congress’ radar are Shyamnagar and Balchanda.
“I support whatever our ACHIK people demand and oppose non-tribals contesting the GHADC election,” former cabinet minister and state Congress working president Deborah Marak said today.
Communal violence erupted in Garo Hills last week over the issue of non-tribal participation in the elections, which have since been postponed. The GHADC’s vain attempt to mandate candidates possess a Scheduled Tribe certificate was found to have not adhered to the rules and was struck down by the High Court.
On the ST certificate requirement, Marak said the Congress supported the move but the process should have been carried through properly. She accused the National People’s Party-led government of not consulting other parties to resolve the issue and said that an all-party meeting could have prevented the situation.
State Congress secretary Manuel Badwar emphasised protecting tribal rights, citing former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s intent behind the Sixth Schedule and Autonomous District Councils.
“Tribals have the right to govern themselves,” he said, urging amendments to prevent non-tribals from participating in ADCs. He refused to agree that the Congress is to blame, stating that there was no political will or vision that this could impact in the long term. He said laws can be amended from time to time and various parties have headed the Executive Committee before, so the Congress cannot be solely blamed.
Badwar also called for a scientific analysis of Meghalaya’s demographic structure to understand the issue and prevent influx affecting tribal population.
