The A’chik Youth Welfare organization (AYWO) has issued a stern warning to national and regional parties in Garo Hills, asking them to refrain from giving party tickets to candidates that are non-tribal for the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
“The GHADC serves the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and the GHADC is meant to preserve our cultural traditions and to protect the miniscule tribe which is vulnerable to being swamped by outsiders,” asserted President of AYWO, Sengbath Ch Marak.
He contended that there was no role for the non-tribal in tribal-dominated areas and taking part in the affairs of the GHADC dilutes the whole essence of the Sixth Schedule.
“This is the only reason why the AYWO and other prominent NGOs are urging the authorities to uphold the real spirit of the Sixth Schedule,” he added.
Marak cited rules where it is stated that non-tribals do not have the power to vote in the district council elections. However, there is no ban in the GHADC on non-tribal MDCs, of which there have been a few over the years.
“We want to give a stern warning to all the political parties to refrain from giving party tickets to non tribals for the upcoming GHADC election. We are ready to agitate if our voices are not heard and the parties must face the consequences. The next government should make it a priority to make a separate electoral roll for the GHADC election and amend the rules barring non-Garos in the GHADC,” he stated.
