Shillong, Dec 10: Representatives of the Hajong, Koch, Rabha, Boro, and Mann communities have appealed Meghalaya Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar to create a Regional Council for minority tribes citing constitutional provisions and decades of marginalisation.
The communities under the banner of the Regional Council Demand Committee (RCDC) emphasised the need for intervention under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) of the Constitution, referencing the Sixth Schedule.
RCDC chairman Dr. KC Boro said the proposed council aims to address “historical injustices”, including a skewed reservation quota favouring major tribes (Garo, Khasi, Jaintia) with 80 per cent, leaving just 5 per cent for minority tribes, SCs, and others.
Calling the council a “last resort to survive and grow,” the RCDC in a memorandum to the Governor said, “We want to live with prosperity and dignity like other advanced communities.”
The RCDC criticised the 2025 Reservation Roster policy stating it will be a disadvantage to the minority tribes in government jobs and with the 2013 delimitation exercise, it will reduce their political representation to zero in the Assembly.
“Unfortunately, Muslims have two MLAs, but we have none,” the committee said.
