Shillong, Dec 18: Senior cabinet minister and veteran MLA from Garo Hills, Timothy D Shira, has said that the participation of non-tribals in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) has its roots in historical practices shaped by a strong sense of brotherhood.
Shira pointed out that non-tribals have been involved in the GHADC process since its formation, adding that many younger generations may not be aware of the historical background that led to this practice.
Recalling the pre-Independence period, Shira said Garos and non-tribals jointly took part in the freedom struggle, cutting across caste and religious lines. He noted that this shared struggle fostered a spirit of unity, which later influenced decisions taken by Garo leaders at the time the GHADC was constituted.
According to him, leaders who had fought alongside non-tribals felt it was important to allow residents of Garo Hills from non-tribal communities to participate in the affairs of the council, a practice that continued for several decades.
Shira acknowledged that there is a growing sentiment among sections of the younger generation that the GHADC should function exclusively for indigenous communities. In this context, he recalled that in the past, leaders from minority Muslim and Nepali communities were even nominated as members of the district council.
However, he said that under present circumstances, non-tribals may no longer have voting rights, as the GHADC is primarily meant to safeguard the interests of tribal communities.
