Shillong, Aug 12: The Voice of the People Party (VPP), Garo Hills has condemned the NPP-led MDA government for allegedly failing to keep its promise to prepare an exclusive electoral roll for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
In a statement, VPP President of the Adhoc Committee, KN Marak said including other Scheduled Tribe communities along with Garos in the GHADC electoral roll goes against the government’s earlier assurance.
At present, under Rule 128, the GHADC electoral roll includes both tribal and non-tribal voters, including Garos and non-Garos. The VPP said this has diluted the purpose of the Sixth Schedule, which is meant to protect the identity, traditions and political rights of indigenous people.
“The Government had committed to addressing this issue through a separate and exclusive GHADC electoral roll. However, the present inclusion of other Scheduled Tribe communities along with Garos defeats the very purpose of that commitment and amounts to a continuation of the dilution in another form,” the statement said.
The party clarified that it is not against any other tribal community. “Our concern is the protection of the distinct constitutional and political rights of the indigenous Garo people and the integrity of the GHADC,” Marak said.
The VPP Garo Hills has demanded that the Government immediately review the matter, reconsider the current electoral roll arrangement, and fulfil its commitment to prepare an exclusive Garo electoral roll for GHADC.
“The Government must uphold the spirit of the Sixth Schedule and not dilute the political safeguards meant for the indigenous people of Garo Hills,” the statement added.
