TURA, OCT 25: A conglomeration of civil organisations including Garo Students Union (GSU) ON Tuesday dashed off a letter to Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) Denang T. Sangma to amend district council rules to prevent participation of non-tribals.
The letter has urged GHADC to amend the articles to prevent the participation of non-tribals in the district council.
In 2008, the movement to exclude non-tribals was initiated by GSU.
In the last council election, GSU along with other organisations had opposed the participation of the non-tribals and had even called for boycott of the polls.
Quoting union tribal affairs minister Juel Oram, the letter to CEM said, “The union minister informed that directions are there for the State Government to pursue the implementation of the provisions of the Sixth Schedule while assuring that the ministry will pursue the matter with the Meghalaya Government and that direction will be given to the State Government to ensure the participation of only tribals in the Garo Hills District Council Elections.
He reiterated that the Autonomous Council and State Government must make it imperative to follow the provisions of the 6th Schedule without fail only then can the participation of only the tribals in the District Council can be ensured”.
The civil organisation had met Oram in 2015 after the district council election was held.
“We would like to appeal to the rulers of the GHADC to formulate legislations and amend laws to bar the non-tribals from participating in the District Council Elections. Rule 128 sub-rule 1(a), sub- rule 2 and 3 can be amended to ensure the participation of only the tribals in the District Council elections”, the letter said.-From Our Correspondent
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