ADCs to seek legal opinion

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, FEB 3: The Autonomous District Councils (ADC) in the state on Friday decided to seek “legal opinion” on the proposed amendment of the AD Rules, which seeks to allow non-indigenous people to participate in the election process. Rule 128 of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District (Constitution of District Council) Rules, 1951 clearly states – “All citizen of India not below the age of 18 years can contest, be electors in the District Council election”.

The decision was taken at a joint meeting between the chief executive members (CEMs) of the Autonomous District Councils in the city on Friday.

However the meeting was attended only by a delegation led KHADC CEM PN Syiem and GHADC CEM Denang T Sangma. The JHADC delegation could not make it due to some unavoidable circumstances.

Addressing newsmen after chairing the meeting, KHADC chief PN Syiem said, “We have unanimously decided to form committees in the respective district councils for seeking legal opinion from law experts on the matter.”

Refusing to give further comment on their future course of action, Syiem said that once the consultation with the law experts is completed, the three ADCs would again meet to discuss the matter before taking a collective decision.

The meeting was convened after the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) threatened to take stern decision if the KHADC fails to take steps on the issue concerning the interest of the indigenous community.

The KHNAM having two members is currently supporting the ruling People Democratic Forum (PDF) in the KHADC led by the Congress suspended member.

Earlier its MDC Adelbert Nongrum, also former KHADC chief, had termed this particular rule as “detrimental” to the welfare of the Khasi indigenous tribe, while moving a resolution in the house last year.