SHILLONG, APR 4: The Jaintia Students’ Union has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, urging urgent intervention to safeguard electoral integrity and tribal rights in the Jaintia Hills region.
The union called for amendments to the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District Council Rules, 1951, to mandate Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates for all candidates and voters in Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) elections.
“This measure is proposed to ensure that both candidates and voters are bona fide indigenous inhabitants of the Jaintia Hills region,” the memorandum stated.
It also demanded changes to Rule 8 and Rule 128 to restrict eligibility for contesting JHADC elections to indigenous tribal individuals.
The union highlighted concerns about rising non-tribal populations and voters in areas like Lad Rymbai and Lakroh, linking the trend to coal mining and potential illegal influx.
The memorandum sought immediate implementation of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Jaintia Hills, citing similar exercises in West Bengal.
“These measures are essential to uphold democratic principles, ensure electoral transparency, and preserve the identity and rightful representation of the indigenous tribal population,” it added.
By Our Reporter
