TURA, AUG 31: A public meeting and rally was organized on Monday at Tura to send message to the state government that people of Garo hills will not allow the non-tribal to vote or contest in the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) polls slated for October 12.
Amidst security and under a hawked eyes of the district administration official, the public meeting was held at Chandmari playground attended by about 1000 people.
The rally was organized by several ngos including Garo Students Union (interim body), Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GHSMC), A’chik Students Welfare Association (ASWA) and Tura Government College Students Union (TGCSU), amongst others.
Speaking at the public meeting, Garo Students Union (interim body) president Zicko Balgra said, “At any cost we will not allow the non-tribal candidate to contest in the poll or participate in the voting. The council is meant for the indigenous people to protect their welfare and interest”.
Speakers at the rally blamed the Congress led government for failing to enact a law, which would prohibit non-tribal to vote or contest.
In Khasi and Jaintia hills district autonomous council, the non-tribal are not allowed to contest or vote. Speakers blamed Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma that the government despite protest failed to enact a law for the GHADC.
In Garo hills, three constituencies, out of 29 are open, where non-tribal can contest election for the council. They are – Phulbari, Rajabala and Mahendraganj. As per the provision laid down for the council, any non-tribal resident of Garo hills, who have continuously lived for 12 years in Garo hills can participate in the voting.
“Under the sixth schedule the council was formed to give special attention for the indigenous people, we will not allow anybody to dilute the nomenclature”, said Nikman Marak, chairman of GHSMC.
The rally, which began from Chandmari playground passed through Ringrey, Babupara and culminated at the deputy commissioner’s office.
On Wednesday, a conglomeration of civil bodies including GSU central executive committee, Tura, Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), A’chik Youth Welfare Organisation (AYWO) and Federation of A’chik Freedom (FAF) has called for a meeting to the discuss the issue.
The meeting is likely to be participated by A’chik Literature Society, A’chik Senior Citizens’ Forum, Mothers’ Union, Nokma council, bar association, Garo Students Union, amongst others.
“We would like to invite all concerned citizens to be part of the discussion. We would be delighted if the development committees of all the localities and clubs, sports clubs of any locality comes to take part in the discussion”, said a joint press statement on Monday.
“The sixth schedule is entirely focused at protection of tribal areas and interests, by allowing self-governance through constitutional institutions at the district or regional level. These institutions are entrusted with the twin task of protecting tribal cultures and customs and undertaking development tasks”, the release said.
The ngos fear that if non-tribal are allowed to contest or vote in council polls, they would claim political rights to administer their own interest in Garo hills.
“Already there are non-tribal elements in the district council both as employees, voters and as MDC. We are very lucky that most of the seats are reserved for STs but greater participation of the non-tribal will have greater influence over the legislators both in the district council and the state government”, the release added.
The release said that in Muslim dominated plain belt areas of West Garo hills, the community has capacity to elect MLAs and MDCs and are now demanding a separate district. “There will be no limitation to their demands. They will simply ask for more autonomy and rights and will not stop until Garo hills is dominated by them”, it added.– From Our Correspondent
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