SHILLONG : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has hailed the recent amendment passed by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) as a “truly historic” step, after the council made it mandatory for all candidates contesting elections to possess a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate.
The GHADC, led by the National People’s Party (NPP), approved the amendment during its session on Monday, effectively restricting participation in council elections to tribal candidates for the first time since its establishment in 1952.
Addressing the House, Sangma stated that the decision marks a significant milestone, emphasizing that district councils were originally created to safeguard the rights and governance of tribal communities. He noted that although the demand had existed for decades, no previous government or council had been able to implement such a measure over the past 74 years.
The amendment introduces a mandatory ST certificate requirement into GHADC’s election regulations, thereby closing a long-standing loophole that had previously allowed non-tribal residents to contest elections in the council. The council itself was established under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to ensure autonomy and protection of tribal interests in the region.
Appealing for calm and understanding, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that non-tribal communities would respect the intent behind the decision. He stressed the importance of maintaining peace and harmony while collectively working toward the development of Garo Hills and the state as a whole.
The development comes in the backdrop of the state government’s recent decision to extend the tenure of the GHADC by six months. This followed weeks of unrest and violent protests over the participation of non-tribal candidates in the council elections, which were initially scheduled to be held on April 10.