Shillong : The central body of the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) has urged the Government of Meghalaya to take legal action against former Phulbari legislator Esmatur Mominin for filing a nomination in the elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), alleging that the move defied an official council resolution and heightened tensions in the region.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, FKJGP president Dundee C Khongsit condemned the recent arson attack on the office of the Garo Students’ Union at Chibanang in West Garo Hills and linked the escalation of tensions to Mominin’s decision to contest the council elections.
Khongsit noted that the GHADC had issued a notification on February 17 stating that only holders of Scheduled Tribe certificates would be eligible to contest the elections.
“His filing of nomination is adding more fuel to the fire,” Khongsit said.
“Everybody is accepting this notification, but this individual chose to go against the sentiments of the Garo Hills region, which escalated the situation,” he added.
The FKJGP leader argued that allowing non-indigenous candidates to contest the elections could undermine the spirit of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which protects tribal self-governance in the region.
He also warned that such developments could intensify broader demographic concerns in the state.
“When we are politically defeated in Garo Hills and allow non-indigenous individuals to be representatives, it will hamper the entire state, not only Garo Hills,” Khongsit stated.
Referring to recently reported banners in Tura mentioning ISIS and illegal migration, Khongsit described the issue as a serious concern and urged the people of Garo Hills to remain vigilant.
“It is high time our brothers from Garo Hills do not take this lightly,” he said.
Khongsit further appealed for unity among tribal communities across the Khasi-Jaintia and Garo regions, urging political groups to put aside party affiliations to safeguard tribal electoral spaces.
He also insisted that the government must take action against individuals responsible for escalating tensions.
“Had he not gone to file his nomination, these kinds of incidents might not have happened. He is the one who tried to exploit the situation in the Garo Hills region. Those involved in escalating the situation should be booked as per law,” Khongsit said.