Shillong: The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in Meghalaya on Monday amended its rules to mandate Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates to contest council elections, in the wake of recent unrest, deaths and curfew due to participation of non-tribal candidates. The decision, taken during a special session, is aimed at ensuring tribal representation and will now be sent for the approval of the state and the governor under the Sixth Schedule.
The move comes weeks after violence in the Garo Hills sparked by ambiguity in the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Provincial Council Rules, 1951, regarding the eligibility of non-tribal candidates. The amendment limits nomination to recognized Scheduled Tribes, a long-standing demand of many tribal organizations. The proposal will be referred to the state government and then to the governor for approval, officials said.
Prime Minister Conrad K Sangma welcomed the decision, describing it as a “historic” and long-awaited reform that advances the goal of the Sixth Schedule.
“History has been made today with the historic decision taken by GHADC to amend its rules, which now mandates ST certification to contest council elections,” Sangma said. “It has taken the Jaro Hills District Council, which was established in 1952, 74 years to reach this historic moment,” he said. “This decision will strengthen the true representation of our Garo people, and ensure leadership by those who understand our community’s aspirations, traditions and future,” he added.
Shortly after the decision was taken, government ministers and NPP members met at the party’s office in Tora, along with Sangma.
“Join our people in celebrating this proud and defining event,” Sangma posted on X.
The issue had earlier faced legal hurdles, with the Meghalaya High Court quashing a similar enforcement notification and stressing that any such change must follow necessary legislative procedures. With the amendment now formally adopted by the Assembly through its legislative process, the resolution is likely to constitute the next phase of political and legal discourse in the Garo Hills.
