SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister incharge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday defended the Meghalaya government amid the ongoing turmoil in Garo Hills, asserting that responsibility for addressing certain local issues lies with the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) and not the State Government.
Responding to criticism over the unrest linked to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections, Tynsong clarified that the District Council is an autonomous institution with its own Executive, Legislative and Judicial powers, functioning independently within its jurisdiction.
“The District Council is not powerless. It has the authority to deliberate and decide on important matters through its own legislative processes,” Tynsong said.
The Home Minister emphasized that it is the responsibility of the GHADC leadership to address grievances and initiate policy changes when required.
He noted that the Council has the authority to convene special sessions to debate critical issues affecting the region. At the same time, he stressed that the State Government cannot directly impose amendments to the Council’s laws.
“The State Government cannot force any amendment on the District Council. As leaders, they must recognize when it is necessary to review and update their own rules of governance,” Tynsong said.
Clarification on High Court Observation
Tynsong also addressed the recent development in the Meghalaya High Court regarding a GHADC notification related to the issuance of Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates.
According to the Home Minister, the Court did not object to the concept behind the notification but found fault with the procedure followed by the GHADC’s Executive Committee.
“The Court held that the Executive Committee’s decision was invalid because the prescribed rules were not followed. In a District Council, just like in Parliament, major decisions must first pass through the Executive Committee and then be debated and approved by the full House,” he explained.
He further stated that any change in rules must be approved by the Council House and subsequently sent to the Governor for final approval. Failure to follow these procedures resulted in the court striking down the order.
Distinction Between ILP and Election Protests
Tynsong also urged the public not to confuse the demand for the Inner Line Permit (ILP) with the current protests linked to the GHADC elections.
Several NGOs have been demanding that non-tribal residents should be barred from contesting or voting in the District Council elections. However, the Home Minister emphasized that many non-tribal residents are legally settled in the state and remain citizens of India.
“Do not mix the ILP issue with the rules governing Council elections. These are two separate matters that must be addressed with clarity,” he said.
Central Forces Deployed
Tynsong also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for deploying central paramilitary forces to assist in restoring law and order in Garo Hills.
With security forces now stationed in sensitive areas, the government remains hopeful that normalcy will gradually return and tensions in the region will ease in the coming days.
