SHILLONG: In a dramatic development, the Meghalaya government has postponed the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections, which were originally scheduled for April 10, 2026, amid escalating tensions across Garo Hills.
The decision was taken following an emergency high-level video conference chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, as authorities moved swiftly to contain the growing unrest in the region.
The atmosphere in Tura and nearby areas has remained tense over the past several days.
Addressing the media, Deputy Chief Minister incharge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong expressed serious concern over the deteriorating situation, describing recent incidents—including an attack on the office of the National People’s Party (NPP)—as “deeply saddening.”
According to the government, the current unrest is largely driven by protests from several non-governmental organisations demanding that non-tribal candidates be barred from contesting the GHADC elections.
“The situation in Garo Hills is not conducive for conducting peaceful elections. Despite our efforts to maintain law and order, the safety of citizens must remain the top priority,” Tynsong said.
Government’s Immediate Plan
To ease tensions and prevent further escalation, the state government has announced a series of measures aimed at restoring calm in the region.
Election Postponed: The April 10 GHADC election schedule has been scrapped to avoid potential clashes during the polling process.
Dialogue with Stakeholders: The government has invited NGOs, community groups, and other stakeholders for discussions to address concerns surrounding the participation of non-tribal candidates.
Cabinet Meeting Ahead: A crucial Cabinet meeting has been scheduled to deliberate on possible solutions and chart the next course of action to restore peace in Garo Hills.
Tynsong also made an appeal for calm, urging residents across the region to refrain from violence and maintain peace.
“I urge every resident of Garo Hills—whether from tribal communities or non-tribal residents—to remain calm. The elections have been postponed to give us the time needed for dialogue. The government is ready to listen to all sides,” he said.
With tensions still simmering, attention is now focused on the upcoming Cabinet meeting, which is expected to determine how the government plans to address the dispute before the situation escalates further.
