SHILLONG: A delegation of the Garo Students’ Union (GSU), accompanied by representatives from Garo Hills, met Meghalaya Governor C. H. Vijayashankar at Lok Bhavan in Shillong, submitting a memorandum calling for urgent reforms to safeguard the rights and identity of indigenous tribal communities.
Addressing the media, GSU President Tengsak Gabil Momin stated that the memorandum reflects the concerns of the indigenous people of Garo Hills, with broader support from tribal communities across the Northeast.
He emphasized that the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), constituted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, was established to protect the language, land, culture, and socio-political identity of the Garo people.
Raising key concerns, Momin highlighted the participation of non-tribals in district council elections, describing it as a serious issue. The delegation’s primary demand is to make Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates mandatory for both voters and candidates in GHADC elections.
The memorandum also calls for amendments to Rule 128 of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District Council Rules, 1951, including the insertion of the term “indigenous Scheduled Tribe of Garo Hills” to restrict electoral participation exclusively to native tribal communities. Similar amendments have been proposed in provisions governing eligibility for district council membership.
Further, Momin noted that the group has been consistently advocating for changes to Paragraph 12(a) of the Sixth Schedule to enhance the autonomy of district councils. He added that the matter has been discussed with organisations such as the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP).
Expressing gratitude to the Khasi and Jaintia communities for their support, Momin described the current situation as a challenging phase for the people of Garo Hills.
The delegation also flagged concerns over provisions in the 1951 rules that allow non-tribals to participate in GHADC elections, arguing that such provisions contradict the spirit of the Sixth Schedule and could undermine constitutional safeguards, especially in the context of shifting demographic patterns.
Referring to the GHADC notification issued on February 17, 2026, the leaders said that mandating valid ST certificates is a crucial step toward protecting indigenous representation.
Key demands outlined in the memorandum include the creation of a separate electoral roll for GHADC elections, mandatory ST certification for candidates, establishment of an independent election authority for Autonomous District Councils, and reforms to ensure that only indigenous Scheduled Tribe residents of Garo Hills can vote and contest.
The delegation also proposed including Chief Executive Members (CEMs) of ADCs in advisory bodies to the Governor to strengthen governance and better reflect ground realities.
Urging swift action, the delegation appealed to both the Governor and the state government to consider their demands and take concrete steps to protect the constitutional rights and identity of indigenous communities in Garo Hills.
