SHILLONG, JAN 12: The All A’Chik Youth Welfare Society (AAYWS) has strongly opposed any attempt to allow non-tribal individuals to contest in the upcoming elections of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).

In a statement, AAYWS President Zingzing N Sangma said, “We firmly assert that only Tribal candidates must be permitted to contest and represent the people in GHADC. Allowing non-tribal participation will seriously dilute the purpose of autonomy and may lead to outside control over tribal land, customary laws, and traditional governance systems, which is unacceptable to the indigenous A’Chik (Garo) community.”

The organization urged authorities and the Election Commission to uphold the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, ensuring tribal rights are protected.

“AAYWS urges the concerned authorities and the Election Commission to strictly uphold the provisions of the Sixth Schedule and ensure that the rights of the indigenous tribal people are not compromised in any manner,” the statement read.

AAYWS appealed to A’Chik organizations and citizens to remain united in safeguarding GHADC autonomy, asserting that “GHADC belongs to the indigenous tribal people of Garo Hills, and it must remain under tribal leadership only.”

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