Tura, March 9: The repeated protests by tribal groups opposing participation of non tribals in the upcoming GHADC elections appears to have hit a road block by way of the model code of conduct.

Several groups under the aegis of the All Garo Hills Joint Action Committee (AGHJAC), have been launching a series of protests and had planned to hold sit in demonstrations, particularly outside the Tura DC office on Thursday.

That is now unlikely to materialize with authorities clamping down against any form of protest when polls are underway.

“There cannot be any protests anywhere near the DC office since elections are on,” clarified Deputy Commissioner West Garo Hills Ram Singh to Hub News.

With the model code of conduct in place and imposition of Section 144 public protests are seldom entertained.

Even a teachers public gathering scheduled for Williamnagar on Wednesday had to be shifted out to the non election area of Shallang in West Khasi Hills.

Despite the prohibition, the protesters are non fazed and maintain that they will continue to oppose non tribal participation in a tribal body election.

“The recent statements in support of non-tribal participation made by deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong and former chief minister Mukul Sangma are highly condemned. The GHADC is meant for the tribals only,” informed AGHJAC organizing secretary Tengkrang M Sangma.

The Congress and the NPP have each fielded non tribal candidates in the non tribal dominated plains of West Garo Hills. While the Congress has put up one candidate, the NPP is fielding two candidates.