Opposition to non-tribals contesting GHADC polls

Tura, Feb 10: The major social and student groups representing the three main tribes of the state have reiterated their demand for Inner Line Permit in Meghalaya and opposed the participation of non-tribals in the upcoming elections to the GHADC.

Members of the Khasi Students Union and Ri Bhoi Youth Federation, under the aegis of All Meghalaya Civil Society, interacted with members of the GSU, FKJGP, AYWO and ADE at Tura Rikman Continental hotel on Wednesday to discuss the burning issues of the state.

“Let us fight harder for ILP. We should boycott the GHADC elections if non-tribals are allowed to contest and vote. We need the Garo Customary Law to be made a legal document and shall pursue it,” said GSU CEC president Tengsak G Momin in his opening address to the invited guests.

Opposing the inclusion of non-tribals in elections to the GHADC Tengsak said the autonomous council should be exclusively for the Garo tribe.

“There are two seats in GHADC, Shyamnagar and Balachanda where non-tribals will be planning to contest. We will request the political parties, including Congress, NPP and NCP not to give their party ticket to such candidates,” announced Momin.

He also raised alarm about the turmoil in the inter-state border where encroachers from Assam are accused of stealing land in Rongsai area of West Garo Hills.

The KSU leaders spoke of the importance of having the MRSSA in the state and inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the 8th schedule.